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Naturally fermented dairy products are an important component of the human diet. They are a valuable source of nutrients as well as vitamins and minerals. Their importance as a source of probiotic bacterial strains should not be overlooked. A number of studies highlight the positive effects of species of the probiotic lactic acid bacteria on the intestinal microbiome and the overall homeostasis of the body, as well as a complementary treatment for some diseases. However, data on the effects on the intestinal epithelial cells of postmetabolites released by probiotic bacteria are incomplete. This is likely due to the fact that these effects are species- and strain-specific. In the present study, we investigated the effects of postmetabolites produced by a pre-selected candidate probiotic strain Limosilactobacillus fermentum on HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells. Our data showed a pronounced proliferative effect, evaluated by flow cytometry, quantification of the cell population and determination of the mitotic index. This was accompanied by the stabilization of the cell monolayer, measured by an increase in TEER (transepithelial electric resistance) and the reorganization of actin filaments. The data obtained are a clear indication of the positive effects that the products secreted by L. fermentum strain 53 have on intestinal epithelial cells.

Resurrection plant species are a group of higher plants whose vegetative tissues are able to withstand long periods of almost full desiccation and recover quickly upon rewatering. Apart from being a model system for studying desiccation tolerance, resurrection plant species appear to be a valuable source of metabolites, with various areas of application. A significant number of papers have been published in recent years with respect to the extraction and application of bioactive compounds from higher resurrection plant species in various test systems. Promising results have been obtained with respect to antioxidative and antiaging effects in various test systems, particularly regarding valuable anticancer effects in human cell lines. Here, we review the latest advances in the field and propose potential mechanisms of action of myconoside-a predominant secondary compound in the European members of the Gesneriaceae family. In addition, we shed light on the possibilities for the sustainable use of natural products derived from resurrection plants.

Biofilm formation is considered one of the primary virulence mechanisms in Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic species, particularly those responsible for chronic infections and promoting bacterial survival within the host. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in discovering new compounds capable of inhibiting biofilm formation. This is considered a promising antivirulence strategy that could potentially overcome antibiotic resistance issues. Effective antibiofilm agents should possess distinctive properties. They should be structurally unique, enable easy entry into cells, influence quorum sensing signaling, and synergize with other antibacterial agents. Many of these properties are found in both natural systems that are isolated from plants and in synthetic systems like nanoparticles and nanocomposites. In this review, we discuss the clinical nature of biofilm-associated infections and some of the mechanisms associated with their antibiotic tolerance. We focus on the advantages and efficacy of various natural and synthetic compounds as a new therapeutic approach to control bacterial biofilms and address multidrug resistance in bacteria.

Dry rose extract (DRE) obtained industrially by aqueous ethanol extraction from R. damascena flowers and its phenolic-enriched fraction, obtained by re-extraction with ethyl acetate (EAE) were the subject of this study. 1 H NMR of DRE allowed the identification and quantitation of fructose and glucose, while the combined use of HPLC-DAD-ESIMS and HPLC-HRMS showed the presence of 14 kaempferol glycosides, 12 quercetin glycosides, 4 phenolic acids and their esters, 4 galloyl glycosides, 7 ellagitannins, and quinic acid. In addition, the structures of 13 of the flavonoid glycosides were further confirmed by NMR. EAE was found to be richer in TPC and TFC and showed better antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) compared to DRE. Both extracts displayed significant activity against Propionibacterium acnes , Staphylococcus aureus , and S. epidermidis , but showed no activity against Candida albicans. Toxicity tests on normal human skin fibroblasts revealed low toxicity for both extracts with stronger effects observed at 24 hours of treatment that were compensated for over the following two days. Human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells exhibited an opposite response after treatment with a concentration above 350 µg/mL for EAE and 500 µg/mL for DRE, showing increased toxicity after the third day of treatment. Lower concentrations were non-toxic and did not significantly affect the cell cycle parameters of either of the cell lines.

In this work, mixed polymeric micelles (MPMs) based on a cationic poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA 29 -b-PCL 70 -b-PDMAEMA 29 ) and a non-ionic poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO 99 -b-PPO 67 -b-PEO 99 ) triblock copolymers, blended at different molar ratios, were developed. The key physicochemical parameters of MPMs, including size, size distribution, and critical micellar concentration (CMC), were evaluated. The resulting MPMs are nanoscopic with a hydrodynamic diameter of around 35 nm, and the ζ-potential and CMC values strongly depend on the MPM's composition. Ciprofloxacin (CF) was solubilized by the micelles via hydrophobic interaction with the micellar core and electrostatic interaction between the polycationic blocks, and the drug localized it, to some extent, in the micellar corona. The effect of a polymer-to-drug mass ratio on the drug-loading content (DLC) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) of MPMs was assessed. MPMs prepared at a polymer-to-drug mass ratio of 10:1 exhibited very high EE and a prolonged release profile. All micellar systems demonstrated their capability to detach pre-formed Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial biofilms and significantly reduced their biomass. The metabolic activity of the biofilm was strongly suppressed by the CF-loaded MPMs indicating the successful drug delivery and release. The cytotoxicity of empty and CF-loaded MPMs was evaluated. The test reveals composition-dependent cell viability without cell destruction or morphological signs of cell death.

This paper presents a complex analytical study on the distribution, solubility, amorphization, and compatibility of diltiazem within the composition of Eudragit RS 100-based particles of microspongeous type. For this purpose, a methodology combining attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) absorption spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDX), and in vitro dissolution study is proposed. The correct interpretation of the FTIR and drug-dissolution results was guaranteed by the implementation of two contrasting reference models: physical drug-polymer mixtures and casting-obtained, molecularly dispersed drug-polymer composites (solid dispersions). The spectral behavior of the drug-polymer composites in the carbonyl frequency (νCO) region was used as a quality marker for the degree of their interaction/mutual solubility. A spectral-pattern similarity between the microsponge particles and the solid dispersions indicated the molecular-type dispersion of the former. The comparative drug-desorption study and the qualitative observations over the DSC and SEM-EDX results confirmed the successful synthesis of a homogeneous coamorphous microsponge -type formulation with excellent drug-loading capacity and "controlled" dissolution profile. Among them, the drug-delivery particles with 25% diltiazem content (M-25) were recognized as the most promising, with the highest population of drug molecules in the polymer bulk and the most suitable desorption profile. Furthermore, an economical and effective analytical algorithm was developed for the comprehensive physicochemical characterization of complex delivery systems of this kind.

Studies have been carried out on the effects of the phenyl glycoside myconoside, extracted from the relict, Balkan endemic resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis on the plasma membrane structural organization and the actin cytoskeleton. Because the plasma membrane is the first target of exogenous bioactive compounds, we focused our attention on the influence of myconoside on the membrane lipid order and actin cytoskeleton in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, using fluorescent spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. We found that low myconoside concentration (5 μg/ml) did not change cell viability but was able to increase plasma membrane lipid order of the treated cells. Higher myconoside concentration (20 μg/ml) inhibited cell viability by decreasing plasma membrane lipid order and impairing actin cytoskeleton. We hypothesize that the observed changes in the plasma membrane structural organization and the actin cytoskeleton are functionally connected to cell viability. Biomimetic membranes were used to demonstrate that myconoside is able to reorganize the membrane lipids by changing the fraction of sphingomyelin-cholesterol enriched domains. Thus, we propose a putative mechanism of action of myconoside on A549 cells plasma membrane lipids as well as on actin filaments in order to explain its cytotoxic effect at high myconoside concentration., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen often associated with biofilm infections. This study evaluated the capacity for biofilm destruction of a novel combination of cationic polymer micelles formed from poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA-PCL-PDMAEMA) triblock copolymer either alone, or loaded with silver nanoparticles (M_AgNPs). Pre-formed P. aeruginosa biofilms were incubated with either blank micelles, AgNO 3 , or M_AgNPs. Biofilm biomass (crystal violet assay), metabolic activity (Alamar blue reduction), structure (SEM) and viability (CLSM after Live/Dead staining, or plating for CFU) were checked. The results showed that the micelles alone loosened the biofilm matrix, and caused some alterations in the bacterial surface. AgNO 3 killed the bacteria in situ leaving dead biofilm bacteria on the surface. M_AgNPs combined the two types of activities causing significant biofilm reduction, and alteration and death of biofilm bacteria. Therefore, the applied PDMAEMA-based micelles appear to be a successful candidate for the treatment of P. aeruginosa biofilm infections.

Human bestrophin-1 (hBest1) is a transmembrane Ca 2+ - dependent anion channel, associated with the transport of Cl - , HCO 3- ions, γ-aminobutiric acid (GABA), glutamate (Glu), and regulation of retinal homeostasis. Its mutant forms cause retinal degenerative diseases, defined as Bestrophinopathies. Using both physicochemical - surface pressure/mean molecular area (π/A) isotherms, hysteresis, compressibility moduli of hBest1/sphingomyelin (SM) monolayers, Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) studies, and biological approaches - detergent membrane fractionation, Laurdan (6-dodecanoyl-N,N-dimethyl-2-naphthylamine) and immunofluorescence staining of stably transfected MDCK-hBest1 and MDCK II cells, we report: 1) Ca 2+ , Glu and GABA interact with binary hBest1/SM monolayers at 35 °C, resulting in changes in hBest1 surface conformation, structure, self-organization and surface dynamics. The process of mixing in hBest1/SM monolayers is spontaneous and the effect of protein on binary films was defined as "fluidizing", hindering the phase-transition of monolayer from liquid-expanded to intermediate (LE-M) state; 2) in stably transfected MDCK-hBest1 cells, bestrophin-1 was distributed between detergent resistant (DRM) and detergent-soluble membranes (DSM) - up to 30 % and 70 %, respectively; in alive cells, hBest1 was visualized in both liquid-ordered (L o ) and liquid-disordered (L d ) fractions, quantifying protein association up to 35 % and 65 % with L o and L d . Our results indicate that the spontaneous miscibility of hBest1 and SM is a prerequisite to diverse protein interactions with membrane domains, different structural conformations and biological functions., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Chlorogenic (5-CQA), 1,5-, 3,5-, 4,5- and 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic (DCQA) acids were identified and quantified in the methanol extracts of Inula oculus-christi L., I. bifrons L., I. aschersoniana Janka var. aschersoniana, I. ensifolia L., I. conyza (Griess.) DC. and I. germanica L. by HPLC analysis. The amount of 5-CQA varied from 5.48 to 28.44 mg/g DE and the highest content was detected in I. ensifolia. 1,5-DCQA (4.05-55.25 mg/g DE) was the most abundant dicaffeoyl ester of quinic acid followed by 3,5-DCQA, 4,5-DCQA and 3,4-DCQA. The extract of I. ensifolia showed the highest total phenolic content (119.92±0.95 mg GAE/g DE) and exhibited the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity (69.41±0.55 %). I. bifrons extract was found to be the most active sample against ABTS .+ (TEAC 0.257±0.012 mg/mL) and the best tyrosinase inhibitor. The studied extracts demonstrated a low inhibitory effect towards acetylcholinesterase and possessed low cytotoxicity in concentration range from 10 to 300 μg/mL toward non-cancer (MDCK II) and cancer (A 549) cells., (© 2020 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

The present contribution is focused on feasibility of using comb-like copolymers of polyethylenimine with poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (LPEI-comb-PEtOx) with varying grafting densities and degrees of polymerization of PEI and PEtOx to deliver DNA molecules into cells. The copolymers form small and well-defined particles at elevated temperatures, which are used as platforms for binding and condensing DNA. The electrostatic interactions between particles and DNA result in formation of sub-100 nm polyplex particles of narrow size distribution and different morphology and structure. The investigated gene delivery systems exhibit transfection efficiency dependent on the copolymer chain topology, shape of the polyplex particles, and internalization pathway. Flow cytometry shows enhanced transfection efficiency of the polyplexes with elongated and ellipsoidal morphology. The preliminary biocompatibility study on a panel of human cell lines shows that pure copolymers and polyplexes thereof are practically devoid of cytotoxicity., (© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Bestrophinopathies are ocular diseases caused by mutations in the human bestrophin-1 (hBest1) - transmembrane Ca 2+ -activated chloride channel protein, mainly expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. hBest1 is also an important transporter for neurotransmitters such as glutamate (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the nervous system. Recently, a new biological role of hBest1, related to its possible involvement in the pathology of brain diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease) has been proposed. Here, we report the effects of Ca 2+ , Glu and GABA on hBest1 and composite hBest1/POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers based on surface dynamics (π/A isotherms, hysteresis and compressibility), morphology (Brewster angle microscopy, BAM) and visualization of protein molecular organization (Atomic force microscopy, AFM). Ca 2+ ions and neurotransmitters Glu and GABA affect hBest1 topology at the air/water interface altering its surface activity, size, orientation and organization. In contrast, no significant changes were detected on π/A isotherms and hysteresis of the composite hBest1/POPC films but their effects on structure, aggregation state and orientation hBest1 established by BAM and AFM differentiate. We found that the binary films of hBest1 and POPC are phase separated at the air/water interface, suggesting stronger lipid-lipid and protein-protein interactions than lipid-protein interactions that can significantly alter the molecular organization and activity of hBest1 in cell membranes. Our data shed light on structure, surface behavior and organization of hBest1 that define relationship structure-functional activity of hBest1 as transport channel., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Human bestrophin-1 (hBest1) is a transmembrane calcium-activated chloride channel protein - member of the bestrophin family of anion channels, predominantly expressed in the membrane of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Mutations in the protein cause ocular diseases, named Bestrophinopathies. Here, we present the first Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) study of the secondary structure elements of hBest1, π/A isotherms and hysteresis, Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) visualization of the aggregation state of protein molecules dispersed as Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films. The secondary structure of hBest1 consists predominantly of 3 10 -helices (27.2%), α-helixes (16.3%), β-turns and loops (32.2%). AFM images of hBest1 suggest approximate lateral dimensions of 100×160Å and 75Å height. Binding of calcium ions (Ca 2+ ) induces conformational changes in the protein secondary structure leading to assembly of protein molecules and changes in molecular and macro-organization of hBest1 in monolayers. These data provide basic information needed in pursuit of molecular mechanisms underlying retinal and other pathologies linked to this protein., (Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Snake venom Phospholipases A2 (svPLA2) are among the main toxic venom components with a great impact on different tissues and organs based on their catalytic specificity and a variety of pharmacological effects, whose mechanism is still under debate. The main toxic component, isolated from the venom of Vipera ammodytes meridionalis, is the heterodimeric postsynaptic ionic complex vipoxin, composed of a basic and toxic PLA2 enzyme subunit (GIIA secreted PLA2) and an acidic, enzymatically inactive and nontoxic subunit - vipoxin acidic component (VAC). This study demonstrates for the first time that vipoxin and its individual subunits affect integrity and viability of HepG2 cells displaying differences in their pharmacological activities. Under the experimental conditions, the individual PLA2 subunit induces cytotoxicity, cytoskeletal rearrangements and triggers early apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner related to its enzymatic activity. Vipoxin and VAC do not affect cell viability but manifest high degree of genotoxicity, whereas DNA damage induced by PLA2 subunit could be defined as moderate and not associated with its catalytic activity. Our results suggest that the interactions between vipoxin subunits play an important role in HepG2 cell response and most likely affect the observed distinction between cyto- and genotoxicity., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Lamium album L. is a perennial herb widely used in folk medicine. It possesses a wide spectrum of therapeutic activities (anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, antibiotic, antispasmodic, antioxidant and anti-proliferative). Preservation of medicinal plant could be done by in vitro propagation to avoid depletion from their natural habitat. It is important to know whether extracts from L. album plants grown in vitro possess similar properties as extracts from plants grown in vivo . For these reasons, it is important to examine changes in the composition of secondary metabolites during in vitro cultivation of the plant and how they affect the biological activity. We used A549 human cancer cell line and normal kidney epithelial cells MDCKII (Madin-Darby canine kidney cells II) as controls in assessing the anti-cancer effect of plant extracts. To elucidate changes in some key functional characteristics, adhesion test, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide), transepithelial resistance (TER), immunofluorescence staining and trypan blue exclusion test were performed. Methanol and chloroform extracts of in vivo and in vitro propagated plants affected differently cancerous and non-cancerous cells. The most pronounced differences were observed in the morphological analysis and in the cell adhesive properties. We also detected suppressed epithelial transmembrane electrical resistance of MDCK II cells, by treatment with plant extracts, compared to non-treated MDCK II cells. A549 cells did not polarize under the same conditions. Altered organization of actin filaments in both cell types were noticed suggesting that extracts from L. album L. change TER and actin filaments, and somehow may block cell mechanisms, leading to the polarization of MDCK II cells.

Bestrophin-1 (Best1) is a transmembrane protein, found in the basolateral plasma membrane of retinal pigmented epithelial cells. The exact structure and functions of Best1 protein are still unclear. The protein is thought to be a regulator of ion channels, or an ion channel itself: it was shown to be permeable for chloride, thiocyanate, bicarbonate, glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Mutations in the gene for Best1 are leading to best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) and are found in several other types of maculopathy. In order to obtain additional information about Best1 protein, we determined cell polarization of a stably transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cell line II (MDCK II) cell line, expressing human Best1. We measured the transepithelial resistance of transfected and non-transfected MDCK cells by voltmeter EVOM, over 10 days at 24 hour intervals. The first few days (first-fourth day) both cell lines showed the same or similar values ​​of transmembrane resistance. As expected, on the fifth day the non-transfected cells showed maximum value of epithelial resistance, corresponding to the forming of monolayer. The transfected cells showed maximum value of transepithelial resistance on the ninth day of their cultivation. Phalloidin staining of actin demonstrated the difference in actin arrangements between transfected and non-transfected cells due to Best1. As a consequence of actin rearrangement, Best1 strongly affects the transepithelial resistance of polarizing stably transfected MDCK cells. Our results suggest that Best1 protein has an effect on transepithelial resistance and actin rearrangements of polarized stably transfected MDCK cells.

Cell proliferation and metastasis are considered hallmarks of tumor progression. Therefore, efforts have been made to develop novel anticancer drugs that inhibit both the proliferation and the motility of tumor cells. Synthetic antitumor lipids (ATLs), which are chemically divided into two main classes, comprise (i) alkylphospholipids (APLs) and (ii) alkylphosphocholines (APCs). They represent a new entity of drugs with distinct antiproliferative properties in tumor cells. These compounds do not interfere with the DNA or mitotic spindle apparatus of the cell, instead, they incorporate into cell membranes, where they accumulate and interfere with lipid metabolism and lipid-dependent signaling pathways. Recently, it has been shown that the most commonly studied APLs inhibit proliferation by inducing apoptosis in malignant cells while leaving normal cells unaffected and are potent sensitizers of conventional chemo- and radiotherapy, as well as of electrical field therapy. APLs resist catabolic degradation to a large extent, therefore accumulate in the cell and interfere with lipid-dependent survival signaling pathways, notably PI3K-Akt and Raf-Erk1/2, and de novo phospholipid biosynthesis. They are internalized in the cell membrane via raft domains and cause downstream reactions as inhibition of cell growth and migration, cell cycle arrest, actin stress fibers collapse, and apoptosis. This review summarizes the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials of most common ATLs and their mode of action at molecular and biochemical levels., (© 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) was studied in three human lung cells - P (fetal lung-derived cells), A549 (lung adenocarcinoma) and SK-MES-1 (squamous cell carcinoma) using a fluorescent cytochemical procedure developed on the basis of the substrate 4-(glycyl-L-prolyl hydrazido)-N-hexyl-1,8-naphthalimide. The observed differences in the enzyme expression were confirmed by measuring the enzyme hydrolysis of glycyl-L-prolyl-para-nitroanilide. The surface and total dipeptidyl peptidase activities of P cells were correspondingly 7-8 and 3-10 times higher than those of SK-MES-1 and A549 cells. The ratio surface per total activity showed that in P (95%) and A549 (93%) cells the enzyme is associated with the plasmalemma while in SK-MES-1 cells (35%) it is bound to intracellular membranes. In order to compare the results from cell cultures with those in human tumor, the enzyme activity was investigated in cryo-sections of three cases of diagnosed squamous lung carcinoma. DPPIV activity was restricted to the connective tissue stroma surrounding the DPPIV-negative tumor foci., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

During inhalation anaesthesia lung epithelial cells are directly exposed to halogenated hydrocarbons such as halothane. Information about the effects of volatile anaesthetics on lung cells is rather limited although their noxious effect on the A549 alveolar cells has been shown recently. The present study indicated that halothane decreases cell viability, impairs DNA integrity and provokes stress-induced apoptosis in A549 cells when applied at clinically relevant concentrations. Data obtained clearly demonstrated intensive expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein during treatment with all tested concentrations. In post-treatment periods the increased DNA injury was accompanied by reduction of Bcl-2 expression. We concluded that the in vitro effect of halothane on lung cells involved alteration in the expression of proteins of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.