Atividade antimicrobiana de Lactobacillus acidophilus, contra microrganismos patogênicos veiculados por alimentos

The antimicrobial activity of a commercial probiotic culture, Lactobacillus acidophilus (La5), was tested against two foodborne pathogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The antagonistic effect of the probiotic culture in vitro was performed by applying both Multilayer Agar Plate and Agar Well Diffusion methods. The results indicated that the inhibitory substance present on 72 hours culture broth supernatant was extracellular and diffusible. The incubation period of the lactic acid bacteria on MRS Broth, at 3 7 degrees C in aerobic conditions, for the highest lactic acid production (1,08 g/%) was 72 hours, which gave a minimum pH value of the supernatant (3,90) and the best inhibition results by the Well Diffusion Agar Assay, showing inhibition zone diameters of 14,75mm and 15,0mm for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The inhibitor compound was not sensitive to proteolytic enzyme and freezing, but was totally inactivated when the supernatant was neutralized with NaOH 1 N solution. The results suggest that the inhibitory activity was due to the lactic acid concentration and the low pH of the probiotic culture broth.

In vitro antibacterial efficacy of endodontic irrigants against Enterococcus faecalis

Objective. The objective of this study was to compare the in vitro antimicrobial activity of 2% chlorhexidine gel against Enterococcus faecalis with sodium hypochlorite in 2 different concentrations (1.5% and 5.25%).Study design. Eighty human lower premolars with single root canals were prepared, autoclaved, and infected for 7 days with E. faecalis monocultures. The roots were then separated into 5 experimental groups according to the irrigant solution used during the standardized preparation. To assess the antimicrobial action of the irrigant solutions, 3 microbial samples were taken: S1-initial (before the biomechanical preparation), S2-posttreatment (immediately after the biomechanical preparation), and S3-final (7 days after the biomechanical preparation). The microbiological samples were plated to count the colony-forming units (CFU).Results. The 2% chlorhexidine gel and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite significantly reduced the E. faecalis CFU in the posttreatment and final microbiological samples. The 1.5% sodium hypochlorite also reduced the E. faecalis CFU immediately after the root canal instrumentation, but the E. faecalis CFU increased in the final sample showing no statistical difference from the control group.Conclusion. The 2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite were effective in eliminating E. faecalis even 7 days after the instrumentation; moreover, the higher the concentration of sodium hypochlorite the better its antimicrobial action.

Chemical structure, surface properties and biological activities of the biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI from soapstock

Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil produced rhamnolipids (RLLBI) when cultivated on soapstock as the sole carbon source. HPLC-MS analysis of the purified culture supernatant identified 6 RL homologues (%): R-2 C-10 C-10 28.9; R-2 C-10 C-12:1 23.0; R-1 C-10 C-10 23.4; R-2 C-10 C-12 11.3; R-2 C-10 C-12 7.9; R-2 C-10 C-12 C-12 5.5. To assess the potential antimicrobial activity of the new rhamnolipid product, RLLBI, its physicochemical properties were studied. RLLBI had a surface tension of 24 mN m(-1) and an interfacial tension 1.31 mN m(-1); the cmc was 120 mg l(-1). RLLBI produced stable emulsions with hydrocarbons and vegetable oils. This product showed good antimicrobial behaviour against bacteria: MIC for Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris was 8 mg l(-1), for Streptococcus faecalis 4 mg l(-1), and for Pseudomonas aeruginosa 32 mg l(-1). RLLBI was active against phytopathogenic fungal species, MIC values of 32 mg l(-1) being found against Penicillium, Alternaria, Gliocadium virens and Chaetonium globosum. Due to its physicochemical properties and antimicrobial behaviour, RLLBI could be used in bioremediation treatment and in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Decoralin, a novel linear cationic alpha-helical peptide from the venom of the solitary eumenine wasp Oreumenes decoratus

A novel peptide, decoralin, was isolated from the venom of the solitary eumenine wasp Oreumenes decoratus. its sequence, Ser-Leu-Leu-Ser-Leu-Ile-Arg-Lys-Leu-Ile-Thr, was determined by Edman degradation and corroborated by solid-phase synthesis. This sequence has the characteristic features of linear cationic a-helical peptides; rich in hydrophobic and basic amino acids with no disulfide bond, and accordingly, it can be predicted to adopt an amphipathic a-helix secondary structure. In fact, the CD spectra of decoralin in the presence of TFE or SDS showed a high a-helical conformation content. In a biological evaluation, decoralin exhibited a significant broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and moderate mast cell degranulation and leishmanicidal activities, but showed virtually no hemolytic activity. A synthetic analog with C-terminal amidation showed a much more potent activity in all the biological assays. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Atividade antimicrobiana de extratos brutos de Petiveria alliacea L.

"Antimicrobial activity of crude extratcs of Petiveria alliacea L.". Petiveria alliacea L. (Phytolaccacea) is an herbaceous plant of great importance in traditional medicine. This species have been widely used in several applications such as antirheumatic, anticarcinogenic, anti-flu, antitussive, analgesic, insecticidal, acaricidal, as well as bactericide and fungicide. Currently, the pathogenic microorganisms are acquiring resistence against the traditional antibiotics, and the search for new herbal antimicrobial agents has been intensified. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal and antibacterial activity of several leaf crude extracts of P. alliacea against several strains of bacterias and yeasts namely Bacilus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida kefyr and Candida albicans, using microdilution method. Promising results were observed for the 70% v/v ethanolic extract which presented minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) from 250 to 760 mu g/mL for yeast. For the bacteria strains tested the MIC ranged between 240 to 3960 mu g/mL, depending of the extractive solution tested.

Propolis Standardized Extract (EPP-AF (R)), an Innovative Chemically and Biologically Reproducible Pharmaceutical Compound for Treating Wounds

The aim of this study was to develop a formulation, containing the propolis standardized extract (EPP-AF (R)), which can assist in the healing of skin lesions. To achieve this objective the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of the propolis extract was determined. The final product was subjected to in vitro and in vivo pre-clinical evaluation. The broth macrodi-lution method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of the extracts and formulations against the microorganisms most commonly found in burns, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Wistar rats with puncture wounded skin were used to evaluate the wound healing properties of propolis. The results of chemical and biological characterization demonstrated the batch-to-batch reproducibility of the standardized extract which is an unprecedented result. The antimicrobial and wound healing activity of the pharmaceutical studied showed the best results when samples contain 3.6% propolis, suggesting that this is the most promising composition.

In vitro conservation and low cost micropropagation of Cochlospermum regium (Mart. Ex. Scharank)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliacao da atividade da nova cefalosporina de quarta geracao cefpiroma contra amostras clinicas isoladas em unidades de terapia intensiva e unidades de oncoematologia de varios hospitais brasileiros

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro activity of the fourth-generation cephalosporin cefpirome in comparison to that of ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and imipenem in a multicenter study involving nine hospitals from six cities (four states). Material and methods: A total of 804 isolates from patients hospitalized in either intensive care units or Oncology/Hematology units was evaluated. The isolates were collected between June and November of 1995, i.e. before cefpirome became commercially available in Brazil, and susceptibility tested by broth microdilution following the NCCLS procedures. All isolates resistant to cefpirome were retested by B-test. Results: Against Enterobacteriaceae (n = 344), cefpirome demonstrated an activity 2 to 32-fold higher than that of the third-generation cephalosporins (TGCs) and similar to that of imipenem. The percentages of Enterobacteriaceae susceptible were: 88%, 69% and 96% for cefpirome, TGCs and imipenem, respectively, The cefpirome spectrum were greater or equal to that of imipenem against Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter aerogenes, Morganellao morganii and Serratia marcescens. Against Acinetobacter sp. (n = 77), cefpirome was slightly more active than ceftazidime; however, the percentages of isolates resistant to these compounds were high (84% and 88%, respectively). The activities of cefpirome, ceftazidime and imipenem were very similar against P. aeruginosa isolates (n = 128), with MIC50 (μg/ml) percent susceptible of 8/59%, 8/62% and 4/62% respectively, Against aerobic gram-positive bacteria, the cefpirome activity was 4 to 16-fold higher than that of TGCs but 2 to 8-fold lower than that of imipenem. Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that, in Brazil, cefpirome has a spectrum of activity which is higher than that of the TGCs against aerobic gram-negative (Enterobacteriaceae and non-Enterobacteriaceae) and gram-positive bacteria and similar to that of imipenem against some Enterobacteriaceae species and P. aeruginosa.

Antibiotic 26-deoxylaidlomycin isolated from Streptomyces sp. Ar386 from Brazilian soil

An actinomycete strain (Ar386) was isolated from the soil of the Araraquara regio, SP, Brazil. The strain, named Streptomyces jacareensis, formed irregular rayed, rugose, grayish-white mycelium with sinuous, branched hyphae carrying rare isolated spores; assimilated glucose, galactose, inositol, ribose, maltose, sucrose, melibiose and starch but not mannitol, rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, lactose and raffinose; and contained LL- diaminopimelic acid in its cell wall. An antibiotic active against Gram- positive bacteria, which was characterized as being 26-deoxylaidlomycin and which may have application against poultry coccidiosis, was isolated from cultures of the strain. This was the first isolation of this antibiotic from a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces and also the first isolation of this antibiotic in Brazil.

Atividade comparada da cefepima, cefpiroma e amicacina em amostras bacterianas hospitalares

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of cefepime, cefpirome and amikacin against the most prevalent nosocomial bacteria. Initially a prospective study was designed to compare the bacterial susceptibility to the three drugs using 1,022 pathogenic strains. The strains were isolated from hospitalized patients of the Hospital das Clinicas - Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, SP, from March to December of 1996, by using the Bauer-Kirby susceptibility diffusion controlled method. The activity of cefepime by the Kirby-Bauer method was significantly higher (χ2, p ≤ 0.05) than cefpirome and amikacin for the following bacteria: P. aeruginosa (72% x 56% x 64%, respectively), Enterobacter cloacae (98% x 88% x 80%) and total strains (79.5% x 74.3% x 76.8%). Cefpirome exhibited higher activity than cefepime only to Enterococcus faecalis (42% x 23%). In the 12 other bacterial groups studied the sensibility of the three drugs was similar (χ2, p ≥ 0.05). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for 127 bacterial strains - Enterobacter cloacae (12), Citrobacter sp (15), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (50), Acinetobacter baumannii (12), BGNF others (22) and Enterococcus faecalis (16)-from the same origin previously described and isolated during 1997, was determined by E-test. Ranges of MIC intervals, MIC(50%), MIC(90%) and the proportion of the sensitive bacterial strains were determined and permitted the following analysis: the activity of cefepime against Gram-negative bacteria was 2 or more times higher than that of cefpirome and amikacin, specially when CIM(90%) was considered; the activity of cefpirome was higher only against E. faecalis. This information must be considered in the rational use of antibiotic, specially in patients with nosocomial infections.

Chemistry and bioactivity of Raulinoa echinata Cowan, an endemic Brazilian rutaceae species

The hexane extract of the stems of Raulinoa echinata afforded the sesquiterpenes germacrene D (6), 1β,6α-dihydroxy-4-(15)-eudesmene (4) and oplopanone (5); the triterpenes squalene, isomultiflorenol (7), isobauerenol (8) and friedelin (9); the protolimonoids melianone (2) and melianodiol (3); and the pyranocoumarin 3-(1′-1′-dimethylallyl)-lomatin (1), which has not been reported previously as a natural product; together with β-sitosterol. The hexane extract and some of these compounds were assayed in vitro against trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Brine shrimp lethality and antimicrobial activities of the crude extract and pure compounds were also evaluated.

In vitro cytotoxicity of some natural and semi-synthetic isocoumarins from Paepalanthus bromelioides

Numerous natural compounds have a potential for therapeutic applications, but may have to be chemically modified to alter toxic side effects. We investigated structural parameters that could affect the cytotoxicity of isocoumarins similar to 9,10-dihydroxy-5,7-dimethoxy-1H-naphtho(2,3c)pyran-1-one (paepalantine 1). Paepalantine 1 has antimicrobial activity, as well as significant in vitro cytotoxic effects in the McCoy cell line. Two other natural and two semi-synthetic isocoumarins with similar structures obtained from the capitula of Paepalanthus bromelioides were tested on the same cell line by the neutral red assay. Substitution of the 9 and/or 10-OH group made these compounds less cytotoxic.

Contribuição ao estudo farmacognóstico da mutamba (Guazuma ulmifolia - Sterculiaceae)

Guazuma ulmifolia Lam., Sterculiaceae, popularly known as mutamba, has a wide geographical distribution, ranging from Mexico to Southern Brazil. The interest in its chemical properties is due to its popular use for hair loss treatment. This activity can be attributed to tannins that have many pharmacological activities such anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-microbial, anti-viral, capillary protective action and radical scavenging properties. In the microscopic analysis of barks and leaves, large secretor ducts could be detected among the parenchyma cells, as well as star shaped trichoms on the epidermis. One of the aims of the anatomical study was to detect tissues with polyphenolic compounds. The results indicated two tissues rich in these compounds: the phloematic region and the periderm. Chemical analyses were carried out on the bark and showed the presence of the following chemical groups: flavonoids, tannins, saponins and mucilages.

Antibiótico antifungico produzido por um estreptomiceto da região de Araraquara

With the significant increase in the incidence of invasive fungal infections during the last decade, mainly in patients with cancer, AIDS and other hospitalized patients who stay for long periods in intensive care units, there is an urgent need to screen for new antifungal agents possessing some advantages over known ones. This article reports a search in the field for a microorganism producing antibacterial and antifungal substances. Strains from soil samples collected in the region of Araraquara, Brazil, were isolated and analyzed for their antimicrobial potential against standard microorganisms (fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus oryzae and bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). Out of the 64 strains isolated, 34 produced detectable antimicrobial activity. The streptomycete strain Ar4014 was chosen for further study, owing to its good antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans. Two of the fermentation media tested, 608-K and 602-B, were found to be best for the production and extraction of the antibiotic from Ar4014. After chromatographic separation of the crude extract on a silica column, the active fractions obtained showed UV-VIS absorption peaks characteristic of normal pentaenic antibiotics. The antibiotic was provisionally designated Ara 4014-75.

Ação farmacológica de Syzygium cumini (L.) skeels

Natural products have received new interest recently, maybe in men's attempt to turn into the nature for the prevention and the relief of diseases, mainly because of those untreated by the traditional medicine. Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, popularly known as 'jambolão, is a well-known plant by several pharmacological actions so much in the popular use as in the scientific literature. In this search antidiabetic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of 'jambolão' were described, among other actions.