Drug resistance in Candida albicans isolates and related changes in the structural domain of Mdr1 protein.

BACKGROUND: The increasing azole drug resistance in fungal pathogens poses a pressing threat to global health care. The coexistence of drug-resistant Candida albicans with tuberculosis patients and the failure of several drugs to treat C. albicans infection extend hospital stay, economic burden, and death. The misuse or abuse of azole-derived antifungals, chronic use of TB drugs, different immune-suppressive drugs, and diseases like HIV, COVID-19, etc., have aggravated the situation. So it is vital to understand the molecular changes in drug-resistant genes to modify the treatment to design an alternative mechanism. METHOD: C. albicans isolated from chronic tuberculosis patients were screened for antifungal sensitivity studies using disk diffusion assay. The multidrug-resistant C. albicans were further screened for molecular-level changes in drug resistance using MDR1 gene sequencing and compared with Gen bank data of similar species using the BLAST tool. RESULTS: The investigation proved that the isolated C. albicans from TB patients are significantly resistant to the action of six drugs. The molecular changes in MDR1 genes showed differences in seven nucleotide base pairs that interfered with the efflux pump.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using gum Arabic: Evaluation of its inhibitory action on Streptococcus mutans causing dental caries and endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus mutans are an oral pathogen that causes dental caries, endocarditis, and systemic dysfunctions, an alternative antibacterial solution from silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are investigated. METHODS: AgNPs were synthesized using the ethnobotanical product gum Arabic. It influenced the nanoparticles with medicinal value through their role as capping, stabilizing, or surface-attached components. The biophysical characteristics of the synthesized AgNPs were studied using UV-vis spectrum, XRD, EDAX, SEM, and TEM tools. The AgNPs were spherical with the average size less than 10 nm. By using the well diffusion and microdilution techniques, the impact of synthesized AgNPs was tested against S. mutans isolates. RESULTS: The smaller the size, the greater the antibacterial and antiviral potential the particles exhibit. The biophysical characteristics of AgNPs the presence of phenols, alcohols, amides, sulfoxide, flavanoids, terpenoids and steroids. The AgNPs exhibited a good antibacterial action against the oral pathogen S. mutans. The synthesized NPs at a dose level of 200 µg/mL exhibited an inhibition zone with 18.30 ± 0.5 nm diameter. The synthesised nanoparticles inhibited the genes responsible for biofilm formation of S. mutans over host tooth and gums (gtfB, gtfc, gtfD) and virulent protective factors (comDE, brpA and smu 360) and survival promoter genes (gyrA and spaP, gbpB). CONCLUSION: The potent antibiotic action over S. mutans seen with the synthesized NPs, paves the way for the development of novel dental care products. Also, the small-sized NPs promote its applicability in COVID-19 pandemic containment.

Ganoderma lucidum inspired silver nanoparticles and its biomedical applications with special reference to drug resistant Escherichia coli isolates from CAUTI.

In the search for alternative therapy for infections and other ailments, metallic nanoparticles, mainly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized through bioengineered sources are extensively explored. Fungal bioactive compounds and their nanoparticles were reported with the potential biomedical application. A medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum was reported as a repository of rich medicinal properties. In the current study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using the extracts of G. lucidum and its antimicrobial activity was tested against drug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from the catheter used for urinary tract infection (CAUTI). The GC-MS study of G. lucidum extracts showed the presence of ethyl acetoacetate ethylene acetal with the highest area percentage of 72.2% and retention time (RT 5873). Pyridine-3-ol is the second primary compound with a peak height of 6.44% and a retention time of 2.143. The third compound is l,4-Dioxane-2,3-diol, with an area of 8.09% and RT 5450. Butylated Hydroxy Toluene [BHT] is the fourth major compound with an area of 3.32%, and 9-Cedranone constitutes the fifth position in occupying the area percentage [1.88] and height 1.56%. Pyrrole is the sixth primary compound registering an area size of 0.96% and height 2.06%. The AgNPs synthesized using G. lucidum extract were in size range 23 and 58 nm as per SEM analysis and within the range wavelength 0.556-0.796 nm as per UV-Vis spectral study. FTIR Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) were made to characterize the formed nanoparticles. The AgNPs synthesized effectively inhibited the growth of E. coli isolated from catheter-associated urinary tract infection and showed resistance to many drugs. The antioxidant potential of the synthesized nanoparticles assessed using DPPH radical scavenging activity, EC50 (µg/ml), and ARP data showed that the prepared nanoparticles were more potent in free radical scavenging activity than the standard quercetin. The cytotoxicity effect of Ag-NPs on breast cancer cell line- MDA-MB-231 confirmed its anticancer potential. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Ag-NPs to inhibit 50% of the tumor was 9.2 g/mL. The synthesized GL-AgNPs was exhibited a multifocal biomedical potential.

Spectral Studies of UV and Solar Photocatalytic Degradation of AZO Dye and Textile Dye Effluents Using Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles.

The photocatalytic degradation of the chemical dye AZO and dye effluents in different time duration has been investigated using biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles. Dye industry effluents and AZO dye undergo degradation to form harmless intermediate and colourless products following irradiation by UV and solar light in the presence of green synthesized silver nanoparticles. The degree of degradation was tested under the experimental conditions such as P(H), temperature, and absorbance of the dye in UV and solar light was measured. The degradation was higher in the UV light source than in the solar light source. Green synthesized silver nanoparticles in the UV light source were found to expedite the dye degradation process.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from the extract of the inflorescence of Cocos nucifera (Family: Arecaceae) for enhanced antibacterial activity.

Green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant source has been given much importance. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the ethyl acetate and methanol (EA: M 40:60) extracts of the inflorescence of the tree Cocous nucifera. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscope, FTIR and TEM analysis. The particle size of the synthesized AgNPs was 22nm as confirmed by TEM. The qualitative assessment of reducing potential of the extracts of inflorescence indicated the presence of reducing agents. Synthesized AgNPs exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against human bacterial pathogens viz., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella paratyphi.

Cowitch seed agar medium--a simple new medium for identification and melanin production of Cryptococcus neoformans.

A simple medium for identification and melanin production of Cryptococcus neoformans was developed using cowitch (Mucuna pruriens) seeds.

Solanum trilobatum in the management of atopy: Through inhibition of mast cell degranulation and moderation of release of interleukins.

Solanum trilobatum is a widely used plant in the Indian indigenous systems of medicine. It is mainly used in the treatment of respiratory diseases like bronchial asthma. In our present study, we report that the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of S. trilobatum exhibited inhibition of mast cell degranulation. Further, aqueous and alcoholic extracts of S. trilobatum significantly decreased the release of IL1α and increased the release of IL8 from the cultured keratinocytes. Oral administration of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of S. trilobatum stabilized mast cells in experimental rats.