Lavandula dentata L. essential oil: a promising antifungal and antibiofilm agent against oral Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is the main fungal species involved in oral candidiasis, and its increasing resistance to pharmacological treatment encourages the search for improved antifungal agents. Lavandula dentata L. essential oil (LD-EO) has been recognized for its antimicrobial activity, but little is known about its role against oral C. albicans. This study evaluated the antifungal and antibiofilm activities, mechanisms of action, and toxicity of LD-EO from Brazil against oral strains of C. albicans. Antifungal activity was assessed based on Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC), association study with miconazole (Checkerboard method), and sorbitol and ergosterol assays. Inhibition of biofilm formation and disruption of preformed biofilm were considered when studying the effects of the product. Additionally, the toxicity of LD-EO was evaluated by a hemolysis assay on human erythrocytes. Phytochemical analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified eucalyptol (33.1%), camphor (18.3%), and fenchone (15.6%) as major constituents. The test substance showed mainly fungicidal activity (MIC100 = 8 µg/mL; MFC = 16 µg/mL), including against two miconazole-resistant isolates of C. albicans. The effects of LD-EO were synergistic with those of miconazole and appeared not to involve damage to the fungal cell wall or plasma membrane. Its effectiveness in inhibiting biofilm formation was higher than the effect of disrupting preformed biofilm. Finally, the product exhibited low hemolytic activity at MIC. Based on the favorable and novel results described here, LD-EO could constitute a promising therapeutic alternative for oral candidiasis, including miconazole-resistant cases.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus radiata essential oil against Escherichia coli strains isolated from meat products.

The present study sought to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-adherent potential of Eucalyptus radiata essential oil against food-borne strains of Escherichia coli. The study was performed using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). In addition, the disk diffusion technique was used to evaluate the association of Eucalyptus radiata essential oil with synthetic antimicrobials. The Minimum Inhibitory Adherence Concentration (MIC) was also performed. The results revealed that E. radiata showed antimicrobial activity against the E. coli strains tested, with MIC values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL and MBC values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1,024 µg/mL. As for the associations, it was observed that E. radiata oil exhibited a synergistic effect for some antibiotics, especially Ceftriaxone, with greater interference from the essential oil. Furthermore, it was effective in inhibiting the adherence of bacterial strains of E. coli, showing a more significant antibiofilm effect than the antibacterial agent 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate. In summary, the essential oil of E. radiata showed antimicrobial potential against strains of E. coli of food origin, and can therefore, through in-depth studies, be used alone or in association with synthetic antimicrobials to combat infections caused by this pathogen.

Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of trans-anethole against Enterococcus cloacae and Enterococcus faecalis strains of food origin.

The present study sought to evaluate the antibacterial activity of trans-anethole against food-borne strains of Enterobacter cloacae and Enterococcus faecalis. The study was performed using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) methods, in addition, disc diffusion technique was used to evaluate the association of trans-anethole with synthetic antimicrobials. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration for Adherence (MICA) testing was also performed. The results revealed that trans-anethole presents no antibacterial activity at any of the concentrations used against the E. cloacae strains tested. However, trans-anethole presented antibacterial effect against five of the six E. faecalis bacterial strains tested, with MIC values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL. Further, when analyzing the MBC results against E. faecalis, it was observed that the compound presented values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL. As for the associations, it was observed that trans-anethole when combined with the antimicrobials ampicillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone presented synergistic effect against most strains of E. faecalis. However, both trans-anethole and the control chlorhexidine (0.12%) presented no antibiofilm effects against strains of E. faecalis. In short, trans-anethole presented potential antibacterial against E. faecalis strains of food origin, and may upon further study, it may be used alone or in association with synthetic antimicrobials to combat infections caused by this bacterium.

Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of trans-anethole against Enterococcus cloacae and Enterococcus faecalis strains of food origin / Avaliação da atividade antibacteriana do trans-anetol contra cepas de Enterobacter cloacae e Enterococcus faecalis de origem alimentar

The present study sought to evaluate the antibacterial activity of trans-anethole against food-borne strains of Enterobacter cloacae and Enterococcus faecalis. The study was performed using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) methods, in addition, disc diffusion technique was used to evaluate the association of trans-anethole with synthetic antimicrobials. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration for Adherence (MICA) testing was also performed. The results revealed that trans-anethole presents no antibacterial activity at any of the concentrations used against the E. cloacae strains tested. However, trans-anethole presented antibacterial effect against five of the six E. faecalis bacterial strains tested, with MIC values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL. Further, when analyzing the MBC results against E. faecalis, it was observed that the compound presented values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL. As for the associations, it was observed that transanethole when combined with the antimicrobials ampicillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone presented synergistic effect against most strains of E. faecalis. However, both trans-anethole and the control chlorhexidine (0.12%) presented no antibiofilm effects against strains of E. faecalis. In short, trans-anethole presented potential antibacterial against E. faecalis strains of food origin, and may upon further study, it may be used alone or in association with synthetic antimicrobials to combat infections caused by this bacterium.

O presente estudo procurou avaliar a atividade antibacteriana do trans-anetol contra cepas de Enterobacter cloacae e Enterococcus faecalis de origem alimentar. O estudo foi realizado utilizando métodos de Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM), e Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM), além disso, foi utilizada a técnica de difusão de disco para avaliar a associação do trans-anetol com antimicrobianos. O teste de Concentração Inibitória Mínima de Aderência (CIMA) também foi realizado. Os resultados revelaram que o trans-anetol não apresentou atividade antibacteriana em nenhuma das concentrações utilizadas contra as cepas de E. cloacae testadas. No entanto, o trans-anetol apresentou efeito antibacteriano contra cinco das seis cepas bacterianas de E. faecalis testadas, com valores de CIM variando de 500 µg/mL a 1000 µg/mL. Além disso, ao analisar os resultados da CBM contra E. faecalis, observa-se que o composto apresentou valores variando de 500 µg/mL a 1000 µg/mL. Quanto às associações, observou-se que o trans-anetol quando combinado com os antimicrobianos ampicilina, gentamicina, ciprofloxacino, e ceftriaxona apresentou efeito sinérgico contra a maioria das cepas de E. faecalis. No entanto, tanto o trans-anetol quanto o controle clorexidina (0,12%) não apresentaram efeito antibiofilme contra a cepa de E. faecalis. Em suma, o transanetol apresentou potencial antibacteriano contra cepas de E. faecalis de origem alimentar, podendo, mediante estudos mais aprofundados, ser utilizado isoladamente ou em associação com antimicrobianos sintéticos para combater infecções causadas por esta bactéria.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-δ up-regulates L-type Ca2+ currents and increases vascular contractility in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vasculopathies represent the main cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes. Vascular malfunctioning in diabetes is associated with abnormal vasoconstriction and Ca(2+) handling by smooth muscle cells (SMC). Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K) are key mediators of insulin action and have been shown to modulate the function of voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+) channels (Ca(V) 1.2). In the present work, we investigated the involvement of PI3K signalling in regulating Ca(2+) current through Ca(V) 1.2 (I(Ca,L) ) and vascular dysfunction in a mouse model of type I diabetes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Changes in isometric tension were recorded on myograph. Ca(2+) currents in freshly dissociated mice aortic SMCs were measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Antisense techniques were used to knock-down the PI3Kδ isoform. KEY RESULTS Contractile responses to phenylephrine and KCl were strongly enhanced in diabetic aorta independent of a functional endothelium. The magnitude of phenylephrine-induced I(Ca,L) was also greatly augmented. PI3Kδ expression, but not PI3Kα, PI3Kß, PI3Kγ, was increased in diabetic aortas and treatment of vessels with a selective PI3Kδ inhibitor normalized I(Ca,L) and contractile response of diabetic vessels. Moreover, knock-down of PI3Kδin vivo decreased PI3Kδ expression and normalized I(Ca,L) and contractile response of diabetic vessels ex vivo. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase δ was essential to the increased vascular contractile response in our model of type I diabetes. PI3Kδ signalling was up-regulated and most likely accounted for the increased I(Ca,L,) leading to increased vascular contractility. Blockade of PI3Kδ may represent a novel therapeutic approach to treat vascular dysfunction in diabetic patients.

Cardiac structural changes and electrical remodeling in a thiamine-deficiency model in rats.

AIMS: Thiamine is an important cofactor present in many biochemical reactions, and its deprivation can lead to heart dysfunction. Little is known about the influence of thiamine deprivation on the electrophysiological behavior of the isolated heart cells and information about thiamine deficiency in heart morphology is controversial. Thus, we decided to investigate the major repolarizing conductances and their influence in the action potential (AP) waveform as well as the changes in the heart structure in a set of thiamine deficiency in rats. MAIN METHODS: Using the patch-clamp technique, we investigated inward (I(K1)) and outward K(+) currents (I(to)), T-type and L-type Ca(2+) currents and APs. To evaluate heart morphology we used hematoxylin and eosin in transversal heart sections. KEY FINDINGS: Thiamine deficiency caused a marked decrease in left ventricle thickness, cardiomyocyte number, cell length and width, and membrane capacitance. When evaluating I(to) we did not find difference in current amplitude; however an acceleration of I(to) inactivation was observed. I(K1) showed a reduction in the amplitude and slope conductance, which implicated a less negative resting membrane potential in cardiac myocytes isolated from thiamine-deficient rats. We did not find any difference in L-type Ca(2+) current density. T-type Ca(2+) current was not observed. In addition, we did not observe significant changes in AP repolarization. SIGNIFICANCE: Based on our study we can conclude that thiamine deficiency causes heart hypotrophy and not heart hypertrophy. Moreover, we provided evidence that there is no major electrical remodeling during thiamine deficiency, a feature of heart failure models.