Spores from two distinct colony types of the strain Bacillus subtilis PB6 substantiate anti-inflammatory probiotic effects in mice.

Background & Aims: Reducing symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) by dietary supplements represents more than ever an attractive clinical approach. Since the use of spore forming bacteria may offer interesting advantages, the aim of the study was to address the anti-inflammatory potential of Bacillus >subtilis strain PB6 (ATCC - PTA 6737) spores, provided as a powder preparation.

Methods: The immunomodulatory potential of strain PB6 was first characterized in vitro on human immunocompetent cells for both the commercial spore powder (Anaban™) and two phenotypic variants of the vegetative form.

The solution structure and self-association properties of the cyclic lipodepsipeptide pseudodesmin A support its pore-forming potential.

Pseudodesmin A is a cyclic lipodepsipeptide (CLP) of the viscosin group with a moderate in vitro biological activity. For several CLPs, including members of this group, this activity has been related to the ability to form ion pores in cellular membranes. As their size does not allow individual CLPs to span the membrane bilayer, individual monomers must somehow assemble into a larger structure.

Carbohydrate-based macrolides prepared via a convergent ring closing metathesis approach: in search for novel antibiotics.

An efficient convergent approach has been developed for the construction of novel, nonnatural polysubstituted carbohydrate-based macrolides. A key step in the synthesis is the formation of the macrocyclic ring via a ring-closing metathesis reaction. The obtained macrolide analogues have been screened for biological activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and molds.

Hemin potentiates the anti-hepatitis C virus activity of the antimalarial drug artemisinin.

We report that the antimalarial drug artemisinin inhibits hepatitis C virus (HCV) replicon replication in a dose-dependent manner in two replicon constructs at concentrations that have no effect on the proliferation of the exponentially growing host cells. The 50% effective concentration (EC(50)) for inhibition of HCV subgenomic replicon replication in Huh 5-2 cells (luciferase assay) by artemisinin was 78+/-21 microM. Hemin, an iron donor, was recently reported to inhibit HCV replicon replication [mediated by inhibition of the viral polymerase (C.

Synthesis and screening of bicyclic carbohydrate-based compounds: a novel type of antivirals.

A small library of bicyclic carbohydrate derivatives was synthesized and screened. A strong and selective activity against cytomegalovirus was found. Structure-activity relationship for this new type of antivirals is discussed.