Peptide/β-Peptoid Hybrids with Ultrashort PEG-Like Moieties: Effects on Hydrophobicity,Antibacterial Activity and Hemolytic Properties

PEGylation of antimicrobial peptides as a shielding tool that increases stability toward proteolytic degradation typically leads to concomitant loss of activity, whereas incorporation of ultrashort PEG-like amino acids (sPEGs) remains essentially unexplored. Here, modification of a peptide/β-peptoid hybrid with sPEGs was examined with respect to influence on hydrophobicity, antibacterial activity and effect on viability of mammalian cells for a set of 18 oligomers. Intriguingly, the degree of sPEG modification did not significantly affect hydrophobicity as measured by retention in reverse-phase HPLC. Antibacterial activity against both wild-type and drug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii (both Gram-negative pathogens) was retained or slightly improved (MICs in the range 2–16 µg/mL equal to 0.7–5.2 µM). All compounds in the series exhibited less than 10% hemolysis at 400 µg/mL. While the number of sPEG moieties appeared not to be clearly correlated with hemolytic activity, a trend toward slightly increased hemolytic activity was observed for analogues displaying the longest sPEGs. In contrast, within a subseries the viability of HepG2 liver cells was least affected by analogues displaying the longer sPEGs (with IC₅₀ values of ~1280 µg/mL) as compared to most other analogues and the parent peptidomimetic (IC₅₀ values in the range 330–800 µg/mL).     

羟丙基壳聚糖、壳聚糖铈/银的合成、表征和抗菌性能研究

以壳聚糖和硝酸铈铵为原料,并对壳聚糖进行改性,合成了两种新型的配合物。通过红外光谱、X射线光电子能谱、差热-热重分析、透射电镜等对合成物进行表征。由透射电镜照片发现合成物由分散的纳米颗粒组成。通过抗菌实验对其抑菌效果进行研究,结果表明这两种配合物对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌均有较强的抑菌作用,最小抑菌浓度(MIC)分别为130μg/mL,70μg/mL和75μg/mL,60μg/mL,属于广谱抗菌剂,抗菌效果明显优于单独的壳聚糖、羟丙基壳聚糖、稀土化合物。     

Polyphenylglyoxamide-Based Amphiphilic Small Molecular Peptidomimetics as Antibacterial Agents with Anti-Biofilm Activity

The rapid emergence of drug-resistant bacteria is a major global health concern. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and peptidomimetics have arisen as a new class of antibacterial agents in recent years in an attempt to overcome antibiotic resistance. A library of phenylglyoxamide-based small molecular peptidomimetics was synthesised by incorporating an N-alkylsulfonyl hydrophobic group with varying alkyl chain lengths and a hydrophilic cationic group into a glyoxamide core appended to phenyl ring systems. The quaternary ammonium iodide salts 16d and 17c showed excellent minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4 and 8 μM (2.9 and 5.6 μg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, while the guanidinium hydrochloride salt 34a showed an MIC of 16 μM (8.5 μg/mL) against Escherichia coli. Additionally, the quaternary ammonium iodide salt 17c inhibited 70% S. aureus biofilm formation at 16 μM. It also disrupted 44% of pre-established S. aureus biofilms at 32 μM and 28% of pre-established E. coli biofilms 64 μM, respectively. A cytoplasmic membrane permeability study indicated that the synthesised peptidomimetics acted via disruption and depolarisation of membranes. Moreover, the quaternary ammonium iodide salts 16d and 17c were non-toxic against human cells at their therapeutic dosages against S. aureus.     

Short Photoswitchable Antibacterial Peptides

Three photoswitchable tetrapeptides, based on a known synthetic antibacterial, were designed and synthesized to determine activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Each peptide contains an azobenzene photoswitch incorporated into either the N-terminal side chain ( 1 ), C-terminal side chain ( 2 ), or the C-terminus ( 3 ) to allow reversible switching between cis- and trans-enriched photostationary states. Biological assays revealed that the C-terminus azobenzene ( 3 ) possessed the most potent antibacterial activity, with an MIC of 1 μg/mL. In this study, net positive charge, hydrophobicity, position of the azobenzene, secondary structure, and amphiphilicity were all found to contribute to antibacterial activity, with each of these factors likely facilitating the peptide to disrupt the negatively charged bacterial lipid membrane. Hence, these short photoswitchable antibacterial tetrapeptides provide insights for the future design and synthesis of antibiotics targeting S. aureus.     

Peptide/β-Peptoid Hybrids with Activity against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: Influence of Hydrophobicity and Structural Features on Antibacterial and Hemolytic Properties

Infections with enterococci are challenging to treat due to intrinsic resistance to several antibiotics. Especially vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis are of considerable concern with a limited number of efficacious therapeutics available. From an initial screening of 20 peptidomimetics, 11 stable peptide/β-peptoid hybrids were found to have antibacterial activity against eight E. faecium and E. faecalis isolates. Microbiological characterization comprised determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), probing of synergy with antibiotics in a checkerboard assay, time–kill studies, as well as assessment of membrane integrity. E. faecium isolates proved more susceptible than E. faecalis isolates, and no differences in susceptibility between the vancomycin-resistant (VRE) and -susceptible E. faecium isolates were observed. A test of three peptidomimetics (Ac-[hArg-βNsce]₆-NH₂, Ac-[hArg-βNsce-Lys-βNspe]₃-NH₂ and Oct-[Lys-βNspe]₆-NH₂) in combination with conventional antibiotics (vancomycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, linezolid, rifampicin or azithromycin) revealed no synergy. The same three potent analogues were found to have a bactericidal effect with a membrane-disruptive mode of action. Peptidomimetics Ac-[hArg-βNsce-Lys-βNspe]₃-NH₂ and Oct-[Lys-βNspe]₆-NH₂ with low MIC values (in the ranges 2–8 µg/mL and 4–16 µg/mL against E. faecium and E. faecalis, respectively) and displaying weak cytotoxic properties (i.e., <10% hemolysis at a ~100-fold higher concentration than their MICs; IC₅₀ values of 73 and 41 µg/mL, respectively, against HepG2 cells) were identified as promising starting points for further optimization studies.     

Structure–Activity and Structure–Toxicity Relationships of Peptoid-Based Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors with Dual-Stage Antiplasmodial Activity

Novel malaria intervention strategies are of great importance, given the development of drug resistance in malaria-endemic countries. In this regard, histone deacetylases (HDACs) have emerged as new and promising malaria drug targets. In this work, we present the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 20 novel HDAC inhibitors with antiplasmodial activity. Based on a previously discovered peptoid-based hit compound, we modified all regions of the peptoid scaffold by using a one-pot multicomponent pathway and submonomer routes to gain a deeper understanding of the structure–activity and structure–toxicity relationships. Most compounds displayed potent activity against asexual blood-stage P. falciparum parasites, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.0052–0.25 μm and promising selectivity over mammalian cells (SI^Pf3D7/HepG2: 170–1483). In addition, several compounds showed encouraging sub-micromolar activity against P. berghei exo-erythrocytic forms (PbEEF). Our study led to the discovery of the hit compound N-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-(hydroxycarbamoyl)benzyl)-4-isopropylbenzamide ( 2 h ) as a potent and parasite-specific dual-stage antiplasmodial HDAC inhibitor (IC₅₀ Pf3D7=0.0052 μm , IC₅₀ PbEEF=0.016 μm ).     

Design, synthesis, and in vitro antibacterial activity of fluoroquinolone derivatives containing a chiral 3-(alkoxyimino)-2-(aminomethyl)azetidine moiety

A series of novel (R)/(S)-7-(3-alkoxyimino-2-aminomethyl-1-azetidinyl)fluoroquinolone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity against representative strains. Our results reveal that 12 of the target compounds generally show better activity (MIC: <0.008-0.5 μg mL(-1)) against the tested Gram-positive strains including MRSA and MRSE than levofloxacin (LVFX, MIC: 0.125-8 μg mL(-1)). Their activity is similar to that of gemifloxacin (GMFX, MIC: <0.008-4 μg mL(-1)). However, they are generally less active than the two reference drugs against Gram-negative strains. Moreover, against clinical strains of S. aureus including MRSA and S. epidermidis including MRSE, the MIC(50) values (0.06-16 μg mL(-1)) and MIC(90) values (0.5-32 μg mL(-1)) of compounds 16 w, y, and z are 2-8- and 2-16-fold less than LVFX, respectively, and 16 w (MIC(90) range: 0.5-4 μg mL(-1)) was also found to be more active than GMFX (MIC(90) range: 1-8 μg mL(-1)).     

Synthesis,characterization, toxicological and antibacterial activity evaluation of Cu@ZnO nanocomposites

Cu@ZnO is an important class of material with applications as catalysts, photocatalysts, optoelectronic devices and antimicrobial agents. Because of its potential for large-scale applications and its high redox activity, detailed examination of the properties and risk assessment of this class of materials should be performed. In this work, Cu@ZnO composites were synthesized using a two-step procedure. ZnO crystalline nanostructured materials were prepared within minutes by a solvothermal microwave-assisted method. Deposition of copper nanoparticles on the surface of ZnO was conducted by reduction of Cu²⁺ in ethylene glycol (EG). Copper nanoparticles with different morphologies (needle-like and spheres) were deposited on the surface of ZnO. The antibacterial activity of Cu@ZnO composites was evaluated using E. coli and S. aureus as model organisms. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were evaluated for Cu@ZnO composites under visible light radiation (VLR) and in the dark (D). The composites exhibit antibacterial activity under VLR at low concentrations: 250 μg/mL and 750 μg/mL for E. coli, and 250 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL for S. aureus. Copper nanoparticles exert antibacterial activity and can be used to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in the absence of irradiation of Cu@ZnO material. Better antibacterial activity of Cu@ZnO material was achieved under radiation, demonstrating the synergic activity of Cu and ZnO materials for disinfection. Toxicity of the material was assessed towards Daphnia magna (D. magna) and Lecane papuana (L. papuana). Composites exert toxicity at lower concentrations than ZnO, observing LC50 values for L. papuana of 79.30 ± 6.70 μg/mL, and 5.59 ± 0.46 μg/mL for ZnO and Cu@ZnO, respectively. For D. magna, a LC50 of 9.66 ± 1.22 μg/mL (Cu@ZnO) was observed. Although Cu@ZnO can be considered as potential candidate for the development of efficient antibacterial agents, its antibacterial activity is achieved at doses that can be harmful to aquatic invertebrates. Thus, its application should avoid its entry to aquatic environments.     

Effect of glyceric acid calcium salt on the viability of ethanol-dosed gastric cells

D-Glyceric acid (D-GA) calcium has been reported to accelerate ethanol oxidation in vivo in rats (Eriksson et al., Metabolism, 56, 895-898 (2007)). However, no other reports have shown that D-GA can reduce the harmful effects of ethanol. In this study, the effects of D-, L-, and DL-GA calcium on ethanol-dosed gastric cell viability were investigated using human gastric carcinoma cells (Kato III) and normal rat gastric mucosa cells (RGM1). Addition of 2% and 3 % ethanol to Kato III and RGM1 cells, respectively, decreased their cell viability by approximately 20-50 % after 24 or 72 h of cultivation. In 2 % ethanol-dosed Kato III cells cultivated for 24 h, addition of 0.002-20 μg/mL D- and L-GA calcium did not affect cell viability. Similarly, addition of less than 20 μg/mL DL-GA calcium did not affect cell viability. However, when 20 μg/mL DL-GA calcium was added, cell viability increased by 35.7 % after 72 h of incubation, compared to the viability of control cells without ethanol or GA. Addition of 20 μg/mL DL-GA calcium to 3 % ethanol-dosed RGM1 cells cultivated for 24 or 72 h also increased cell viability up to those observed in control cells. These results suggest that a racemic mixture of GA may have the strongest effect on enhancing the viability of ethanol-exposed cells.     

New Antimicrobial Hexapeptides: Synthesis,Antimicrobial Activities,Cytotoxicity, and Mechanistic Studies

Synthetic antimicrobial peptides have recently emerged as promising candidates against drug‐resistant pathogens. We identified a novel hexapeptide, Orn‐D ‐Trp‐D ‐Phe‐Ile‐D ‐Phe‐His(1‐Bzl)‐NH₂, which exhibits broad‐spectrum antifungal and antibacterial activity. A lead optimization was undertaken by conducting a full amino acid scan with various proteinogenic and non‐proteinogenic amino acids depending on the hydrophobic or positive‐charge character of residues at various positions along the sequence. The hexapeptide was also cyclized to study the correlation between the linear and cyclic structures and their respective antimicrobial activities. The synthesized peptides were found to be active against the fungus Candida albicans and Gram‐positive bacteria such as methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as the Gram‐negative bacterium Escherichia coli; MIC values for the most potent structures were in the range of 1–5 μg mL^?1 (IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.02–2 μg mL^?1). Most of the synthesized peptides showed no cytotoxic effects in an MTT assay up to the highest test concentration of 200 μg mL^?1. A tryptophan fluorescence quenching study was performed in the presence of negatively charged and zwitterionic model membranes, mimicking bacterial and mammalian membranes, respectively. The results of the fluorescence study demonstrate that the tested peptides are selective toward bacterial over mammalian cells; this is associated with a preferential interaction between the peptides and the negatively charged phospholipids of bacterial cells.     

Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Peptide Octominin for Controlling Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii is a serious nosocomial pathogen with multiple drug resistance (MDR), the control of which has become challenging due to the currently used antibiotics. Our main objective in this study is to determine the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of the antimicrobial peptide, Octominin, against MDR A. baumannii and derive its possible modes of actions. Octominin showed significant bactericidal effects at a low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 5 and 10 µg/mL, respectively. Time-kill kinetic analysis and bacterial viability tests revealed that Octominin showed a concentration-dependent antibacterial activity. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis revealed that Octominin treatment altered the morphology and membrane structure of A. baumannii. Propidium iodide (PI) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation assays showed that Octominin increased the membrane permeability and ROS generation in A. baumannii, thereby causing bacterial cell death. Further, a lipopolysaccharides (LPS) binding assay showed an Octominin concentration-dependent LPS neutralization ability. Biofilm formation inhibition and eradication assays further revealed that Octominin inhibited biofilm formation and showed a high biofilm eradication activity against A. baumannii. Furthermore, up to a concentration of 100 µg/mL, Octominin caused no hemolysis and cell viability changes in mammalian cells. An in vivo study in zebrafish showed that the Octominin-treated group had a significantly higher relative percentage survival (54.1%) than the untreated group (16.6%). Additionally, a reduced bacterial load and fewer alterations in histological analysis confirmed the successful control of A. baumannii by Octominin in vivo. Collectively, these data suggest that Octominin exhibits significant antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against the multidrug-resistant A. baumannii, and this AMP can be developed further as a potent AMP for the control of antibiotic resistance.     

Chromate Reductase YieF from Escherichia coli Enhances Hexavalent Chromium Resistance of Human HepG2 Cells

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a serious environmental pollutant and human toxicant. Mammalian cells are very sensitive to chromate as they lack efficient chromate detoxifying strategy, e.g., chromate-reducing genes that are widely present in prokaryotes. To test whether introduction of prokaryotic chromate-reducing gene into mammalian cells could render higher chromate resistance, an Escherichia coli chromate-reducing gene yieF was transfected into human HepG2 cells. The expression of yieF was measured in stably transfected cells HepG2-YieF by quantitative RT-PCR and found up-regulated by 3.89-fold upon Cr(VI) induction. In chromate-reducing ability test, HepG2-YieF cells that harbored the reductase showed significantly higher reducing ability of Cr(VI) than HepG2 control cells. This result was further supported by the evidence of increased Cr(VI)-removing ability of crude cell extract of HepG2-YieF. Moreover, HepG2-YieF demonstrated 10% higher viability and decreased expression of GSH synthesizing enzymes under Cr(VI) stress. Subcellular localization of YieF was determined by tracing GFP-YieF fusion protein that was detected in both nucleus and cytoplasm by laser confocal microscopy. Altogether, this study successfully demonstrated that the expression of a prokaryotic Cr(VI)-reducing gene yieF endowed mammalian cell HepG2 with enhanced chromate resistance, which brought new insight of Cr(VI) detoxification in mammalian cells.     

万古霉素水凝胶对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌体外抑菌效果评价

目的评价担载万古霉素的水凝胶缓释药剂对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,MRSA)的体外抑菌效果。方法制备担载万古霉素的水凝胶,确定其对MRSA的最低抑菌浓度(minimum inhibitory concentration,MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(minimum bactericidal concentration,MBC),探讨其对MRSA的抑菌杀伤效应及生物菌膜生物量和细胞活性的影响。结果与未成胶的万古霉素相比,万古霉素水凝胶对MRSA的MIC(1μg/mL)和MBC(2μg/mL)分别各降低了1倍。对于MRSA的抑菌杀伤效应,万古霉素水凝胶呈缓慢释放并持续抑菌。万古霉素水凝胶对MRSA成熟生物菌膜生物量无显著影响,能增强对生物菌膜细胞活性的杀伤并减少万古霉素使用量,具有很好的抑菌杀菌效果。结论担载万古霉素水凝胶在减少用药剂量下与万古霉素抑菌效果相当,本研究为后续研发生物利用度好的新型缓释万古霉素药剂提供了参考。     

Macrocyclic hairpin mimetics of the cationic antimicrobial peptide protegrin I: a new family of broad-spectrum antibiotics

The problems associated with increasing antibiotic resistance have stimulated great interest in newly discovered families of naturally occurring cationic antimicrobial peptides. These include protegrin, tachyplesin, and RTD-1, which adopt beta-hairpin-like structures. We report here an approach to novel peptidomimetics based on these natural products. The mimetics were designed by transplanting the cationic and hydrophobic residues onto a beta-hairpin-inducing template, either a D-Pro-L-Pro dipeptide or a xanthene derivative. The mimetics have good antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (minimal inhibitory concentration approximately 6-25 microgram mL(-1)). Analogues with improved selectivity for microbial rather than red blood cells (1 % hemolysis at 100 microgram mL(-1)) were identified from a small library prepared by parallel synthesis. Thus, it is possible to separate the antimicrobial and hemolytic activities in this class of mimetics. NMR studies on one mimetic revealed a largely unordered structure in water, but a transition to a regular beta-hairpin backbone conformation in the presence of dodecylphosphocholine micelles. This family of mimetics may provide a starting point for the optimization of antimicrobial agents of potential clinical value in the fight against multiple-drug-resistant microorganisms.     

水溶性壳聚糖稀土配合物的合成、表征及其抑菌性研究

以水溶性壳聚糖(CS)与稀土离子La3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+和Dy3+在常温和pH值为4~5的条件下制备了水溶性壳聚糖稀土配合物CS-La, CS-Nd, CS-Sm, CS-Eu和CS-Dy. 并运用FT-IR, UV和TG-DTA对其配合物进行表征,并研究了配体和配合物的热稳定性及配合物的抑菌活性. 结果表明,5种配合物均有选择性抑菌性能;其对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌均有很好的抑菌作用;其对5种菌的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)为120~500 mg/mL,低于800 mg/mL,且抑菌效果明显优于单独的壳聚糖和稀土硝酸盐. CS-Sm对大肠杆菌的抑菌性最好,MIC为125 mg/mL;而CS-Nd和CS-Sm对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌性最强,MIC均为120 mg/mL.     

Molecular Characterization of Thymus capitellatus Extracts and Their Antioxidant,Neuroprotective and Anti-Proliferative Activities

Thymus capitellatus Hoffmanns & Link is an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula listed as near-threatened, due to its restricted geographical distribution, occurring mainly in Portugal’s mainland. In this work, we detail for the first time T. capitellatus extracts’ phytochemical composition, as well as an evaluation of bioactivities to point out potential health benefits. Aqueous decoction (AD) and hydroethanolic (HE) extracts were obtained, both rich in flavonoids. However, quercetin-(?)-O-hexoside was identified as the main compound in T. capitellatus HE extract, while the phenolic acid rosmarinic acid was the main component of AD extracts. In addition, HE extract presents significant amounts of salvianolic acids and of the terpenoids oleanolic and ursolic acid. Both extracts showed antioxidant activity, evaluated by their capacity to scavenge ABTS and superoxide radicals, as well as an ability to prevent lipid peroxidation. AD extracts were also effective in scavenging hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals. As potential functional foods, T. capitellatus extracts presented neuroprotective and anti-diabetic activity, in addition to time- and dose-dependent anti-proliferative activity against Caco-2 (colorectal adenocarcinoma) and HepG2 (hepatic carcinoma) cells. HE extract presented higher cytotoxicity than AD extract, and HepG2 cells were more resistant than Caco-2 cells. After 24 h exposure to HE extract, the IC₅₀ values were 330 μg/mL and 447 μg/mL for Caco-2 and HepG2 cells, respectively. T. capitellatus has potential as a functional food or as a source of bioactive molecules. These results also highlight the need to preserve species with as yet unknown molecular compositions and potential medicinal applications.     

Teucrium plant species as natural sources of novel anticancer compounds: antiproliferative, proapoptotic and antioxidant properties

This study deals with total phenolic content, antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity of methanolic extracts from different Teucrium species and the effect on the prooxidant/antioxidant status in HCT-116 cells. The total phenolic content of the extracts was measured spectrophotometricaly and the obtained results ranged from 56.62 mg/g to 172.50 mg GA/g. The antiproliferative activity of methanolic extracts from different Teucrium species was determined using MTT cell viability assay, where IC(50) value was used as a parameter for cytotoxicity. The type of cell death was explored by fluorescence microscopy using the acridin orange/ethidium bromide method. MTT assay showed that all extracts significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with very low IC(50) values. The highest content of phenolic compounds and the best cytotoxic activity on HCT-116 cells after 24 h of exposure was in T. chamaedrys extract, with IC(50) values of 5.48 × 10(-9) μg/mL. After 72 h, methanolic extract of T. arduini appeared to have the best cytotoxic activity on HCT-116, with IC(50) values of 0.37 μg/mL. Treatments caused typical apoptotic morphological changes in HCT-116 cells and showed a high percentage of apoptotic cells. The results of the presented research indicate that some Teucrium extracts are a very rich source of phenols, which may directly contribute to high antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity.     

The melanogenesis-inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive effects of limonoids in n-hexane extract of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (neem) seeds

Seventeen limonoids (tetranortriterpenoids 1-17) were isolated from the n-hexane extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) seeds. The previously unidentified compound 16 was established by spectroscopy to be 17-defurano-17-oxosalannin. The effects of six compounds, 6 and 11-15, on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells was evaluated; 2 compounds, salannin (13) and 3-deacetylsalannin (15), exhibited marked inhibitory effects (70-74% reduction of melanin content at 25 μg/mL) with only minor cytotoxicity (79-85% of cell viability). Eleven compounds, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 9-15, were evaluated for inhibitory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation (1.7 nmol/ear) in mice; all exhibited marked anti-inflammatory activity (ID(50) values 0.22-0.57 μmol/ear). In addition, compounds 6 and 11-16 exerted moderate inhibition (IC(50) values of 410-471 mol ratio/32 pmol TPA) of TPA-induced Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation in Raji cells. The triacylglycerol fraction of the n-hexane extract contained oleic acid (50.2%) as the most predominant fatty acid constituent.     

A comparison of linear and cyclic peptoid oligomers as potent antimicrobial agents

We investigated the antimicrobial activities of N-substituted glycine "peptoid" oligomers incorporating cationic and hydrophobic side chains. Head-to-tail macrocyclization was employed to enhance antimicrobial activity. Both linear and cyclic peptoids, ranging from six to ten residues, demonstrate potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These peptoids do not cause significant lysis of human erythrocytes, indicating selective antimicrobial activity. Conformational ordering established upon macrocyclization is generally associated with an enhanced capacity to inhibit bacterial cell growth. Moreover, increased hydrophobic surface area also plays a role in improving antimicrobial activity. We demonstrate the potency of a cyclic peptoid in exerting antimicrobial activity against clinical strains of S. aureus while deterring the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.     

New 14-Membered Cyclopeptide Alkaloids from Zizyphus oxyphylla Edgew

Two new 14-membered cyclopeptide alkaloids, Oxyphylline B (4) and Oxyphylline C (5), along with three known 13-membered cyclopeptide alkaloids, were isolated from stem and roots of Zizyphus oxyphylla Edgew. The compounds were tested for antibacterial activity. Oxyphylline B (4) showed comparatively better antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli (MIC, 5 μg/mL) than other compounds. This compound also exhibited weak antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC, 25 μg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC, 50 μg/mL) and Salmonella typhi (MIC, 50 μg/mL).