Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazunori Ninomiya, Hiroki Katagiri, Hajime Hara, Kayoko Fukui, Maiko Haga-Tsujimura, Ken Nakahara, Kenjirou Nakamura
Summary: Oral mucositis is a common problem among the elderly, but oral care can be difficult for them. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of antifungal prophylaxis and oral care in preventing systemic Candida infection using a mice model. The results showed that antifungal prophylaxis was more effective than oral care in reducing colony forming units and preventing Candida dissemination in the blood. This suggests that antifungal prophylaxis may be a suitable option for individuals who have difficulty with oral care.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Di Han, Yulan Ji, Saixue Yang, Pei Song, Yihong Shi, Dongyan Shao, Xianqing Chen, Li Shang, Junling Shi, Chunmei Jiang
Summary: Candida albicans, a fungus responsible for various infections, can be effectively inhibited by Iturin A, which is a lipopeptide derived from Bacillus sp. This study discovered that Iturin A can impact the pathogenic factors of C. albicans, such as hypha formation, cell membrane permeability, cell adhesion, and biofilm formation. It also demonstrated promising therapeutic efficacy in a mouse model of oral C. albicans infection.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Quan-Zhen Lv, De-Dong Li, Hua Han, Yi-Heng Yang, Jie-Lin Duan, Hui-Hui Ma, Yao Yu, Jiang-Ye Chen, Yuan-Ying Jiang, Xin-Ming Jia
Summary: Preconditioning with the FLO8-deficient mutant of C. albicans provides protection against subsequent lethal infections by inducing Dectin-2/CARD9-mediated IL-10 production. This protection is achieved by preventing C. albicans-induced apoptosis of thymic T cells, leading to enhanced Th1-biased immune responses against fungal infections.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tomas Di Mambro, Tania Vanzolini, Pierpaolo Bruscolini, Sergio Perez-Gaviro, Emanuele Marra, Giuseppe Roscilli, Marzia Bianchi, Alessandra Fraternale, Giuditta Fiorella Schiavano, Barbara Canonico, Mauro Magnani
Summary: Invasive fungal infections mainly affect specific patient groups and result in significant mortality. Challenges in current antifungal drugs include side effects and acquired resistance. The development of the humanized monoclonal antibody H5K1 shows promise in the treatment of invasive fungal infections.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Zirun Zhao, Ying Sun, Mingchun Li, Qilin Yu
Summary: In this study, a synthetic cell-based fungal vaccine was developed using synthetic biology techniques for preventing systemic fungal infections. The vaccine showed promising results in mice by inducing immune response and preventing fungal colonization.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Aleksandar Pavic, Zoran Stojanovic, Marina Pekmezovic, Dorde Veljovic, Kevin O'Connor, Ivana Malagurski, Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic
Summary: Immobilizing antifungal polyenes into biodegradable formulations provides sustained release and reduced systemic drug toxicity. In this study, Nystatin and Amphotericin B were successfully encapsulated in mcl-PHA microspheres, showing great antifungal activity against various pathogenic fungi in zebrafish models.
Article
Microbiology
Liping Li, Hui Lu, Xuan Zhang, Malcolm Whiteway, Hao Wu, Shanlun Tan, Jianye Zang, Shujuan Tian, Cheng Zhen, Xianlei Meng, Wanqian Li, Dazhi Zhang, Min Zhang, Yuanying Jianga
Summary: This study revealed that Baicalein (BE) functions against Candida albicans by targeting and inhibiting the function of Eno1, disrupting the glycolysis process. The crystal structure of C. albicans Eno1 (CaEno1) was solved, and the primary binding site of BE on CaEno1 was predicted. These findings are important for obtaining specific CaEno1 small molecule inhibitors and developing new antifungal therapeutics that target glycolysis inhibition.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Louis Camaioni, Dylan Lambert, Boualem Sendid, Muriel Billamboz, Samir Jawhara
Summary: In this study, a screening of compounds from the JUNIA chemical library led to the discovery of 11 hybrid compounds with pyrrolidinone rings and hydrazine moieties that showed excellent antifungal activities against C. albicans. Three of these compounds (Hyd.H, Hyd.OCH3, and Hyd.Cl) exhibited rapid fungicidal activity and significant antifungal activity against fluconazole- or caspofungin-resistant C. albicans strains. These compounds also showed no cytotoxicity to human cancer cell lines and reduced Candida biofilm formation. In a C. albicans infection model with Caenorhabditis elegans, the hydrazine-based compounds significantly reduced nematode mortality.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Khaled S. Allemailem, Ahmad Almatroudi, Faris Alrumaihi, Aseel Aljaghwani, Abdullah M. Alnuqaydan, Habibullah Khalilullah, Hina Younus, Asmaa M. El-Kady, Fahad M. Aldakheel, Amjad Ali Khan, Arif Khan, Masood Alam Khan
Summary: The study demonstrated that Lip-TQ showed excellent efficacy in treating Acinetobacter baumannii infection in immunocompromised mice, significantly improving the survival rate and reducing bacterial burden. Additionally, Lip-TQ effectively alleviated inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and histological changes in lung tissues.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xue Wang, Xueyang Jin, Zhiyu Xie, Hongyang Zhang, Tiantian Liu, Hongbo Zheng, Xiaoyi Luan, Yan Sun, Wenjie Fang, Wenqiang Chang, Hongxiang Lou
Summary: Fungal infections are a growing global public health concern, and the development of novel antifungal drugs is necessary. In this study, a novel conjugation strategy involving benzamidine was used to convert potential antifungal agents into potent antifungal drugs. The resulting compounds showed excellent antifungal activities, prevented biofilm formation, and exhibited therapeutic effects in a murine model.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Zhongjie Li, Xiaoyuan Jing, Yaping Yuan, Yingbin Shui, Shasha Li, Zhuoran Zhao, Bo Deng, Wenlu Zhang
Summary: Phibilin, a new antimicrobial peptide obtained from Philomycus bilineatus, effectively inhibits the growth and activities of antifungal-resistant Candida albicans. It acts as a fungicidal peptide by disrupting the membrane and interacting with the DNA of the fungi. Moreover, Phibilin induces necrosis in C. albicans via the ROS-related pathway and inhibits biofilm formation. In addition, it displays a synergistic effect with clotrimazole and shows promising results in a mouse cutaneous infection model.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Petr Jaros, Maria Vrublevskaya, Kristyna Lokocova, Jana Michailidu, Irena Kolouchova, Katerina Demnerova
Summary: The use of antibiotics and antifungals to control infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms is currently ineffective due to emerging resistance. Boswellia serrata extract containing boswellic acids has shown promising antifungal activity against Candida species.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Laura Mena, Muriel Billamboz, Rogatien Charlet, Berangere Despres, Boualem Sendid, Alina Ghinet, Samir Jawhara
Summary: This study aimed to select new antifungal compounds through library-screening methods and evaluate their antifungal effects against Candida albicans. Two compounds, PYR and TRI, were identified as having potential antifungal activity. They showed rapid fungicidal activity, inhibitory effect on Candida biofilm formation, and reduced thickness of the mannan cell wall. In a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model, PYR and TRI decreased mortality rates and enhanced antimicrobial gene expression. Overall, PYR and TRI demonstrated antifungal properties against C. albicans.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Quan Lin, Yanxin Li, Maokun Sheng, Jiaman Xu, Xiaoyan Xu, Jintae Lee, Yulong Tan
Summary: In recent years, there has been an increasing trend in Candida contamination caused by Candida mastitis, which has a significant impact on the hygienic quality of raw milk and dairy products. The biofilm produced by Candida albicans plays a critical role in fungal infection by protecting the fungus from host defense and drug attacks. Therefore, finding effective means to reduce the biofilm and drug resistance of Candida albicans has become an urgent problem. This study investigated the anti-biofilm effect of berberine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles on Candida albicans and explored the antifungal mechanism of released berberine.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Augusto Costa-Barbosa, Maria Ines Pacheco, Catarina Carneiro, Claudia Botelho, Andreia C. Gomes, M. Elisabete C. D. Real Oliveira, Tony Collins, Manuel Vilanova, Celia Pais, Alexandra Correia, Paula Sampaio
Summary: Opportunistic fungi can cause deadly systemic infections and result in high medical costs. Fungal infections have been recognized as important by the World Health Organization and efforts have been made to develop new therapeutic approaches, including fungal vaccine development. In this study, a lipid antigen delivery system based on DODAB: MO was designed and shown to effectively modulate the immune response against fungal infections. The system demonstrated efficient cellular uptake of the antigen and was safe for immunization procedures. Subcutaneous administration of the system induced a strong immune response and high levels of antibodies. These findings suggest that the lipid antigen delivery system has potential as a candidate for enhancing immune responses against fungal infections.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Arif Khan, Ahmed N. Aljarbou, Shamshir Khan, Masood A. Khan
Summary: This study reports a novel lipid-based drug encapsulation technique for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. The technique demonstrates superior growth inhibition and gene silencing effects, offering a promising targeted treatment approach.
JOURNAL OF DRUG TARGETING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Masood Alam Khan, Ajamaluddin Malik, Mohammad A. Alzohairy, Abdulmohsen M. Alruwetei, Bader Y. Alhatlani, Osamah Al Rugaie, Arif Khan
Summary: Advancements in nanotechnology have opened up possibilities for effective antiviral vaccines. Liposome-mediated delivery of antigens has shown promise in stimulating immune responses. In this study, dried, reconstituted vesicles were used as a vaccine carrier for the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus 's papain-like protease. Immunization with these vesicles induced a higher immune response compared to traditional adjuvants. The results suggest that these vesicles may be an effective prophylactic formulation to prevent MERS-CoV infection.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Faris Alrumaihi, Masood Alam Khan, Ali Yousif Babiker, Mohammed Alsaweed, Faizul Azam, Khaled S. Allemailem, Ahmad A. Almatroudi, Syed Rizwan Ahamad, Naif AlSuhaymi, Mahdi H. Alsugoor, Ahmed N. Algefary, Arif Khan
Summary: This study aimed to develop a novel formulation of DADS to enhance its therapeutic potential in treating colorectal cancer. The results showed that the formulated DADS significantly increased the sensitivity of colon cancer cells and induced apoptosis when combined with oxaliplatin. Molecular docking analysis identified potential targets of DADS and oxaliplatin.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Arif Khan, Mohammed A. Alsahli, Mohammad A. Aljasir, Hamzah Maswadeh, Mugahid A. Mobark, Faizul Azam, Khaled S. Allemailem, Faris Alrumaihi, Fahad A. Alhumaydhi, Ameen S. S. Alwashmi, Ahmed A. Almatroudi, Mahdi H. Alsugoor, Masood A. Khan
Summary: A novel formulation of Thymoquinone (TQ), called PEG-coated DSPC/cholesterol comprising TQ liposomes (PEG-Lip-TQ), has been developed and shown to have high anticancer activity and low toxicity in lung cancer cells. This study suggests that PEG-Lip-TQ could be a potential treatment for lung cancer in clinical settings.
Article
Biology
Shehwaz Anwar, Ravindra Raut, Mohammed A. Alsahli, Ahmad Almatroudi, Hani Alfheeaid, Faisal M. Alzahrani, Amjad Ali Khan, Khaled S. Allemailem, Saleh A. Almatroodi, Arshad Husain Rahmani
Summary: In this study, the health-promoting activities of Ajwa dates were investigated through in vitro studies. The results showed that Ajwa dates have potential antioxidant, anti-hemolytic, anti-proteolytic, and anti-bacterial activities, which could be beneficial in disease prevention and treatment.
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Ayman M. Mousa, Khaled S. Allemailem, Fahad A. Alhumaydhi, Faris Alrumaihi, Ahmad Almatroudi, Mohammad Aljasir, Ameen S. S. Alwashmi, Osamah Al Rugaie, Khaled E. A. Soliman, Abdullah S. M. Aljohani, Waleed Al Abdulmonem, Ahmed A. Ahmed, Arif Khan, Masood A. Khan, Naif AlSuhaymi, Mahdi H. Alsugoor, Wafa Abdullah Al-Megrin, Abulmaaty M. Elsayed
Summary: This study investigated the effects of mesna + celery seed oil or mesna + manuka honey cotherapy against cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (HC). The results showed that the combination of mesna and manuka honey provided complete protection against HC and exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties.
EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Faizul Azam, Masood Alam Khan, Arif Khan, Shifa Ahmad, Syeda Fauzia Farheen Zofair, Hina Younus
Summary: In this study, ellagic acid (EA) was found to inhibit the activity of Cryptococcus neoformans laccase and the proliferation of the yeast cells. The molecular basis of the interaction between laccase and EA was unveiled, providing insights for the development of laccase inhibitors as potential anti-cryptococcal agents.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Masood Alam Khan, Ajamaluddin Malik, Abdulmohsen M. Alruwetei, Mohammad A. Alzohairy, Bader Y. Alhatlani, Osamah Al Rugaie, Fahad A. Alhumaydhi, Arif Khan
Summary: In this study, the immune response of α-GalCer-Lip-MERS-CoV PLpro as a vaccine formulation was investigated using mouse models. The results showed that this formulation induced higher levels of antigen-specific antibodies, switching to a more antiviral IgG2a subclass, and increased lymphocyte proliferation. In addition, splenocytes from immunized mice secreted more cytokines. These findings suggest that α-GalCer-Lip-MERS-CoV PLpro may be a promising vaccine formulation for protecting against MERS-CoV infection.
JOURNAL OF DRUG TARGETING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Syeda Fauzia Farheen Zofair, Sumbul Ahmad, Md. Amiruddin Hashmi, Shaheer Hasan Khan, Masood Alam Khan, Hina Younus
Summary: With the growth of industries, there is a high risk of exposure to emerging contaminants and increasing environmental pollution. Laccases, known as green catalysts, provide an eco-friendly solution for the degradation of these hazardous pollutants and have a wide range of applications in various industries. This review summarizes the catalytic behavior of laccases, immobilization strategies, and their potential applications in bioremediation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saleh A. Almatroodi, Mohammed A. Alsahli, Abdullah S. M. Aljohani, Fahad A. Alhumaydhi, Ali Yousif Babiker, Amjad Ali Khan, Arshad Husain Rahmani
Summary: Cancer is a major cause of death globally. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy have significant roles in cancer management, but their side effects are a concern. As an alternative, medicinal plants and their active compounds have gained attention due to their less serious side effects. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic molecule, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and health-promoting effects, with its anticancer role being well-defined. It activates tumor suppressor genes, suppresses cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, inhibits angiogenesis, and modulates various cell signaling molecules. Resveratrol's potential as an anticancer drug has been recognized in numerous in vivo and in vitro studies. It may be valuable in cancer management or improving the efficacy of other anticancer drugs.
Article
Immunology
Arif Khan, Mohammed A. Alsahli, Mohammad A. Aljasir, Hamzah Maswadeh, Mugahid A. Mobark, Faizul Azam, Khaled S. Allemailem, Faris Alrumaihi, Fahad A. Alhumaydhi, Ahmad A. Almatroudi, Naif AlSuhaymi, Masood A. Khan
Summary: This study successfully prepared a novel formulation of TQ and evaluated its potential in chemoprevention in a chemically induced lung cancer animal model. The results showed that TQPSL could restore lung organ weight, cancer marker enzyme levels, and serum antioxidant enzyme levels, reduce malignancy in the lungs, induce apoptosis, and decrease intracellular ROS levels. Furthermore, molecular docking results suggested that TQ may have a strong affinity for the BRAF target.
JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abdullah M. Alnuqaydan, Abdulmajeed G. Almutary, Mohammed A. Alsahli, Sulaiman Alnasser, Bilal Rah
Summary: This study evaluates the hepatoprotective activity of a Tamarix articulata extract against carbon tetrachloride-mediated hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. The results demonstrate that the extract restores liver enzyme and antioxidant levels, reduces hepatic fibrosis and necrosis of hepatocytes, and restores pro-inflammatory markers to normal levels. These findings suggest that Tamarix articulata extract prevents liver fibrosis and decreases hepatocyte necrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride.
Article
Biology
Sahar Rafat, Prabhakar Singh, Kamlesh Kumar Pandey, Saleh A. Almatroodi, Mohammed A. Alsahli, Ahmad Almatroudi, Arshad Husain Rahmani, Kapil Dev
Summary: This study investigates the role of SMAC mimetic compound BV6 in regulating cell death mechanisms and its potential anti-cancer effect in combination with TRAIL and TNFα in breast cancer cells. The study suggests that BV6 alone and in combination with TRAIL and TNFα show promising results in inhibiting cancer growth. Additionally, IAPs and autophagic proteins may serve as important targets for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ahmad Almatroudi, Mohammed A. A. Alsahli, Mansoor Ali Syed, Amjad Ali Khan, Arshad Husain Rahmani
Summary: This study aimed to deliver anti-prostaglandin E synthase 2 (anti-PGE2-siRNA) antibodies using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to treat acute inflammatory diseases. The LNPs were synthesized and characterized, and it was found that siRNA delivery via LNPs resulted in a significant decrease in PGE2 expression, affecting pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
