For many decades, the proper functioning of the human body has become a leading scientific topic. In the course of numerous experiments, a striking impact of probiotics on the human body has been documented, including maintaining the physiological balance of endogenous microorganisms, regulating the functioning of the immune system, enhancing the digestive properties of the host, and preventing or alleviating the course of many diseases. Recent research, especially from the last decade, shows that this health-benefiting activity of probiotics is largely conditioned by the production of extracellular vesicles. Although the importance of extracellular vesicles in the virulence of many live-threatening pathogens is widely described in the literature, much less is known with respect to the health-promoting effect of extracellular vesicles secreted by non-pathogenic microorganisms, including probiotics. Based on this, in the current review article, we decided to collect the latest literature data on the health-inducing properties of extracellular vesicles secreted by probiotics. The characteristics of probiotics’ extracellular vesicles will be extended by the description of their physicochemical properties and the proteome in connection with the biological activities exhibited by these structures.
The enormous burden of the COVID-19 pandemic in economic and healthcare terms has cast a shadow on the serious threat of antimicrobial resistance, increasing the inappropriate use of antibiotics and shifting the focus of drug discovery programmes from antibacterial and antifungal fields. Thus, there is a pressing need for new antimicrobials involving innovative modes of action (MoAs) to avoid cross-resistance rise. Thiosemicarbazones (TSCs) stand out due to their easy preparation and polypharmacological application, also in infectious diseases. Recently, we reported a small library of TSCs ( 1–9 ) that emerged for their non-cytotoxic behaviour. Inspired by their multifaceted activity, we investigated the antibacterial, antifungal, and antidermatophytal profiles of derivatives 1–9 , highlighting a new promising research line. Furthermore, the ability of these compounds to inhibit selected microbial and human carbonic anhydrases (CAs) was assessed, revealing their possible involvement in the MoA and a good selectivity index for some derivatives.
The microbial biofilm has been defined as a “key virulence factor” for a multitude of microorganisms associated with chronic infections. Its multifactorial nature and variability, as well as an increase in antimicrobial resistance, suggest the need to identify new compounds as alternatives to the commonly used antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to assess the antibiofilm activity of cell-free supernatant (CFS) and its sub-fractions (SurE 10 K with a molecular weight <10 kDa and SurE with a molecular weight <30 kDa), produced by Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, vs. biofilm-producing bacterial species. The minimum inhibitory biofilm concentration (MBIC) and the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) were determined via three different methods and an NMR metabolomic analysis of CFS and SurE 10K was performed to identify and quantify several compounds. Finally, the storage stability of these postbiotics was evaluated by a colorimetric assay by analyzing changes in the CIEL*a*b parameters. The CFS showed a promising antibiofilm activity against the biofilm developed by clinically relevant microorganisms. The NMR of CFS and SurE 10K identifies and quantifies several compounds, mainly organic acids and amino acids, with lactate being the most abundant metabolite in all the analyzed samples. The CFS and SurE 10 K were characterized by a similar qualitative profile, with the exception of formate and glycine detected only in the CFS. Finally, the CIEL*a*b parameters assess the better conditions to analyze and use these matrices for the correct preservation of bioactive compounds.
‘Sulmona red garlic’ is an Italian variety characterized by a red tunica surrounding a white bulb. Red tunicae and non-commercial small bulbs are food wastes that must be studied for their added value. Hydroalcoholic extracts, obtained by separated inner and outer tunicae and peeled bulbs of small commercial ‘Sulmona red garlic’ bulbs, harvested at two different years, were first characterized with respect to their color, polyphenolic content, and antiradical activity. Then, an untargeted metabolic profile by means of electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (ESI FT-ICR) mass spectrometry led to a comparative evaluation of the chemical diversity of six different samples. The study was completed by biological tests aiming to evaluate the associated health potential. Data on monocytes/macrophages showed good biocompatibility and a promising cytoprotective effect under oxidative stress conditions of all the extracts. At a molecular level, all the garlic extracts were able to downregulate the hydrogen peroxide-induced cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression through the modulation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-ĸB) and peroxynitrite intracellular amounts, at different extents depending on the extract, the cell type, and the concentration. On the whole, data highlight an associated health potential of the extracts of this waste plant material both in terms of cytoprotection and of anti-inflammatory activity.
The World Health Organization has indicated Helicobacter pylori as a high-priority pathogen whose infections urgently require an update of the antibacterial treatments pipeline. Recently, bacterial ureases and carbonic anhydrases (CAs) were found to represent valuable pharmacological targets to inhibit bacterial growth. Hence, we explored the underexploited possibility of developing a multiple-targeted anti-H. pylori therapy by assessing the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of a CA inhibitor, carvacrol (CAR), amoxicillin (AMX) and a urease inhibitor (SHA), alone and in combination. Minimal Inhibitory (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal (MBC) Concentrations of their different combinations were evaluated by checkerboard assay and three different methods were employed to assess their capability to eradicate H. pylori biofilm. Through Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis, the mechanism of action of the three compounds alone and together was determined. Interestingly, most combinations were found to strongly inhibit H. pylori growth, resulting in an additive FIC index for both CAR-AMX and CAR-SHA associations, while an indifferent value was recorded for the AMX-SHA association. Greater antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy of the combinations CAR-AMX, SHA-AMX and CAR-SHA against H. pylori were found with respect to the same compounds used alone, thereby representing an innovative and promising strategy to counteract H. pylori infections.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.