Fluoroaryl analogs of sulforaphane - A group of compounds of anticancer and antimicrobial activity.

A series of new sulforaphane analogs bearing various (poly)fluoroaryl substituents bonded to the sulfinyl sulfur atom in place of the original methyl group and having different number of methylene groups in the central alkyl chain were synthesized and fully characterized. The new compounds were tested in vitro for their anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Some of them demonstrated a much higher anticancer activity against selected lines of cancer: skin (MALME-3M), colon (HT-29) and breast (MCF7 and MDA-MB-231) cells than that exhibited by native sulforaphane (SFN). Related lines of untransformed (normal) cells, taken from the same organs as the cancer ones, i.e. MALME3, CRL-1790 and MCF10, respectively, were checked, which allowed for the determination of the selectivity indexes (SI). In certain cases, the latter exceeded 3.2. Concerning the antibacterial activity, gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were susceptible to some newly synthesized SFN analogs, while the selected probiotic strains were from 10 to 100 fold more resistant to them, which gives a possibility of protection of symbiont strains during a potential therapy with such compounds. The antifungal activity of the new compounds possessing the fluorophenyl substituent was found to be higher than the activity of the parent SFN. In turn, most of the new compounds showed generally no anti-HIV activity. The influence of the particular structural differences in the new molecules, analogs of SFN, on their biological activity is discussed.

In vitro screening of pentamidine analogs against bacterial and fungal strains.

A series of linear pentamidine analogs exhibiting low cytotoxicity, active against Pneumocystis carinii, were evaluated for in vitro activities against bacterial and fungal strains. The majority of the tested bis-amidines exhibited marked activities against Gram-positive strains. In view of the fact that the highest potency was found for 1,5-bis(4-amidinophenoxy)-3-thiapentane dihydrochloride 1j with the S atom in the middle of the aliphatic linker, four new pentamidines bearing S atoms were synthesized and also evaluated against MRSA strains. N,N'-Dialkylated pentamidines with S atoms in the linker are the promising lead structures for antimicrobials development.

[Microbiological characteristics of selected liquid soaps for hands washing]. / Mikrobiologiczna charakterystyka wybranych plynnych produktów stosowanych do mycia rak.

INTRODUCTION: According to common belief, supported by the authority of the World Health Organization - WHO, the common (social) hand washing is the simplest, cheapest and the most effective way of reduction the hospital-acquired infections. For this purpose products of"liquid soaps", present in a large number on the market, are most often applied. Microbiological status (microbiological purity and antimicrobial activity) of"liquid soaps" available on the Polish market is not known, because relevant routinely studies have not been performed. Only the antibacterial and / or antifungal activity of certain formulations is sometimes assessed, especially when the manufacturer suggests the standardized application of the products for surgical or hygienic procedures. The aim of this study was to determine the microbiological quality, especially microbiological purity and antimicrobial activity of the selected hands washing products, presents on the Polish market. METHODS: The 12 selected commercial products, available on the market in Poland, dedicated for hands washing were included into study. Microbiological purity test was carried out in accordance with the Polish Pharmacopoeia (FP) monograph (FP monograph numbers correspond to numbers of the European Pharmacopoeia monograph- Ph. Eur.) No 2.6.12 "Microbiological examination of non-sterile products: microbial enumaration tests", and the monograph of FP No. 2.6.13 "Microbiological examination of non-sterile products: test for specified microorganisms". The following physico-chemical properties of soaps were examined: the pH of the formulations was measured according to the monograph FP No. 2.2.3. "Potentiometric determination of pH", the density of products was assayed according to the monograph FPNo. 2.2.5. "Relative density" and determination the water activity was performed by monograph FP No 2.9.39 "Water-solid interactions: determination of sorption-desorption isotherms and of water activity". Next, antibacterial and antifungal protection was determined in accordance with the monograph FP No 5.1.3. "Efficacy of antimicrobial preservation". The study of antimicrobial activity was carried out in accordance with PN-EN 1040 "Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of basic bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Test method and requirements (phase 1)". Finally, using the "time-kill" method the survival of microorganisms after different contact times of the products with bacteria and fungi were determined. RESULTS: All the examined products showed a very high microbiological purity. None of the formulations was characterized by a high acidity or alkalinity. All the analyzed products were slightly thicker than water, but such density of the preparation does not seem to be important parameter in the growth of microorganisms. The results of water activity estimation - the parameter indicating the presence of free, not chemically bound water stimulating microbes growth - do not show that low water content in the preparation may inhibit bacteria and fungi growth. Taking into consideration the antimicrobial protection of the products demonstrated in the tests carried out in accordance within FP monograph No 5.1.3. and PN-EN 1040, and analysing curves indicating killing rate of bacteria and fungi obtained by "time-kill" method, the microorganisms contaminating the products generally should not multiply in their environment, and gradually they die - what can take many hours or even days. CONCLUSIONS: The cases of bacterial infections connected with the usage of non-medical liguid soaps, applied in the health care units and described in the literature, should be considered as related rather to contamination of plastic packaging and dosage system, then to contamination of preparation itself inside the package. It was proved, that in all tested products amount of contaminating microbes diminishes in time. The dynamics of this process depends on the microorganisms character - bacteria dies quicker then fungi. The special attention should be given to washing, cleaning and disinfection of preparation dispensing systems, to avoid microbial contamination of product doses applied directly on the hands. It should be emphasized that only formulations containing antimicrobial agents in an appropriate amount, eliminate microorganisms from the skin surface fast and effectively. In case of hygienic and surgical procedures following the standardized manner in order to obtain required reduction rate of microorganisms in a short time - only products complying with appropriate EN standards are suitable. For these puroposes, the popular "liquid soaps" should not be used.

Do NSAIDs and Other Pain Relief Drugs Can Inhibit the Growth of Lactobacillaceae?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) commonly used in clinical practice may cause gastrointestinal injuries and influence the gut microbiota. This study investigated the effects of various NSAIDs and some analgesics on the viability of Lactobacillaceae strains (including probiotic strains) in vitro. It was found that diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, dexketoprofen, flurbiprofen, and acetylsalicylic acid inhibited the growth of lactobacilli at a concentration of 0.05-3.2 mg/ml. These MICs of NSAIDs are well above therapeutic plasma concentrations achieved in humans, indicating that the tested drugs should not inhibit the growth of lactobacilli in the human digestive tract.

Examination of antimicrobial activity of selected non-antibiotic medicinal preparations.

The aim of this study was to detect and characterize the antimicrobial activity of non-antibiotic drugs, selected from the pharmaceutical products analyzed during the state control performed in National Medicines Institute, Warszawa, Poland. In 2010, over 90 pharmaceutical preparations have been randomly chosen from different groups of drugs. The surveillance study was performed on standard ATCC microbial strains used for drug control: S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. It was shown that the drugs listed below inhibited growth of at least one of the examined strains: Arketis 20 mg tab. (paroxetine), Buvasodil 150 mg tab. (buflomedile), Halidor 100 mg tab. (bencyclane), Hydroxyzinum espefa 25 mg tab. (hydroxyzine), Norifaz 35 mg tab. (risedronate), Strattera 60 mg cap. (atomoxetine), Tamiflu 75 mg tab. (oseltamivir), Valpro-ratiopharm Chrono 300 mg tab. with longer dissolution (valproate), Vetminth oral paste 24 g+3 g/100 mL (niclozamide, oxybendazol). Strattera cap. showed broad activity spectrum. It inhibited growth of all examined strains (MIC of active substance -- atomoxetine ranged between 2.6-13 mg/mL).

[The evaluation of bacteria penetration by medical textiles for multiple use and disposable multilayer surgical drapes, according to the PN-EN ISO 22610 standard]. / Badanie przenikania bakterii przez tkaniny medyczne przeznaczone do wielokrotnego uzycia oraz wielowarstwowe oblozenia chirurgiczne jednorazowego uzytku, wedlug normy PN-EN ISO 22610.

INTRODUCTION: Cotton as well as synthetic textile medical products are widely used as barrier materials and individual protection against displacement of biological infectious factors. The required level of protection of these products for multiple use and disposable multilayer laminates against the penetration of microbes depends on the risk connected with type of surgical procedure defined in normative documents. METHODS. Cotton and syntetic medical textiles for multiple use, 30-times subjected to processes simulating conditions of the use as well as disposable multilayer surgical drapes were tested. Resistance to microbial wet penetration was conducted according to the PN-EN ISO 22610: 2007 standard. RESULTS: The barrier of cotton fabrics was reduced after first washing and then systematically grew after each often cycles to the value close to the value at the beginning. From the twentieth cycle of simulated conditions of the use, barrier index was reduced. The barrier of the synthetic textile stayed on the average level, while multilayer disposable products ensured the full impermeability for the bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Natural cotton textiles for multiple use could be apply on operative blocks in limited range because of the changes of the cotton structure caused by repeated laundering process and sterilization. Synthetic materials also have limited application, although are more resistant to cleaning and sterilization processes. Disposable synthetic laminates with many layers use guarantee impermeability for bacteria and may be applied in operative blocks without restrictions.

[The estimation of penetrating of microbes by the protective clothing and textile medical devices, according to obligatory norms]. / Ocena, wedlug obowiazuj4cych norm, przenikania drobnoustrojów przez odziez ochronna i tkaniny medyczne.

Textile medical products can be widely used as barrier materials and individual protection against biological threats. Rules of introducing such products to market are regulated by the Directive 93/42/ EEC. Detailed requirements and testing methods of textile medical products are presented in obligatory norms. The required level of protection of these products against the penetration of microbes depends on the risk connected with planned type surgical procedure, the duration of the surgical intervention, risks of bleeding or presences of other body liquids of the patient and susceptibilities of the patient to infection. The aim of the study was to establish resistance of medical textiles to wet bacterial penetration. Materials were examined by the apparatus dedicated to this type of testing and obtained results were rated with reference to obligatory contracted requirements. assured Textiles laminated with foils possessed best protective proprieties, whereas medical products made from the cotton do not provide the sufficient level of the protection against microbes.

Chemical and biochemical transformations of 5-ethoxycarbonyl-5-phenyl-2-isoxazolines.

The salts, 2-methyl-5,5-disubstituted 4,5-dihydroisoxazolium methylsulfates comprising various substituents at the C-3 carbon atom were subjected to transformations. The structure of applied compounds permitted to monitor the effect of this factor on the transformation course of the 2-isoxazoline ring. The nucleophilic addition of cyanide anion to the selected salts enabled the obtaining of a next heterocyclic system of changed physicochemical and biological properties in comparison to the starting 2-isoxazolines. The diastereoselective hydrolysis of the cyanide group in 2-isoxazolidines by the bacteria strain Rhodococcus rhodochrous PCM 909 leads to the obtaining of a racemic mixture of the trans-hydroxyacid. The introduction of new functional groups into the heterocyclic ring made these compounds attractive objects for further chemical and microbial transformations and to study their biological activity.

Synthesis, structural studies and biological activity of new Cu(II) complexes with acetyl derivatives of 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin.

The new Cu(II) complexes with 6-acetyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (HL1) and 8-acetyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (HL2) have been obtained by the electrochemical method. The density functional theory calculations and X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques have been used to geometrically describe a series of new compounds. The studies have been focused on the coordination mode of the hydroxy ligands to the metallic centre. The complexes, Cu(HL1)2 and Cu(HL2)2⋅0.5H2O, have flat square geometry with oxygen atoms in the first coordination sphere. Two bidentate anionic coumarins are bonded to the metal cation via the acetyl and deprotonated hydroxyl O atoms. Biological activity, including microbiological and cytotoxic, has been evaluated and found to be enhanced in comparison with the parent ligands. Moreover, the Cu(II) complex with 8-acetyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin shows similar antifungal activity as commercially used fluconazole.

Biodegradation of DNA and nucleotides to nucleosides and free bases.

Thirty-two different microorganisms were examined in order to check their ability to degrade an exogenous DNA. Bacteria from species: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Brevundimonas diminuta, Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium butyricum and fungus Fusarium moniliforme were capable to degrade DNA to nucleic bases or their derivatives. Degradation of DNA by S. maltophilia resulted in formation of free bases, such as hypoxanthine, thymine, uracil and xanthine. The optimum concentration of DNA seemed to be 3 mg ml(-1). The mode of degradation of DNA nucleotides depended on the type of nucleotide and its concentration, but nucleic bases or their derivatives were always formed at the end of the reaction process.

Search of antimicrobial activity of selected non-antibiotic drugs.

A variety of pharmaceutical preparations, which are applied in the management of non-infectious diseases, have shown in vitro some antimicrobial activity. These drugs are called "non-antibiotics". The aim of this study was to detect and characterise the antimicrobial activity of non-antibiotic drugs. selected from the preparations analysed during state control performed at the Drug Institute in Poland. Over 160 pharmaceutical preparations were randomly chosen from different groups of drugs. The surveillance study was performed on standard ATCC microbial strains used for drug control: S aureus, E. coil, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. It was shown that the drugs listed below inhibited growth of at least one of the examined strains:acyclovir (Awirol 5%, cream), alendronate (Alenato 5 mg, tabl.), alverine (Meteospasmyl 20 mg, caps.), butorphanole (Butamidor 10 mg/ml, amp.), clodronate (Sindronat 400 mg, caps), diclofenac (Olfen 75 mg, amp.), emadastine (Emadine 0.05%, eye dr.), etodolac (Febret 200 mg, caps.), fluvastatine (Lescol 40 mg, tabl.), ketamine (Ketamidor 10%, amp.), levocabastine (Histimet 0.5 mg/ml, eye dr.), losartan (Lorista 50 mg, tabl.), matipranolol (Betaman 0.3% eye dr.), mesalazine (Pentasa 1%, susp.), naproxen (Nalgesin 550 mg, tabl.), oxaprosine (Reumax 600 mg, tabl.), oxymethazoline (Nasivin 0.025%, nose dr.), proxymetacaine (Alcaine 0.5%, eye dr.), ribavirin (Rebetol 200 mg, caps.), rutoside with ascorbic acid (Cerutin 20+200 mg, tabl.), sulodexide (Vessel due F, 250 LSU, caps.), tegaserole (Zelmac 50 mg, tabl.), telmisartan (Pritor 20 mg, tabl.), temosolomide (Temodal 100 mg, caps.), ticlopidine (Ticlid 250 mg, tabl.), tolfenamic acid (Migea rapid 200 mg, tabl.), tramadole (Tramundin 100 mg, tabl.), tropicamide (Tropicamidum 1%, eye dr.). Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to most of the drugs listed above. Ticlopidine showed activity against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans (MICs equal to: 0.45; 0.45 and 0.65 mg/ml, respectively). Oxymetazoline showed activity against S. aureus and E. coli (MICs: 0.005 and 0.025 mg/ml, respectively). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was sensitive to alendronate, clondronate, oxaprozine, ribavirin and tramadole (MICs: 10, 63, 60, 3 and 43 mg/ml, respectively).

Examination of antimicrobial activity of selected non-antibiotic drugs.

A variety of pharmaceutical preparations, which are applied in the management of non-infectious diseases, have shown in vitro some antimicrobial activity. These drugs are called "non-antibiotics". The aim of this study was to detect and characterize the antimicrobial activity of non-antibiotic drugs, selected from the preparations analysed during state control performed in the National Institute of Public Health in Poland. Over 180 of pharmaceutical preparations were randomly chosen from different groups of drugs. A surveillance study was performed on standard ATCC microbial strains used for drug control: S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. It was shown that the drugs listed below inhibited growth of at least one of the examined strains: Actonel 5 mg tabl. (risedronate), Aldan 10 mg tabl. (amlodipine), Aleras 10 mg tabl. (cetirisine), Aspicam 15 mg tabl. (meloxicam), Baikadent 6 mg/g gel (flavons of Scutellariae), Debretin 100 mg tabl. (trimebutine), Ferro-Duo 100 mg tabl. (ferrum), Gastrovent 145 mg caps. (bismuth citrate), Ibum 200 mg caps., Upfen 200 mg tabl. (ibuprofen), Lastet 100 mg caps. (etoposide), Legalon 70 mg tabl. (sylimarin), Madopar 125 tabl. (benserazide, levodopa), Moxenil 100 mg tabl. (nimesulide), Neurotin 800 mg tabl. (gabapentin), Propranolol 40 mg tabl. (propranolol), Rexetin 20 mg tabl. (paroxetine), Salipax 20 mg caps. (fluoxetine), Selofen 10 mg caps. (zaleplon) Stenorol 0.6% powder (halofuginone), Stimuloton 50 mg tabl. (sertraline), Superoptim 0.3 mg tabl. (hipericine), Uversan 50 mg tabl. (arbutine from Arctostaphylos uva ursi). S. aureus strain was susceptible to the most of the drugs listed above. The lowest inhibitory concentration was found for sertraline and hipericine (0.16 and 0.075 mg/mL, respectively).

Microwave-assisted preparation and antimicrobial activity of O-alkylamino benzofurancarboxylates.

ABSTRACT: A series of derivatives of 2 and 3-benzofurancarboxylates were synthesized under microwave-assisted conditions. Their in-vitro antimicrobial properties were assessed. Inhibition by the compounds of the growth of antibiotic-susceptible standards and clinically isolated strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and a human fungal pathogen was moderate to significant. Methyl 5-bromo-7-[2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethoxy]-6-methoxy-2-benzofurancarboxylate hydrochloride was identified as the most active compound (MIC 3-12 × 10-3 µmol/cm3 against Gram-positive bacteria; MIC 9.4 × 10-2 µmol/cm3 against Candida and Aspergillus brasiliensis). The molecular and crystal structures of 2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl 6-acetyl-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-benzofurancarboxylate were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: .

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of O-aminoalkyl derivatives of 7-hydroxycoumarin.

A series of novel O-aminoalkyl substituted 7-hydroxycoumarins were synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial and anticancer toxicity. Two different synthetic procedures, conventional and microwave assisted were used, and the structures of the compounds were confirmed by IR, 1H, 13C NMR and MAS spectroscopic data. The molecular and crystal structures of 8-acetyl-7-[2-(1-morpholino)ethoxy]4-methylchromen-2-one in solid state were analyzed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c. The main driving forces for the supramolecular structure are the C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and the π⋯π intermolecular interactions. The most active compounds are those, where the O-aminoalkyl substituent has N,N-diethylamino part, and acetyl group is at C6 or at C8 atoms.