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Microorganisms
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Research on Natural Products against Pathogens
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Research on Natural Products against Pathogens

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 6858

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ana R. Díaz-Marrero

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 3, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
Interests: marine natural products; marine microbial compounds; bioassay-guided isolation; NMR structural analysis; biomedical applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Infectious diseases have always represented a threat to humans, and they have been overcome through the discovery of antibiotics and antiviral agents. In addition to the most frequent antibiotic-resistant strains, the COVID-19 pandemic reactivated global concerns about emerging pathogens, leading to infections that are more difficult to treat.

The main natural products used as pharmaceuticals have evolved to become structurally diverse and unique and have a high biological affinity and specificity. Most antimicrobial drugs currently used in clinics originate from or are inspired by natural products, and thus, they will continue to be important raw materials for the development of new drugs.

The aim of this Special Issue of Microoorganisms is to cover the new findings and advances in the chemistry and biology of antimicrobial natural molecules, comprising novel structural features, biosynthetic studies, metabolomic studies, as well as their biological activities and mechanisms of action. Review articles that make substantial advances within this field will also be considered.

In this Special Issue of Microorganisms, scientists are encouraged to contribute to the advancement and future directions in the field of antipathogenic natural products.

Dr. Ana R. Diaz-Marrero
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • natural products
  • secondary metabolites
  • biological activity
  • antimicrobial
  • antibacterial
  • antiviral
  • antiparasitic
  • pathogens
  • microorganisms

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1467 KiB  
Article
The Insecticidal Activity of Secondary Metabolites Produced by Streptomyces sp. SA61 against Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
by Fei Liu, Ning Wang, Yinan Wang and Zhiguo Yu
Microorganisms 2024, 12(10), 2031; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12102031 - 8 Oct 2024
Viewed by 413
Abstract
Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood poses a significant threat to vegetable and ornamental crops in temperate zones, resulting in notable reductions in yield and substantial economic burdens. In order to find compounds with high insecticidal activity against T. vaporariorum, five compounds were isolated and [...] Read more.
Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood poses a significant threat to vegetable and ornamental crops in temperate zones, resulting in notable reductions in yield and substantial economic burdens. In order to find compounds with high insecticidal activity against T. vaporariorum, five compounds were isolated and identified from the crude extract of Streptomyces sp. SA61. These include three new polyketides, named strekingmycins F–H (1–3); one new diterpenoid, named phenalinolactone CD8 (4); and one known compound, strekingmycin A (5). Their structures were analyzed using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy data and by comparing them with previously reported data. The insecticidal activities of compounds 1–5 against T. vaporariorum were evaluated. Among them, compound 5 exhibited the highest insecticidal activity, with an LC50 of 6.949 mg/L against T. vaporariorum at 72 h using the leaf-dip method. Lower insecticidal activities were found in compounds 1–4, with LC50 values of 22.817, 19.150, 16.981 and 41.501 mg/L, respectively. These data indicate that strekingmycin could be a potential candidate for a novel insecticide to control T. vaporariorum. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Natural Products against Pathogens)
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11 pages, 1652 KiB  
Article
Protective Effects of Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Liquid on Clostridioides difficile Infection on C57BL/6 Mice
by Ming Chen, Lin Zhai, Kristian Schønning, Warner Alpízar-Alpízar, Ole Larum, Leif Percival Andersen, Susanne Holck and Alice Friis-Møller
Microorganisms 2024, 12(8), 1602; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081602 - 6 Aug 2024
Viewed by 634
Abstract
Background: Clostridioides difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is a major healthcare-associated infection. New treatment options for CDAD are needed. A traditional Chinese medicinal formula, Huo Xiang Zheng Qi (HXZQ), was chosen to test against CDAD in a mouse model. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were challenged [...] Read more.
Background: Clostridioides difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is a major healthcare-associated infection. New treatment options for CDAD are needed. A traditional Chinese medicinal formula, Huo Xiang Zheng Qi (HXZQ), was chosen to test against CDAD in a mouse model. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were challenged with C difficile (ATCC 43255) orally; then received saline; vancomycin 25 mg/kg; or HXZQ in two different concentrations twice daily for 5 days. The animals’ body weight; clinical signs; and survival rates were registered daily. Fecal pellets from each animal were taken for PCR analysis as a control of infection. Results: 50% of the mice receiving saline died; 85.7% of the mice receiving vancomycin survived; 75% of the mice receiving HXZQ survived; and 87.5% of the mice receiving a 1:1 saline dilution of HXZQ survived. The HXZQ-treated groups were C. difficile PCR positive with loads less than that of the untreated mice. The weight loss in the vancomycin plus HXZQ 1:1 treated group; the vancomycin-treated group; and the untreated group were 3.08%, 4.06%, and 9.62%, respectively. Conclusions: our results showed that HXZQ can protect mice from CDAD-related death as effectively as vancomycin and the combination of vancomycin and HXZQ may give even better protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Natural Products against Pathogens)
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14 pages, 1877 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Resistance Induction Promoted by Bioactive Compounds of Pseudomonas aeruginosa LV Strain against Asian Soybean Rust
by André Riedi Barazetti, Mickely Liuti Dealis, Kawany Roque Basso, Maria Clara Davis Silva, Leonardo da Cruz Alves, Maria Eugênia Alcântara Parra, Ane Stéfano Simionato, Martha Viviana Torres Cely, Arthur Ladeira Macedo, Denise Brentan Silva and Galdino Andrade
Microorganisms 2024, 12(8), 1576; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081576 - 2 Aug 2024
Viewed by 772
Abstract
Pseudomonas are known as higher producers of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties and plant growth promoters, including resistance induction. These mechanisms should be an alternative to pesticide use in crop production. Phakopsora pachyrhizi causes Asian soybean rust, representing a high loss of yield [...] Read more.
Pseudomonas are known as higher producers of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties and plant growth promoters, including resistance induction. These mechanisms should be an alternative to pesticide use in crop production. Phakopsora pachyrhizi causes Asian soybean rust, representing a high loss of yield around the world. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the application of secondary metabolites produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LV strain from the semi-purified fraction F4A in soybean plants to induce plant resistance against P. pachyrhizi in field conditions. The experimental design was performed in randomized blocks with three replicates using two F4A doses (1 and 10 μg mL−1) combined or not with fungicides (Unizeb Gold® or Sphere Max®). The control treatment, with Uni + Sph, saponins, flavonoids, and sphingolipids, showed higher intensities in the plants. In contrast, plants treated with the F4A fraction mainly exhibited fatty acid derivatives and some non-identified compounds with nitrogen. Plants treated with Sphere Max®, with or without F4A10, showed higher intensities of glycosylated flavonoids, such as kaempferol, luteolin, narigenin, and apigenin. Plants treated with F4A showed higher intensities of genistein and fatty acid derivatives. These increases in flavonoid compound biosynthesis and antioxidant properties probably contribute to the protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Natural Products against Pathogens)
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19 pages, 5115 KiB  
Article
Secreted Metabolites from Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Borrelia Biofilm: Modulation of Immunogenicity by a Nutraceutical Enzyme and Botanical Blend
by Dina Cruickshank, Debby E. Hamilton, Ifeanyi Iloba and Gitte S. Jensen
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050991 - 15 May 2024
Viewed by 1442
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are hardy, adaptable colonies, evading immune recognition while triggering and sustaining inflammation. The goals for this study were to present a method for testing the immunogenicity of secreted metabolites from pathogenic biofilm and to document whether biofilm treated with a nutraceutical [...] Read more.
Bacterial biofilms are hardy, adaptable colonies, evading immune recognition while triggering and sustaining inflammation. The goals for this study were to present a method for testing the immunogenicity of secreted metabolites from pathogenic biofilm and to document whether biofilm treated with a nutraceutical enzyme and botanical blend (NEBB) showed evidence of reprogrammed bacterial metabolism, potentially becoming more recognizable to the immune system. We screened immune-modulating properties of metabolites from established biofilm from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa), Stapholycoccus simulans (Ss), and Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Secreted metabolites significantly increased the cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, including Interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), macrophage inflammatory protein-1-alpha (MIP-1α), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Pa metabolites triggered the most robust increase in IL-1β, whereas Bb metabolites triggered the most robust increase in IL-10. NEBB-disrupted biofilm produced metabolites triggering altered immune modulation compared to metabolites from untreated biofilm. Metabolites from NEBB-disrupted biofilm triggered increased MIP-1α levels and reduced IL-10 levels, suggesting a reduced ability to suppress the recruitment of phagocytes compared to untreated biofilm. The results suggest that nutraceutical biofilm disruption offers strategies for inflammation management in chronic infectious illnesses. Further clinical studies are warranted to evaluate clinical correlations in infected human hosts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Natural Products against Pathogens)
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20 pages, 6157 KiB  
Article
Efficacy of Penicillium limosum Strain AK-7 Derived Bioactive Metabolites on Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anticancer Activity against Human Ovarian Teratocarcinoma (PA-1) Cell Line
by Dhanyakumara Shivapoojar Basavarajappa, Shaik Kalimulla Niazi, Asmatanzeem Bepari, Rasha Assad Assiri, Syed Arif Hussain, Muzaheed, Sreenivasa Nayaka, Halaswamy Hiremath, Muthuraj Rudrappa, Bidhayak Chakraborty and Anil Hugar
Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2480; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102480 - 3 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1492
Abstract
Natural metabolites from beneficial fungi were recognized for their potential to inhibit multidrug-resistant human and plant fungal pathogens. The present study describes the isolation, metabolite profiling, antibacterial, and antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of soil fungi. Among the 17 isolates, the AK-7 isolate [...] Read more.
Natural metabolites from beneficial fungi were recognized for their potential to inhibit multidrug-resistant human and plant fungal pathogens. The present study describes the isolation, metabolite profiling, antibacterial, and antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of soil fungi. Among the 17 isolates, the AK-7 isolate was selected based on the primary screening. Further, the identification of isolate AK-7 was performed by 18S rRNA sequencing and identified as Penicillium limosum (with 99.90% similarity). Additionally, the ethyl acetate extract of the Penicillium limosum strain AK-7 (AK-7 extract) was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis, and the results showed different functional groups and bioactive metabolites. Consequently, a secondary screening of antibacterial activity by the agar well diffusion method showed significant antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. The AK-7 extract exhibited notable antifungal activity by a food poisoning method and showed maximum inhibition of 77.84 ± 1.62%, 56.42 ± 1.27%, and 37.96 ± 1.84% against Cercospora canescens, Fusarium sambucinum and Sclerotium rolfsii phytopathogens. Consequently, the AK-7 extract showed significant antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS•+ free radicals with IC50 values of 59.084 μg/mL and 73.36 μg/mL. Further, the anticancer activity of the AK-7 extract against the human ovarian teratocarcinoma (PA-1) cell line was tested by MTT and Annexin V flow cytometry. The results showed a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability and exhibited apoptosis with an IC50 value of 82.04 μg/mL. The study highlights the potential of the Penicillium limosum strain AK-7 as a source of active metabolites and natural antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer agent, and it could be an excellent alternative for pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Natural Products against Pathogens)
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Review

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18 pages, 2531 KiB  
Review
The State-of-the-Art Antibacterial Activities of Glycyrrhizin: A Comprehensive Review
by Ru-Yi Chen, Jin-Jin Shi, Yan-Jun Liu, Jing Yu, Chang-Yun Li, Fan Tao, Jia-Feng Cao, Guan-Jun Yang and Jiong Chen
Microorganisms 2024, 12(6), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12061155 - 6 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1332
Abstract
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a plant of the genus Glycyrrhiza in the family Fabaceae/Leguminosae and is a renowned natural herb with a long history of medicinal use dating back to ancient times. Glycyrrhizin (GLY), the main active component of [...] Read more.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a plant of the genus Glycyrrhiza in the family Fabaceae/Leguminosae and is a renowned natural herb with a long history of medicinal use dating back to ancient times. Glycyrrhizin (GLY), the main active component of licorice, serves as a widely utilized therapeutic agent in clinical practice. GLY exhibits diverse medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, immunomodulatory, intestinal environment maintenance, and liver protection effects. However, current research primarily emphasizes GLY’s antiviral activity, while providing limited insight into its antibacterial properties. GLY demonstrates a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity via inhibiting the growth of bacteria by targeting bacterial enzymes, impacting cell membrane formation, and altering membrane permeability. Moreover, GLY can also bolster host immunity by activating pertinent immune pathways, thereby enhancing pathogen clearance. This paper reviews GLY’s inhibitory mechanisms against various pathogenic bacteria-induced pathological changes, its role as a high-mobility group box 1 inhibitor in immune regulation, and its efficacy in combating diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, combining GLY with other antibiotics reduces the minimum inhibitory concentration, potentially aiding in the clinical development of combination therapies against drug-resistant bacteria. Sources of information were searched using PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and GreenMedical for the keywords “licorice”, “Glycyrrhizin”, “antibacterial”, “anti-inflammatory”, “HMGB1”, and combinations thereof, mainly from articles published from 1979 to 2024, with no language restrictions. Screening was carried out by one author and supplemented by others. Papers with experimental flaws in their experimental design and papers that did not meet expectations (antifungal papers, etc.) were excluded. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Natural Products against Pathogens)
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