Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marija Ivanov, Abhilash Kannan, Dejan S. Stojkovic, Jasmina Glamoclija, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Dominique Sanglard, Marina Sokovic
Summary: The study investigated the antifungal activity of camphor and eucalyptol on Candida species, revealing that camphor showed excellent antifungal properties with the potential to reduce fungal virulence traits, while eucalyptol exhibited cytotoxic effects and was deemed unsuitable as an antifungal candidate. Both compounds had different effects on efflux pump gene expression, with camphor downregulating CDR1 and eucalyptol upregulating CDR2.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martin Waditzer, Franz Bucar
Summary: Flavonoids, widely found in plants, have been studied as inhibitors of bacterial efflux pumps. Research has focused on the Staphylococcus aureus NorA pump, with Gram-negative bacteria being under-researched in this area.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Olasunkanmi S. Olawuwo, Ibukun M. Famuyide, Lyndy J. McGaw
Summary: Antimicrobial resistant poultry pathogens pose a threat to both animal health and human health, and alternative products and strategies are being sought to reduce their prevalence. In this study, extracts from certain plant species showed potential as alternative feed additives in poultry production, with good antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities. Further studies are needed to evaluate their efficacy as herbal feed additives in vivo.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Mahdyeh Neghabi Hajiagha, Hossein Samadi Kafil
Summary: Biofilm-related infections are difficult to treat due to their resistance to drugs. Efflux pumps, which play a crucial role in biofilm formation, affect physical-chemical interactions, mobility, gene regulation, quorum sensing, extracellular polymeric substances, and toxic compound extrusion. Understanding the function and identification of efflux pumps in biofilm-forming bacteria will help in choosing effective treatment strategies, including combination with antibiotics.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Lulu Huang, Cuirong Wu, Haijiao Gao, Chao Xu, Menghong Dai, Lingli Huang, Haihong Hao, Xu Wang, Guyue Cheng
Summary: This review comprehensively discusses the role and potential applications of multidrug efflux pumps in bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents. These pumps not only decrease the intracellular concentration of drugs but also promote multidrug resistance, biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and other biological functions in bacteria. The potential applications of efflux pump-related genes/proteins for the detection of antibiotic residues and antimicrobial resistance are also analyzed. Additionally, the review discusses efflux pump inhibitors, especially those of plant origin.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Suvi T. Hakkinen, Marina Sokovic, Liisa Nohynek, Ana Ciric, Marija Ivanov, Dejan Stojkovic, Irina Tsitko, Melanie Matos, Joao P. Baixinho, Viktoriya Ivasiv, Naiara Fernandez, Claudia Nunes dos Santos, Kirsi-Marja Oksman-Caldentey
Summary: Chicory contains bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibiofilm activities. Supercritical fluid extracts showed the highest bioactivity, inhibiting drug-resistant bacteria and fungi. There is potential for the development of novel antibacterial and antifungal preparations from chicory extracts.
Article
Microbiology
Ingrid S. Sousa, Thais P. Mello, Elaine P. Pereira, Marcela Q. Granato, Celuta S. Alviano, Andre L. S. Santos, Lucimar F. Kneipp
Summary: Patients with chromoblastomycosis (CBM) suffer from chronic tissue lesions that are difficult to treat. It has been found that CBM fungi are capable of forming biofilms, which interact with macrophages and exhibit higher resistance to conventional antifungal drugs.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yamile Heredia Diaz, Emmy Tuenter, Jesus Garcia-Diaz, Ania Ochoa Pacheco, Paul Cos, Luc Pieters, Julio Cesar Escalona Arranz
Summary: This study identified three flavonoids from the Cuban endemic tree Zanthoxylum pistaciifolium, with compound 1 showing moderate activity against certain parasites but also cytotoxicity, while compounds 2 and 3 did not demonstrate any activity.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abdullah A. Al-Ghanayem
Summary: Lemongrass oil exhibits antifungal and anti-biofilm activity against Candida albicans, with no cytotoxic effect on HaCaT keratinocytes at lower concentrations.
JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bhawandeep Kaur, Jeena Gupta, Sarika Sharma, Divakar Sharma, Sandeep Sharma
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen causing various infections, with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) being particularly concerning. The primary antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in S. aureus involve efflux pumps and biofilm formation, with quorum sensing and drug efflux playing crucial roles. Efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) have been identified as a promising approach to combat bacterial resistance, by inhibiting drug efflux mechanisms and transport of quorum sensing signalling molecules.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yanpeng Zhang, Bing Fan, Yong Luo, Zhiyuan Tao, Yongbo Nie, Yongtao Wang, Fanglin Ding, Yanwu Li, Dayong Gu
Summary: Carbapenem non-susceptible A. baumannii (CnSAB) strains showed increased distribution of carbapenemase genes and overexpression of RND family efflux pumps, leading to stronger antibiotic resistance, while carbapenem susceptible A. baumannii (CSAB) strains exhibited higher biofilm formation potential to survive antibiotic stress.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Antonella Migliaccio, Eliana Pia Esposito, Maria Bagattini, Rita Berisio, Maria Triassi, Eliana De Gregorio, Raffaele Zarrilli
Summary: This study analyzed the tolerance mechanism of A. baumannii to chlorhexidine and benzalkonium and found that inhibiting the expression of efflux pumps can restore susceptibility to these biocides.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
A. Erega, P. Stefanic, T. Danevcic, S. Smole Mozina, I. Mandic Mulec
Summary: This study demonstrates that Bacillus subtilis produces antibiotics that inhibit the growth of Campylobacter jejuni in biofilms, and specific pathogen efflux pumps contribute to the defense against Bacillus subtilis attack. This work broadens our understanding of mechanisms that shape antagonisms and defense during probiotic-pathogen interactions.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Petra V. Schwarz, Ilya Nikolskiy, Eric Dannaoui, Frank Sommer, Gert Bange, Patrick Schwarz
Summary: In vitro interactions between broad-spectrum azole isavuconazole and flavonoid isoquercitrin were evaluated against Candida strains, showing synergistic effect in C. glabrata strains but no effect in other species.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andre Bittencourt Lorusso, Joao Antonio Carrara, Carolina Deuttner Neumann Barroso, Felipe Francisco Tuon, Helisson Faoro
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health crisis caused by the emergence of resistant organisms and different mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Efflux pumps, particularly in Gram-negative bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, play a significant role in multidrug resistance and extensively drug-resistant bacteria. Understanding their function, structure, and regulation is essential in combating antibiotic resistance and developing new drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Paz Otero, M. Carpena, P. Garcia-Oliveira, J. Echave, A. Soria-Lopez, P. Garcia-Perez, M. Fraga-Corral, Hui Cao, Shaoping Nie, Jianbo Xiao, J. Simal-Gandara, M. A. Prieto
Summary: Consumers nowadays are increasingly aware of the relationship between diet and health, leading to a preference for natural products. Seaweeds have emerged as a potential source of bioactive carbohydrates, with numerous polysaccharides arousing the interest of the scientific community due to their biological activities. Environmentally friendly extraction technologies and chemical modification methods have been developed to improve the yield, quality, and applications of seaweed polysaccharides. This review aims to compile current information about seaweed polysaccharides, including extraction and modification methods, biological activities, and future trends for their industrial applications.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Min Wang, Jianjun Zhou, Jessica Tavares, Carlos A. Pinto, Jorge A. Saraiva, Miguel A. Prieto, Hui Cao, Jianbo Xiao, Jesus Simal-Gandara, Francisco J. Barba
Summary: Meat is a major protein source worldwide, but its consumption has been limited due to ethical and health concerns. To address this issue, new ingredients from natural sources are being used in meat products to create healthier options. This review focuses on the bioactive compounds in algae and their application in meat products, highlighting the functional properties and antimicrobial effects of algae in meat-based foods.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Patricia Sabino da Silva, Franciele Leila Giopato Viell, Rafael Porto Ineu, Evandro Bona, Maria Ines Dias, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Lillian Barros, Odinei Hess Goncalves, Fernanda Vitoria Leimann, Lucio Cardozo-Filho
Summary: Pressurized liquid extraction with water and ethanol was used to obtain high antioxidant extracts from olive leaves. By using experimental design and optimization methods, the optimal extraction conditions were determined, and 15 phenolic compounds were identified.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Mingyue Jiao, Chao Liu, M. A. Prieto, Xiaoming Lu, Wenfu Wu, Jinyue Sun, P. Garcia-Oliveira, Xiaozhen Tang, Jianbo Xiao, Jesus Simal-Gandara, Dagang Hu, Ningyang Li
Summary: Papaya is an important fruit tree cultivated worldwide, and its edible part has high nutritional and sensory value. Papaya by-products contain bioactive compounds with diverse biological properties, which have potential applications in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.
FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tamires Barlati Vieira da Silva, Maria Ines Dias, Carla Pereira, Filipa Mandim, Marija Ivanov, Marina Sokovic, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Lillian Barros, Flavio Augusto Vicente Seixas, Adelar Bracht, Rosane Marina Peralta
Summary: Kenyan purple tea is a variety of green tea plant exclusive to Kenya, known for its purple color and high content of anthocyanin polyphenols. This study aimed to identify and quantify the major anthocyanin polyphenols in the purple tea leaves and test its ability to inhibit triglyceride absorption. The results showed that the purple tea extract had strong inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase and triglyceride digestion, suggesting that regular consumption of Kenyan purple tea may be beneficial for obesity control.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexis Pereira, Mikel Anibarro-Ortega, Marina Kostic, Antonio Nogueira, Marina Sokovic, Jose Pinela, Lillian Barros
Summary: This study aimed to upcycle quince peel into bioactive extracts (BEs) and fiber concentrates (FCs) by optimizing the multicomponent extraction processes using response surface methodology (RSM). The BEs were analyzed for phenolic compounds, organic acids, and other constituents, while FCs were characterized for their color and dietary fiber content. The validated extraction conditions resulted in high yields of bioactive constituents and FCs, demonstrating in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial effects.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Anthi Petrou, Athina Geronikaki, Victor Kartsev, Antonios Kousaxidis, Aliki Papadimitriou-Tsantarliotou, Marina Kostic, Marija Ivanov, Marina Sokovic, Ioannis Nicolaou, Ioannis S. Vizirianakis
Summary: In this study, the antimicrobial activity of seventeen new derivatives was evaluated. The compounds exhibited strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, surpassing the activity of ampicillin and streptomycin by 10-50 fold. The most sensitive bacterium was En. Cloacae, while E. coli and M. flavus were the most resistant ones. Compound 8 was found to be the most potent, and exhibited excellent antifungal activity. Docking studies revealed that the antibacterial activity was likely due to the inhibition of E. coli MurB, while the antifungal mechanism involved inhibition of 14a-lanosterol demethylase of CYP51Ca. Drug-likeness and ADMET profile prediction were also performed, and cytotoxicity studies against normal MRC5 cells were conducted for the most active compounds.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Dejan Stojkovic, Jovana Petrovic, Tamara Carevic, Marina Sokovic, Konstantinos Liaras
Summary: This narrative review provides an overview of the potential of novel synthetic and semisynthetic compounds as antibacterials that target virulence traits in antibiotic-resistant strains. The review focuses on recent research and discusses a range of compounds that show promise in combating antibiotic resistance by targeting bacterial virulence factors. The findings suggest that further research is needed to identify and optimize new compounds with the potential to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jelena Bozunovic, Marija Ivanov, Jovana Petrovic, Uros Gasic, Dura Nakarada, Milica Milutinovic, Neda Anicic, Zlatko Giba, Danijela Misic, Dejan Stojkovic
Summary: This study found that ethanol-water-based extraction was the most efficient in isolating polyphenols, while less polar butanol extract contained the highest amount of iridoids. Antioxidant potential analysis revealed stronger activity in extracts with higher polyphenol content. The extracts from Centaurium spicatum showed antimicrobial and wound healing effects without cytotoxicity to human cells.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ana I. Lopes, Adma Melo, Cristina Caleja, Eliana Pereira, Tiane C. Finimundy, Tiago B. Afonso, Sara Silva, Marija Ivanov, Marina Sokovic, Freni K. Tavaria, Lillian Barros, Manuela Pintado
Summary: In this study, plant extracts (PEs) were extracted from licorice, eucalyptus, sage, and thyme and used to produce edible coatings and films. These coatings and films showed good bioactive properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, and have the potential to be used as biodegradable packages. However, further experiments are needed to assess their safety profile and establish their efficacy as an alternative to traditional food packaging.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Daniele Bobrowski Rodrigues, Lavinia Verissimo, Tiane Finimundy, Joana Rodrigues, Izamara Oliveira, Joao Goncalves, Isabel P. Fernandes, Lillian Barros, Sandrina A. Heleno, Ricardo C. Calhelha
Summary: This study aimed to screen the phenolic compound composition and bioactivities of chestnut burs, shells, and leaves extracts as natural ingredients, primarily for food preservation. The extracts from chestnut shells and burs showed the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Barbara Menezes, Cristina Caleja, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Jose Pinela, Maria Ines Dias, Dejan Stojkovic, Marina Sokovic, Odinei Hess Goncalves, Fernanda Vitoria Leimann, Eliana Pereira, Lillian Barros
Summary: This study compared the extracts of dehydrated yerba mate and bio-waste of yerba mate leaves from the Brazilian industry. The incorporation of the functional extract as a preservative/functional ingredient in pancakes was tested. The results showed that the yerba mate extracts had strong antimicrobial potential, as well as promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, the extracts exhibited cytotoxic effects on tumor cell lines. The chemical and nutritional characteristics of the pancakes remained unchanged after 3 days of storage, confirming the preservative efficiency of the extract. This study highlights the benefits of utilizing bio-waste from the agro-industrial sector for sustainable production and circular economy development.
Article
Plant Sciences
Edmilson Emanuel Monteiro Correia, Artur Figueirinha, Lisa Rodrigues, Jose Pinela, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Lillian Barros, Chantal Fernandes, Ligia Salgueiro, Teresa Goncalves
Summary: This study chemically characterized the ethanolic extract of Withania chevalieri and evaluated its bioactivities as antidermatophytic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer. The results demonstrated the potential of WcCEE as an effective treatment for skin fungal infections, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity.
Article
Plant Sciences
Seria Youssef, Luisa Custodio, Maria Joao Rodrigues, Catarina G. Pereira, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Jozsef Jeko, Zoltan Cziaky, Karim Ben Hamed
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of Limonium spathulatum as a source of natural ingredients for inhibiting enzymes related to human health disorders and food browning. The extracts showed inhibitory activity against several enzymes, with the hydroethanolic extract being the most effective. The study suggests that Limonium spathulatum should be further explored for its bioactive compounds in various industries.
Article
Horticulture
Angela Fernandes, Nikolaos Polyzos, Filipa Mandim, Carla Pereira, Jovana Petrovic, Marina Sokovic, Spyridon A. Petropoulos
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different biostimulant formulations with various application regimes, combined with or without mineral fertilizers, on the yield parameters and fruit quality of watermelon plants. The results showed that the W5 treatment resulted in the highest yield due to increased fruit formation. Different treatments had varying effects on the content of fat, proteins, carbohydrates, sugars, and acids in the watermelon fruit.