Evaluation of a Gel Containing a Propionibacterium Extract in an In Vivo Model of Wound Healing

Inappropriate wound healing (WH) management can cause significant comorbidities, especially in patients affected by chronic and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. WH involves several different, partially overlapping processes, including hemostasis, inflammation, cell proliferation, and remodeling. Oxidative stress in WH contributes to WH impairment because of the overexpression of radical oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS). This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidative action of a gel containing a Propionibacterium extract (Emorsan^® Gel) and assess its skin re-epithelialization properties in a mouse model of WH. The scavenging effects of the bacterial extract were assessed in vitro through the ABTS and DPPH assays and in L-929 murine fibroblasts. The effects of the Emorsan^® Gel were studied in vivo in a murine model of WH. After WH induction, mice were treated daily with vehicle or Emorsan^® Gel for 6 or 12 days. According to the in vitro tests, the Propionibacterium extract exerted an inhibitory effect on ROS and RNS, consequently leading to the reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite levels. Before proceeding with the in vivo study, the Emorsan^® Gel was verified to be unabsorbed. Therefore, the observed effects could be ascribed to a local action. The results obtained in vivo showed that through local reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation (IL-1β, TNF-α), the Emorsan^® Gel significantly reduced the infiltration of mast cells into the injured wound, leading to the amelioration of symptoms such as itch and skin irritation. Therefore, the Emorsan^® Gel improved the speed and percentage of wound area closure by improving the tissue remodeling process, prompting vascular–endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)- β production and reducing the expression of adhesion molecules. Emorsan^® Gel, by its ability to inhibit free radicals, could reduce local inflammation and oxidative stress, thus enhancing the speed of wound healing.     

Design,preparation, and evaluation of liposomal gel formulations for treatment of acne: in vitro and in vivo studies

The study highlights the significance of co-application of bioactive components into liposomal gel formulations and their comparison to azithromycin for treatment of Acne. A Design of Experiments (DoE) approach was utilized to obtain optimized liposomal formulation encapsulating curcumin, with size and zeta potential of ～100?nm and ～14?mV, respectively, characterized by DLS, HR-TEM, FESEM, and AFM. The curcumin liposomal dispersion depicted excellent stability over the period of 60?days, which was further converted in gel form using Carbopol. Pharmacokinetics of curcumin-loaded liposomal gel showed that T_max for curcumin was achieved within 1?h of post application in both stratum corneum and skin, indicating quick penetration of nano-sized liposomes. Stratum corneum depicted C_max of 688.3?ng/mL and AUC_0-t of 5857.5?h?×?ng/mL, while the skin samples displayed C_max of 203.3?ng/gm and AUC_0-t of 2938.1?h?×?ng/gm. Lauric acid and azithromycin liposomal gel formulations were prepared as per the optimum parameters obtained by DoE. In antibacterial activity using agar diffusion assay, lauric acid gel formulation revealed ～1.5 fold improved antibacterial effect than curcumin gel formulation. Interestingly, their co-application (1:1) exhibited significantly enhanced antibacterial effect against both macrolide-sensitive (1.81 versus 1.25 folds) and resistant strains of P. acnes (2.93 versus 1.22 folds) than their individual counterparts. The in vivo studies in rat ear model displayed a ～2 fold reduction in comedones count and cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) on co-application with curcumin and lauric acid liposomal gel compared to placebo treated group.     

Incorporation of Propionibacterium shermanii subsp. freudenreichii in probiotic dairy drink production: physicochemical,rheological, microbiological and sensorial properties

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of Propionibacterium shermanii subsp. freudenreichii as a combined culture with Lactobacillus acidophilus (AP), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BP), Lactobacillus casei (CP) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (RP) in probiotic dairy drink production. Although Propionibacterium spp. is used for many purposes including biopreservative and adjunct culture, in this study, probiotic dairy drinks containing P. freudenreichii were evaluated in terms of their physicochemical, rheological, microbiological and sensory properties. The results of the study showed that P. freudenreichii can also be suitable for the production of probiotic drinks and that there are no adverse effects on the product characteristics.     

Wild bitter melon (Momordica charantia Linn. var. abbreviata Ser.) extract and its bioactive components suppress Propionibacterium acnes-induced inflammation

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of wild bitter melons (WBM; Momordica charantia Linn. var. abbreviata Ser.) on Propionibacterium acnes-induced inflammation and to identify the bioactive components. Our results showed that ethyl acetate (EA) extract of WBM fruit in vitro potently suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 levels in P. acnes-stimulated THP-1 cells. Furthermore, concomitant intradermal injection of WBM EA extract in mice effectively attenuated P. acnes-induced ear swelling and granulomatous inflammation. To further investigate the bioactive components, we found that both saponifiable (S) and nonsaponifiable (NS) fractions of WBM EA extract significantly suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine and MMP-9 levels. Phytol and lutein, identified in the NS fraction, also inhibited cytokine production. Moreover, S and NS fractions of EA extract, phytol and lutein, activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and β in the transactivation assay. Our results suggested that PPARα or PPARγ signalling may contribute, at least in part, to the anti-inflammatory activity of WBM.     

西南菌种站部分酿酒增香细菌产酸性能初探

本文主要介绍西南菌种站保藏的部分酿酒增香细菌在不同发酵培养条件下产有机酸能力。试验通过对13株菌株进行比较，结果表明，多数丙酸杆菌在合成液培养基中发酵产酸能力较强，丁酸杆菌在母糟浸液培养基中发酵产酸能力较强，菌株SICC1．314、SICC1．259等不仅产酸较高，而且产酸速度也较快。     

Effect of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates and probiotics on the growth of the skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes in vitro

The synbiotic ability of probiotic bacteria and konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) to inhibit acne‐inducing bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes growth was studied in vitro. All probiotic bacteria strains tested were able to inhibit the growth of this species of skin bacterium where the inhibition was significantly (P < 0.01) enhanced by the presence of the GMH prebiotic. As the current treatment of acne is based on topical or systemic drugs, it is worth examining further the biotherapeutic activities of the GMH and selected probiotics with a view to future use as prophylactic or therapeutic synbiotics for treating acne infections.     

丙酸杆菌的研究进展及其在食品发酵工业中的应用

主要介绍了丙酸杆菌的特性、分类以及其在食品发酵工业中的应用。其应用非常广，主要应用于丙酸、维生素和杆菌素的生产，并简单介绍了它在其他方面的应用.     

薛氏丙酸杆菌产抑菌性代谢物发酵培养基优化

本文利用单因子实验和响应面实验设计对薛氏丙酸杆菌产抑菌性代谢物的发酵培养基组成进行优化,以降低培养基成本和进一步提高代谢物抑菌活性。实验结果表明,玉米浆和大豆蛋白胨可以代替原始培养基中的酵母提取物和胰蛋白胨,通过Box-Behnken实验设计和响应面分析法优化得到了薛氏丙酸杆菌产抑菌性代谢物的发酵培养基组成为葡萄糖8.2g/L,大豆蛋白胨5.1g/L,玉米浆12.7g/L,在此条件下,代谢物抑菌活性的理论值为29.5AU/m L,实际测定值为29.4AU/m L。优化之后,薛氏丙酸杆菌代谢物抑菌性提高了57.2%,培养基成本大大降低。     

Identification, typing and characterisation of Propionibacterium strains from healthy mucosa of the human stomach

Forty two Propionibacterium isolates were recovered from biopsy samples of the gastric mucosa of eight out of 12 healthy people. Of these, 41 were identified as belonging to Propionibacterium acnes; the remaining isolate was identified as belonging to Propionibacterium granulosum. Repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP)-PCR typing suggested that up to four strains might be present in the mucosa of the same individual. Sequence analysis of either recA, tly or camp5 genes of P. acnes isolates revealed two distinct phylogenetic lineages. As per the recA, most isolates belonged to type I, while the remainder of the isolates belonged to type II. Phenotypic analyses of representative isolates showed the different strains to have diverse biochemical properties. For example, large differences were seen in carbohydrate fermentation patterns, the results of qualitative and quantitative enzymatic profiling, and survival at acidic pH. In contrast, the patterns of resistance/susceptibility to a series of 16 antibiotics were rather similar, with no atypical resistances observed. The examined strains showed limited-if any-enzymatic activities that could be ultimately related to pathogenicity (lipolytic, proteolytic or haemolytic activity). This suggests that, in the gastric ecosystem, some Propionibacterium spp. genotypes and/or phenotypes can be considered true commensals.