Markus Santhosh Braun

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Essential Oils of Selected Aromatic Plants from Tajikistan

Antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oils of 18 plant species from Tajikistan (Central Asia) were investigated. The essential oil of Origanum tyttanthum showed a strong antibacterial activity with both minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 312.5 µg/mL for E. coli, 625 µg/mL (MIC) and 1250 µg/mL (MBC) for MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), respectively. The essential oil of Galagania fragrantissima was highly active against MRSA at concentrations as low as 39.1 µg/mL and 78.2 µg/mL for MIC and MBC, respectively. Origanum tyttanthum essential oil showed the highest antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 0.12 mg/mL for ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) and 0.28 mg/mL for DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Galagania fragrantissima and Origanum tyttanthum essential oils showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity; IC50 values of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibition were 7.34 and 14.78 µg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, essential oils of Origanum tyttanthum and Galagania fragrantissima exhibit substantial antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. They are interesting candidates in phytotherapy.

Corynebacterium uropygiale sp. nov., isolated from the preen gland of Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

A novel species of fastidious, lipophilic, club-shaped, Gram-positive bacteria was recovered from the preen glands of healthy Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from two different locations. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed highest similarity to Corynebacterium spheniscorum DSM 44757(T) (96.8%) with a 3.2kb stretch of rpoB sharing 82.4% sequence similarity to the same species. DNA fingerprinting by ERIC-PCR and polar lipid profiles clearly differentiated the Turkey isolates from the most closely related Corynebacteria, as did MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Chemotaxonomic tests revealed the presence of corynemycolic acids with C16:0, C18:0, C18:1ω9c and tuberculostearic acid as the major cellular fatty acids. The G+C content of the type strain was 60.7 mol%. The species was susceptible to ampicillin, kanamycin A, streptomycin, amikacin, polymyxin B and vancomycin. From our results, it becomes evident that the isolated organisms represent a new species, for which the name Corynebacterium uropygiale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Iso10(T) (=DSM 46817(T)=LMG 28616(T)).

Chemical Profiling of the Essential Oils of Syzygium aqueum, Syzygium samarangense and Eugenia uniflora and Their Discrimination Using Chemometric Analysis.

The essential oil compositions of the leaves of three related Myrtaceae species, namely Syzygium aqueum, Syzygium samarangense and Eugenia uniflora, were investigated using GLC/MS and GLC/FID. Altogether, 125 compounds were identified: α‐Selinene (13.85%), β‐caryophyllene (12.72%) and β‐selinene constitute the most abundant constituents in S. aqueum. Germacrene D (21.62%) represents the major compound in S. samarangense whereas in E. uniflora, spathulenol (15.80%) represents the predominant component. Multivariate chemometric analyses were used to discriminate the essential oils using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) based on the chromatographic results. The antimicrobial activity of the popularly used E. uniflora essential oil was assessed using broth microdilution method against six Gram‐positive, three Gram‐negative bacteria and two fungi. The oil showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Bacillus licheniformis exhibiting MIC and MMC of 0.63 mg/ml. The cytotoxic activity of E. uniflora essential oil was investigated against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T. b. brucei) and MCF‐7 cancer cell line using MTT assay. It showed moderate activity against MCF‐7 cells with an IC50 value of 76.40 μg/ml. On the other hand, T. brucei was highly susceptible to E. uniflora essential oil with IC50 of 11.20 μg/ml, and a selectivity index of 6.82.

Polymer/Peptide Complex-Based Sensor Array Discriminates Bacteria in Urine

A negatively charged poly(para-phenyleneethynylene) (PPE) forms electrostatic complexes with four positively charged antimicrobial peptides (AMP). The AMPs partially quench the fluorescence of the PPE and discriminate fourteen different bacteria in water and in human urine by pattern-based fluorescence recognition; the AMP-PPE complexes bind differentially to the components of bacterial surfaces. The bacterial species and strains form clusters according to staining properties (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) or genetic similarity (genus, species, and strain). The identification and data treatment is performed by pattern evaluation with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) of the collected fluorescence intensity data.

Analysis of the genetic variability of Artemia franciscana Kellogg, 1906 from the Great Salt Lake (USA) based on mtDNA sequences, ISSR genomic fingerprinting and biometry

The genetic structure of the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana, an extremophile halophilic microcrustacean, from the Great Salt Lake (USA), was investigated by analysis of nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), genomic fingerprinting by ISSR-PCR (inter-simple sequence repeats polymerase chain reaction) and biometry. Samples from six different geographical localities of Great Salt Lake revealed ten distinct haplotypes with a mean high level of haplotype diversity (HDu2009=u20090.6). Phylogenetic and genetic fingerprinting analyses supported the null hypothesis, that the brine shrimps of this lake form a panmictic gene pool with a low level of genetic differentiation index (FSTu2009=u20090.05) and a high rate of gene flow (Nmu2009=u20092.8) between geographical areas. Moreover, morphological parameters revealed no population structure among all examined populations. Neutrality tests and mismatch distribution revealed that A. franciscana has undergone a recent population expansion. In spite of hypersaline conditions in the Northern (Gunnison Bay) regions of the Great Salt Lake, the genetic population structures of different areas of the lake are not linked to ecological or limnological conditions. Therefore, A. franciscana from the Great Salt Lake should be considered as a single management unit for conservation.

Exposure, Occurrence, and Chemistry of Fumonisins and their Cryptic Derivatives: Fumonisins and their cryptic derivatives…

Fumonisins are mycotoxins mainly produced by Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium verticillioides. Because of their wide distribution, the potential health hazard, and economic significance, they are considered one of the most important mycotoxin classes. Epidemiological evidence suggests a relationship between the Fusarium load in corn, exposure to fumonisins, and esophageal cancer. However, mechanisms of actions of fumonisins are not yet fully resolved and epidemiological studies suffer from various confounding factors. Correspondingly, the most relevant congener of the fumonisin family (fumonisin B1 ) has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans and maximum limits have been set for corn and corn-based products. However, many non-corn-based products are also susceptible to fumonisin contamination. Indeed, some of them contain very high amounts of fumonisins, but enter the market legally. Furthermore, fumonisin exposure of consumers is probably consistently being underestimated because only a fraction of fumonisins can be detected by routine analysis. The bioavailability and toxicity of most nondetectable (cryptic) forms has not been resolved. In this work, we review the developments of cancer research into fumonisins since their discovery in 1988 until today and provide an overview of the contributions of various foodstuffs to fumonisin exposure, including those products that have been largely neglected in the past. In conclusion, (1) corn remains the principal source of fumonisin ingestion, but fumonisins in non-corn-based commodities require continuous monitoring; (2) cryptic fumonisins should be included in risk assessment studies; and (3) certain population groups (for example children) may suffer from enhanced exposure and could face increased health risks.

Kocuria uropygioeca sp. nov. and Kocuria uropygialis sp. nov., isolated from the preen glands of Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major)

Two new species of Gram-positive cocci were isolated from the uropygial glands of wild woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major) originating from different locations in Germany. A polyphasic approach confirmed the affiliation of the isolates to the genus Kocuria. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed high degree of similarity to Kocuria koreensis DSM 23367T (99.0% for both isolates). However, low ANIb values of <80% unequivocally separated the new species from K. koreensis. This finding was further corroborated by DNA fingerprinting and analysis of polar lipid profiles. Furthermore, growth characteristics, biochemical tests, MALDI-TOF MS analysis, and G+C contents clearly differentiated the isolates from their known relatives. Besides, the woodpecker isolates significantly differed from each other in their whole-cell protein profiles, DNA fingerprints, and ANIb values. In conclusion, the isolated microorganisms constitute members of two new species, for which the names Kocuria uropygioeca sp. nov. and Kocuria uropygialis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are 36T (DSM 101740T=LMG 29265T) and 257T (=DSM 101741T=LMG 29266T) for K. uropygialis sp. nov. and K. uropygioeca sp. nov., respectively.

Gene flow and genetic drift contribute to high genetic diversity with low phylogeographical structure in European hoopoes (Upupa epops)

The Hoopoe (Upupa epops epops) breeds widely in Eurasia and most populations migrate to Africa during the boreal winter. To date, data regarding its phylogeography in Europe are missing. In this study, we investigated the phylogeography and population genetics of Hoopoes by means of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing as well as microsatellite genotyping. Our analyses revealed 32 haplotypes in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) (269 individuals) and 50 haplotypes in cytochrome b (cyt b) (233 individuals). Analyses of mtDNA clearly demonstrated that the bulk of variance (98.23%) could be attributed to inner-population variance. Thus, the low frequency single nucleotide substitutions resulted in star-like haplotype networks without define geographical structure. Hoopoes clearly experienced a bottleneck followed by sudden expansion, as was also apparent from tests on the unimodal mismatch, Bayesian skyline plot, significant negative neutrality tests as well as bottleneck signals. These tests pointed to strong demographic fluctuations in the hoopoe populations. GENELAND, DAPC and STRUCTURE analyses of microsatellites along with their corresponding Fst values suggested that current genetic restriction separates birds from Armenia from the remaining populations. Except for hoopoes from Armenia, all the European populations exhibited an admixed phylogeographic pattern. We conclude that this genetic panmixia might be a consequence of a combination of historical events (e.g. repeated colonizations and retreatments from northern habitats during the Pleistocene and a sudden postglacial expansion) and current processes (e.g. long-distance migration, immigration or population recruitments).

Tulbaghia violacea and Allium ursinum Extracts Exhibit Anti-Parasitic and Antimicrobial Activities

Garlic has played an important role in culinary arts and remedies in the traditional medicine throughout human history. Parasitic infections represent a burden in the society of especially poor countries, causing more than 1 billion infections every year and leading to around one million deaths. In this study, we investigated the mode of anti-parasitic activity of “wild garlics” Tulbaghia violacea and Allium ursinum dichloromethane extracts against parasites Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Leishmania tarentolae with regard to their already known antimicrobial activity. We also evaluated their cytotoxic potential against human cells. Both extracts showed a relevant trypanocidal and leishmanicidal activity, although L. tarentolae was less sensitive. We determined that the probable mode of action of both extracts is the irreversible inhibition of the activity of Trypanosoma brucei trypanothione reductase enzyme. The extracts showed a mild cytotoxic activity against human keratinocytes. They also exhibited weak—in most cases comparable—antibacterial and antifungal activity. HPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that both extracts are abundant in sulfur compounds. Thus, for the first time, the ability of Allium ursinum and Tulbaghia violacea to kill Trypanosoma sp. and Leishmania sp. parasites, probably by binding to and inactivating sulfur-containing compounds essential for the survival of the parasite, is shown.

Anti-Parasitic Activities of Allium sativum and Allium cepa against Trypanosoma b. brucei and Leishmania tarentolae

Background: Garlics and onions have been used for the treatment of diseases caused by parasites and microbes since ancient times. Trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis are a concern in many areas of the world, especially in poor countries. Methods: Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Leishmania tarentolae were used to investigate the anti-parasitic effects of dichloromethane extracts of Allium sativum (garlic) and Allium cepa (onion) bulbs. As a confirmation of known antimicrobial activities, they were studied against a selection of G-negative, G-positive bacteria and two fungi. Chemical analyses were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Results: Chemical analyses confirmed the abundance of several sulfur secondary metabolites in garlic and one (zwiebelane) in the onion extract. Both extracts killed both types of parasites efficiently and inhibited the Trypanosoma brucei trypanothione reductase irreversibly. In addition, garlic extract decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential in trypanosomes. Garlic killed the fungi C. albicans and C. parapsilosis more effectively than the positive control. The combinations of garlic and onion with common trypanocidal and leishmanicidal drugs resulted in a synergistic or additive effect in 50% of cases. Conclusion: The mechanism for biological activity of garlic and onion appears to be related to the amount and the profile of sulfur-containing compounds. It is most likely that vital substances inside the parasitic cell, like trypanothione reductase, are inhibited through disulfide bond formation between SH groups of vital redox compounds and sulfur-containing secondary metabolites.