Elastase Production Research Articles

Chemical and Biological Evaluation of Essential Oils from Cardamom Species.

To highlight the importance of the spices in the Mediterranean diet, the aim of the paper was to study the essential oil compositions and to clarify the potential differences in the biological activities of the three cardamom species. In the study, we compared the phytochemical profiles and biological activities of essential oils from Elettaria cardamomum, Aframomum corrorima and Amomum subulatum. The oils were analyzed using the GC and GC/MS techniques and were mainly constituted of the oxygenated monoterpenes which represents 71.4%, 63.0%, and 51.0% of all compounds detected in E. cardamomum, A. corrorima and A. subulatum essential oils, respectively, 1,8-cineole was the main common compound between the tree tested volatile oil. The essential oils showed significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms tested especially the fungal strains. The Ethiopian cardamom was the most active essential oil with fungal growth inhibition zone ranging from 12.67 to 34.33 mm, MICs values ranging from 0.048 to 0.19 mg/mL, and MBCs values from 0.19 to 1.75 mg/mL. The three tested essential oils and their main component (1,8-cineole) significantly increased the production of elastase and protease production, and motility in P. aeruginosa PAO1 in a dose dependent manner. In fact, at 10 mg/mL concentration, the three essential oils showed more than 50% of inhibition of elastolytic and proteolytic activities in P. aeruginosa PAO1. The same oils inhibited also the violacein production in C. violaceum strain. It was also noticed that at high concentrations, the A. corrorima essential oil significantly inhibited the germination of radish. A thorough knowledge of the biological and safety profiles of essential oils can produce applications of economic importance.

화장품 소재 개발을 위한 제주 식물 탐색

To identify new active cosmetic ingredients of natural origin, we screened the biological activities of 50 different kinds of plants from Jeju Island, the southernmost island of the Korean Peninsula. In this study, plant extracts were screened for inhibitory effects on elastase, nitric oxide, and melanin production, and for free radical scavenging effects. Eight plants, Viburnum erosum Thunb., Trachelospermum asiaticum var. intermedium Nakai, Sageretia theezans Brongn., Sorbus alnifolia var. hirtella T. Lee, Staphylea bumalda DC., Pourthicea villosa var. brunnea Nak., Illicium religiosum S. et Z., and Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii Nakai were potent inhibitors of elastase (over 80% inhibition at 1 mg/mL). Elaeocarpus sylvestris var. Ellipticus (Thunb.) Hara (ICSUB50/SUB: 13.99 μg/mL), Sapium sebiferum (L.) ROXB. (ICSUB50/SUB: 14.27 μg/mL), and Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii Nakai (ICSUB50/SUB: 16.46 μg/mL) showed good antioxidant effects. Eurya japonica Thunb., Quercus myrsinaefolia Bl., Caesalpinia decapetala var. japonica (S. et Z.) Ohashi, Weigela subsessilis L. H. Bailey, and Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum dosedependently inhibited LPS-induced NO production on RAW 264.7 cells (at 50-200 μg/mL). Furthermore, Elaeocarpus sylvestris var. Ellipticus (Thunb.) Hara, Ilex integra Thunb., and Agastache rugosa (Fisch. et Meyer) O. Kuntze dose-dependently inhibited α-MSH stimulated melanin synthesis on B16 F10 cells (at 25-100 μg/mL). These results suggest that Jeju Island plants possess several biological activities and may be potent anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, skin-whitening, and antioxidative ingredients as functional cosmetic materials.

Phenotypic characterization of enzymatic activity of clinical dermatophyte isolates from animals with and without skin lesions and humans.

The pathogenesis of dermatophytoses is associated with the secretion of enzymes degrading the infected tissue components. Although many studies on enzymatic activity of dermatophytes have been conducted over the years, there have been no concrete proposals on the construction of the profile of enzymes characteristic of individual species, genus or ecological types of dermatophytes. The aim of this study was to assess the capability of clinical dermatophyte isolates from both symptomatic and asymptomatic animals and humans to produce different enzymes. Clinical isolates of 234 dermatophyte strains collected during routine examination of animal health were used in this study. The enzymatic production of keratinase, elastase, phospholipase, lipase, protease, DNase and gelatinase as well as the haemolytic activity were evaluated using specific test media. The overall degree of enzymatic activity of the analysed clinical isolates of the dermatophytes was 67%. All tested clinical isolates of different species of dermatophytes showed keratinase activity and 96% additionally exhibited phospholipase activity. The weakest activity among the tested enzymes was demonstrated for elastase and gelatinase. 83% of the isolates of the dermatophytes showed haemolytic activity. Our data indicate that clinical isolates of dermatophytes from different species produce enzymes with different levels of activities. Profile of enzymes characteristic of individual species, genus or ecological types of dermatophytes is possibly dependent upon factors related to the host. The relationship between each enzyme and the occurrence of skin lesions in animals and humans or asymptomatic animal carriers varies on whether the infection is caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton verrucosum or Microsporum canis. Interestingly, only keratinase seems to be correlated with the appearance of dermatophyte infections, irrespective of the pathogen species, and elastase is a characteristic enzyme for dermatophyte strains infecting humans. Haemolysis seems to be dependent on host factors and is more common in the case of human dermatophyte isolates.

Diallyl disulfide from garlic oil inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors by inactivating key quorum sensing genes

Garlic oil can disrupt the quorum sensing (QS) pathways of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa; however, the underlying mechanisms for this effect are unclear. Diallyl disulfide (DADS) is one of the most abundant sulfur-containing compounds in garlic oil. This study investigated the effects of DADS on the growth, virulence factor production (elastase, pyocyanin, biofilm, and swarming motility), and essential gene expression of P. aeruginosa PAO1, particularly as they apply to QS and virulence. DADS at 1.28mg/mL did not affect P. aeruginosa PAO1 growth, although it decreased elastase and pyocyanin production, biofilm formation, and swarming motility. Each of these phenomena is regulated by the three QS systems of P. aeruginosa PAO1 (las, rhl, and pqs). Real-time q-PCR revealed that DADS down-regulated the transcription levels of several important QS genes (lasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR, pqsA, and pqsR) in the three systems. Furthermore, the transcription levels of QS-regulated virulence genes were also down-regulated. The lasB gene, encoding LasB elastase, is co-regulated by the las, rhl, and pqs systems, and thus the down-regulation of genes across the three systems further down-regulated lasB. Additionally, phzM (encoding pyocyanin), pslB (responsible for the production of a biofilm matrix polysaccharide), and chiC (encoding chitinase) were positively activated by LasR, and a decrease in lasR transcription further down-regulated the transcription of phzM, pslB, and chiC. Hence, DADS inhibits P. aeruginosa PAO1 virulence factors by inactivating the transcription of key genes across three different QS systems.

Quorum-sensing inhibitor potential of trans-anethole aganist Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-cell communication system used by a broad spectrum of pathogenic bacteria to control the expression of their virulence genes. The interruption of QS systems of pathogenic bacteria has been considered as a novel way to fight bacterial diseases. In this study, trans-anethole, the main component of anise (Pimpinella anisum) oil was examined for its QS inhibitor (QSI) potential in an attempt to identify novel QSI compound effective against opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The preliminary screening of QSI capacity of trans-anethole was determined using a quorum-sensing inhibitor screen (QSIS) assay. The QSIS assay indicated that trans-anethole has QSI properties. QSI capacity of trans-anethole was further confirmed by lasB-gfp fussion assay and virulence factor assays. A sub-MIC of trans-anethole reduced the expression of lasB by 57%, elastase production by 59%, protease production by 56%, pyocyanin production by 95% and swarming motility by 68% without inhibiting growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01. Molecular docking and protein-ligand interaction studies were performed to understand the molecular mechanism underlying inhibitory activity of trans-anethole. The results of these analysis suggested that trans-anethole fits within the binding site of the LasR protein of P. aeruginosa. Trans-anethole has the potential to inhibit QS-regulated virulence factors in P. aeruginosa by binding to LasR protein, similar to its natural ligand N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone. In this study, for the first time, it was demonstrated that trans-anethole has the potential to disrupt bacterial communication and can be developed as a novel QSI to combat with P. aeruginosa and other clinically significant pathogens.

Quorum sensing signals and related virulence inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a potential probiotic strain's organic acid

Studies conducted in recent years show that pathogen bacteria are not asocial assets and they use the cell to cell communication mechanism called quorum sensing that depends on population density to adapt changing environmental conditions. This mechanism is coordinate gene expression of various bacterial factors like bioluminescence, antibiotic biosynthesis, plasmid conjugation and virulence. Bacteria communicate with each other by producing signal molecules and regulate the production of virulence factors that have importance in the pathogenity formation. Virulence mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes various types of infections in humans, are also regulated by quorum sensing. Nowadays, biotechnological researches are focused on the development of homoserine lactone antagonists. The use of these type of molecules are considered to be a new treatment approach for blocking communication between bacteria and reducing virulence, therefore improving infection control. In this study, lactic acid of a potential probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici M7 strain isolated from newborn faeces was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect on quorum sensing signal molecules and some virulence factors of clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Results showed that lactic acid has an inhibitory effect on short-chain HSL production and swarming-swimming-twitching motility, elastase, protease, pyocyanin, and biofilm production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in certain quantities that are regulated by the quorum sensing system.

Anti-quorum sensing activity, toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and phytochemical characterization of Trapa natans leaf extracts

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTrapa natans L. (water chestnut or water caltrop) is a widespread aquatic plant, which has been cultivated for food and traditional medicine since ancient times. Pharmacological studies showed that water chestnut exhibits the wide range of biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, as well as antiulcer. Aim of the studyEvaluation of anti-virulence potential and toxicity of T. natans methanol (TnM), acetone (TnA) and ethyl acetate (TnEA) leaf extracts. Materials and methodsThe anti-quorum sensing activity of Tn extracts was addressed by measuring their effects on biofilm formation, swarming motility and pyocyanin and elastase production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Specific P. aeruginosa biosensors were used to identify which of the signaling pathways were affected. The lethal and developmental toxicity of extracts were addressed in vivo using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model system. The phenolic composition of T. natans leafs extracts was analyzed by a linear ion trap-OrbiTrap hybrid mass spectrometer (LTQ OrbiTrapMS) and UHPLC system configured with a diode array detector (DAD) hyphenated with the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. ResultsSubinhibitory concentrations of Tn leaf extracts (0.2 MIC) inhibited pyocyanin and elastase production up to 50% and 60%, respectively, and reduced swarming zones, comparing to non-treated P. aeruginosa. TnA inhibited biofilm formation by 15%, TnM showed a stimulatory effect on biofilm formation up to 20%, while TnEA showed no effect. The bioactive concentrations of TnM and TnA were not toxic in the zebrafish model system. Twenty-two phenolic compounds were tentatively identified in TnM, where thirteen of them were identified in T. natans for the first time. Tn extracts, as well as their major components, ellagic and ferulic acids, demonstrated the ability to interfere with P. aeruginosa Las and PQS signaling pathways. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates anti-virulence potential of Tn leaf extracts against medically important pathogen P. aeruginosa and confirms the ethnopharmacological application of this plant against microbial infections.

비타민나무 추출물 및 착즙 분말의 항산화 활성 및 Nitric Oxide 생성과 Elastase에 대한 저해활성

비타민나무 추출물 및 착즙 분말의 항산화 활성 및 Nitric Oxide 생성과 Elastase에 대한 저해활성

Aspergillus ochraceopetaliformis SSP13 modulates quorum sensing regulated virulence and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen causing the majority of acute and persistent infections in human beings. The ability to form biofilm adds a new dimension to its resistance to conventional therapeutic agents. In the present study, down-regulation of quorum sensing regulated virulence and biofilm development resulting from exposure to Aspergillus ochraceopetaliformis SSP13 extract was investigated. The in vitro results inferred impairment in the production of LasA protease, LasB elastase, chitinase, pyocyanin, exopolysaccharides and rhamnolipids. In addition, motility and biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa PAO1 was significantly altered. The in vitro results were further supported by molecular docking studies of the metabolites obtained from GC-MS analysis depicting the quorum sensing attenuation by targeting the receptor proteins LasR and RhlR. The in vitro and in silico studies suggested new avenues for the development of bioactive metabolites from A. ochraceopetaliformis SSP13 extract as potential anti-infective agents.

1343 Altered metabolism of elastic fibers and collagen fibers derived from TGF-β1 mediated inflammation in atrophic acne scarring

This study was conducted to reveal the process of atrophic acne scar formation in histological and molecular views. Thirty subjects with acne were divided into two groups; fifteen were prone to acne scar (APS) and the others were not prone to acne scar (ANS). Skin samples of acne lesions were obtained on day 1, 3 and 7 after their onset. Elastic fibers, collagen 1 and collagen 3 were significantly decreased and their recovery was delayed in APS compared to those in ANS. On the other hand, the production of neutrophil elastase, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1, MMP-2 and MMP-3 was substantially increased in APS compared to that in ANS. More severe inflammation with elevated various proinflammatory cytokines including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α was observed in APS than in ANS, implicating that excessive inflammation contributes to the aberrant ECM degradation and healing. In this process, it was found that increased TGF-β1 in APS may play a crucial role in aggravating inflammation via activating phospho-TAK1 and NF-κB p65. These results propose the detailed pathogenesis of atrophic acne scarring and ultimately provide a basis of a new therapeutic approach in atrophic acne scar.

β2 -Adrenoceptors inhibit neutrophil extracellular traps in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

This study tests the hypothesis that in isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) adrenergic ligands can affect neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. We have previously shown that, in PMN, adrenaline (A), through the activation of adrenergic receptors (AR), reduces stimulus-dependent cell activation; we have, therefore, planned to investigate if AR are involved in NET production. PMN were obtained from venous blood of healthy subject. The ability of adrenergic ligands to affect reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, NET production, and cell migration was investigated in cells cultured under resting conditions or after activation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), LPS, or IL-8. Stimuli-induced NET production measured as ROS, microscopic evaluation, and elastase production was reverted by A and this effect was blocked by the selective β2 -AR antagonist ICI-118,551. The stimulus-induced ROS generation and migration was prevented by A and by isoprenaline (ISO), and these effects were counteracted only by ICI-118,551 and not by the other two selective ligands for the β1 and β3 -AR. Finally, the presence of the β-ARs on PMN was confirmed, by means of microscopy and flow cytometry. The data of the present study suggest that adrenergic compounds, through the interaction of mainly β2 -AR, are able to affect neutrophil functions. These data are suggestive of a possible therapeutic role of β2 -AR ligands (in addition to their classical use), promoting the possible therapeutic relevance of adrenergic system in the modulation of innate immunity proposing their possible use as anti-inflammatory drugs.

Interference of phosphane copper (I) complexes of β-carboline with quorum sensing regulated virulence functions and biofilm in foodborne pathogenic bacteria: A first report.

Foodborne pathogens are one of the major cause of food-related diseases and food poisoning. Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing (QS) mechanism of cell–cell communication have also been found to be associated with several outbreaks of foodborne diseases and are great threat to food safety. Therefore, In the present study, we investigated the activity of three tetrahedrally coordinated copper(I) complexes against quorum sensing and biofilms of foodborne bacteria. All the three complexes demonstrated similar antimicrobial properties against the selected pathogens. Concentration below the MIC i.e. at sub-MICs all the three complexes interfered significantly with the quorum sensing regulated functions in C. violaceum (violacein), P. aeruginosa (elastase, pyocyanin and alginate production) and S. marcescens (prodigiosin). The complexes demonstrated potent broad-spectrum biofilm inhibition in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, Chromobacterium violaceum, Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Listeria monocytogenes. Biofilm inhibition was visualized using SEM and CLSM images. Action of the copper(I) complexes on two key QS regulated functions contributing to biofilm formation i.e. EPS production and swarming motility was also studied and statistically significant reduction was recorded. These results could form the basis for development of safe anti-QS and anti-biofilm agents that can be utilized in the food industry as well as healthcare sector to prevent food-associated diseases.

Activity of a nitric oxide-generating wound treatment system against wound pathogen biofilms

Wound bioburden plays an important role in impaired healing and development of infection-related complications. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of an innovative two-layer nitric oxide-generating system (NOx) to prevent and treat biofilms formed by bacterial and fungal pathogens commonly associated with wound infection, and activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors. Single- and mixed-species biofilms were grown for 24 h on nitrocellulose filters placed on agar. Filters were covered with either NOx or placebo, before and after biofilm formation. Populations of bacteria and yeasts were determined using viable counts. Pyocyanin and elastase production from P. aeruginosa were determined in supernatants derived from suspended biofilms. Efficacy of NOx was demonstrated against Staphylococcus aureus, P. aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli and Candida spp. Population reductions between 2- and 10-log fold were observed. Pyocyanin and elastase activities from P. aeruginosa were reduced 1.9- and 3.2-fold, respectively. This study demonstrated activity of NOx against formation and treatment of single- and mixed-species biofilms, including multidrug-resistant strains. NOx represents a new generation of antimicrobial agent with potent, broad-spectrum activity, and with no evidence of resistance development.

In-vitro evaluation of antioxidant, anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, anti-hyaluronidase activities of safranal and determination of its sun protection factor in skin photoaging

Safranal, a monoterpene aldehyde, is present as one of the main volatile constituents of Crocus sativus Linn. (saffron flowers). This volatile constituent not only contributes to the aroma of saffron but has been reported to possess antidiabetic, antiulcer, antiasthamatic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, cardioprotective, anticancer and UV protective properties. Most of these therapeutic actions are contributed by its potential to quench reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant properties of phytoconstituents are now being explored for developing photoprotective skin formulations. These bioactives have the potential to protect the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin which mainly comprises of elastin and collagen. When UV rays penetrate the dermal layers, there is an increased production of elastase, collagenase and hyaluronidase leading to degradation of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid respectively. These dermal components are responsible to provide strength, elasticity and moisture to the skin. Due to frequent exposure to sunlight, these conditions tend to augment leading to wrinkle formation and sagging of skin.Although antioxidant properties of safranal have been established on various cell lines but till date no studies have been reported regarding the dermal enzyme inhibition activities. In the current research work, a comprehensive in vitro evaluation of antioxidant, anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, anti-hyaluronidase activities of safranal along with determination of sun protection factor (SPF) was carried out. The in vitro antioxidant activity was carried out by diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and its IC50 value was found to be 22.7 μg/ml. The enzyme inhibition IC50 values of safranal for anti elastase activity were found to be 43.6 μg/ml, 70 μg/ml for antihyaluronidase activity and 9.4 μg/ml for anticollagenase activity. Photoprotective activity of safranal was determined by UV absorbance method and SPF calculated by Mansur equation which was found to be 6.6.The significant inhibitory activity of safranal on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) responsible for aging and a higher SPF established that this bioorganic molecule is a strong photoprotective agent. Its established free radical scavenging capability along with above characteristics make it a valuable component to be incorporated into herbal antiaging formulations.

Perturbation of Quorum Sensing in <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> by Febuxostat

Quorum sensing is a signal-based communication system in bacteria. It is an attractive target because it regulates the production of virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. As a result, interference with quorum sensing could result in inhibition of virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the merit of lack of selective pressure on growth that leads to development of resistance. This study investigated the anti-quorum sensing and anti-virulence activities of febuxostat in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 strain. At 1/8 MIC of febuxostat, the production of the quorum-sensing regulated violacein pigment of Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 was significantly reduced. Moreover, it markedly reduced pyocyanin, hemolysin, protease and elastase production. Significant inhibitory activities were also found against biofilm, swimming, twitching and swarming motilities. Molecular docking showed the ability of febuxostat to inhibit quorum sensing by competing with the autoinducers to bind with LasR and RhlR receptors. Febuxostat could bind to both receptors by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction. From the Molecular docking scores, febuxostat is a very promising quorum sensing inhibitor. Febuxostat could also significantly decrease the level of expression of all QS genes LasI, LasR, RhlI, RhlR, PqsA and PqsR that regulate the production of virulene factors as confirmed by qRT-PCR.

The Role of Neutrophil Activation in the Pathogenesis of Kawasaki Disease

In the acute phase of Kawasaki disease (KD), there is an increase in the number of circulating neutrophils, including toxic neutrophils, which are caused by a morphological change. The functions of the neutrophils are also activated, leading to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species and elastase, which may induce endothelial cell (EC) injury. Histological findings demonstrate that numerous neutrophils infiltrate into coronary artery lesions (CALs) during the early phase of KD. Thus, it is suggested that neutrophil-mediated EC injury may be involved in the formation of CALs in KD patients. In this review, we focus on the role of neutrophil activation in the pathogenesis of KD vasculitis and discuss the methods of treatment for neutrophil-mediated EC injury.

Platelets regulate leucocyte responses to Toll-like receptor stimulation.

ObjectivesPlatelets are important regulators of vascular thrombosis and inflammation and are known to express Toll‐like receptors (TLRs). Through TLRs, platelets mediate a number of responses by interacting with leucocytes. Here, we report the extent to which platelets modulate in vitro peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and granulocyte responses to TLR4, TLR2/1 and TLR2/6 stimulation in healthy subjects.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells and granulocytes from 10 healthy volunteers were cultured alone or cocultured with platelets. Cultures were left unstimulated or stimulated with 1 or 100 ng mL−1 of either LPS (TLR4 agonist), Pam3CSK4 (TLR2/1 agonist) or fibroblast‐stimulating lipopeptide (FSL)‐1 (TLR2/6 agonist). Neutrophil activation (CD66b expression), monocyte activation (HLA‐DR), granulocyte elastase production and PBMC cytokine and chemokine production were examined.ResultsPlatelet coculture decreased neutrophil CD66b expression in response to LPS, Pam3CSK4 and FSL‐1, and modestly decreased monocyte HLA‐DR expression in response to low‐dose LPS. Platelets reduced granulocyte elastase secretion in response to low doses of all TLR agonists tested. In response to LPS, platelet coculture reduced IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and MIP‐1β production, and increased IL‐10 production by PBMCs. In response to FSL‐1, platelets increased IL‐6, IL‐10 and MIP‐1β production, but reduced TNF‐α production. Platelet coculture did not alter PBMC cytokine/chemokine production in response to Pam3CSK4.ConclusionThis study challenges the notion that platelets act solely in a pro‐inflammatory manner. Rather, platelets are complex immunomodulators that regulate leucocyte responses to TLR stimulation in a TLR agonist‐specific manner. Platelets may modulate leucocyte responses to dampen inflammation, and this platelet effect may play an important role in reducing inflammation‐mediated host damage.

Derivatization of honokiol by integrated acetylation and methylation for improved cutaneous delivery and anti-inflammatory potency

A set of honokiol derivatives was synthesized to evaluate skin permeation and bioactivity. The reaction for derivatization included acetylation and methylation. The anti-inflammatory activity against neutrophils and macrophages was examined. The experimental setup for the assessment of cutaneous absorption was the in vitro Franz diffusion assembly. Honokiol and its derivatives significantly downregulated superoxide anion and elastase production in neutrophils, with honokiol showing the greatest inhibition. All derivatives could be completely hydrolyzed to the parent compounds after passing into the skin. The skin deposition of honokiol at an infinite dose (3mM) was 0.33nmol/mg 4′-O-acetylhonokiol (AH), and 2,4′-diacetylhonokiol (DAH) exhibited comparable or less absorption than honokiol. The integrated acetylation and methylation (2-O-acetyl-4′-O-methylhonokiol, AMH) led to a 10.5-fold improvement of absorption compared to honokiol. AMH was advantageous for the targeted cutaneous treatment due to the high skin deposition and minimal penetration across the skin (8.40nmol/cm2 compared to 93.49nmol/cm2 for honokiol). The predicted therapeutic index for superoxide and interleukin (IL)-6 inhibition was much higher for topically applied AMH than for the other penetrants tested. The total polarity surface and hydrogen bond acceptor number calculated by molecular modeling were the parameters used to anticipate the cutaneous absorption. Our data suggest that AMH is a potent and safe candidate for cutaneous inflammation therapy.

Heterogeneous production of proteases from Brazilian clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

BackgroundPseudomonas aeruginosa is an important human pathogen that causes severe infections in a wide range of immunosuppressed patients. Herein, we evaluated the proteolytic profiles of 96 Brazilian clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa recovered from diverse anatomical sites. MethodsCell-associated and extracellular proteases were evidenced by gelatin–SDS–PAGE and by the cleavage of soluble gelatin. Elastase was measured by using the peptide substrate N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Ala-p-nitroanilide. The prevalence of elastase genes (lasA and lasB) was evaluated by PCR. ResultsBacterial extracts were initially applied on gelatin–SDS–PAGE and the results revealed four distinct zymographic profiles as follows: profile I (composed by bands of 145, 118 and 50kDa), profile II (118 and 50kDa), profile III (145kDa) and profile IV (118kDa). All the proteolytic enzymes were inhibited by EDTA, identifying them as metalloproteases. The profile I was the most detected in both cellular (79.2%) and extracellular (84.4%) extracts. Overall, gelatinase and elastase activities measured in the spent culture media were significantly higher (around 2-fold) compared to the cellular extracts and the production level varied according to the site of bacterial isolation. For instance, tracheal secretion isolates produced elevated amount of gelatinase and elastase measured in both cellular and extracellular extracts. The prevalence of elastase genes revealed that 100% isolates were lasB-positive and 85.42% lasA-positive. Some positive/negative correlations were showed concerning the production of gelatinase, elastase, isolation site and antimicrobial susceptibility. ConclusionThe protease production was highly heterogeneous in Brazilian clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, which corroborates the genomic/metabolic versatility of this pathogen.

Heterogeneous production of proteases from Brazilian clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

BackgroundPseudomonas aeruginosa is an important human pathogen that causes severe infections in a wide range of immunosuppressed patients. Herein, we evaluated the proteolytic profiles of 96 Brazilian clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa recovered from diverse anatomical sites. MethodsCell-associated and extracellular proteases were evidenced by gelatin–SDS–PAGE and by the cleavage of soluble gelatin. Elastase was measured by using the peptide substrate N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Ala-p-nitroanilide. The prevalence of elastase genes (lasA and lasB) was evaluated by PCR. ResultsBacterial extracts were initially applied on gelatin–SDS–PAGE and the results revealed four distinct zymographic profiles as follows: profile I (composed by bands of 145, 118 and 50kDa), profile II (118 and 50kDa), profile III (145kDa) and profile IV (118kDa). All the proteolytic enzymes were inhibited by EDTA, identifying them as metalloproteases. The profile I was the most detected in both cellular (79.2%) and extracellular (84.4%) extracts. Overall, gelatinase and elastase activities measured in the spent culture media were significantly higher (around 2-fold) compared to the cellular extracts and the production level varied according to the site of bacterial isolation. For instance, tracheal secretion isolates produced elevated amount of gelatinase and elastase measured in both cellular and extracellular extracts. The prevalence of elastase genes revealed that 100% isolates were lasB-positive and 85.42% lasA-positive. Some positive/negative correlations were showed concerning the production of gelatinase, elastase, isolation site and antimicrobial susceptibility. ConclusionThe protease production was highly heterogeneous in Brazilian clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, which corroborates the genomic/metabolic versatility of this pathogen.