Compilation of the Antimicrobial Compounds Produced by Burkholderia Sensu Stricto.

Due to the increase in multidrug-resistant microorganisms, the investigation of novel or more efficient antimicrobial compounds is essential. The World Health Organization issued a list of priority multidrug-resistant bacteria whose eradication will require new antibiotics. Among them, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae are in the "critical" (most urgent) category. As a result, major investigations are ongoing worldwide to discover new antimicrobial compounds. Burkholderia, specifically Burkholderia sensu stricto, is recognized as an antimicrobial-producing group of species. Highly dissimilar compounds are among the molecules produced by this genus, such as those that are unique to a particular strain (like compound CF66I produced by Burkholderia cepacia CF-66) or antimicrobials found in a number of species, e.g., phenazines or ornibactins. The compounds produced by Burkholderia include N-containing heterocycles, volatile organic compounds, polyenes, polyynes, siderophores, macrolides, bacteriocins, quinolones, and other not classified antimicrobials. Some of them might be candidates not only for antimicrobials for both bacteria and fungi, but also as anticancer or antitumor agents. Therefore, in this review, the wide range of antimicrobial compounds produced by Burkholderia is explored, focusing especially on those compounds that were tested in vitro for antimicrobial activity. In addition, information was gathered regarding novel compounds discovered by genome-guided approaches.

The potential role of sesquiterpene lactones isolated from medicinal plants in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome - A review.

Metabolic syndrome comprises a cluster of metabolic disorders related to the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In latter years, plant secondary metabolites have become of special interest because of their potential role in preventing and managing metabolic syndrome. Sesquiterpene lactones constitute a large and diverse group of biologically active compounds widely distributed in several medicinal plants used for the treatment of metabolic disorders. The structural diversity and the broad spectrum of biological activities of these compounds drew significant interests in the pharmacological applications. This review describes selected sesquiterpene lactones that have been experimentally validated for their biological activities related to risk factors of metabolic syndrome, together with their mechanisms of action. The potential beneficial effects of sesquiterpene lactones discussed in this review demonstrate that these substances represent remarkable compounds with a diversity of molecular structure and high biological activity, providing new insights into the possible role in metabolic syndrome management.

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity by Burkholderia cenocepacia TAtl-371, a strain isolated from the tomato rhizosphere.

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) comprises a group of 24 species, many of which are opportunistic pathogens of immunocompromised patients and also are widely distributed in agricultural soils. Several Bcc strains synthesize strain-specific antagonistic compounds. In this study, the broad killing activity of B. cenocepacia TAtl-371, a Bcc strain isolated from the tomato rhizosphere, was characterized. This strain exhibits a remarkable antagonism against bacteria, yeast and fungi including other Bcc strains, multidrug-resistant human pathogens and plant pathogens. Genome analysis of strain TAtl-371 revealed several genes involved in the production of antagonistic compounds: siderophores, bacteriocins and hydrolytic enzymes. In pursuit of these activities, we observed growth inhibition of Candida glabrata and Paraburkholderia phenazinium that was dependent on the iron concentration in the medium, suggesting the involvement of siderophores. This strain also produces a previously described lectin-like bacteriocin (LlpA88) and here this was shown to inhibit only Bcc strains but no other bacteria. Moreover, a compound with an m/z 391.2845 with antagonistic activity against Tatumella terrea SHS 2008T was isolated from the TAtl-371 culture supernatant. This strain also contains a phage-tail-like bacteriocin (tailocin) and two chitinases, but the activity of these compounds was not detected. Nevertheless, the previous activities are not responsible for the whole antimicrobial spectrum of TAtl-371 seen on agar plates, suggesting the presence of other compounds yet to be found. In summary, we observed a diversified antimicrobial activity for strain TAtl-371 and believe it supports the biotechnological potential of this Bcc strain as a source of new antimicrobials.

Medicinal Plants Used for Eye Conditions in Mexico-A Review.

Medicinal plants have been historically significant for treating common human diseases in Mexico. Although some ethnobotanical research exists, limited ethnomedicinal data has documented medicinal plants employed for eye health. This review focuses on ethnomedicinal information and preclinical and clinical studies regarding medicinal plants used in Mexico for treating symptoms associated with eye conditions. An electronic database search was conducted by consulting scientific articles, books about Mexican herbal medicine, and academic theses. This work recorded 69 plant species belonging to 26 plant families, especially plants from the Crassulaceae family, which are used as remedies for irritation and infections in the eye. Eight of these medicinal plants have been the subject of preclinical studies using ocular models, and one medicinal plant has been tested in clinical trials. The evidence of pharmacological effects indicates the promising therapeutic potential of these medicinal plants for developing new treatments for eye conditions. However, toxicological studies are necessary to ensure safe application to the eye, particularly as traditional medicine continues to be relied upon worldwide. In addition, this review highlights the need to perform ethnobotanical and phytochemical studies in Mexico regarding the medicinal flora used as remedies for eye conditions.

Medicinal Plants from Latin America with Wound Healing Activity: Ethnomedicine, Phytochemistry, Preclinical and Clinical Studies-A Review.

Latin America is a multicultural region with ancient traditional medicine. There is extensive knowledge of the use of medicinal plants for wound healing in this region. Nevertheless, many of these medicinal plants lack pharmacological, toxicological, and chemical studies. This review focuses on the ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological (preclinical and clinical) studies of medicinal plants with wound healing activity, from Latin America. An electronic database search was conducted by consulting scientific articles and books. A total of 305 plant species with wound healing activity were recorded, based on traditional medicine. Most medicinal plants used in wound healing in Latin America are topically administered; their methods of preparation are mainly by water infusion from aerial parts. Only thirty-five percent of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for wound healing have been experimentally validated for their pharmacological effects, and the wound healing activity of five medicinal plants has been studied in clinical trials. In all, 25 compounds (mostly terpenes and flavonoids) have been isolated from medicinal plants with wound healing activity; therefore, extensive work is necessary for a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the wound healing effects of medicinal plants in Latin America. The mechanism of action of medicinal plants, their toxicological actions on the skin, and their bioactive compounds, have yet to be investigated. This review on the ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological studies, of medicinal plants from Latin America with wound healing activity, offers promising data for further studies, as well as providing new insights into their possible role in wound care.

Antinociceptive activity of the ethanolic extract of Trixis angustifolia DC.

The antinociceptive activity of the ethanolic extract of Trixis angustifolia DC. (EETx) was investigated using the acetic acid-induced writhing and the hot-plate tests in mice. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, mice treated with EETx (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited reduced writhing (38%, 67%, and 74%, respectively). In the hot-plate test, the three doses administrated increased the nociceptive response time. The phytochemical analysis of EETx led to the isolation of three known compounds, hygric acid (1), 5,6-Dihydroxy-7,8,4'-trimethoxyflavone (2) and xanthomicrol (3). Compound 1 was identified for the first time in this species. These results demonstrate that T. angustifolia has potential central and peripheral antinociceptive effects and support the ethnomedicinal use of this plant.

Trixis angustifolia hexanic extract displays synergistic antibacterial activity against M. tuberculosis.

A phytochemical and antibacterial study of Trixis angustifolia, a species endemic to Mexico, was performed allowing the isolation of six flavones. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the hexanic extract, against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv was 25 µg/mL. The hexanic extract caused a significant inhibition of intracellular mycobacterial growth at 12.5 µg/mL. The biodirected assay of hexane extract enabled the detection of an active fraction (AF) against M. tuberculosis (MIC = 12.5 µg/mL), and a major flavone 1 (pebrellin) with no antimycobacterial activity (MIC > 200 µg/mL). A subsequent combination antimicrobial assay showed a synergistic antimycobacterial effect of AF in combination with pebrellin; the results of the synergistic activity suggest that the antimycobacterial activity found in T. angustifolia is due to the combined action of diverse metabolites present in the plant.