Background: Diallylpolysulfanes are the key constituents of garlic oils, known to exhibit broad spectrum anticancer and antimicrobial activity. Studies in vitro, and in mammalian cells, have shown they react, via thiolpolysulfane exchange, with their major low molecular weight thiol, glutathione. However, there are no detailed reports of diallylpolysulfane effects on other common thiol metabolites (cysteine and coenzyme A) or major thiol cofactors (e.g. bacillithiol) that many Gram positive bacteria produce instead of glutathione. Methods: Diallylpolysulfanes were individually purified then screened for antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis. Their impact on thiol metabolites (bacillithiol, cysteine, coenzyme A, protein thiols allyl thiols//persulfides) in B. subtilis cultures were analysed, by HPLC. Results: Diallylpolysulfane bioactivity increased with increasing chain length up to diallyltetrasulfane, but then plateaued. Within two minutes of treating B. subtilis with diallyltrisulfane or diallyltetrasulfane intracellular bacillithiol levels decreased by ~90%. Cysteine and CoA were also affected but to a lesser degree. This was accompanied by the accumulation of allyl thiol and allyl persulfide. A significant level of proteinS -allylation was also detected. Conclusions: In addition to the major low molecular weight thiol, diallylpolysulfanes can also have an impact on other thiol metabolites and protein thiols. General Significance: This study shows the rapid parallel impact of polysulfanes on different biological thiols inside Bacillus subtilis alongside the concomitant generation of allyl thiols and persulfides.
Osteoarthritis is a common, degenerative joint disease with significant socio-economic impact worldwide. There are currently no disease-modifying drugs available to treat the disease, making this an important area of pharmaceutical research. In this review, we assessed approaches being explored to directly inhibit metalloproteinase-mediated cartilage degradation and to counteract cartilage damage by promoting growth factor-driven repair. Metalloproteinase-blocking antibodies are discussed, along with recent clinical trials on FGF18 and Wnt pathway inhibitors. We also considered dendrimer-based approaches being developed to deliver and retain such therapeutics in the joint environment. These may reduce systemic side effects while improving local half-life and concentration. Development of such targeted anabolic therapies would be of great benefit in the osteoarthritis field.
Low-molecular-weight thiols are key metabolites that participate in many basic cellular processes: central metabolism, detoxification, and oxidative stress resistance. Here we describe a new thiol, N-methyl-bacillithiol, found in an anaerobic phototrophic bacterium and identify a gene that is responsible for its synthesis from bacillithiol, the main thiol metabolite in many Gram-positive bacteria. We show that the presence or absence of this gene in a sequenced genome accurately predicts thiol content in distantly related bacteria. On the basis of these results, we analyzed genome data and predict that bacillithiol and its derivatives are the most widely distributed thiol metabolites in biology.
Reactive sulfur species from garlic have long been renowned for their health benefits and antimicrobial properties. In agriculture the subject matter is now gathering momentum in the search for new bio-pesticides to addressing emerging environmental concerns and tighter restrictions on the use of many conventional chemical pesticides. Although the precise modes of action of these garlic-derived bioactives is complex, recent research has provided a number of new insights that deepen our understanding of garlic-derived products, such as garlic extracts and oils. Herein, their activity against various crop-damaging pests is reviewed. In many cases, there seems to be a broad range of activity associated with the sulfur-containing compounds derived from Allium species, which manifests itself in diverse insecticidal, antifungal, and nematicidal activities. These activities open a new understanding to develop this natural chemistry as a “green pesticide”.
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.