-A Known Opponent against Host Defense Mechanisms and Vaccine Development-Do We Still Have a Chance to Win?

The main purpose of this review is to present justification for the urgent need to implement specific prophylaxis of invasive infections. We emphasize the difficulties in achieving this goal due to numerous virulence factors important for the process of infection and the remarkable ability of these bacteria to avoid host defense mechanisms. We precede these considerations with a brief overview of the global necessitiy to intensify the use of vaccines against other pathogens as well, particularly in light of an impasse in antibiotic therapy.

Phenolic and Non-Polar Fractions of the Extracts from Fruits, Leaves, and Twigs of (L.) A. Nelson-The Implications for Human Barrier Cells.

Biological potential of plant extracts are widely described. Because their oral or topical administration is usually recommended, intestinal mucous and skin are the first surfaces exposed to such preparations. Therefore, we asked the question whether phenolic and non-polar fractions of the extracts from fruits, twigs, and leaves of sea buckthorn ( (L.

Molecular Mechanisms of L. Extract Activity in Prevention of Staphylococcal Endocarditis-Study on in Vitro and ex Vivo Models.

Better understanding the mechanisms of L. extract (LCE) activity is necessary to prepare recommendations for the use of LCE-based herbal products for preventive/supportive purposes in case of infective endocarditis (IE) and other staphylococcal invasive infections. The aim of the study was to analyze molecular mechanisms of LCE effect on and blood platelets in the context of their interactions playing a pivotal role in such disorders.

The and of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Patient Use of Herbal Supplements Containing L. Extract: the Evidence from an In Vitro Study on CF Clinical Isolates.

The justification for the use of herbal supplements with L. extract (POE) in the case of staphylococcal lung colonization/infections characteristic for cystic fibrosis (CF), was examined in vitro. The impact of POE phenolic-rich fraction on the virulence attributes of CF-associated () clinical strains has been assessed, including pathogen adhesion, biofilm formation on native and protein-conditioned surfaces (mucin, elastin), mature biofilm eradication, staphylococcal protein A expression, α-toxin release, and adhesion to A549 cells.

Phenolic and Nonpolar Fractions of (L.) A. Nelson Extracts as Virulence Modulators-In Vitro Study on Bacteria, Fungi, and Epithelial Cells.

Butanol extracts from leaves, twigs, and fruits of (L.) A. Nelson (sea buckthorn, SBT) were fractionated into phenolic and nonpolar lipid components, the chemical composition of which was analyzed.

Biogenic nanosilver synthesized in Metarhizium robertsii waste mycelium extract - As a modulator of Candida albicans morphogenesis, membrane lipidome and biofilm.

Due to low efficacy of classic antimicrobial drugs, finding new active preparations attracts much attention. In this study an innovative, cost-effective and environmentally friendly method was applied to produce silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using filamentous fungi Metarhizium robertsii biomass waste. It was shown that these NPs possess prominent antifungal effects against C.

Antimicrobial and Structural Properties of Metal Ions Complexes with Thiosemicarbazide Motif and Related Heterocyclic Compounds.

Antibiotic resistance acquired by various bacterial fungal and viral pathogens poses therapeutic problems of increasing severity. Among the infections that are very difficult to treat, biofilm-associated cases are one of the most hazardous. Complex structure of a biofilm and unique physiology of the biofilm cells contribute to their extremely high resistance to environmental conditions, antimicrobial agents and the mechanisms of host immune response.

Candida albicans/Staphylococcus aureus Dual-Species Biofilm as a Target for the Combination of Essential Oils and Fluconazole or Mupirocin.

The effectiveness of essential oils (EOs), fluconazole (FLU) and mupirocin (MUP) used alone or in combination against mono-species and mixed Candida albicans/Staphylococcus aureus biofilms was examined. An experimentally established dual-species biofilm model, verified by fluorescence microscopy and viable cell counting, was used. Selected commercial EOs were tested: geranium, citronella and clove oils, which have been chemically characterized and found to differ in the content of the main components (qualitative and quantitative).

Novel properties of Hippophae rhamnoides L. twig and leaf extracts - anti-virulence action and synergy with antifungals studied in vitro on Candida spp. model.

Original, chemically characterized Sea buckthorn (SBT) twig and leaf extracts were in vitro studied in terms of anti-Candida activity. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extracts against C. albicans ATCC 10231 ranged: 250 μg/ml (twig), 31.

Is it true that plant-derived polyphenols are always beneficial for the human? In vitro study on Leonurus cardiaca extract properties in the context of the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus infections.

The aim of the study was to determine whether Leonurus cardiaca L. herb extract (LCE) used at subinhibitory concentration modifies the characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus, which is important in the pathogenesis of invasive infections originating from the bloodstream, in a way favourable for the human host. Polyphenol-rich LCE, a common ingredient in pharmaceutical products used for various cardiovascular and nervous system disorders, had shown interesting antibacterial and antibiofilm properties in our previous studies.

New biological potential of abietane diterpenoids isolated from Salvia austriaca against microbial virulence factors.

The increasing importance of multi-resistant strains and microbial biofilms in the development of chronic infections has driven the search for more effective alternative therapy including plant-origin preparations. The present study evaluates the broadly-defined antimicrobial activity of two abietane diterpenoids isolated from Salvia austriaca transformed roots: taxodone and 15-deoxy-fuerstione. The direct biostatic/biocidal effect of these phytocompounds and their influence on Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans virulence factors/mechanisms (adhesion, biofilm formation, agglutination in human plasma, survival in the blood, germ tube and mycelium formation) were tested using in vitro assays.

[The role of blood platelets in infections].

Platelets are primarily associated with their main function, hemostasis, although it is known that these cells also exhibit biological activity in cancer progression, inflammation and infectious processes. During infection platelets, due to the expression of specific receptors - Toll-like receptors (TLRs) - which recognize molecular patterns associated with pathogens - pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) - are activated by the presence of microorganism components and/or substances released from damaged cells/tissue. Further antimicrobial activity of platelets is based on their capacity for phagocytosis, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the synthesis, storage and release of proteins/peptides with antimicrobial activity.

Saponins of Trifolium spp. aerial parts as modulators of Candida albicans virulence attributes.

The aim was to provide the insight into the biology of C. albicans influenced by undescribed yet properties of saponin-rich (80%-98%) fractions (SAPFs), isolated from extracts of Trifolium alexandrinum, T. incarnatum, T.

Leonurus cardiaca L. herb--a derived extract and an ursolic acid as the factors affecting the adhesion capacity of Staphylococcus aureus in the context of infective endocarditis.

The objective was an assessment of the impact of Leonurus cardiaca L. extract (LCE) and ursolic acid (UA) on the adhesive properties of Staphylococus aureus NCTC 8325 strain, expressing virulence factors important in the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis. The adhesion and biofilm formation of bacteria cultured in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of LCE or UA on the abiotic surface or covered with fibrinogen, fibronectin or collagen, were evaluated.

New pharmacological properties of Medicago sativa and Saponaria officinalis saponin-rich fractions addressed to Candida albicans.

The antifungal activity of the saponin-rich fractions (SFs) from Medicago sativa (aerial parts and roots) and Saponaria officinalis (used as a well-known source of plant saponins) against Candida albicans reference and clinical strains, their yeast-to-hyphal conversion, adhesion, and biofilm formation was investigated. Direct fungicidal/fungistatic properties of the tested phytochemicals used alone, as well as their synergy with azoles (probably resulting from yeast cell wall instability) were demonstrated. Here, to the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time the ability of saponin-rich extracts of M.

Vaccinium myrtillus leaves and Frangula alnus bark derived extracts as potential antistaphylococcal agents.

Due to constantly increasing antibiotic resistance of pathogens and participation of the biofilms they make in various types of infections, a development of alternative therapeutic strategies becomes an urgent need. Taking advantage of the biological activity of plant-derived compounds can solve this problem. In this study antimicrobial, including those synergistic with classic antibiotics, and cytotoxic properties of newly-obtained extracts from Vaccinium myrtillus leaves (VLE) and Frangula alnus bark (FBE) were evaluated.

Enzymatic profile, adhesive and invasive properties of Candida albicans under the influence of selected plant essential oils.

The influence of essential oils (EOs) used at sublethal level, on the presence and intensity of Candida albicans virulence factors was evaluated. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Lemon balm, Citronella, Geranium and Clove oils were established as 0.097% (v/v).

[In vitro efficacy analysis of absorbent dressing modified with essential oils, against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans].

Introduction: The widespread use of antiseptics for wound dressings, unfortunately, not always effective, prompted us to search for alternative solutions, tailored to individual patient's needs. The aim of the study was checking the validity of the idea to apply some selected essential oils in order to modify active dressings which are routinely used in the care of chronically infected wounds. Our choice is commercially available an absorptive wound dressing which does not contain antiseptics (Sorbact).

Antiadherent and antibiofilm activity of Humulus lupulus L. derived products: new pharmacological properties.

New antimicrobial properties of products derived from Humulus lupulus L. such as antiadherent and antibiofilm activities were evaluated. The growth of gram-positive but not gram-negative bacteria was inhibited to different extents by these compounds.

[Alterations in tears aqueous layer during cytostatics treatment].

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate tears secretion, pH and lysozyme activity in tears aqueous layer during chemotherapy in lung, breast and bowel cancer.

Material And Methods: 36 patients were enrolled to the study. Depending on the type of cancer and type of chemotherapy patients were divided into three groups.

The immunomodulatory activity of Staphylococcus aureus products derived from biofilm and planktonic cultures.

Biofilms are probably one of the most common structures formed by microorganisms in various environments. The higher resistance of such microbial communities to stress conditions, including antibiotics and host immune response, is recently extensively studied. However, the weak activity of phagocytic cells against microbial biofilm is not yet fully understood and explained.

Antimicrobial/anti-biofilm activity of expired blood platelets and their released products.

Introduction: Although platelets are not part of the classical immune system, they have many features that indicate their role in the anti-infective host defense. They come into interactions with microorganisms, which results in co-aggregation and co-adhesion or destruction of the microbes due to the action of antimicrobial peptides released from platelets.The aim of this study was to evaluate the killing effect of platelets against planktonic and biofilm cultures of Staphylococcus aureus and to test their synergy with antibiotics.

[The immunomodulatory role of plant polyphenols].

Polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites, are present in human diet and have been widely used for medical and cosmetic purposes. They possess beneficial features such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-cancer and antibacterial activity. There is some evidence that these phytochemicals can improve wound healing.

Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of new taxodione derivative from hairy roots of Salvia austriaca.

The aim of the present report was to evaluate antimicrobial/anti-biofilm activity of 7-(2-oxohexyl)-taxodione, a novel taxodione derivative isolated from n-hexane extract of Salvia austriaca hairy roots. Antimicrobial assays showed that 7-(2-oxohexyl)-taxodione was at least 4 times more active than taxodione against methicillin-susceptible as well against methicillin-resistant staphylococci with MIC of 1.25-2.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of α-methylidene-δ-lactones with 3,4-dihydrocoumarin skeleton.

A series of new 3-methylidenechroman-2-ones bearing various aromatic moieties and various substituents at position 4 were synthesized in a three step reaction sequence. Friedel-Crafts alkylation of phenols or naphthols using ethyl 3-methoxy-2-diethoxyphosphorylacrylate in the presence of trifluoromethanesulphonic acid gave 3-diethoxyphosphorylchromen-2-ones. These compounds were employed as Michael acceptors in the reaction with Grignard reagents to give adducts which were finally used as Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reagents for the olefination of formaldehyde.