Tatjana Ilic-Tomic

Properties and applications of undecylprodigiosin and other bacterial prodigiosins

The growing demand to fulfill the needs of present-day medicine in terms of novel effective molecules has lead to reexamining some of the old and known bacterial secondary metabolites. Bacterial prodigiosins (prodiginines) have a long history of being re markable multipurpose compounds, best examined for their anticancer and antimalarial activities. Production of prodigiosin in the most common producer strain Serratia marcescens has been described in great detail. However, few reports have discussed the ecophysiological roles of these molecules in the producing strains, as well as their antibiotic and UV-protective properties. This review describes recent advances in the production process, biosynthesis, properties, and applications of bacterial prodigiosins. Special emphasis is put on undecylprodigiosin which has generally been a less studied member of the prodigiosin family. In addition, it has been suggested that proteins involved in undecylprodigiosin synthesis, RedG and RedH, could be a useful addition to the biocatalytic toolbox being able to mediate regio- and stereoselective oxidative cyclization. Judging by the number of recent references (216 for the 2007–2013 period), it has become clear that undecylprodigiosin and other bacterial prodigiosins still hold surprises in terms of valuable properties and applicative potential to medical and other industrial fields and that they still deserve continuing research curiosity.

Toxic essential oils. Part III: Identification and biological activity of new allylmethoxyphenyl esters from a Chamomile species (Anthemis segetalis Ten.)

To determine the exact structure of previously tentatively identified minor essential-oil constituents of a Chamomile species (Antemis segetalis Ten. (Asteraceae)), we have synthesized a small combinatorial library of 54 regioisomeric allylmethoxyphenyl pentanoates and 2-pentenoates (49 completely new compounds). GC-MS in combination with 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses of the library compounds provided unambiguous data that led to a straightforward identification of the mentioned A. segetalis constituents as eugenyl angelate, 2-methylbutanoate and 3-methylbutanoate (0.21, 0.22, and 0.13 mg/100 g of fresh plant material, respectively). To assess the safety and potential beneficial pharmacological uses of these naturally occurring esters and several other library compounds (these were tested to provide relevant data for a SAR (structure-activity relationship) analysis), we have studied the effect of these compounds in several models of toxicity (acute toxicity against Artemia salina, cytotoxicity against two cell lines (fibroblast and melanoma)), as well as their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antibacterial activities. Anthemis segetalis constituents showed low to moderate activity in all tests. The obtained results suggest that the intake of these compounds in naturally available amounts, on their own, would probably not represent a risk to human health but the possible adverse interactions with the plant matrix should not be neglected.

A comparative antimicrobial and toxicological study of gold(III) and silver(I) complexes with aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycles: synergistic activity and improved selectivity index of Au(III)/Ag(I) complexes mixture

Five aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycles, pyridazine (pydz, 1), pyrimidine (pm, 2), pyrazine (pz, 3), quinoxaline (qx, 4) and phenazine (phz, 5) have been used for the synthesis of gold(III) and silver(I) complexes. In contrast to the mononuclear Au1–5 complexes all having square-planar geometry, the corresponding Ag1–5 complexes have been found to be polynuclear and of different geometries. Complexes Au1–5 and Ag1–5, along with K[AuCl4], AgNO3 and N-heterocyclic ligands used for their synthesis, were evaluated by in vitro antimicrobial studies against a panel of microbial strains that lead to many skin and soft tissue, respiratory, wound and nosocomial infections. All tested complexes exhibited excellent to good antibacterial activity with minimal inhibitory (MIC) values in the range of 2.5 to 100 μg mL−1 against the investigated strains. The complexes were particularly efficient against pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 2.5–30 μg mL−1) and had a marked ability to disrupt clinically relevant biofilms of strains with high inherent resistance to antibiotics. Moreover, the Au1–4 and Ag1–5 complexes exhibited pronounced ability to competitively intercalate double stranded genomic DNA of P. aeruginosa, which was demonstrated by gel electrophoresis techniques and supported by molecular docking into the DNA major groove. Antiproliferative effect on the normal human lung fibroblast cell line MRC5 has also been evaluated in order to determine therapeutic potential of Au1–5 and Ag1–5 complexes. Since the investigated gold(III) complexes showed much lower negative effects on the viability of the MRC5 cell line than their silver(I) analogues and slightly lower antimicrobial activity against the investigated strains, the combination approach to improve their pharmacological profiles was applied. Synergistic antimicrobial effect and the selectivity index of 10 were achieved for the selected gold(III)/silver(I) complexes mixtures, as well as higher P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm disruption activity, and improved toxicity profile towards zebrafish embryos, in comparison to the single complexes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on synergistic activity of gold(III)/silver(I) complexes mixtures and it could have an impact on development of new combination therapy methods for the treatment of multi-resistant bacterial infections.

Cytotoxic effect of Reseda lutea L.: A case of forgotten remedy.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Reseda lutea L. (Resedaceae) or Wild Mignonette is a widely distributed plant species. Pliny the Elder (AD 23-AD 79), a Roman scholar and naturalist, reported the use of R. lutea for reducing tumors in his Historia naturalis. Accounts of the beneficial effects of R. lutea in tumor treatment could also be found in the works of later authors, such as Étienne François Geoffroy (1672-1731) and Samuel Frederick Gray (1766-1828). However, to date no in vivo or in vitro evidence exists in support of the alleged tumor healing properties of R. lutea. MATERIALS AND METHODS The composition of autolysates obtained from different organs (root, flower and fruit) of R. lutea was investigated by GC and GC-MS analyses and IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. These analyses led to the discovery of a new compound isolated in pure form from the flower autolysate. Autolysates and their major constituents were submitted to MTT-dye reduction cytotoxic assay on human A375 (melanoma) and MRC5 (fibroblast) cell lines. Mechanism of the cytotoxic effects was studied by cell cycle analysis and Annexin V assay. RESULTS Benzyl isothiocyanate and 2-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate were identified as the major constituents of the root and flower autolysates, respectively (the later represents a new natural product). These compounds showed significant antiproliferative effects against both cell lines, which could also explain the observed high cytotoxic activity of the tested autolysates. Cell cycle analysis revealed apoptosis as the probable mechanism of cell death. CONCLUSIONS Tumor healing properties attributed to R. lutea in the pre-modern texts were substantiated by the herein obtained results. Two isothiocyanates were found to be the major carriers of the observed activity. Although there was a relatively low differential effect of the plant metabolites on transformed and non-transformed cell lines, one can argue that the noted strong cytotoxicity provides first evidence that could explain the long forgotten use of this particular species.

Synthesis, structural characterization and biological evaluation of dinuclear gold(III) complexes with aromatic nitrogen-containing ligands: antimicrobial activity in relation to the complex nuclearity

Dinuclear gold(III) complexes {[AuCl3]2(μ-4,4′-bipy)} (1) and {[AuCl3]2(μ-bpe)} (2) with bridging aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ligands, 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe), were synthesized and characterized by NMR (1H and 13C), UV-vis and IR spectroscopic techniques. The crystal structure of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, while the DFT M06-2X method was applied in order to optimize the structures of 1 and 2. A detailed mechanistic study was performed using the same DFT approach in order to shed light on the disparate coordination modes of the presently investigated N-heterocyclic ligands and the monocyclic pyrazine, which contains two nitrogen atoms within one ring, toward the AuCl3 fragment. The investigation of the solution stability of 1 and 2 in DMSO revealed that both complexes were sufficiently stable in this solvent at room temperature. Complexes 1 and 2, along with K[AuCl4] and the N-heterocyclic ligands used for their synthesis, were evaluated by in vitro antimicrobial studies against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and the fungus Candida albicans. In most cases, complexes 1 and 2 have higher antibacterial activity than K[AuCl4] (MICs for 1 and 2 were in the range 3.9–62.5 μg mL−1), while both of the N-heterocycles did not affect the bacterial growth at concentrations up to 500 μg mL−1. On the other hand, the antifungal activity of these two complexes against C. albicans was moderate and lower than that of K[AuCl4]. In order to determine the therapeutic potential of 1 and 2, their antiproliferative effect on the normal human lung fibroblast cell line MRC5 and embryotoxicity on zebrafish (Danio rerio) have also been evaluated. To the best of our knowledge, complexes 1 and 2 are the first examples of dinuclear gold(III) complexes with aromatic six-membered heterocycles containing two nitrogen atoms as bridging ligands.

Copper(II) complexes with aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycles as effective inhibitors of quorum sensing activity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Five copper(II) complexes 1–5 with aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycles, pyrimidine (pm, 1), pyrazine (pz, 2), quinazoline (qz, 3 and 4) and phthalazine (phtz, 5) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The crystallographic results show that, dependent on the ligand structure, complexes 1–5 are of different nuclearity. The antimicrobial efficiency of complexes 1–5 has been evaluated against three clinically relevant microorganisms and none of the complexes showed significant growth inhibiting activity, with values of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the mM range. Since in many bacteria, pathogenicity and virulence are regulated by intercellular communication processes, quorum sensing (QS), the effect of the copper(II) complexes on bacterial QS has also been examined. The results indicate that the investigated complexes inhibit violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, suggesting an anti-QS activity. In order to differentiate, which of the QS pathways was affected by the copper(II) complexes, three biosensor strains were used: the PAO1 ΔrhlIpKD-rhlA and the PA14-R3ΔlasIPrsaI lux strain to directly measure the levels of C4-HSL (N-butanoyl-homoserine lactone) and 3OC12-HSL (N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-homoserine lactone), respectively, and PAO1 ΔpqsA mini-CTX luxPpqsA for the detection of AHQs (2-alkyl-4-quinolones). Complexes 1–5 were shown to be efficient inhibitors of biofilm formation of the human opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, with the qz-containing complex 3 being the most active. Finally, the most anti-QS-active complexes 1 and 3 showed synergistic activity against a multi-drug resistant clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa, when supplied in combination with the known antibiotics piperacillin and ceftazidime.

Diarylheptanoids from Alnus viridis ssp. viridis and Alnus glutinosa: Modulation of Quorum Sensing Activity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Diarylheptanoids from the barks of Alnus viridis ssp. viridis (green alder) and Alnus glutinosa (black alder) were explored for anti-quorum sensing activity. Chemicals with anti-quorum sensing activity have recently been examined for antimicrobial applications. The anti-quorum sensing activity of the selected diarylheptanoids was determined using two biosensors, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. Although all of the investigated compounds negatively influenced the motility of P. aeruginosa PAO1, four were able to inhibit biofilm formation of this human opportunistic pathogen for 40-70 %. Three of the diarylheptanoids (3, 4, and 5) negatively influenced the biosynthesis of pyocyanin, which is under the control of quorum sensing. Platyphyllenone (7) and hirsutenone (5) were able to inhibit the biosynthesis of violacein in C. violaceum CV026, with 5 being able to inhibit the synthesis of both biopigments. Only one of the tested diarylheptanoids (1) was shown to significantly decrease the production of acyl homoserine lactones (AHL) in P. aeruginosa PAO1, more specifically, production of the long chain N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-l-HSL. On the other side, four diarylheptanoids (2-5) significantly reduced the synthesis of 2-alkyl-4-quinolones, part of the P. aeruginosa quinolone-mediated signaling system. To properly assess therapeutic potential of these compounds, their in vitro antiproliferative effect on normal human lung fibroblasts was determined, with doses affecting cell proliferation between 10 and 100 µg/mL. This study confirms that the barks of green and black alders are rich source of phytochemicals with a wide range of biological activities that could further be exploited as natural agents against bacterial contaminations and infections.

Identification and characterization of an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida KT2440 that shows preference towards medium to long chain length fatty acids

Diverse and elaborate pathways for nutrient utilization, as well as mechanisms to combat unfavourable nutrient conditions make Pseudomonas putida KT2440 a versatile micro-organism able to occupy a range of ecological niches. The fatty acid degradation pathway of P. putida is complex and correlated with biopolymer medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) biosynthesis. Little is known about the second step of fatty acid degradation (β-oxidation) in this strain. In silico analysis of its genome sequence revealed 21 putative acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACADs), four of which were functionally characterized through mutagenesis studies. Four mutants with insertionally inactivated ACADs (PP_1893, PP_2039, PP_2048 and PP_2437) grew and accumulated mcl-PHA on a range of fatty acids as the sole source of carbon and energy. Their ability to grow and accumulate biopolymer was differentially negatively affected on various fatty acids, in comparison to the wild-type strain. Inactive PP_2437 exhibited a pattern of reduced growth and PHA accumulation when fatty acids with lengths of 10 to 14 carbon chains were used as substrates. Recombinant expression and biochemical characterization of the purified protein allowed functional annotation in P. putida KT2440 as an ACAD showing clear preference for dodecanoyl-CoA ester as a substrate and optimum activity at 30 °C and pH 6.5-7.

A new class of platinum(II) complexes with the phosphine ligand pta which show potent anticancer activity

The anticancer potential of sixteen platinum(II) complexes with general formulae [PtCl(hq)(S-dmso)] (1a–8a) and [PtCl(hq)(pta)] (1b–8b) (where hq is 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-quinolinol (clioquinol; cqH) (1a, 1b), 8-hydroxy-5-nitroquinoline (nitroxoline; nxH) (2a, 2b), 5,7-dichloro-8-quinolinol (3a, 3b), 5,7-diiodo-8-quinolinol (4a, 4b), 5,7-dibromo-8-quinolinol (5a, 5b), 5,7-dichloro-8-hydroxy-2-methyl-quinoline (6a, 6b), 8-hydroxyquinoline (7a, 7b) and 8-quinolinethiol (8a, 8b); dmso is dimethyl sulfoxide and pta is 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) was determined through in vitro cytotoxicity assay in human fibroblasts (MRC5) and two carcinoma cell lines (A375 and A549) and embryotoxicity assay in a zebrafish model. Interactions with double stranded DNA through in vitro assay and a molecular docking study were examined. All complexes, except 6a, exhibited a high cytotoxic effect on MRC5 cells at a concentration of 10 μg mL−1 while 1b, 5a, 6a and 3b showed selective toxicity towards carcinoma cell lines. In general, pta-based complexes (series b) were more toxic according to the results of a MTT screen and the LC50 values obtained in zebrafish (Danio rerio) assay; they also induced higher oxidative stress in this model. Successful cellular uptake of complexes was shown by the ICP-MS methodology. The binding propensity of the complex with DNA obtained in in silico studies can be correlated with those from the experimental investigation. Compounds with the highest binding potential, according to the interaction energy value, were 1b, 3b, 6b and 5b. From observations of the DNA interaction ability and of the in silico assessment, no apparent DNA fragmentation was observed either on DNA extracted from the treated cancer cell line or from the zebrafish embryos.

Potent anti-melanogenic activity and favorable toxicity profile of selected 4-phenyl hydroxycoumarins in the zebrafish model and the computational molecular modeling studies

7-Hydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin (7C) and 5,7-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin (5,7C) have been evaluated as potential anti-melanogenic agents in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model in comparison to commercially utilized depigmenting agents hydroquinone and kojic acid. 7C and 5,7C decreased the body pigmentation at 5 µg/mL, while did not affect the embryos development and survival at doses ≤50 µg/mL and ≤25 µg/mL. Unlike hydroquinone and kojic acid, 4-phenyl hydroxycoumarins were no melanocytotoxic, showed no cardiotoxic side effects, neither caused neutropenia in zebrafish embryos, suggesting these compounds may present novel skin-whitening agents with improved pharmacological properties. Inhibition of tyrosinase was identified as the possible mode of anti-melanogenic action. Molecular docking studies using the homology model of human tyrosinase as well as adenylate cyclase revealed excellent correlation with experimentally obtained results.