amphotericin-b and Hemolysis

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Candidiasis; Drug Carriers; Emulsions; Excipients; Female; Hemolysis; Humans; Infusions, Parenteral; Lipids; Male; Mice; Rabbits; Tissue Distribution

The polyene antibiotics and the N-substituted imidazoles (azoles) are two groups of clinically important antifungal drugs. Both are hydrophobic and both interact with the plasma membrane of susceptible fungi but the mode of action of the two groups is not fully resolved. In this paper their biological properties are reviewed in the context of recent work so that common features may be identified and further areas of research indicated.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Cell Membrane; Hemolysis; Humans; Imidazoles; Magnesium; Polyenes; Potassium; Sterols

The properties of erythrocytes used as carriers for drugs, enzymes, and DNA will be reviewed. One potential application is delivery of these substances to cells responsible for or capable of erythrophagocytosis and are located primarily in the liver and the spleen. A second potential application depends on the ability of loaded cells to survive for substantial periods of time in the circulation after reinfusion. Circulating cells used as drug carriers may be able to modify the pharmacokinetics of administered drugs and if used as enzyme carriers, they may be able to alter the level of various substances in the plasma. Erythrocytes in vitro may fuse with recipient cells, introducing their contents in a functional form into recipient cells. Nucleic acids, either RNA or DNA, as well as enzymes or other entrapped substances, may be transferred in this manner.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Animals; Cytarabine; Daunorubicin; Erythrocyte Deformability; Erythrocyte Membrane; Erythrocytes; Excipients; Glucosylceramidase; Glucuronidase; Hemolysis; Humans; Methotrexate; Molecular Weight; Phagocytosis; Pharmaceutical Preparations

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Hemolysis; Hydrazines; Liposomes; Mice; Surface-Active Agents

We studied the effect of amphotericin B (2.5×10

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cholesterol; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Microcirculation; Polyenes

Safer and efficacious Amphotericin B (AmB) nanoformulations can be designed by augmenting AmB in the monomeric or super-aggregated state, and restricting the aggregated state, by choosing the appropriate excipient, which can be facilitated by employing in-silico prediction as a tool. Excipients selected for the study included linear fatty acids from caprylic (C

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Carbon; Ethylene Oxide; Excipients; Hemolysis; Humans; Molecular Docking Simulation; Polyenes; Polyethylene Glycols; Stearates; Surface-Active Agents

Amphotericin B has long been regarded as the gold standard for treating invasive fungal infections despite its toxic potential. The main objective of this research was to develop a novel IONPs@CS-AmB formulation in a cost-effective manner in order to enhance AmB delivery performance, with lowering the drug's dose and adverse effects. The chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs@CS) were synthesized afterward, AmB-loaded IONPs@CS (IONPs@CS-AmB) prepared and characterized by AFM, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, and XRD. Biological activity of the synthesized NPs determined and the cytotoxicity of IONPs@CS-AmB evaluated using the MTT and in vitro hemolysis tests. The IONPs@CS-AmB was synthesized using the coprecipitation method with core-shell structure in size range of 27.70 to ∼70 nm. The FT-IR, XRD and EDX pattern confirmed the successful synthesis of IONPs @CS-AmB. The IONPs@CS-AmB exhibited significant antifungal activity and inhibited the metabolic activity of Candida albicans biofilms. The hemolysis and MTT assays showed that IONPs@CS-AmB is biocompatible with high cell viability when compared to plain AmB and fungizone. The IONPs@CS-AmB is more effective, less toxic and may be a suitable alternative to conventional drug delivery. IONPs@CS-AmB may be a viable candidate for use as a microbial-resistant coating on the surfaces of biomedical devices.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Chitosan; Hemolysis; Humans; Magnetic Phenomena; Nanoparticles; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Nanocomplexes systems made up natural poylymers have pharmacotechnical advantages such as increase of water solubility and a decrease of drugs toxicity. Amphotericin B (AmB) is a drug apply as anti-leishmanial and anti-fungal, however it has low water solubility and high toxicity, limiting its therapeutic application. With this in mind, the present study aimed to produce nanocomplexes composed by alginate (Alg), a natural polymer, with AmB covered by nanocrystals from bacterial cellulose (CNC). For this reason, the nanocomplexes were produced utilizing sodium alginate, amphotericin B in a borate buffer (pH 11.0). The CNC was obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of the bacterial cellulose. To CNC cover the nanocomplexes 1 ml of the nanocomplexes was added into 1 ml of 0.01% CNC suspension. The results showed an ionic adsorption of the CNC into the Alg-AmB nanocomplexes surface. This phenomena was confirmed by an increase in the particle size and PDI decrease. Besides, nanocomplexes samples covered by CNC showed uniformity. The amorphous inclusion of AmB complex into the polysaccharide chain network in both formulations. AmB in the nanocomplexes was in supper-aggregated form and showed good biocompatibility, being significantly less cytotoxic in vitro against kidney cells and significantly less hemolytic compared to the free-drug. The in vitro toxicity results indicated the Alg-AmB nanocomplexes can be considered a non-toxic alternative to improve the AmB therapeutic effect. All process to obtain nanocomplexes and it coat was conduce without organic solvents, can be considered a green process, and allowed to obtain water soluble particles. Furthermore, CNC covering the nanocomplexes brought additional protection to the system can contribut advancement in the pharmaceutical.

Topics: Alginates; Amphotericin B; Animals; Cellulose; Dogs; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Humans; Nanoparticles

Based on NH

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Cell Survival; Colony Count, Microbial; Female; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Sheep; Solubility; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Drug Design; Erythrocytes; Esters; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Structure; Sheep

The use of natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is limited. Modifications of peptides by in silico predictions and computational methods can lead to more accurate designs and reducing their high synthesis costs, instability, and cytotoxicity. In this study, the antifungal properties of CecropinA-Magenin2 (CE-MA) hybrid peptide and its truncated derivatives were evaluated. Eleven C-terminal-truncated derivatives were designed and three of them with 10, 8 and 6 residues namely CMt1, CMt2 and CMt3 were selected through an initial screening based on the prediction of antimicrobial and antifungal activities, toxicity and physicochemical properties. These derivatives and the parental CE-MA peptide were synthesized. Then, based on molecular docking studies, antimicrobial tests and cytotoxicity assays, CMt1 peptide was selected for further studies such as time of killing, combinatorial effects with other drugs and the mechanism of action. The results showed that CE-MA is a weak antifungal peptide but its truncated derivative, CMt1 showed a strong antifungal activity with less toxicity. The results of the ergosterol assay, confocal microscopy and FE-SEM studies indicated that invasion to cell wall and membrane components were the main antifungal mechanisms of CMt1 peptide. Altogether, here we introduce a new truncated peptide with a strong antifungal activity with less toxicity which can be a good candidate for further in vivo and clinical studies to be used as an antifungal drug.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Candida albicans; Cell Line; Hemolysis; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Docking Simulation; Staining and Labeling; Time Factors

This work was aimed at the production and characterization of a new nanocarrier based on a Sterculia striata polysaccharide (SSP) modified via acylation reaction with propionic anhydride. Nanocapsules of propionated SSP (PSSP) were produced via spontaneous nanoemulsification process and tested as a potential amphotericin B (AMB) nanocarrier. Stable nanoparticles with a very low polydispersity index (0.08-0.29) and high zeta potential (ζ -42.7 to -53.8 mV) were obtained. Particle size was dependent on the degree of substitution and ranged from 205 to 286 nm. A nanocapsule with a degree of substitution (DS) of 2.53 (NC

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Biocompatible Materials; Candida albicans; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Hemolysis; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nanocapsules; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Polysaccharides; Propionates; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Sterculia

Amphotericin B is an antibiotic used in the treatment of fungal disease and leishmania; however, it exhibits side effects to patients, hindering its wider application. Therefore, nanocarriers have been investigated as delivery systems for amphotericin B (AMB) in order to decrease its toxicity, besides increase bioavailability and solubility. Amphiphilic copolymers are interesting materials to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs such as AMB, hence copolymers of cashew gum (CG) and l-lactide (LA) were synthesized using two different CG:LA molar ratios (1:1 and 1:10). Data obtained revealed that copolymer nanoparticles present similar figures for particle sizes and zeta potentials; however, particle size of encapsulated AMB increases if compared to unloaded nanoparticles. The 1:10 nanoparticle sample has better stability although higher polydispersity index (PDI) if compared to 1:1 sample. High amphotericin (AMB) encapsulation efficiencies and low hemolysis were obtained. AMB loaded copolymers show lower aggregation pattern than commercial AMB solution. AMB loaded nanoparticles show antifungal activities against four C. albicans strains. It can be inferred that cashew gum/polylactide copolymers have potential as nanocarrier systems for AMB.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anacardium; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Drug Delivery Systems; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Polyesters; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

The most effective medicines available for the treatment of leishmaniasis, a life-threatening disease, exhibit serious toxicological issues. To achieve better therapeutic efficiency while decreasing toxicity associated with amphotericin B (AmB), water-soluble dextrin-AmB (Dex-AmB) formulations were developed. Self-assembled nanocomplexes were formed by dissolving Dex and AmB in alkaline borate buffer, followed by dialysis and either freeze-drying (FD) or nano spray-drying (SD), yielding water dispersible particles with a diameter of 214 nm and 347 nm, respectively. The very simple production process allowed the formation of amorphous inclusion complexes containing 14% of AmB in the form of monomers and water-soluble aggregates. Nanocomplexes were effective against parasites in axenic culture (IC

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antiprotozoal Agents; Dextrins; Drug Compounding; Hemolysis; Leishmania; Leishmaniasis

Amphotericin B (AmB) is an antifungal agent that poses a challenge for intravenous drug delivery due to its hydrophobicity and severe side effects that are attributed to the self-aggregation of AmB in aqueous solution. To overcome this problem, we have rationally designed an ionic-liquid-in-water nanoemulsion drug delivery system that harnesses the unique properties of ionic liquids. The complex drug AmB serves as a model pharmaceutical agent to demonstrate the robustness of ionic-liquid-in-water nanoemulsions. High concentrations of AmB were solubilized in a new hydrophobic dicholinium-based ionic liquid. The absorption spectrum of AmB in an ionic liquid mixture and prepared nanoemulsion indicates AmB solubilization in the monomeric form. The hydrophobic ionic liquid exhibits high

Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Biocompatible Materials; Candida albicans; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Carriers; Drug Delivery Systems; Emulsions; Hemolysis; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Ionic Liquids; Micelles; Nanocomposites; Particle Size; Spectrum Analysis; Water; Zebrafish

Amphotericin B is a gold standard drug used in various fungal and parasitic infection treatment. Most of the marketed formulations are administered intravenously, but show dose-dependent adverse effects i.e., nephrotoxicity and hemolysis. Oral route eliminates the toxic concern but exhibits poor bioavailability. Therefore, ethylcellulose nanoparticles (EC-NPs) have been used for magnified oral delivery of AmB, where EC provides gastrointestinal stability. These nanoparticles were synthesized by high-pressure emulsification solvent evaporation (HPESE) method and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo studies. This method yields small, monodisperse AmB-EC-NPs along with smooth surface morphology and improved encapsulation efficiency. The developed formulation showed a sustained release pattern following Higuchi diffusion kinetics along with gastric and storage stability. Aggregation study revealed that AmB was present in its monomeric form inside the biocompatible EC matrix. The antifungal result demonstrated that the MIC of AmB-EC-NPs was reduced ∼1/3rd than AmB and Fungizone® at 24 h whereas it was observed ∼1/8th at 48 h. in vivo pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated 1.3-fold higher AUC than Fungizone® even at a 4.5-time lesser dose via the oral route and a ∼15-fold rise in the bioavailability in contrast to the native AmB. The hemolytic study revealed that the developed formulation exhibited 8-fold lesser hemolysis than Fungizone®. Furthermore, the biosafety profile of AmB-EC-NPs was ensured by the significantly lesser level of blood urea nitrogen and plasma creatinine along with the normal pattern of renal tubules in comparison to AmB and Fungizone®. In conclusion, the results stipulated that the AmB-EC-NPs could be effective, viable and a better alternative to currently existing iv formulations, for magnified oral delivery of AmB in the treatment of fungal infection without associated adverse effects.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Biological Availability; Candida albicans; Cellulose; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Carriers; Drug Compounding; Drug Liberation; Drug Stability; Hemolysis; Kidney Tubules; Male; Nanoparticles; Rats, Wistar

Liposomal Amphotericin B, known as AmBisome®, is a life-saving antifungal product that sold $407 million in 2019. AmBisome® has a rather complex physical structure in that Amphotericin B (AmpB) forms a stable ionic complex with the lipid bilayer to maintain AmBisome®'s low toxicity and high stability in systemic circulation. Failed attempts to reproduce AmBisome®'s precise structure has resulted in faster drug release and higher toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we established several analytical methodologies to quantify liposomal AmpB components, characterize thermal properties of the liposome, and determine particle size distribution, AmpB aggregation state, and drug release kinetics. We applied these methodologies together with in vitro hemolytic potential and antifungal activity tests to characterize multiple lots of AmBisome® and two generic products approved in India, Phosome® and Amphonex®. We also used Fungizone®, a micellar AmpB formulation, and "leaky" AmpB liposomes as negative controls. Our results showed that Phosome® and Amphonex® were both similar to AmBisome®, while Fungizone® and 'leaky" liposomes exhibited differences in both thermal properties and AmpB aggregation state, leading to faster drug release and higher toxicity. Due to the increased interest of the pharmaceutical industry in making generic AmBisome® and the lack of standard analytical methods to characterize liposomal AmpB products, the methodologies described here are valuable for the development of generic liposomal AmpB products.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Drug Compounding; Drug Liberation; Drugs, Generic; Hemolysis; Kinetics; Lipids; Liposomes; Particle Size; Rats; Temperature; Therapeutic Equivalency

Diosgenyl 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranoside is a semisynthetic saponin with antimicrobial and antitumor activities. To search for more effective analogues, N-aminoacyl and N-hydroxyacyl derivatives of this saponin were synthesized conventionally and with microwave assistance, and tested against the human pathogenic fungi and Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. None of the tested compounds exhibit activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Almost all of the synthesized N-aminoacyl saponins exhibit antifungal activity and act effectively against Gram-positive bacteria, some better than the parent compound. The best acting saponins are the same size and possess sarcosine or l- or d-alanine attached to the parent glucosaminoside. Shorter and longer aminoacyl residues are less advantageous. d-Alanine derivative is the most effective against Gram positive bacteria. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis indicates that the free α-amino group in aminoacyl residue is necessary for antimicrobial activities of the tested saponins. (N-Acetyl)aminoacyl and N-hydroxyacyl analogs are inactive. Measurements of the hemolytic activities demonstrate that the best acting saponins are not toxic towards human red blood cells.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Candida; Diosgenin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Erythrocytes; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Hemolysis; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Structure; Structure-Activity Relationship

This study is a report on the anti-Leishmania activity of Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) homodimers adducts against the promastigote and axenic amastigote forms of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and on the cytotoxicity of these adducts to human blood cells. Both studied homodimers, MBH 1 and MBH 2, showed activity against the promastigote forms of L. infantum and L. amazonensis, which are responsible for visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, respectively. Additionally, the homodimers presented biological activity against the axenic amastigote forms of these two Leishmania species. The adducts exhibited no hemolytic activity to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or erythrocytes at the tested concentrations and achieved higher selectivity indices than amphotericin B. Evaluation of cell death by apoptosis revealed that the homodimers had better apoptosis/necrosis profiles than amphotericin B in the promastigote forms of both L. infantum and L. amazonensis. In conclusion, these Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts had anti-Leishmania activity in an in vitro model and may thus be promising molecules in the search for new drugs to treat leishmaniasis.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Apoptosis; Dimerization; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Hemolysis; Humans; Leishmania

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Drug Liberation; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Lethal Dose 50; Male; Maleates; Mice; Micelles; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Solubility; Styrene

Amphotericin B (AmB) as a liposomal formulation of AmBisome is the first line of treatment for the disease, visceral leishmaniasis, caused by the parasite. Citrate-reduced GNPs (~39 nm) were functionalized with lipoic acid (LA), and the product GNP-LA (GL ~46 nm) was covalently conjugated with AmB using carboxyl-to-amine coupling chemistry to produce GNP-LA-AmB (GL-AmB ~48 nm). The nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and spectroscopic (ultraviolet-visible and infrared) methods. Experiments on AmB uptake of macrophages, ergosterol depletion of drug-treated parasites, cytokine ELISA, fluorescence anisotropy, flow cytometry, and gene expression studies established efficacy of GL-AmB over standard AmB.. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of a covalent amide bond in the conjugate. TEM images showed uniform size with smooth surfaces of GL-AmB nanoparticles. Efficiency of AmB conjugation was ~78%. Incubation in serum for 72 h showed <7% AmB release, indicating high stability of conjugate GL-AmB. GL-AmB with AmB equivalents showed ~5-fold enhanced antileishmanial activity compared with AmB against parasite-infected macrophages ex vivo. Macrophages treated with GL-AmB showed increased immunostimulatory T. GNP-based delivery of AmB can be a better, cheaper, and safer alternative than available AmB formulations.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Candida albicans; Cell Death; Cell Line; Cytokines; Dynamic Light Scattering; Ergosterol; Gold; Hemolysis; Humans; Leishmania donovani; Life Cycle Stages; Lipid Peroxidation; Macrophages; Metal Nanoparticles; Mice; Protein Carbonylation; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Thioctic Acid; Treatment Outcome

Introduction of linolenic acid (LNA) and methoxy poly (ethylene glycol) (MPEG) to the backbone of oligochitosan (CS) afforded LNA-modified MPEG-CS conjugate (MPEG-CS-LNA). Amphotericin B-loaded MPEG-CS-LNA micelles (AmB-M) were prepared via dialysis method with 82.27 ± 1.96% of drug encapsulation efficiency and 10.52 ± 0.22% of drug loading capacity. The AmB-M enhanced AmB's water-solubility to 1.64 mg/mL, being 1640-folds higher than native AmB. The AmB-M obviously reduced hemolytic effect and renal toxicity of AmB when compared to marketed AmB injection (AmB-I). Its antifungal activity against Candida albicans was equivalent to AmB-I although AmB's release from AmB-M was significantly retarded. According to fluorescence microscopy test, the unchanged activity should be attributed to enhanced fungal cellular uptake of AmB-M caused by combined inducement of LNA and CS. The pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that AmB-M also improved the pharmacokinetic parameters of AmB with AmB-I as control. Conclusively, developed LNA-modified MPEG-CS micellar system could be a viable alternative to the current toxic commercial AmB-I as a highly efficacious drug delivery system.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Chitin; Chitosan; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Kidney; Linolenic Acids; Male; Mice; Micelles; Oligosaccharides; Polyethylene Glycols; Polymers; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To find novel amphotericin B (AmB) derivatives with high therapeutic potential, low toxicity, and water solubility, a series of nine N-substituted AmB derivatives were evaluated for their antifungal activity using the broth dilution method and for their hemolytic toxicity with sterile defibrinated sheep blood. Qualitative screening of the effect of the derivatives on two reference Candida albicans strains and of their solubility was performed based on the value of n (n is a positive integer), resulting in the identification of an optimal compound, NH

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Cell Survival; Cytological Techniques; Disease Models, Animal; Erythrocytes; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Poisoning; Sheep; Solubility

Histoplasmosis is an endemic mycosis with global distribution, primarily reported in immunocompromised individuals. A 29-year old immunocompetent male presented with fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. His peripheral blood showed features suggestive of intravascular hemolysis and echocardiography showed features suggestive of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Bone marrow showed yeast with morphology suggestive of

Topics: Adult; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Fever; Heart Failure; Hemolysis; Hepatomegaly; Histoplasmosis; Humans; Immunocompetence; Itraconazole; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic; Male; Pancytopenia; Splenomegaly

Amphotericin B (AmB) is important for the treatment of systemic fungal infections. Nowadays, only intravenous administration (IV) of AmB has been available due to its low aqueous solubility. Two forms of AmB are available. The first is Fungizone®, a mixture of AmB and sodium deoxcycholate that produces severe nephrotoxicity. The second are lipid-based formulations that reduce nephrotoxicity, but they are costly and require higher dose than Fungizone®. Thus, a cheaper delivery system with reduced AmB toxicity is required.. To develop and characterize AmB loaded-nanostructured lipid carriers (AmB-loaded NLCs) for IV administration to reduce AmB toxicity.. AmB-loaded NLCs with different solid lipids were prepared by the high-pressure homogenization technique. Their physicochemical properties and the drug release profile were examined. The molecular structure of AmB, antifungal and hemolysis activities of developed AmB-loaded NLCs were also evaluated.. AmB-loaded NLCs ~110 to ~140 nm in diameter were successfully produced with a zeta potential of ~-19 mV and entrapment efficiency of ~75%. In vitro release showed fast release characteristics. AmB-loaded NLCs could reduce the AmB molecular aggregation as evident from the absorbance ratio of the first to the fourth peak showing a partial aggregation of AmB. This result suggested that AmB-loaded NLCs could offer less nephrotoxicity compared to Fungizone®. In vitro antifungal activity of AmB-loaded NLCs showed a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.25 µgmL-1.. AmB-loaded NLCs present high potential carriers for effective IV treatment with prolonged circulation time and reduced toxicity.

Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Lipids; Nanostructures; Sheep

The extensive use of fluconazole (FLC) and other azole drugs has caused the emergence and rise of azole-resistant fungi. The fungistatic nature of FLC in combination with toxicity concerns have resulted in an increased demand for new azole antifungal agents. Herein, we report the synthesis and antifungal activity of novel alkylated piperazines and alkylated piperazine-azole hybrids, their time-kill studies, their hemolytic activity against murine erythrocytes, as well as their cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Many of these molecules exhibited broad-spectrum activity against all tested fungal strains, with excellent minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against non-albicans Candida and Aspergillus strains. The most promising compounds were found to be less hemolytic than the FDA-approved antifungal agent voriconazole (VOR). Finally, we demonstrate that the synthetic alkylated piperazine-azole hybrids do not function by fungal membrane disruption, but instead by disruption of the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway via inhibition of the 14α-demethylase enzyme present in fungal cells.

Topics: 14-alpha Demethylase Inhibitors; Alkylation; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillus; Azoles; Candida albicans; Cell Line; Hemolysis; Humans; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Docking Simulation; Piperazines; Protein Conformation; Sterol 14-Demethylase

The fungistatic nature and toxicity concern associated with the azole drugs currently on the market have resulted in an increased demand for new azole antifungal agents for which these problematic characteristics do not exist. The extensive use of azoles has resulted in fungal strains capable of resisting the action of these drugs. Herein, we report the synthesis and antifungal activity of novel fluconazole (FLC) analogues with alkyl-, aryl-, cycloalkyl-, and dialkyl-amino substituents. We evaluated their antifungal activity by MIC determination and time-kill assay as well as their safety profile by hemolytic activity against murine erythrocytes as well as cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. The best compounds from our study exhibited broad-spectrum activity against most of the fungal strains tested, with excellent MIC values against a number of clinical isolates. The most promising compounds were found to be less hemolytic than the least hemolytic FDA-approved azole antifungal agent voriconazole (VOR). Finally, we demonstrated that the synthetic alkyl-amino FLC analogues displayed chain-dependent fungal membrane disruption as well as inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis as possible mechanisms of action.

Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Drug Design; Erythrocytes; Fluconazole; Fungi; Hemolysis; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Structure-Activity Relationship; Voriconazole

Antimicrobial peptides are an important weapon against invading pathogens and are potential candidates as novel antibacterial agents, but their antifungal activities are not fully developed. In this study, a set of imperfectly amphipathic peptides was developed based on the imperfectly amphipathic palindromic structure R

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Cytoplasm; Drug Resistance, Fungal; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Intracellular Membranes; Inverted Repeat Sequences; Mice; Models, Molecular; Peptides; Protein Conformation; RAW 264.7 Cells

This work aimed to optimise a new nanoemulsion (NE) formulation loaded with Amphotericin B (AmB) and to evaluate its in vivo antileishmanial activity and in vitro haemolytic toxicity. The influence of gradual increases in pressure, using a high-pressure homogeniser, was evaluated. The NE was characterised for droplet size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency (EE). For antileishmanial activity studies, AmB-NE was administered intravenously in mice infected by Leishmania infantum chagasi, which causes Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL). When the NE was submitted to gradual increases in pressure, the PI values and droplet size decreased. The droplet size (∼145 nm) was lower than that obtained in previous studies. The zeta potential was negative and the EE was almost 100%. The haemolytic toxicity, evaluated on human red blood cells, for AmB-loaded NE was lower than that observed for the conventional AmB (C-AmB). C-AmB at 2 mg/kg was very toxic. In contrast, administration of the AmB-loaded NE, at same dose, did not result in any sign of acute toxicity, promoting a significant reduction in parasite burden as compared to the C-AmB. These findings suggest that this new AmB-loaded NE constitutes an attractive alternative for the treatment of VL due to improved efficacy and lower toxicity.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Emulsions; Female; Hemolysis; Humans; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Nanoparticles; Particle Size

Sodium alginate (SA) was oxidized using periodate and amphotericin B (AmB) was conjugated via imine and amine linkages to the oxidized alginate. Oxidization drastically reduced the molecular weight (MW) of the alginate. The conjugates were highly water-soluble to the extent of 1000mg/mL making them useful for therapeutic applications. SA-AmB conjugates derived from 20 and 50% oxidized alginate were non-toxic to HEK 293T and RAW 264.7 cell line at 100μg/mL and was also non-hemolytic to human blood at 100μg/mL. In vitro release of AmB into phosphate buffer from the imine conjugates was negligible with less than 0.2% of the drug released in 48h. Capping of residual aldehyde handles using 2-ethanolamine or glycine resulted in increased release of the drug in vitro. Injectable gels of gelatin crosslinked with oxidized alginate incorporating the SA-AmB conjugates as well as AmB were also fabricated and drug release was examined. In vitro release from the gel discs showed that AmB was released to the extent of 15-20% in 2days. The SA-AmB conjugates showed potent anti-fungal activity against C. albicans, C. neoformans and C. parapsilosis. The injectable gels seem to have potential for prolonged release of AmB when implanted.

Topics: Alginates; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida; Cell Survival; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; Drug Carriers; Glucuronic Acid; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Hexuronic Acids; Humans; Mice; Oxidation-Reduction; RAW 264.7 Cells; Solubility

Amphotericin B (AmB), a hydrophobic drug with negligible aqueous solubility was conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) via amide bond coupling to give 6 to 8 wt% drug payload. The resulting conjugate was characterized using SDS-PAGE and UV-visible, FTIR and CD spectroscopy. The conjugate was water-soluble to the extent of 150 mg/ml, was non-toxic to HEK 293 T cells at a concentration of 500 μg/ml (equivalent to ~30 μg AmB) and showed hemolysis of <5% at 200 μg/ml (equivalent to ~12 μg AmB) against human erythrocytes in vitro. In vitro release studies at 37 °C demonstrated steady release of AmB up to 20% from the conjugate with little burst effect in phosphate buffered saline whereas thrice the amount was released in human plasma in 72 h. AmBisome® used as a reference showed a very similar release profile in plasma. The conjugate exhibited potential anti-fungal activity against yeast strains such as C. albicans, C. neoformans and C. parapsilosis with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) equivalent to AmB ranging from 0.7 to 1.1 μg/ml while AmBisome® and AmB alone showed the MIC between 0.78 and 1.5 and 0.53-0.78 μg/ml respectively. Although AmB has been conjugated to various natural and synthetic polymers to improve its solubility and reduce its toxicity, the results obtained in this study using the model protein BSA as a carrier point to the possibility of taking this pro-drug approach to human clinical use using human serum albumin (HSA) as the carrier, since HSA has emerged as a versatile drug carrier for treating diabetes and cancer and improving the pharmacokinetic profile of many drugs with US FDA approving HSA as a drug carrier for the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel (Abraxane®) for human use.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Cell Line; Drug Carriers; Erythrocytes; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Paclitaxel; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Serum Albumin, Human; Solubility; Yeasts

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the dispersal effects of 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DCQA) against the preformed biofilm of Aspergillus fumigatus and to investigate its potential mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS Aspergillus fumigatus biofilms of laboratory strain AF293 and clinical strain GXMU04 were generated in 24- or 96-well polystyrene microtiter plates in vitro. Crystal violet assay and XTT reduction assay were performed to evaluate the effects of 3,5-DCQA on biofilm biomass, extracellular matrix, and metabolic activity alteration of cells in biofilms. Real-time PCR was performed to quantify the expression of hydrophobin genes. The cytotoxicity of 3,5-DCQA on human erythrocytes was evaluated by a hemolytic assay. RESULTS The results indicated that 3,5-DCQA in subminimum inhibitory concentrations (256 to 1024 mg/L) elicited optimal A. fumigatus biofilm dispersion activity and improved the efficacy of VRC and AMB in minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) to combat fungal cells embedded in biofilms. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed 3,5-DCQA facilitated the entry of antifungal agents into the A. fumigatus biofilm through eliminating the hydrophobic extracellular matrix (ECM) without affecting fungal growth. Real-time PCR indicated that 3,5-DCQA down-regulated the expression of hydrophobin genes. Hemolytic assay confirmed that 3,5-DCQA exhibited a low cytotoxicity against human erythrocytes. CONCLUSIONS Subminimum inhibitory concentrations of 3,5-DCQA can disperse A. fumigatus biofilm and enhance fungicidal efficacy of VRC and AMB through down-regulating expression of the hydrophobin genes. The study indicated the anti-biofilm potential of 3,5-DCQA for the management of A. fumigatus biofilm-associated infection.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillus fumigatus; Biofilms; Biomass; Blood Cells; Chlorogenic Acid; Fungal Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Hemolysis; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Polysaccharides; Voriconazole

Amphotericin B is a fungicidal substance that is treatment of choice for most systemic fungal infections affecting immunocompromised patients. However, severe side effects have limited the utility of this drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal effect of the combination of amphotericin B with black tea or white tea and protective of citotoxic effect. The present study shows that white and black teas have additive effects with amphotericin B against some species Candida. In addition, the combination of white and black tea with amphotericin B may reduce the toxicity of amphotericin B to red blood cells. Our results suggest that white and black tea is a potential agent to combine with amphotericin for antifungal efficacy and to reduce the amphotericin dose to lessen side effects.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Camellia sinensis; Candida; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans

Antifungal polyene macrolide antibiotics Amphotericin B (AmB) and Nystatin (NYS) were conjugated through the ω-amino acid linkers with diwalled "molecular umbrellas" composed of spermidine-linked deoxycholic or cholic acids. The presence of "umbrella" substituents modulated biological properties of the antibiotics, especially their selective toxicity. Some of the AmB-umbrella conjugates demonstrated antifungal in vitro activity comparable to that of the mother antibiotic but diminished mammalian toxicity, especially the hemolytic activity. In contrast, antifungal in vitro activity of NYS-umbrella conjugates was strongly reduced and all these conjugates demonstrated poorer than NYS selective toxicity. No correlation between the aggregation state and hemolytic activity of the novel conjugates was found.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Fungi; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Hep G2 Cells; Humans; Mycoses; Nystatin; Polyenes

In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles coated with polysorbate- 80 (PS-80) and containing amphotericin B (AmB) were developed using a coacervation method.. The nanoparticles were spherical, had a uniform size distribution (polydispersity < 0.25), a small mean size (185 ± 5 nm), a high zeta potential (-38.0 ± 0.7 mV), and a high AmB encapsulation efficiency (93 ± 1%). The AmB release profile was prolonged and diffusion-controlled, resulting in a low degree of AmB aggregation in solution. The physicochemical characteristics of these AmB containing nanoparticles were evaluated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and derivative thermogravimetry and showed that the nanoencapsulation process lead to AmB amorphization while maintaining its chemical integrity.. In a hemolysis assay, AmB-loaded PS-80-coated BSA nanoparticles demonstrated an absence of cytotoxicity toward erythrocytes, whereas pure and commercial AmB were highly hemolytic.. In an assay to assess antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, AmB-charged PS-80-coated BSA nanoparticles were effective, however, due to the prolonged AmB release from the nanoparticles, the MIC was higher than for pure or commercial AmB. PS-80-coated BSA nanoparticles are potential carriers for the delivery of AmB for the treatment of Cryptococcus sp infections.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Cryptococcus neoformans; Drug Compounding; Drug Liberation; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nanoparticles; Polysorbates; Serum Albumin, Bovine

Amphotericin B is an antimicrobial membrane-acting drug used in the treatment of systemic fungal infections. However, the clinical utility of AmB is often low as a result of (i) dose-limiting toxicity which is closely associated with its aggregation wherein the selectivity for its target i.e. ergosterol in fungal membranes is diminished and (ii) limited oral bioavailablity. The latter is attributed to the unfavorable physicochemical properties of the AmB e.g., low solubility, gastrointestinal instability, and poor intestinal permeability. The hypothesis of present work was that by applying a lipid conjugation approach the aggregation induced toxicity of AmB vis-à-vis permeability can be overcome. From the array of fatty acids, the oleic acid (OA) was selected for conjugation due to its great impact on increasing the Caco-2 permeability of AmB. AmB-OA conjugate was synthesized using standard carbodiimide chemistry and characterized thoroughly. Due to the reported strong correlation between the self-aggregation of AmB and toxicity, the aggregation behavior of AmB and AmB-OA was studied by in silico modeling and confirmed experimentally. In vitro hemolytic studies and viability assays in kidney cells (HEK 293 cells) suggested that AmB in aggregated was state highly toxic but not AmB-OA. In silico modeling suggested possible aggregation conformation of AmB-OA dimers that retains the selectivity for cholesterol even in aggregated state when embedded in in silico generated lipid bilayers. The results were further confirmed by assessing the interactions of monomeric and aggregated state of AmB and AmB-OA with that of cholesterol and ergosterol containing liposomes employing circular dichroism spectroscopy. The findings were subsequently corroborated by in vivo nephrotoxicity studies. To conclude, the lipid conjugation approach may be a promising strategy for reducing the dose-limiting toxicity of AmB.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Apoptosis; Cell Survival; Cholesterol; Computer Simulation; Creatinine; Ergosterol; Female; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Humans; Kidney; Liposomes; Mice; Models, Molecular; Oleic Acid; Urea

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Candida parapsilosis; Cell Survival; Cryptococcus neoformans; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Erythrocytes; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Humans; Mannans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Polymerization; Solubility

Amphotericin B (AmB), a polyene antibiotic used for the treatment of fungal and leishmanial infections is virtually insoluble in water and exhibits severe toxicity. AmB has been conjugated to various soluble polymers for improving its solubility and reducing its toxicity. Conjugating AmB to a polysorbate surfactant such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20), was examined to improve its solubility and reduce its toxicity.. AmB was coupled to Tween 20 via carbamate linkage at 15 and 30 wt% concentrations in high yield by activating the hydroxyl groups of the surfactant using p- nitrophenyl chloroformate. The conjugates were characterized by using 1H NMR, IR, UV and HPLC analysis and were examined for their toxicity, and anti-fungal and anti-leishmanial activities in vitro.. Tween-AmB conjugates were soluble to the extent of 10 mg/mL in water, showed improved critical micelle concentration in comparison with AmB, exhibited negligible hemolytic potential even at a concentration of 1000 µM and were not toxic against human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK293T) at similar concentrations. The conjugates showed potent anti-fungal activity against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Cryptococcus neoformans and anti-leishmanial activity against intramacrophage amastigotes of Leishmania donovani.. Tween 20 is a surfactant approved by the US FDA as an additive in food and pharmaceutical preparations. Synthesis of drug conjugates with surfactants such as Tween-20 could open up new opportunities to improve the solubility of many drugs, reduce their toxicity and could possibly target the brain as polysorbates known to facilitate nanoparticulate systems to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Candida albicans; Candida parapsilosis; Cell Survival; Cryptococcus neoformans; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Erythrocytes; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Humans; Leishmania donovani; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Polysorbates; Surface-Active Agents

Fluconazole (FLC) is the drug of choice when it comes to treat fungal infections such as invasive candidiasis in humans. However, the widespread use of FLC has resulted in the development of resistance to this drug in various fungal strains and, simultaneously has occasioned the need for new antifungal agents. Herein, we report the synthesis of 27 new FLC derivatives along with their antifungal activity against a panel of 13 clinically relevant fungal strains. We also explore their toxicity against mammalian cells, their hemolytic activity, as well as their mechanism of action. Overall, many of our FLC derivatives exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity and all compounds displayed an MIC value of <0.03 μg/mL against at least one of the fungal strains tested. We also found them to be less hemolytic and less cytotoxic to mammalian cells than the FDA approved antifungal agent amphotericin B. Finally, we demonstrated with our best derivative that the mechanism of action of our compounds is the inhibition of the sterol 14α-demethylase enzyme involved in ergosterol biosynthesis.

Topics: Alkylation; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Azoles; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Cell Line; Ergosterol; Fungi; Hemolysis; Humans; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycoses

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Biphenyl Compounds; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Membrane; Chlorocebus aethiops; Cryptococcus neoformans; DNA Damage; Drug Stability; Fluconazole; Hemolysis; Humans; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Oligopeptides; Structure-Activity Relationship; Surface-Active Agents; Swine; Vero Cells

The d-Phe-Pro β-turn of the cyclic β-hairpin antimicrobial decapeptide tyrocidine A, (Tyrc A) was substituted with the d-Phe-2-aminobenzoic acid (2-Abz) motif in a synthetic analogue (1). The NMR structure of 1 demonstrated that compound 1 retained the β-hairpin structure of Tyrc A with additional planarity, resulting in approximately 30-fold reduced hemolysis than Tyrc A. Although antibacterial activity was partially compromised, a single Gln to Lys substitution (2) restored activity equivalent to Tyrc A against S. aureus, enhanced activity against two Gram negative strains and maintained the reduced hemeloysis of 1. Analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) suggested a membrane lytic mechanism of action for these peptides. Compound 2 also exhibits nanomolar antifungal activity in synergy with amphotericin B. The d-Phe-2-Abz turn may serve as a tool for the synthesis of structurally predictable β-hairpin libraries. Unlike traditional β-turn motifs such as d-Pro-Gly, both the 2-Abz and d-Phe rings may be further functionalized.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Antifungal Agents; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Escherichia coli; Hemolysis; Humans; Models, Molecular; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Tyrocidine

Amphotericin B (AmB) has been widely used against fungal infections throughout almost the entire body, including the skin, nails, oral cavity, respiratory tract, and urinary tract. However, the development of AmB-loaded nanoparticles demands a novel technique that reduces its toxicity and other associated problems. Here, we developed a pH-responsive and redox-sensitive polymer-based AmB-delivery carrier system. In particular, this system was functionalized by conjugation with the antifungal peptide histatin 5, which acts both as a targeting ligand and a synergistic antifungal molecule against Candida albicans, a major systemic fungal pathogen of humans. Our results in vitro and in vivo suggest that this drug-delivery system may serve as a novel tool to facilitate the use of antimicrobial peptides as targeting ligands to pathogenic microbes, which would open new avenues of investigation in the field of drug delivery.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Cysteamine; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Liberation; Drug Synergism; Erythrocytes; Female; Hemolysis; Histatins; Humans; Mice, Inbred ICR; Polymers; Rats

Amphotericin B (AmB) is widely applied in treatment of systemic fungal infections. However, the emergence of severe adverse effects, such as nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and hemolytic anemia, can limit its clinical use. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) or poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG) blend nanoparticles containing AmB were developed with the aim to decrease AmB toxicity and propose the oral route for AmB delivery. Nanoparticles were characterized by particle size, polydispersity index, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analyses. The antifungal activity was evaluated against strains of Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Toxicity was evaluated by hemolysis assay and after 7 days treatment in rats. Mean nanoparticle size was below 200nm with low polydispersity and AmB encapsulation efficiency higher than 90%. Nanoencapsulation resulted in AmB amorphization and no chemical interaction between drug and polymer. In C. albicans, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AmB-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles was 2-fold higher than free AmB or marketed deoxycholate AmB (AmB-D), while MIC of AmB-loaded PLGA nanoparticles was 10-fold higher than AmB-loaded PLGA-PEG. In C. neoformans, the efficacy of AmB-loaded PLGA nanoparticles was comparable to free AmB, while AmB-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles and AmB-D did not present MIC in tested concentration range. Nanoparticles inhibited the AmB-induced hemolysis. After 7 days treatment in rats, histologic examination revealed AmB-D treatment presented initial liver damage, while AmB-loaded nanoparticles did not present any hepatic cellular alteration. Kidney alteration was not observed in all treatments. Thus, PLGA and PLGA-PEG nanoparticles are promising carriers for AmB delivery with potential application in antifungal therapy.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Cryptococcus neoformans; Deoxycholic Acid; Drug Combinations; Drug Delivery Systems; Hemolysis; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Toxicity Tests

This study presents the mode of interaction, structural features, and micellization of amphotericin B (AmB) with sodium deoxycholate sulfate (SDCS) as small lipid molecule at different ratios, as revealed by molecular docking simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). AmB-SDCS micelles were synthesized by single pot rinsing method. Solid-state

Topics: Amphotericin B; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Deoxycholic Acid; Drug Carriers; Erythrocytes; Freeze Drying; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Lipids; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Micelles; Molecular Docking Simulation; Nanoparticles; Particle Size

Crotalicidin (Ctn), a 34-residue cathelicidin from a South American rattlesnake, and its fragment (Ctn[15-34]) have shown anti-infective and cytotoxic activities against Gram-negative bacteria and certain tumor lines, respectively. The extent of such effects has been related to physicochemical characteristics such as helicity and hydrophobicity. We now report the anti-fungal activity of Ctn and its fragments (Ctn[1-14]) and (Ctn[15-34]). MIC determination and luminescent cell viability assays were used to evaluate the anti-infective activity of Ctn and its fragments (Ctn[1-14]) and (Ctn[15-34]) as anti-fungal agents against opportunistic yeast and dermatophytes. Cytotoxicity towards healthy eukaryotic cells was assessed in vitro with healthy human kidney-2 (HK-2) cells and erythrocytes. The checkerboard technique was performed to estimate the effects of combining either one of the peptides with amphotericin B. Ctn was the most active peptide against dermatophytes and also the most toxic to healthy eukaryotic cells. Fragments Ctn[1-14] and Ctn[15-35] lost activity against dermatophytes, but became more active against pathogenic yeasts, including several Candida species, both clinical isolates and standard strains, with MICs as low as 5 μm. Interestingly, the two peptide fragments were less cytotoxic to healthy HK-2 cells and less hemolytic to human erythrocytes than the standard-of-care amphotericin B. Also noteworthy was the synergy between Ctn peptides and amphotericin B, with consequent reduction in MICs of both drug and peptides. Altogether, Ctn and its fragments, particularly Ctn[15-34], are promising leads, either alone or in combined regimen with amphotericin B, for the treatment of fungal diseases.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Arthrodermataceae; Candida albicans; Cathelicidins; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Crotalid Venoms; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Drug Synergism; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Peptide Fragments; Yeasts

Amphotericin B (AMB) is used most commonly in severe systemic life-threatening fungal infections. There is currently an unmet need for an efficacious (AMB) formulation amenable to oral administration with better bioavailability and lower nephrotoxicity. Novel PEGylated polylactic-polyglycolic acid copolymer (PLGA-PEG) nanoparticles (NPs) formulations of AMB were therefore studied for their ability to kill Candida albicans (C. albicans). The antifungal activity of AMB formulations was assessed in C. albicans. Its bioavalability was investigated in nine groups of rats (n = 6). Toxicity was examined by an in vitro blood hemolysis assay, and in vivo nephrotoxicity after single and multiple dosing for a week by blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and plasma creatinine (PCr) measurements. The MIC of AMB loaded to PLGA-PEG NPs against C. albicans was reduced two to threefold compared with free AMB. Novel oral AMB delivery loaded to PLGA-PEG NPs was markedly systemically available compared to Fungizone® in rats. The addition of 2% of GA to the AMB formulation significantly (p < 0.05) improved the bioavailability from 1.5 to 10.5% and the relative bioavailability was > 790% that of Fungizone®. The novel AMB formulations showed minimal toxicity and better efficacy compared to Fungizone®. No nephrotoxicity in rats was detected after a week of multiple dosing of AMB NPs based on BUN and PCr, which remained at normal levels. An oral delivery system of AMB-loaded to PLGA-PEG NPs with better efficacy and minimal toxicity was formulated. The addition of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) to AMB NPs formulation resulted in a significant oral absorption and improved bioavailability in rats.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Biological Availability; Biomarkers; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Candida albicans; Creatinine; Drug Carriers; Drug Compounding; Glycyrrhizic Acid; Hemolysis; Kidney Diseases; Lactic Acid; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nanoparticles; Polyethylene Glycols; Polyglycolic Acid; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Technology, Pharmaceutical

It is reported here the synthesis of novel Homodimers 12-19 of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts (MBHA) from one-pot Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction (MBHR) between aromatic aldehydes as eletrophiles and ethylene glycol diacrylate as Michael acceptor (35-94% yields) using cheap and green conditions. The bioactivities were evaluated against promastigote form of Leishmania donovani. All homodimers showed to be more potent than corresponding monomers. It is worth highlighting that the halogenated homodimers 17 and 18 (0.50μM) is almost 400 times more active than the corresponding monomer 10 and 1.24 times more potent than the second-line drug amphotericin B (0.62μM). Moreover, the selectivity index to 18 is very high (SIrb>400) far better than amphotericin B (SIrb=18.73). This is the first report of twin drugs strategy applied on Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts.

Topics: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Dimerization; Hemolysis; Humans; Leishmania donovani

In this study, attempt has been focused to prepare a nanoemulsion (NE) gel for topical delivery of amphotericin B (AmB) for enhanced as well as sustained skin permeation, in vitro antifungal activity and in vivo toxicity assessment.. A series of NE were prepared using sefsol-218 oil, Tween 80 and Transcutol-P by slow spontaneous titration method. Carbopol gel (0.5% w/w) was prepared containing 0.1% w/w AmB. Furthermore, NE gel (AmB-NE gel) was characterized for size, charge, pH, rheological behavior, drug release profile, skin permeability, hemolytic studies and ex vivo rat skin interaction with rat skin using differential scanning calorimeter. The drug permeability and skin irritation ability were examined with confocal laser scanning microscopy and Draize test, respectively. The in vitro antifungal activity was investigated against three fungal strains using the well agar diffusion method. Histopathological assessment was performed in rats to investigate their toxicological potential.. The AmB-NE gel (18.09 ± 0.6 µg/cm(2)/h) and NE (15.74 ± 0.4 µg/cm(2)/h) demonstrated the highest skin percutaneous permeation flux rate as compared to drug solution (4.59 ± 0.01 µg/cm(2)/h) suggesting better alternative to painful and nephrotoxic intravenous administration. Hemolytic and histopathological results revealed safe delivery of the drug. Based on combined results, NE and AmB-NE gel could be considered as an efficient, stable and safe carrier for enhanced and sustained topical delivery for AmB in local skin fungal infection.. Topical delivery of AmB is suitable delivery system in NE gel carrier for skin fungal infection.

Topics: Acrylic Resins; Administration, Cutaneous; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillus; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Candida albicans; Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests; Drug Carriers; Drug Compounding; Emulsions; Ethylene Glycols; Female; Gels; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lipids; Male; Microscopy, Confocal; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Particle Size; Permeability; Polymers; Polysorbates; Propylene Glycols; Rats, Wistar; Rheology; Skin; Skin Absorption; Solubility; Surface Properties; Technology, Pharmaceutical

A novel series of conjugates of the antifungal antibiotic amphotericin B (AmB) with benzoxaboroles was synthesized. Antifungal activity of new compounds was tested on yeastβ Candida albicans and Cryptococcus humicolus and filamentous fungi Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum using the broth microdilution method. The potency of di-modified derivatives against the tested strains was similar to that of the parent AmB. New derivatives demonstrated differential toxicity against human cells (colon epithelium or red blood cells). The di-modified conjugate 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethylamide of 3'-N-[3-(1-hydroxy-1,3-dihydrobenzo[c][1,2]oxaborol-7-yl)propanoyl] AmB (9) showed the best combination of a high antifungal activity with a low cytotoxic and hemolytic potency.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Boron Compounds; HCT116 Cells; Hemolysis; Humans

Invasive fungal infections are on the rise due to an increased population of critically ill patients as a result of HIV infections, chemotherapies, and organ transplantations. Current antifungal drugs are helpful, but are insufficient in addressing the problem of drug-resistant fungal infections. Thus, there is a growing need for novel antimycotics that are safe and effective. The ebselen scaffold has been evaluated in clinical trials and has been shown to be safe in humans. This makes ebselen an attractive scaffold for facile translation from bench to bedside. We recently reported a library of ebselen-inspired ebsulfur analogues with antibacterial properties, but their antifungal activity has not been characterized. In this study, we repurposed ebselen, ebsulfur, and 32 additional ebsulfur analogues as antifungal agents by evaluating their antifungal activity against a panel of 13 clinically relevant fungal strains. The effect of induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by three of these compounds was evaluated. Their hemolytic and cytotoxicity activities were also determined using mouse erythrocytes and mammalian cells. The MIC values of these compounds were found to be in the range of 0.02-12.5 μg mL(-1) against the fungal strains tested. Notably, yeast cells treated with our compounds showed an accumulation of ROS, which may further contribute to the growth-inhibitory effect against fungi. This study provides new lead compounds for the development of antimycotic agents.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillus; Candida; Fluconazole; HEK293 Cells; Hemolysis; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Humans; Itraconazole; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Reactive Oxygen Species; Structure-Activity Relationship; Thiazoles; Triazoles; Voriconazole

To develop a biocompatible and bioresorbable calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticles (NPs) bearing Amphotericin B (AmB) with an aim to provide macrophage specific targeting in visceral leishmaniasis (VL).. CaP-AmB-NPs were architectured through emulsion precipitation method. The developed formulation was extensively characterized for various parameters including in-vitro and in-vivo antileishmanial activity. Moreover, plasma pharmacokinetics, tissue biodistribution and toxicity profile were also assessed.. Optimized CaP-AmB-NPs exhibited higher entrapment (71.1 ± 6.68%) of AmB. No trend related to higher hemolysis was apparent in the developed formulation as evidenced in commercially available colloidal and liposomal formulations. Cellular uptake of the developed CaP-AmB-NPs was quantified through flow cytometry in J774A.1 cell line, and a 23.90 fold rise in uptake was observed. Fluorescent microscopy also confirmed the time dependent rise in uptake. In-vivo multiple dose toxicity study demonstrated no toxicity upto 5 mg/kg dose of AmB. Plasma kinetics and tissue distribution studies established significantly higher concentration of AmB in group treated with CaP-AmB-NPs in liver and spleen as compared to CAmB, LAmB and AmB suspension group. In-vivo animal experimental results revealed that the CaP-AmB-NPs showed higher splenic parasite inhibition compared to CAmB and LAmB in leishmania parasite infected hamsters.. The investigated CaP-AmB-NPs are effective in provoking macrophage mediated uptake and collectively features lower toxicity and offers a suitable replacement for available AmB-formulations for the obliteration of intra-macrophage VL parasite.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Calcium Phosphates; Cell Line; Cricetinae; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Emulsions; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Leishmania donovani; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Liver; Macrophages; Male; Nanoparticles; Rats, Wistar; Spleen; Tissue Distribution

Sporotrichosis is an emergent subcutaneous mycoses caused by species of the Sporothrix schenckii complex. Amphotericin B (AmB) remains the main antifungal drug for the treatment of systemic infections, but its use is limited by toxicity reasons. AFCo3 is a novel cochleate containing detoxified LPS, which exhibits drug delivery and immunomodulating properties. Here, AFCo3 was used as the vehicle for AmB to evaluate the immunomodulatory and antifungal efficacy against S. schenckii in vitro and in vivo.. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of AFCo3-AmB and AmB were 0.25 and 1μg/mL respectively. The minimum fungicidal concentration was 0.5μg/mL for AFCo3-AmB and 2μg/mL for AmB. AFCo3-AmB was less cytotoxic than AmB for peritoneal macrophages, using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method and reduced the AmB-induced hemolysis in murine erythrocytes. AFCo3-AmB improved the intracellular killing of phagocytized yeast and it enhanced the in vitro production of IL-1β, TNF-α and NO in peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, AFCo3-AmB was more effective than AmB in reducing spleen and liver fungal burden after repeated (five days) intraperitoneal administration of 5mg/kg of AmB, in a Balb/c model of systemic infection, associated to a significant induction of Th1/Th17 response. Finally, blood chemistry revealed that AFCo3-AmB did not cause changes suggestive of nephrotoxicity, such as increases in total proteins, albumin, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen that were caused by free AmB.. AFCo3-AmB exhibited a significant immunomodulator action, reduced toxicity and improved antifungal action against S. schenckii, suggesting a potential use as AmB delivery for systemic sporotrichosis treatment.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Cell Survival; Cytokines; Drug Carriers; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Immunologic Factors; Lipopolysaccharides; Liver; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Male; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nitric Oxide; Spleen; Sporothrix; Sporotrichosis

Amphotericin B (AmB), a poorly soluble and toxic antifungal drug, was encapsulated into polymeric micelles self-assembled from phenylboronic acid-functionalized polycarbonate/PEG (PEG-PBC) and urea-functionalized polycarbonate/PEG (PEG-PUC) diblock copolymers via hydrogen-bonding, boronate ester bond, and/or ionic interactions between the boronic acid group in the micellar core and amine group in AmB. Three micellar formulations were prepared: AmB/B micelles using PEG-PBC, AmB/U micelles using PEG-PUC and AmB/B+U mixed micelles using 1:1molar ratio of PEG-PBC and PEG-PUC. The average particle sizes of the micelles were in the range of 54.4-84.8nm with narrow size distribution and zeta potentials close to neutral. UV-Vis absorption analysis indicated that AmB/B micelles significantly reduced AmB aggregation status due to the interactions between AmB and the micellar core, while Fungizone® and AmB/U micelles had no effect. AmB/B+U mixed micelles exerted an intermediate effect. Both AmB/B micelles and AmB/B+U mixed micelles showed sustained drug release, with 48.6±2.1% and 59.2±1.8% AmB released respectively after 24hunder sink conditions, while AmB/U micelles displayed a burst release profile. All AmB-loaded micelles showed comparable antifungal activity to free AmB or Fungizone®, while AmB/B micelles and AmB/B+U mixed micelles were much less hemolytic than other formulations. Histological examination showed that AmB/B and AmB/B+U micelles led to a significantly lower number of apoptotic cells in the kidneys compared to Fungizone®, suggesting reduced nephrotoxicity of the micellar formulations in vivo. These phenylboronic acid-functionalized polymeric micelle systems are promising drug carriers for AmB to reduce non-specific toxicities without compromise in antifungal activity.. There is a pressing need for a novel and cost-effective delivery system to reduce the toxicity induced by the antifungal agent, amphotericin B (AmB). In this study, phenylboronic acid-functionalized polycarbonate/PEG diblock copolymers were used to fabricate micelles for improved AmB-micelle interaction via the manipulation of hydrogen-bonding, boronate ester bond, ionic and hydrophobic interactions. Compared to free AmB and Fungizone®, the resultant micellar systems displayed improved stability while reducing non-specific toxicities without a compromise in antifungal activity. These findings demonstrate the potential of biodegradable functional polycarbonate micellar systems as promising carriers of AmB for the treatment of systemic fungal infections.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Biocompatible Materials; Boronic Acids; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Liberation; Female; Hemolysis; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Micelles; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Particle Size; Polycarboxylate Cement; Polyethylene Glycols; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Rats; Spectrum Analysis; Static Electricity

Cationic amphiphiles derived from aminoglycosides (AGs) have been shown to exhibit enhanced antimicrobial activity. Through the attachment of hydrophobic residues such as linear alkyl chains on the AG backbone, interesting antibacterial and antifungal agents with a novel mechanism of action have been developed. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of seven kanamycin B (KANB) derivatives. Their antibacterial and antifungal activities, along with resistance/enzymatic, hemolytic, and cytotoxicity assays were also studied. Two of these compounds, with a C12 and C14 aliphatic chain attached at the 6″-position of KANB through a thioether linkage, exhibited good antibacterial and antifungal activity, were poorer substrates than KANB for several AG-modifying enzymes, and could delay the development of resistance in bacteria and fungi. Also, they were both relatively less hemolytic than the known membrane targeting antibiotic gramicidin and the known antifungal agent amphotericin B and were not toxic at their antifungal MIC values. Their oxidation to sulfones was also demonstrated to have no effect on their activities. Moreover, they both acted synergistically with posaconazole, an azole currently used in the treatment of human fungal infections.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Drug Design; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Fungi; Hemolysis; Humans; Kanamycin; Mice; Mycoses; Surface-Active Agents

The clinical application of amphotericin B (AmB), a broad spectrum antifungal agent, is limited by its poor solubility in aqueous medium and also by its proven renal toxicity. In this work, AmB was encapsulated in micelles obtained from the self-assembly of PDMAEMA-b-PCL-b-PDMAEMA triblock copolymers. The amount of encapsulated AmB depended on the copolymer composition, and short blocks of polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) showed better performance. All the studied formulations exhibited a controlled release of AmB along 150 h. The formulations presented reduced hemotoxicity while maintaining antifungal activities against Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida glabrata comparable with free AmB. A reduction on the hemotoxicity was found to be due to the slow release and subsequent low aggregation achieved with the use of polymer micelle nanocontainers.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Candida; Caproates; Delayed-Action Preparations; Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Carriers; Drug Compounding; Hemolysis; Humans; Kinetics; Methacrylates; Micelles; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Polymers; Solubility

In this work a thorough characterization of the GM1 micelle-Amphotericin B (AmB) interaction was performed. The micelle formation as well as the drug loading occurs spontaneously, although influenced by the physicochemical conditions, pH and temperature. The chromatographic profile of GM1-AmB complexes at different molar ratios shows the existence of two populations. The differential absorbance of GM1, monomeric and aggregate AmB, allowed us to discriminate the presence of all of them in both fractions. Thus, we noted that at higher proportion of AmB in the complex, increases the larger population which is composed mainly of aggregated AmB. The physical behavior of these micelles shows that both GM1- AmB complexes were stable in solution for at least 30 days. However upon freeze-thawing or lyophilization-solubilization cycles, only the smallest population, enriched in monomeric AmB, showed a complete solubilization. In vitro, GM1-AmB micelles were significantly less toxic on cultured cells than other commercial micellar formulations as Fungizone, but had a similar behavior to liposomal formulations as Ambisome. Regarding the antifungal activity of the new formulation, it was very similar to that of other formulations. The characterization of these GM1-AmB complexes is discussed as a potential new formulation able to improve the antifungal therapeutic efficiency of AmB.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Cell Survival; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Chlorocebus aethiops; Drug Carriers; Freeze Drying; G(M1) Ganglioside; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Micelles; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Solubility; Technology, Pharmaceutical; Temperature; Vero Cells

Candida bracarensis is an uncommon Candida species found during an epidemiological study of candidiasis performed in Braga, Portugal. Initially, it was identified as C. glabrata, but recently detailed analyses pointed out their differences. So, little information is still available about C. bracarensis virulence factors and antifungal susceptibilities. Therefore, the main goal of this work is to evaluate the ability of C. bracarensis to form biofilms, to produce hydrolytic enzymes (proteases, phospholipases and hemolysins), as well as its susceptibility to amphotericin B and fluconazole. It was shown, for the first time, that all C. bracarensis strains were able to form biofilms and display proteinase and hemolytic activities. Moreover, although planktonic cells presented antifungal susceptibility, amphotericin B and fluconazole were unable to inhibit biofilm formation and eradicate pre-formed biofilms. Due to the propensity of C. bracarensis to display antifungal resistance and virulence attributes, the control of these emerging pathogens is recommended.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Biofilms; Candida; Candidiasis; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Fluconazole; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrolases; Mycotoxins; Virulence Factors

In this study, poly(L-lactide) (PLA) nanoparticles containing amphotericin B (AmB) were developed, and the in vitro cytotoxicity to human erythrocytes and efficacy on strains of Candida spp. were evaluated. The nanoparticles were prepared using an emulsion/solvent evaporation method and were characterized with respect to size, size distribution, AmB encapsulation efficiency, AmB state of aggregation, and AmB in vitro release profile. The mean particle size was 225 nm, and the AmB encapsulation efficiency was over 69%. The AmB in vitro release profile revealed a burst effect within the first 24 h, which released approximately 10% of AmB, followed by a sustained release of approximately 30% of AmB over 30 days. The AmB nanoparticles presented a very low index of hemolysis compared to free AmB, which lysed more than 80% of erythrocytes in the first 2 h of incubation. The AmB-loaded PLA nanoparticles were as effective as free AmB against strains of Candida spp., considering their sustained release profile. Thus, PLA nanoparticles can deliver AmB with reduced toxicity while maintaining its antifungal activity.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Candida; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Microbial Viability; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Polyesters

Amphotericin B (AmB) remains the antifungal polyene of choice in deep fungal infections, but its high toxicity to mammalian cells limits its use. This toxicity is partly due to lipid peroxidation exerted by amphotericin B in cell membranes. The work we have undertaken focused on the one part the evaluation of the efficacy of amphotericin B in the presence of some antioxidants vitamins (vitamin C "ascorbic acid" and vitamin E "α-tocopherol") against the yeast Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Secondly, we have tested the cytotoxicity of these formulations on human red blood cells. The results showed a significant improvement in the efficiency of our formulations tested from 7% to 12% compared with amphotericin B alone at therapeutic concentrations. Furthermore, the addition of vitamin C and vitamin E protects human red blood cells against the cytotoxicity induced by amphotericin B with 17%. This is due may be to the antioxidant power of vitamins which confer protection against the autoxidation of the molecule of amphotericin B. On the other hand, it is noticed that the yeast regrows after 24h whatever in complex with vitamin C or vitamin E of the stock solution. On completion of this study, the incorporation of antioxidant vitamins that we propose to the reaction medium of antifungal improved the therapeutic index of amphotericin B.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Amphotericin B; Ascorbic Acid; Candida albicans; Drug Interactions; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Oxidation-Reduction; Toxicity Tests

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a very effective antifungal and antiparasitic drug with a narrow therapeutic window. To improve its efficacy/toxicity balance, new controlled release formulations have been developed based on different encapsulation systems, aggregation states and particle sizes modifications. The kinetics of the hemolytic process was studied not only to characterize the toxicity of different formulations but also as an indicator of drug release. Pharmacokinetic studies in beagle dogs were carried out with those formulations that exhibited the least hemolytic toxicity: liposomal formulation (AmBisome), poly-aggregated AmB and encapsulated particulate AmB formulation. A novel poly-aggregated AmB formulation proved to be comparable in terms of low hemolytic activity with the marketed gold standard formulation: AmBisome. Its pharmacokinetic profile, characterized by a smaller area under the curve and larger volume of distribution, was markedly different from AmBisome, resulting in a cost-effective alternative for the treatment of leishmaniasis which can enhance the AmB passive target by the uptake by the cells of the reticulo-endothelial system. Effects of different variables such as type of formulation, dose, microencapsulation, anesthesia and dog's healthy state on AmB pharmacokinetics were studied.

Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Erythrocytes; Female; Hemolysis; Humans; Leishmaniasis; Male; Particle Size

In this study, the antifungal activity and mode of action(s) of hibicuslide C derived from Abutilon theophrasti were investigated. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed that hibicuslide C possessed potent activities toward various fungal strains and less hemolytic activity than amphotericin B. To understand the antifungal mechanism(s) of hibicuslide C in Candida albicans, flow cytometric analysis with propidium iodide was done. The results showed that hibicuslide C perturbed the plasma membrane of the C. albicans. The analysis of the transmembrane electrical potential with 3,3'-dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide [DiSC3(5)] indicated that hibicuslide C induced membrane depolarization. Furthermore, model membrane studies were performed with calcein encapsulating large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) and FITC-dextran (FD) loaded LUVs. These results demonstrated that the antifungal effects of hibicuslide C on the fungal plasma membrane were through the formation of pores with radii between 2.3 nm and 3.3 nm. Finally, in three dimensional flow cytometric contour plots, a reduced cell sizes by the pore-forming action of hibicuslide C were observed. Therefore, the present study suggests that hibicuslide C exerts its antifungal effect by membrane-active mechanism.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Benzothiazoles; Candida albicans; Carbocyanines; Cell Membrane; Cell Membrane Permeability; Dextrans; Erythrocytes; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; Fluoresceins; Fluorescent Dyes; Hemolysis; Humans; Malvaceae; Membrane Potentials; Phenylpropionates; Plant Extracts; Unilamellar Liposomes

The aim of this study was to enhance the therapeutic index of Fungizone(®). For this reason we have prepared stock solutions of Fungizone(®) under different conditions of pHs (from 4.8 to 10.8) and temperatures (unheated solutions and heated ones during 20 min at 70 °C). Then we have evaluated the effect of those antifungal solutions on human red blood cells coming from one healthy donor, as well as on the dormancy of Candida albicans strain. The obtained results show that after exposure to antifungal stock solution prepared at pH 5.4 and heated during 20 min at 70 °C, the rate of hemolysis was largely reduced (only 5% of hemolysis). On the other hand, it is noticed the yeast regrowth after 26 h whatever is the temperature or the pH of the stock solution. However at pH 5.4, the growth of C. albicans is inhibited at 75% in comparison with the one obtained with the conventional Fungizone(®) after 30 h of culture where we observed 100% of growth. So, stock solution of Fungizone(®) prepared at pH 5.4 and heated 20 min at 70 °C seems to be a good strategy for enhancing the therapeutic index of Fungizone(®).

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Solutions; Temperature

The activity of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that contain a large proportion of histidine residues (pK(a) ∼ 6) depends on the physiological pH environment. Advantages of these AMPs include high activity in slightly acidic areas of the human body and relatively low toxicity in other areas. Also, many AMPs are highly active in a multivalent form, but this often increases toxicity. Here we designed pH dependent amphiphilic compounds consisting of multiple ultrashort histidine lipopeptides on a triazacyclophane scaffold, which showed high activity toward Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans at acidic pH, yet remained nontoxic. In vivo, treatment with a myristic acid conjugated trivalent histidine-histidine dipeptide resulted in 55% survival of mice (n = 9) in an otherwise lethal murine lung Aspergillus infection model. Fungal burden was assessed and showed completely sterile lungs in 80% of the mice (n = 5). At pH 5.5 and 7.5, differing peptide-membrane interactions and peptide nanostructures were observed. This study underscores the potential of unique AMPs to become the next generation of clinical antimicrobial therapy.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Aspergillus fumigatus; Candida albicans; Cell Line; Cryptococcus neoformans; Female; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lipopeptides; Lung; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nanostructures; Polymers; Pulmonary Aspergillosis; Structure-Activity Relationship

Aiming for structural analysis of amphotericin B (AmB) ion-channel assemblies in membrane, a covalent dimer was synthesized between (13)C-labled AmB methyl ester and (19)F-labled AmB. The dimer showed slightly weaker but significant biological activities against fungi and red blood cells compared with those of monomeric AmB. Then the dimer was subjected to (13)C{(19)F}REDOR (Rotational-Echo Double Resonance) experiments in hydrated lipid bilayers. The obtained REDOR dephasing effects were explained by two components; a short (13)C/(19)F distance (6.9Å) accounting for 23% of the REDOR dephasing, and a longer one (14Å) comprising the rest of the dephasing. The shorter distance is likely to reflect the formation of barrel-stave ion channel.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus niger; Dimerization; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Lipid Bilayers; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Molecular Conformation

Amphotericin B (AmB) liposome formulations are very successful in the treatment of fungal infections and leishmaniasis. But higher cost limits its widespread use among people in developing countries. Therefore, we have developed a modified ethanol-injection method for the preparation of AmB liposomes. Two liposomal formulations were developed with dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine [F-1a] and soya phosphatidylcholine [F-2a], along with egg phosphatidyl glycerol and cholesterol. AmB was dissolved in acidified dimethyl acetamide and mixed with ethanolic lipid solution and rapidly injected in 5% dextrose to prepare liposomes. Liposomes were characterized on the basis of size (~100 nm), zeta (-43.3 ± 2.8 mV) and percent entrapment efficiency (>95%). The in vitro release study showed an insignificant difference (P ≥ 0.05) for 24-hour release between marketed AmB liposomes (AmBisome) and F-1a and F-2a. Proliposome concentrate, used for the preparation of in situ liposomes, was physically stable for more than 3 months at experimental conditions. Similarly, AmB showed no sign of degradation in reconstituted liposomes stored at 2-8°C for more than 3 months. IC(50) value of Ambisome (0.18 µg/mL) was comparatively similar to F-1a (0.17 µg/mL) and F-2a (0.16 µg/mL) against intramacrophagic amastigotes. Under experimental conditions, a novel modified method for AmB liposomes is a great success and generates interest for development as a platform technology for many therapeutic drug products.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Cell Line; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Stability; Filtration; Hemolysis; Leishmania donovani; Liposomes; Mice; Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; Structure-Activity Relationship

Many natural broad-spectrum cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess a general mode of action that is dependent on lipophilicity and charge. Modulating the lipophilicity of AMPs by the addition of a fatty acid has been an effective strategy to increase the lytic activity and can further broaden the spectrum of AMPs. However, lipophilic modifications that narrow the spectrum of activity and exclusively direct peptides to fungi are less common. Here, we show that short peptide sequences can be targeted to fungi with structured lipophilic biomolecules, such as vitamin E and cholesterol. The conjugates were active against Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Candida albicans but not against bacteria and were observed to cause membrane perturbation by transmission electron microscopy and in membrane permeability studies. However, for C. albicans, selected compounds were effective without the perturbation of the cell membrane, and synergism was seen with a vitamin E conjugate and amphotericin B. Moreover, in combination with β-cyclodextrin, antibacterial activity emerged in selected compounds. Biocompatibility for selected active compounds was tested in vitro and in vivo using toxicity assays on erythrocytes, macrophages, and mice. In vitro cytotoxicity experiments led to selective toxicity ratios (50% lethal concentration/MIC) of up to 64 for highly active antifungal compounds, and no in vivo murine toxicity was seen. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of the conjugated lipophilic structure and suggest that the modulation of other biologically relevant peptides with hydrophobic moieties, such as cholesterol and vitamin E, generate compounds with unique bioactivity.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Aspergillus fumigatus; Bacteria; beta-Cyclodextrins; Candida albicans; Cell Membrane; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cholesterol; Cryptococcus neoformans; Drug Synergism; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Macrophages; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Mycoses; Species Specificity; Static Electricity; Vitamin E

To elucidate the effect of sterols on the aggregation of amphotericin B (AmB) in PEG-phospholipid micelles and its consequences on the hemolytic activity of AmB.. AmB-incorporated PEG-phospholipid micelles co-loaded with ergosterol, cholesterol, or 7-dehydrocholesterol were prepared at 4:1:1 and 20:5:1 ratios of polymer-to-sterol-to-AmB. The aggregation state of AmB was elucidated by UV-vis spectroscopy. AmB/sterol co-loaded PEG-phospholipid micelles were incubated with red blood cells and the hemolytic activity of AmB assessed by measurement of free hemoglobin.. AmB in PEG-phospholipid micelles stayed mostly in a deaggregated state in the absence of sterol or with cholesterol, but aggregated in the presence of ergosterol or 7-dehydrocholesterol. The fraction of aggregated AmB in PEG-phospholipid micelles was lower at the 20:5:1 ratio. In an aggregated state or in the absence of sterol, AmB caused rapid and complete hemolysis. In contrast, deaggregated AmB co-loaded with cholesterol caused slower and incomplete hemolysis, especially at a 20:5:1 ratio.. The aggregation state of AmB in PEG-phospholipid micelles was sterol dependant. AmB/cholesterol co-loaded PEG-phospholipid micelles caused low in vitro hemolysis due to deaggregation of AmB and micellar stability, presumably owing to cholesterol/phospholipid versus cholesterol/AmB interactions in the interior core region.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Cattle; Cholesterol; Dehydrocholesterols; Ergosterol; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Micelles; Phospholipids; Polyethylene Glycols; Solubility; Sterols

The aim of this work was to evaluate how an aqueous micellar system containing Amphotericin B (AmB) and sodium deoxycholate (DOC) can be rebuilt after heating treatment. Also, a review of the literature on the physicochemical and biological properties of this new system was conducted. Heated (AmB-DOC-H) and unheated (AmB-DOC) micelles were then diluted at four different concentrations (50 mg · L(-1), 5 mg · L(-1), 0.5 mg · L(-1), and 0.05 mg · L(-1)) to perform physicochemical studies and a pharmacotoxicity assay, in which two cell models were used for the in vitro experiments: red blood cells (RBC) from human donors and Candida parapsilosis (Cp). While potassium (K(+)) and hemoglobin leakage from RBC were the parameters used to evaluate acute and chronic toxicity, respectively, the efficacy of AmB-DOC and AmB-DOC-H were assessed by K(+) leakage and cell survival rate from Cp. The spectral study revealed a slight change in the AmB-DOC aggregate peak from 327 nm to 323 nm, which is the peak for AmB-DOC-H. Although AmB-DOC and AmB-DOC-H exhibited different behavior for hemoglobin leakage, AmB-DOC produced higher leakage than AmB-DOC-H at high concentrations (from 5 mg · L(-1)). For K(+) leakage, both AmB-DOC and AmB-DOC-H showed a similar profile for both cell models, RBC and Cp (P < 0.05). AmB-DOC-H and AmB-DOC also revealed a similar profile of activity against Cp with an equivalent survival rate. In short, AmB-DOC-H showed much less toxicity than AmB-DOC, but remained as active as AmB-DOC against fungal cells. The results highlight the importance of this new procedure as a simple, inexpensive, and safe way to produce a new kind of micelle system for the treatment of systemic fungal infections.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Analysis of Variance; Candida; Deoxycholic Acid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Erythrocytes; Hemoglobins; Hemolysis; Hot Temperature; Humans; Micelles; Microbial Viability; Models, Biological; Nanotechnology; Potassium; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

A higher prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is seen in pregnant women compared with those who are not pregnant. Recurrence is also more common in pregnant women, and therapeutic responses are reduced. In this investigation, 207 vaginal yeast isolates recovered from pregnant women were tested for susceptibility to 13 antifungal drugs and boric acid and through these studies four virulence factors were also determined. The isolates were recovered from vaginal samples of patients with acute VVC [AVVC, (n = 73)], symptomatic recurrent VVC [RVVC, (n = 89)], asymptomatic RVVC (n = 27), and those without signs and symptoms (n = 18). Candida albicans was the most common species found (59.9%), followed by C. glabrata (19.8%), other Candida spp., (19.8%), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (0.5%). Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed as described in CLSI document M27-A3. Additionally, we examined phospholipase and proteinase production, adhesion to vaginal epithelial cells and hemolytic activity. Notably, the MIC values of Candida spp. isolates derived from patients with VVC were no different from those of the controls (P > 0.05). In addition, Candida isolates derived from patients with AVVC or RVVC produced significantly higher amounts of phospholipase and proteinase compared with the controls (P < 0.05). Antifungal testing and the determination of virulence factors may lead to the effective and prompt treatment of VVC, particularly in pregnant women.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Boric Acids; Candida albicans; Candida glabrata; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Cell Adhesion; Epithelial Cells; Female; Fluconazole; Fungal Proteins; Hemolysis; Humans; Itraconazole; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Phospholipases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Recurrence; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Vagina; Virulence Factors; Young Adult

This paper describes the development of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) and nanosuspensions with the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B (AmB). The nanoformulations were prepared using nanoprecipitation and were characterised with respect to size, zeta potential, morphology, drug crystallinity and content. Standard in vitro sensitivity tests were performed on MRC-5 cells, red blood cells, Leishmania infantum promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes and the fungal species Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Trichophyton rubrum. The in vivo efficacy was assessed and compared to that of Fungizone and AmBisome in the acute A. fumigatus mouse model at a dose of 2.5 and 5.0mg/kg AmB equivalents. The developed AmB nanoformulations were equivalently or more effective against the different Leishmania stages and axenic fungi in comparison with the free drug. The in vitro biological activity, and especially hemolytic activity, clearly depended on the preparation parameters of the different nanoformulations. Further, we demonstrated that the superior in vitro antifungal activity could be extrapolated to the in vivo situation. At equivalent dose, the optimal AmB-loaded PLGA NP was about two times and the AmB nanosuspension about four times more efficacious in reducing the total burden than AmBisome. The developed AmB nanomedicines could represent potent and cost-effective alternatives to Fungizone and AmBisome.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Cell Line; Colony Count, Microbial; Erythrocytes; Female; Fungi; Hemolysis; Humans; Kidney; Lactic Acid; Leishmania infantum; Liposomes; Liver; Mice; Nanoparticles; Polyglycolic Acid; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Spleen

The objective of the present investigation was to assess the potential of polysaccharide (mannose) conjugated engineered multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) bearing Amphotericin B (AmB) formulation for site-specific delivery to macrophages. The mannosylated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized and AmB was efficiently loaded using dialysis diffusion method. The synthesized mannosylated MWCNTs were characterized by various physicochemical and physiological parameters such as fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM & TEM), drug loading and entrapment efficiency, in-vitro release kinetics, in-vivo study and toxicological investigation. AmB loaded mannosylated MWCNTs (AmBitubes) was found to be nanometric in size (500 nm) with tubular structure and good entrapment efficiency (75.46 ± 1.40%). In-vitro AmB from AmBitubes was found to be released in a controlled manner at pH 4, 7.4 and 10, with enhanced cell uptake and higher disposition in macrophage-rich organs, thereby indicating the site-specific drug delivery. The results suggest that AmBitubes could be employed as efficient nano-carrier for antileishmanial therapy.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Drug Delivery Systems; Female; Hemolysis; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kidney; Macrophages; Male; Mannose; Nanotubes, Carbon; Particle Size; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tissue Distribution

Diblock copolymers composed of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(N,N-dimethylamino-2-ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA), or methoxy polyethylene glycol(PEG), were synthesized via a combination of ring-opening polymerization and atom-transfer radical polymerization in order to prepare polymeric nanoparticles as an antifungal drug carrier. Amphotericin B (AmB), a natural antibiotic, was incorporated into the polymeric nanoparticles. The physical properties of AmB-incorporated polymeric nanoparticles with PCL-b-PDMAEMA and PCL-b-PEG were studied in relation to morphology and particle size. In the aggregation state study, AmB-incorporated PCL-b- PDMAEMA nanoparticles exhibited a monomeric state pattern of free AmB, whereas AmB-incorporated PCL-b- PEG nanoparticles displayed an aggregated pattern. In in vitro hemolysis tests with human red blood cells, AmBincorporated PCL-b-PDMAEMA nanoparticles were seen to be 10 times less cytotoxic than free AmB (5 microgram/ml). In addition, an improved antifungal activity of AmBincorporated polymeric nanoparticles was observed through antifungal activity tests using Candida albicans, whereas polymeric nanoparticles themselves were seen not to affect activity. Finally, in vitro AmB release studies were conducted, proving the potential of AmB-incorporated PCL-b-PDMAEMA nanoparticles as a new formulation candidate for AmB.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Drug Carriers; Hemolysis; Humans; Methacrylates; Nanoparticles; Nylons; Polyesters; Polymerization; Polymers

The aim of this study was to develop methoxy poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (MePEO-b-PCL) containing stearyl (St) substituents on PCL, and assess the efficacy of nanocarriers formed from this structure in comparison to unmodified MePEO-b-PCL and those with carboxyl substitutes on PCL on the solubilization and delivery of Amphotericin B (AmB). Prepared block copolymers were characterized for their molecular weight by (1)H NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The self-assembly of synthesized MePEO-b-PStCL to spherical particles of nanometer size range was shown by dynamic light scattering as well as electron and atomic force microscopy. Encapsulated AmB showed a reduction in its hemolytic activity against rat red blood cells in comparison to the commercial formulation of AmB, Fungizone.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Chromatography, Gel; Drug Carriers; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Lactones; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Nanoparticles; Polyethylene Glycols; Rats; Solubility

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a broad spectrum antifungal and antileishmenial agent and its clinical use is limited due to substantial dose limiting toxicities such as nephrotoxicity. In this work, amphotericin B is formulated in polymersomes of branched (PEG)(3)-PLA co-polymer. Polymersomes were prepared by solvent injection method and the effects of various formulation and process parameters on size and size distribution were studied. The results showed that viscosity of biphasic solution during formulation has significant influence on the size and size distribution of the polymersomes. Further, drug-loaded polymersomes with size of 199.6+/-14.1nm, PDI of 0.258+/-0.18, zeta potential (zeta) of -18.07+/-4.91mV and loading of 16.26+/-2.50% were obtained. Drug was found to be intercalated in the wall of polymersomes as observed using FITC tagged drug and CLSM study. An in vitro release media containing sodium deoxycholate was developed and a significant amount of drug release was observed up to 24h there after a very slow release was obtained. Free drug was not found in the formulation and different molecular forms of the drug (AmB) were observed by UV-visible spectroscopy and circular dichroism. This was further supported by hemolysis experiments, where negligible hemolysis in the test formulation was observed as compared to 100% hemolysis in a marketed formulation (Fungizone).

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Biological Availability; Drug Carriers; Drug Compounding; Drug Delivery Systems; Emulsions; Excipients; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; Hemolysis; Lactic Acid; Male; Microspheres; Nanotechnology; Particle Size; Polyglycolic Acid; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Polymers; Rats; Surface-Active Agents; Technology, Pharmaceutical

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a poorly water soluble antibiotic and is used to treat fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS). However, AmB shows poor penetration into the CNS. Angiopep-2, the ligand of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) present on the BBB, exhibits higher transcytosis capacity and parenchymal accumulation, which allowed us to consider the selectivity of it for receptor-mediated drug targeting to the brain. With this in mind, we prepared angiopep-2 modified PE-PEG based micellar drug delivery system loaded with the antifungal drug AmB to evaluate the efficiency of AmB accumulating into the brain. PE-PEG based micelles as nano-scaled drug carriers were investigated by incorporating AmB with high drug entrapping efficiency, improving solubilization of AmB and reducing its toxicity to mammalian cells. The AmB-incorporated angiopep-2 modified micelles showed highest efficiency in penetrating across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) than unmodified micelles and Fungizone (deoxycholate amphotericin B) in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, contrary to the free Rho 123, the enhancement of Rho 123-incorporated angiopep-2 modified micelles across the BBB can be explained by angiopep-2 modified polymeric micelles that have a potential to overcome the activity of efflux proteins expressed on the BBB such as P-glycoprotein. In conclusion, angiopep-2 modified polymeric micelles could be developed as a novel drug delivery system for brain targeting.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Blood-Brain Barrier; Brain; Capillaries; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drug Carriers; Drug Compounding; Endothelial Cells; Endothelium, Vascular; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Micelles; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Particle Size; Peptides; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Polyethylene Glycols; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sheep; Tissue Distribution

The aim of the study was to develop a polymeric nano-carrier based on methoxy poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (MePEO-b-PCL) for the optimum solubilization and delivery of Amphotericin B (AmB). For this purpose, MePEO-b-PCL block co-polymers containing palmitoyl substituent on PCL (at a 100% substitution level) were synthesized through preparation of substituted monomer, that is, alpha-palmitoyl-epsilon-caprolactone, and further ring opening polymerization of this monomer by methoxy PEO (5000 g mol(-1)) using stannous octoate as catalyst. Prepared block co-polymers were characterized for their molecular weight by (1)H NMR and gel permeation chromatography, and assembled to polymeric nano-carriers. The self-assembly of synthesized MePEO-b-PPaCL to spherical particles of nanometer size range was shown by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The efficacy of nano-carriers formed from this structure (abbreviated as MePEO-b-PPaCL) in comparison to unmodified MePEO-b-PCL and those with benzyl and cholesteryl substituent on PCL (abbreviated as MePEO-b-PBCL and MePEO-b-PChCL, respectively) on the solubilization and hemolytic activity of AmB against rat red blood cells was assessed. Under identical conditions, the maximum solubilization of AmB was achieved by nano-carriers prepared from MePEO-b-PPaCL (436 microg/mL), followed by MePEO-b-PChCL (355 microg/mL), MePEO-b-PBCL (296 microg/mL) and MePEO-b-PCL (222 microg/mL). The hemolytic activity of AmB was reduced the most by its encapsulation in MePEO-b-PChCL nano-particles which showed only 7% hemolysis at 30 microg/mL AmB concentration. This was followed by MePEO-b-PCL nano-particles which illustrated 15% hemolysis, MePEO-b-PPaCL with 40% hemolysis and MePEO-b-PBCL with 60% hemolysis at 30 microg/mL AmB concentrations, respectively. In contrast Fungizone showed 90% hemolysis at 30 microg/mL AmB concentration. Based on the improved solubility and reduced hemolytic activity, the MePEO-b-PChCL nano-carriers are considered as optimum structures for AmB delivery.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Capsules; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Carriers; Drug Delivery Systems; Hemolysis; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Lactones; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Models, Chemical; Molecular Structure; Nanoparticles; Polyethylene Glycols; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Solubility

A series of bis(alkylpyridinium)alkanes with a twelve carbon spacer between the positive charges was synthesised and their antifungal activity has been investigated. Compounds with 2-pentyl, 4-pentyl, 4-hexyl, 4-octyl, 4-propylbenzene, 3,4-dipentyl, 4-(5'-nonyl) and 3-methyl,4-pentyl head groups were the most potent antifungal agents with MICs in the range of 1.4-2.7 microM against reference strains of both Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans.

Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Cryptococcus neoformans; Hemolysis; Lysophospholipase; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phospholipase A2 Inhibitors; Phospholipases A2; Pyridinium Compounds; Swine

Amphotericin B (AMB), an effective antifungal and antileishmanial agent associated with low oral bioavailability (0.3%) and severe nephrotoxicity, was entrapped into poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles to improve the oral bioavailability and to minimize the adverse effects associated with it.. The AMB-nanoparticles (AMB-NP) were prepared by nanoprecipitation method employing Vitamin E-TPGS as a stabilizer. In vitro release was carried out using membrane dialysis method. The in vitro hemolytic activity of AMB-NP was evaluated by incubation with red blood cells (RBCs). The acute nephrotoxicity profile and oral bioavailability of AMB-NP were evaluated in rats.. The prepared AMB-NP formulation contained monodispersed particles in the size range of 165.6 +/- 2.9 nm with 34.5 +/- 2.1% entrapment at 10% w/w initial drug loading. AMB-NP formulation showed biphasic drug release, an initial rapid release followed by a sustained release. The AMB-NP formulation exerted lower hemolysis and nephrotoxicity as compared to Fungizone. The relative oral bioavailability of the AMB-NP was found to be approximately 800% as compared to Fungizone.. Together, these results offer a possibility of treating systemic fungal infection and leishmaniasis with oral AMB-NP, which could revolutionize the infectious disease treatment modalities.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Biological Availability; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Creatine; Hemolysis; Lactic Acid; Male; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Particle Size; Polyglycolic Acid; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as nano-scale drug carriers that can entrap poorly water-soluble drugs such as amphotericin B (AmB) in aqueous solution with high drug entrapment efficiency were developed and their in vitro and in vivo characteristics were investigated. The AmB-entrapping plain, anionic and PEG (polyethylene glycol)-LNPs were prepared by using spontaneous emulsification and solvent evaporation (SESE) method. Mean particle size of the AmB-entrapping LNPs ranged from 72.9 to 159.1nm according to a variation of their lipid composition. The surface of AmB-entrapping PEG (0.2)-LNPs having 84.4+/-6nm of particle size was negatively charged showing -50.4+/-5mV of zeta-potential value. Entrapment efficiency of AmB in the PEG-LNPs reached up to 76.5+/-5%. Cytotoxicity of the AmB-entrapping LNPs against human kidney cells, 293 cells, was lower than those of the commercialized AmB-formulations such as Fungizone and AmBisome. Hematotoxicity of the AmB-entrapping LNPs against red blood cells was much lower than that of Fungizone but comparable to AmBisome. Antifungal activity in vitro of AmB-entrapping LNPs against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus was better than the commercialized AmB formulations showing their low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for 90% of growth inhibition of fungi. The AmB-entrapping LNPs increased circulation half life of AmB in blood stream and it was comparable to AmBisome. Antifungal activity in vivo of the AmB-entrapping PEG-LNPs against Aspergillus fumigatus (ATCC 16424)-infected mice was superior to that of AmBisome. The drug-entrapping LNPs, especially PEG-LNPs, can be applicable to entrapment of poorly water-soluble drugs and enhancement of therapeutic efficacy by modulating pharmacokinetic behaviors and/or drug-related toxicities.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus fumigatus; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Excipients; Fungi; Hemolysis; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Amphotericin B is widely used as antifungal drug. Side effects include anemia. A variety of drugs and diseases associated with anemia has recently been shown to trigger suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, i.e. cell membrane scrambling and cell shrinkage. Eryptosis may be triggered by increased cytosolic Ca2+ activity and by lack of ATP. The present study explored whether amphotericin B stimulates eryptosis. Cell membrane scrambling was estimated from annexin V-binding to phosphatidylserine exposed at the cell surface, cell shrinkage from forward scatter in FACS analysis, cytosolic Ca2+ activity from Fluo3 fluorescence and the cytosolic ATP concentration from a luciferase-based assay. Exposure to amphotericin B (0.1-1 microg/ml) within 48 hours significantly increased annexin V-binding, decreased forward scatter, increased cytosolic Ca2+ activity and decreased cytosolic ATP content. In conclusion, amphotericin B stimulates suicidal cell death of erythrocytes, which may in turn contribute to the clearance of circulating erythrocytes and thus to anemia.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Amphotericin B; Aniline Compounds; Annexin A5; Apoptosis; Calcium; Cell Death; Ceramides; Cytosol; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Erythrocyte Membrane; Erythrocytes; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Dyes; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Isotonic Solutions; Phosphatidylserines; Ringer's Solution; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Temperature; Time Factors; Xanthenes

A series of new pseudopeptidic macrolides 2a-f based on an amino alcohol were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. The structure-activity relationships of these compounds were studied and the results showed that compounds 2a and 2d exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, whereas compound 2e showed potent antifungal activity against all the fungal species tested, showing a promising broad-spectrum antifungal activity. All the compounds have been studied in vitro for the hemolytic activity as a measure of their cytotoxicity, showing that these compounds have low lytic properties.

Topics: Amino Alcohols; Anti-Infective Agents; Crystallography, X-Ray; Fungi; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Hemolysis; Macrolides; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Structure-Activity Relationship

In light of the need for new antifungals, we compared the in vitro antifungal activity of two peptides derived from human lactoferrin (hLF), i.e., hLF(1-11) and hLF(21-31), two analogs of histatin 5, further referred to as dhvar4 and dhvar5, and two ubiquicidin (UBI)-derived peptides, i.e., UBI 18-35 and UBI 29-41, with that of amphotericin B against Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae using the MTT assay. The results revealed a dose-dependent antifungal activity for all peptides, with dhvar5 being the most potent peptide. In addition, hLF(1-11), dhvar5, and UBI 18-35 were effective against A. fumigatus conidia. Furthermore, hLF(1-11) did not lyze human erythrocytes, whereas dhvar5 (>or=16 microM) and UBI 18-35 (>or=20 microM) were hemolytic. Based on these in vitro results and their effectiveness against infections in mice, we concluded that hLF(1-11) and dhvar5 are promising candidates for the development of new agents against A. fumigatus infections.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus fumigatus; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Hyphae; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microbial Viability; Staining and Labeling; Tetrazolium Salts; Thiazoles

The aim of this work was to study the effect of aggregation of amphotericin B (AMB) in their toxicity. The aggregation of AMB depends on different formulation factors such as pH and excipients, therefore three formulations with different AMB aggregation states were prepared: a monomeric form (M-AMB), a dimeric form (D-AMB) and a poly-aggregated form (P-AMB). The predominant aggregation state of each AMB formulation was characterized by spectrophotometry and their size by dynamic laser light scattering. Toxicity was evaluated by lethality in mice and hemolysis test from human erythrocytes and the experimental AMB formulations were compared with reference formulations of AmBisome, Fungizone and heated Fungizone. The less toxic aggregation form of AMB was the poly-aggregated one which was similar to AmBisome. Moreover, the P-AMB and heated Fungizone were centrifuged to isolate different size fractions. The toxicity of these two heterogeneous formulations was related to their size, so the smaller the aggregation size fraction the higher the toxicity determined by hemolysis. It can be concluded that the aggregation state of AMB and their size affects critically the toxicity of AMB. The low toxic P-AMB formulations contain a different poly-aggregated state to that of AmBisome, heated Fungizone and the other studied AMB aggregation states.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Erythrocytes; Excipients; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lasers; Mice; Particle Size; Scattering, Radiation; Spectrophotometry; Toxicity Tests

In this study, we prepared amphotericin B (AmpB)-encapsulated polymeric micelle of poly(DL-lactideco-glycolide) (PLGA) grafted-dextran (DexLG) copolymer for the cytotoxicity test. The average particle size of AmpB-encapsulated DexLG polymeric micelles was around 30 approximately 70 nm and their morphology showed spherical shapes. Since aggregation states of AmpB are related to intrinsic cytotoxicity, prevention of AmpB aggregation in aqueous solution will provide low cytotoxicity and increased antimicrobial activity for the infectious disease. At UV/VIS spectrum measurement, polymeric micelle prepared from methanol/water mixture (method B) showed a monomeric state of AmpB while polymeric micelle prepared from DMSO (method A) showed an aggregated state. During the hemolysis activity test, polymeric micelle from method B showed reduced hemolysis activity compared to AmpB itself and polymeric micelle from method A. These results indicated that AmpB-incorporated polymeric micelle prepared from methanol/water mixture has low cytotoxicity and favorable antimicrobial activity.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Dextrans; Drug Compounding; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Lactic Acid; Micelles; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Particle Size; Polyglycolic Acid; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

The colloid osmotic nature of the cell lysis can be prevented by adding osmotic protectants of appropriate sizes to the outer medium. We introduced inorganic and organic electrolytes as protectants to determine the precise channel sizes of the polyene antibiotics, amphotericin B and nystatin, in addition to the sugars so far widely used for this purpose. Because colloid osmotic cell lysis is evidenced by the loss of membrane permeability barriers for small sizes of ions, such as K(+), preceding hemolysis, we firstly simultaneously monitored the time response of the K(+) efflux and hemolysis induced by amphotericin B by combining a fiber-optic spectrometer with a K(+)-selective electrode. Based on this experiment, we evaluated the sizes of channels of the polyene antibiotics formed in the erythrocyte membrane using the radii of hydrated ions calculated from a modified Stokes' law, as well as the radii of sugars. The radii of channels formed by amphotericin B and nystatin were found to be in a very narrow range of 0.36 - 0.37 nm. Similar experiments were performed using calcein-loaded liposomes containing cholesterol or ergosterol, and the radii of channels formed in these liposomal membranes were also found to be the same as when formed in an erythrocyte membrane. The present results demonstrated that introducing the sizes of hydrated ions can afford a more precise channel size than the use of sugars alone.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Carbohydrates; Electrolytes; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Liposomes; Nystatin; Osmosis; Potassium; Sheep; Time Factors; Water

The present studies were designed to develop a formulation of amphotericin B in a lipid-based preparation as a microemulsion and to compare its toxicity with the commercial formulation Fungizone. The final product developed is a lyophilized amphotericin B, oil and surfactant blend for reconstitution in water to yield a microemulsion containing 5 mg/ml of the drug. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify areas of existence of microemulsion composed of Peceol (glyceryl monooleate) as oil phase and Mys 40 (polyethylene glycol 40 stearate) and Solutol HS 15 (polyethylene glycol 15 hydroxy stearate) as surfactants. Amphotericin B was co-evaporated with oil - surfactant mixture to produce a microemulsion pre-concentrate. The co-evaporate was diluted in water, filtered for sterilization and lyophilized to obtain the final product. The lyophilized as well as the reconstituted products were separately studied for stability and the latter was also characterized for various physicochemical aspects including droplet size of the dispersed phase, osmolarity and aggregation state of drug. The dispersion showed no evidence of precipitation of drug for 48 h, and resisted destabilization due to freeze-thaw cycles or centrifugation. The dispersed phase globules measured a mean size of 84 nm and uv-spectrophotometric studies indicated the presence of self-aggregated amphotericin B. The present formulation showed a 92% decrease in haemolysis of human RBC in vitro when compared with the commercially available Fungizone. The LD(50) in mice was estimated to be 3.4 mg/kg. The results indicate that the formulation holds promise for development as a safer and efficacious alternative for amphotericin B therapy.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Diffusion; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Carriers; Drug Compounding; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Emulsions; Hemolysis; Humans; Lethal Dose 50; Male; Materials Testing; Mice; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Survival Rate

Four compounds named L-BTrpPA, L-Trp-o-PA, L-Trp-m-PA and L-Trp-p-PA, pseudopeptides constructed from pyridine and tryptophan units, were synthesized and tested against the Gram-positive, Gram-negative strains of bacteria and human pathogenic fungi. L-Trp-o-PA proved to be a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, showing a significant inhibition of the growth of Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus), and pathogenic fungi (Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, Rhodotorula glutinis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus spp., Rhizopus nigricans) tested and activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter aerogenes) tested. The in vitro cell cytotoxicity of L-Trp-o-PA was evaluated using haemolytic assay, in which the compound was found to have low lytic property, even up to the concentration of 4000 microg/mL, it only lysed 6-7% of erythrocytes, which was 100-fold greater than the MICs (minimum inhibitory concentration).

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Antifungal Agents; Bacteria; Fungi; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Peptides; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Tryptophan

Ultrasonic and induced hemolysis of red blood cells in the presence of alkyl derivatives of amphotericin B and levorin modified by the amino and carboxy groups was investigated. Amphotericin B derivatives such as metamphocin, ethamphocin and carboamphocin and levorin derivatives such as levoridon, isolevoridon and carbolevoridon were shown to have their own hemolytic activity in isotonic medium at concentrations of 10(-5) - 10(-4) M in erythrocyte suspension. The exposure of erythromycytes to pure dimethylsulfoxide (0.1-30%), the main solvent of polyene antibiotics, as well as to propamphocin and butamphocin did not induce hemolysis and had a stabilizing action an red blood cells during the ultrasonic hemolysis. It was suggested that changing of the mechanical strength of erythrocytes under the action of the polyenes was likely associated with impairment of microviscosity of the protein-lipid system of the erythrocyte membranes due to formation of structural ionic channels of molecular size.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Ultrasonics

Arabinogalactan protein (AGP) a highly water-soluble glyco-conjugate from groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seedling was isolated and purified by precipitation with beta-glucosyl Yariv reagent. Quantification of AGP was done by gel diffusion assay. Purified AGP was conjugated to amphotericin-B (AmB) by Schiff base reaction at pH 11.0, with aim to prepare a water-injectable lesser toxic AGP-AmB conjugate without affecting AmB antifungal potential. The AGP-AmB conjugate antifungal activity was assayed by serial broth dilution and disc method against several Candida albicans clinical isolates. Both AmB and AGP-AmB showed similar MICs and MFCs activities, indicating that AGP do not reduced the antifungal activity of AmB. However, the in vitro and in vivo toxicity assays revealed that AGP-AmB conjugate was lesser toxic than AmB, as high MTD (45 mg/kg body weight) was observed. It is suggested that AGP could be a potent carrier in AmB formulation, which may result in effective treatment of fungal infections.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Arachis; Candida albicans; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Carriers; Hemolysis; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Maximum Tolerated Dose; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mucoproteins; Plant Proteins; Sheep; Solubility; Water

There has been a marked expansion in the discovery of new antifungal peptides. This paper describes a novel dodecapeptide, H-Arg-Trp-Trp-Arg-D-Trp-D-Phe-Ile-D-Phe-His-Trp-Arg-Trp-NH(2), derived from a previously described nonapeptide and synthesized by the combinatorial approach. Further, interaction of this peptide with antifungals such as amphotericin B, flucytosine and fluconazole was studied by checkerboard analysis and time-kill assay to obtain the dynamic picture with respect to time. The best synergistic activity was observed with a combination of peptide and fluconazole, followed by peptide and flucytosine.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillus fumigatus; Candida albicans; Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques; Cryptococcus neoformans; Drug Synergism; Erythrocytes; Fluconazole; Flucytosine; Fungi; Hemolysis; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Oligopeptides; Rabbits

A series of bisquaternary ammonium salts with a 12-carbon spacer between the positive charges were synthesized, and their antifungal activity has been investigated. Compounds with butyl, pentyl, and isopentyl headgroups were the most potent antifungal agents with MICs in the range of 2.2-5.5 microM against both Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans. The antifungal activity of these compounds correlated with their inhibition of cryptococcal phospholipase B1 (PLB1), a newly identified virulence factor. This indicates that the mode of action of these compounds may be inhibition of the fungal PLB1 enzyme, further validating this enzyme as a target for the development of novel antifungal therapies.

Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Cattle; Cryptococcus neoformans; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Lysophospholipase; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phospholipases A; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Structure-Activity Relationship; Virulence Factors

Poor solubility and toxicity severely hinder the clinical use of amphotericin B (AmB), in spite of its attractive chemotherapeutic properties. Water-soluble complexes of AmB and polyvinylpyrrolidone (AmB-PVP) could display lower cytotoxicity while maintaining antifungal activity.. AmB-PVP [with PVP of 10, 24 and 40 kDa (AC1, AC2 and AC4)] were compared with free AmB for (i) activity against Candida spp. (five albicans; nine non-albicans) and Aspergillus spp. (four strains), (ii) haemolysis of sheep red blood cells, and (iii) release of lactate dehydrogenase from J774 macrophages [with further comparison with free PVP and a liposomal formulation of amphotericin (AmBisome)].. MICs and MFCs of AC1, AC2 and AC4 against Candida spp. and of AC2 and AC4 against Aspergillus spp. were similar to those of AmB (and even lower for some Candida strains). Killing kinetics (24 h) were also similar. Haemolytic activity of AC2 and AC4 was 2-fold lower than that of free AmB. Cytotoxicity of AC2 towards J774 macrophages was 8-fold lower, and that of AC4 5-fold lower than that of AmB and not significantly different from that of AmBisome. The lower cytotoxicity of AC2, AC4 was correlated with a lower cellular accumulation of amphotericin. Spectroscopic analysis shows that the lower toxicity of AmB-PVP was not owing to significant change in the monomeric/polymeric forms ratio of the drug.. AmB-PVP complexes compared favourably with AmB for antifungal activity, were less haemolytic and cytotoxic than AmB, and show a similar cytotoxicity profile to AmBisome.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillus; Candida; Cell Survival; Erythrocytes; Excipients; Hemolysis; In Vitro Techniques; Indicators and Reagents; Kinetics; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Liposomes; Macrophages; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Povidone; Sheep; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of self-assembling poly(ethyleneglycol)(750)-block-poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-trimethylenecarbonate)(4500) 50/50 copolymers (PEG-p(CL-co-TMC)) to solubilize amphotericin B in polymeric micelles and to disaggregate the drug to the less toxic monomeric form. Amphotericin B was encapsulated in the micelles upon dilution of a mixture of the liquid polymer and the drug in water. Its solubility was increased by two orders of magnitude depending on polymer concentration. The aggregation state of amphotericin B was decreased by PEG-p(CL-co-TMC). The preparation method and the loading of the polymeric micelles influenced it. The antifungal activity of the drug was reduced by encapsulation in the polymeric micelles whereas the onset of amphotericin B-induced hemolysis was delayed. PEG-p(CL-co-TMC) micelles could be an easy method for amphotericin B encapsulation.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Drug Compounding; Hemolysis; Lactones; Micelles; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Particle Size; Polyesters; Polyethylene Glycols; Polymers; Rats; Solubility; Water

The continuous increase in strains of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum resistant to most front-line antimalarial compounds is reason for grave clinical concern. The search for new drugs led us to investigate a number of membrane active polyene macrolide antibiotics, such as amphotericin B, nystatin, filipin and natamycin. The interaction of these compounds with sterols in bilayer cell membranes can lead to cell damage and ultimately cell lysis. The malaria parasite modifies the host erythrocyte membrane by changing the protein and lipid composition and thus the infected cell could be a selective target for membrane active compounds. We found that erythrocytes infected with the trophozoite stage of P. falciparum were particularly susceptible to lysis by amphotericin B (Fungizone) and, to a lesser extent, nystatin, as determined by ELISA and various microscopy assays. Liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome) displayed a similar specificity for parasitised erythrocytes, but complete lysis required a longer incubation period. In contrast, filipin and natamycin did not distinguish between normal and parasite-infected erythrocytes, but lysed both at similar concentrations. In addition, when added to ring-stage cultures, the amphotericin B preparations and nystatin produced a marked disruption in parasite morphology in less than 2 h without an accompanying permeabilisation of the infected host cell, suggesting a second plasmodicidal mode of action. The results imply that selected polyene macrolide antibiotics or their derivatives could find application in the treatment of severe malaria caused by of P. falciparum.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Erythrocyte Membrane; Erythrocytes; Filipin; Hemolysis; Humans; Life Cycle Stages; Natamycin; Nystatin; Plasmodium falciparum

Amentoflavone is a plant bif avonoid that was isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of the whole plant of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) spring. 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy including DEPT, HMQC, and HMBC were used to determine its structure. Amentoflavone exhibited potent antifungal activity against several pathogenic fungal strains but had a very low hemolytic effect on human erythrocytes. In particular, amentoflavone induced the accumulation of intracellular trehalose on C. albicans as a stress response to the drug, and disrupted the dimorphic transition that forms pseudo-hyphae during pathogenesis. In conclusion, amentoflavone has great potential to be a lead compound for the development of antifungal agents.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Biflavonoids; Candida albicans; Colony Count, Microbial; Erythrocytes; Fungi; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Selaginellaceae; Trehalose

The emergence and spread of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum continue to pose problems in malaria chemotherapy. Therefore, it is necessary to identify new antimalarial drugs and therapeutic strategies. In the present study, the activity of a heat-treated form of amphotericin B (HT-AMB) against P. falciparum was evaluated. The efficacy and toxicity of HT-AMB were also compared with those of the standard formulation (AMB). HT-AMB showed significant activity against a chloroquine-resistant strain (strain K-1) and a chloroquine-susceptible strain (strain FCR-3) in vitro. The 50% inhibitory concentrations of HT-AMB were 0.32 +/- 0.03 mug/ml for strain K-1 and 0.33 +/- 0.03 mug/ml for strain FCR-3. In the presence of 1.0 mug of HT-AMB per ml, only pyknotic parasites were observed after 24 h of incubation of early trophozoites (ring forms). However, when late trophozoites and schizonts were cultured with 1.0 mug of HT-AMB per ml, those forms multiplied to ring forms but the number of infected erythrocytes did not increase. These results indicate that HT-AMB possesses potent antiplasmodial activity and that the drug is more effective against the ring-form stage than against the late trophozoite and schizont stages. HT-AMB was observed to have little cytotoxic effect against a human liver cell line (Chang liver cells). In conclusion, the results suggest that HT-AMB has promising properties and merits further in vivo investigations as a treatment for falciparum malaria.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Antimalarials; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Hemolysis; Hepatocytes; Hot Temperature; Humans; Plasmodium falciparum

The coupling of amphotericin-B (AmB), a water-insoluble antifungal and antileishmanial agent, to arabinogalactan (AG) via tosylate or mesylate derivatives was investigated as a method for the conjugation of amino-containing drugs to polysaccharides. In the first step, AG was reacted with tosyl- or mesyl-chloride at different ratios to obtain tosylate or mesylate AG derivatives. AmB was conjugated to AG derivatives in either aqueous or organic media via an amine bond. AG-AmB conjugates were soluble in water and exhibited improved stability in aqueous solutions as compared to the unbound drug. The conjugates showed comparable inhibitory concentration values against the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, and against Leishmania major parasites. They were about 60 times less hemolytic against sheep erythrocytes than the free drug, and less toxic when injected i.v. to BALB/c mice.

Topics: Amino Acids; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Candida albicans; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Evaluation; Drug Stability; Galactans; Hemolysis; Humans; Leishmania major; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Molecular Conformation; Pharmaceutical Vehicles; Polysaccharides; Sheep; Solubility; Survival; Water

Amphidinols, which are polyene-polyhydroxy metabolites produced by the marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium klebsii, possess potent antifungal and hemolytic activities. The membrane permeabilizing actions of amphidinol 3, the most potent homologue, were compared with those of polyene antibiotics, amphotericin B (AmB) and filipin, in hemolytic tests, 23Na nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based membrane permeabilizing assays, and UV spectroscopy for liposome-bound forms. In Na+ flux experiments using large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs), ion efflux by amphidinol 3 was inhibited by cholesterol or ergosterol, which was opposed to previous results [J. Mar. Biotechnol., 5 (1997) 124]. When the effect of the agents on the size of vesicles was examined by light scattering experiments, amphidinol 3 did not significantly alter their size while filipin and synthetic detergent Triton X-100 did. The observations implied that the activity of amphidinol 3 was mainly due to formation of large pores/lesions in liposomes rather than detergent-like disruption of membrane. The pore/lesion size was estimated to be 2.0-2.9 nm in diameter on the basis of osmotic protection experiments using blood cells. The UV spectra in liposomes, which revealed the close interaction of polyene moieties in a lipid bilayer, further implied that the membrane activity of amphidinol 3 is caused by the molecular assemblage formed in biomembrane. These results disclose that amphidinol 3 is one of few non-ionic compounds that possess potent membrane permeabilizing activity with non-detergent mechanism.

Topics: Alkenes; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cholesterol; Dinoflagellida; Filipin; Hemolysis; Liposomes; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; Porosity; Pyrans; Sodium Isotopes; Spectrum Analysis; Structure-Activity Relationship

Amphotericin B (AmB, 1) is known to assemble together and form an ion channel across biomembranes, by which the drug presumably exerts its antimicrobial activity. To access the whole architecture of this channel assemblage, the understanding of binary interaction between AmB molecules is of prime importance because the dimeric interaction is the basis of the assemblage. In this context, we have recently reported covalently conjugated AmB dimers such as 2 and 3 with a long linker, which show prominent hemolytic potency and ion-channel activity. To evaluate the effect of the length and hydrophilicity of linker parts on the activity, we prepared new dimers bearing tartarate linkages (4 and 5). Especially, 5 exhibited potent hemolytic activity (EC50, 0.03 microM) surpassing those of AmB, 2, and 3. Measurements of UV and CD spectra of 5 in liposomes indicated that AmB portions of 5 could adopt appropriate arrangements in molecular assemblage in spite of the short linkage, and also indicated that the assemblage formed by 5 appeared more stable than AmB. These short-tethered dimers are expected to be a promising tool to reveal the mechanism of dimeric interaction in the ion channel formed by AmB.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Cross-Linking Reagents; Dimerization; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hemolysis; Humans; Membranes, Artificial; Tartrates

We systematically altered the chemical structure of the core-forming poly(L-amino acid) block of an amphiphilic diblock copolymer series based on poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(N-hexyl-L-aspartamide), PEO-b-p(N-HA), acyl esters by varying the length of the attached acyl side chain. Drug-loaded micelles were prepared in good yield by a modified solvent evaporation procedure. In addition, the relative aggregation state and hemolytic activity of encapsulated amphotericin B (AmB) were analyzed by absorption spectroscopy. The length of the attached acyl side chain in PEO-b-p(N-HA) acyl ester micelles modulates the relative aggregation state of encapsulated AmB. Furthermore, acyl chain length appears to have a profound influence on the time-dependent hemolytic profile of encapsulated AmB toward bovine erythrocytes. For all acyl conjugate micelle-AmB formulations, the onset of hemolysis is delayed relative to free AmB. Particularly in the case of stearate ester micelles, the incomplete and gradual build-up of hemolysis might reflect the sustained release of drug over a period of 24 h. Based on the corresponding absorption spectrum, we speculate that encapsulated AmB may interact strongly with stearate side chains, resulting in sustained release. Via chemical manipulation of the core-forming region, it may be possible to fine-tune the release of encapsulated AmB from PEO-b-p(N-HA)-acyl ester micelles.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Cattle; Cell Aggregation; Hemolysis; Micelles; Polyesters; Polyethylene Glycols

The kinetics of the hemolysis induced by filipin is of the damage type, indicating the formation of large nonselective perforations of erythrocyte membranes. The process is relatively independent of the ionic composition of the incubation medium, and the differences between the hemolysis induced by filipin in pig and human erythrocytes are not significant. In a sucrose medium, filipin-induced hemolysis is inhibited in humans, whereas it is stimulated in pig erythrocytes. It is suggested that low ionic strength is the reason for the different modifications of complexation of filipin in pig and human erythrocyte membranes in a sucrose medium. The kinetics of the hemolysis induced in pig erythrocytes by amphotericin B and nystatin is of the permeability type, indicating the formation of selective channels in erythrocyte membranes and colloid osmotic hemolysis. The rate of the hemolysis, which is high in a KCl medium, is decreased in all the other media tested (CaCl2, MgCl2, potassium phosphate buffer, K2SO4, sucrose), although there are no changes in the kinetics of hemolysis. The results are interpreted as the formation of highly selective channels at a low concentration of the antibiotics. At increasing concentrations, channels of decreasing selectivity occur. The resistances of pig erythrocytes to amphotericin B and nystatin are lower than those of human erythrocytes.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Erythrocytes; Filipin; Hemolysis; Humans; Kinetics; Nystatin; Polyenes; Swine; Time Factors

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicity and the activity of a new lipid complex formulation of amphotericin B (AMB) (LC-AMB; dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine, dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol, and AMB) that can be produced by a simple process. Like other lipid formulations, this new complex reduced both the hemolytic activity of AMB (the concentration causing 50% hemolysis of human erythrocytes, >100 microg/ml) and its toxicity toward murine peritoneal macrophages (50% inhibitory concentration, >100 microg/ml at 24 h). The in vivo toxicity of the new formulation (50% lethal dose, >200 mg/kg of body weight for CD1 mice) was similar to those of other commercial lipid formulations of AMB. The complex was the most effective formulation against the DD8 strain of Leishmania donovani. It was unable to reverse the resistance of an AMB-resistant L. donovani strain. In vivo LC-AMB was less efficient than AmBisome against L. donovani.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Cells, Cultured; Culture Techniques; Desiccation; Drug Resistance; Erythrocytes; Female; Freeze Fracturing; Hemoglobins; Hemolysis; Humans; Leishmania donovani; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Lipids; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microscopy, Electron; Suspensions

The coupling of amphotericin B (AmB), a water-insoluble antifungal agent, to arabinogalactan (AG) via an imine or amine bond was systematically investigated. AG was oxidized using potassium periodate, purified from the oxidizing agent using ion-exchange chromatography, and reacted with AmB to form the Schiff base. The Schiff base was reduced to the amine using borohydride. All reactions took place in aqueous media. The purification of the oxidized AG from the oxidizing agent was essential to prevent oxidative degradation of AmB at the coupling step. We investigated the effects of AmB to AG ratio, buffer type, and reaction pH on the reaction yield, molecular weight, conjugate activity against pathogenic yeast and hemolytic activity. The optimum coupling conditions were buffer borate 0.1 M, pH 11 at room temperature for 48 h. Lower toxicity in vivo was achieved by using low-pressure gel permeation chromatography and applying the solution of AmB-AG conjugate through a Sephadex column. Both amine and imine AmB-AG conjugates were soluble in water and exhibited improved stability in aqueous solutions as compared to the unbound drug. The conjugates showed comparable minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against Candida albicans. The conjugates were about 60 times less hemolytic against sheep erythrocytes than the free drug, and about 40 times less toxic in BALB/c mice.

Topics: Amides; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Chromatography; Erythrocytes; Galactans; Hemolysis; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Models, Chemical; Oxygen; Polysaccharides; Sheep; Time Factors; Ultraviolet Rays; Water

The kinetics of the filipin-, amphotericin B- and nystatin-induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. Filipin-induced hemolysis is of the damage type. It is an all-or-none process, partly inhibited by Ca2+ or Ba2+ but not by Mg2+, Na+ or SO42-. The hemolytic activity of filipin is explained by the formation of large aggregates within the erythrocyte membrane in the form of large perforations, permeable to substances of low molecular weight as well as to macromolecules, including hemoglobin. In isotonic KCl solution, both amphotericin B and nystatin, at low concentrations, form smaller aggregates within the membranes. As a result, the permeability of the membranes to KCl increases and hemolysis occurs. However, the kinetics of the hemolysis induced by the two polyenes is complex. The process shows some features of the permeability type and some of the damage type. It is suggested that amphotericin B and nystatin may simultaneously form a number of transport systems, differing in their molecular organisation and hemolytic activity. Their participation in erythrocyte membrane permeability can be modified by small changes in membrane organisation and the chemical composition of the incubation medium. In isotonic solutions of divalent cation chlorides, and at higher antibiotic concentration, additional aggregates, allowing divalent cations to permeate, appear. These structures do not permit SO4(2-) to permeate.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cations; Erythrocyte Membrane; Filipin; Hemolysis; Humans; Isotonic Solutions; Nystatin; Osmolar Concentration; Polyenes; Time Factors

The membrane-destabilizing properties of Amphotericin B and Zwittergent were used as benchmark compounds for examining in detail their membrane-altering effects in a series of human red blood cell lysis assays. The procedures included examining dose responses and the effects of different cell concentrations on potency in rbc lysis assays. In order to enhance detection of subtle membrane effects, we also used a range of NaCl concentrations to osmotically stress the rbc's. Using the benchmark compounds, a set of conditions was developed for examination of subtle membrane effects that may be applied to series of compounds with suspected membrane-perturbation activity. A group of experiments was defined that allow detection of the most important membrane-modifying behaviors among a diverse group of compounds. From an initial screen of bacterial growth inhibition over 150 compounds were examined for membrane-altering properties using the limited experimental protocols developed from the benchmark compounds. Several dose-response patterns were observed as useful for classifying compounds based on their tendency to alter membrane integrity and to partition into the lipids of membranes, as well as their propensity to form aggregates or precipitates. The methods may prove generally useful for distinguishing compounds whose primary activity is membrane destabilization from more interesting and useful pharmacological mechanisms of action.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cell Membrane Structures; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

To assess the effect of fatty acid substitution of a micelle-forming poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(N-hexyl stearate-L-aspartamide) (PEO-b-PHSA) on the encapsulation, hemolytic properties and antifungal activity of amphotericin B (AmB).. PEO-b-PHSA with three levels of stearic acid substitution were synthesized and used to encapsulate AmB by a solvent evaporation method. Size exclusion chromatography and UV spectroscopy were used to confirm and measure levels of encapsulated AmB. The hemolytic activity of encapsulated AmB toward human red blood cells and its minimum inhibitory concentration against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans were obtained and compared to AmB alone.. An increase in the level of stearic acid substitution on PEO-b-PHSA improved the encapsulation of AmB while reducing its hemolytic activity. PEO-b-PHSA micelles having 50% and 70% stearic acid substitution (mol fatty acid: mol reacted and unreacted hydroxyls) were completely non-hemolytic at 22 microg/ml. At 11% stearic acid substitution, AmB caused 50% hemolysis at 1 microg/ml. AmB in PEO-b-PHSA micelles was as effective as AmB alone against pathogenic fungi.. PEO-b-PHSA micelles with a high level of stearic acid side chain substitution can effectively solubilize AmB, reduce its hemolytic activity yet retain its potent antifungal effects.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Drug Compounding; Drug Delivery Systems; Hemolysis; Humans; Micelles; Polymers

[structure: see text] Covalently linked dimers of amphotericin B were prepared by cross-linking its carboxylic acid. Among these, a dimer with a linkage of 1,6-hexanediamine revealed potent hemolytic activity (EC50, 0.25 microM) while its N-acetyl derivative gave rise to large K+ ion flux in phosphatidylcholine liposomes, regardless of the presence or absence of sterols, suggesting that the dimers may serve as a tool for elucidating the structure of the ion channel assemblage formed by amphotericin B.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Cell Membrane Permeability; Circular Dichroism; Dimerization; Hemolysis; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

The synthesis and biological properties of a novel water-soluble echinocandin-like lipopeptide, FR131535, are described. This compound displayed potent in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities. The hemolytic activity of FR901379 was reduced by replacing the acyl side chain. This compound showed good water-solubility, comparable to the natural product FR901379.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Bronchogenic Cyst; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Disease Models, Animal; Echinocandins; Female; Fungal Proteins; Glucosyltransferases; Hemolysis; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Mice, Nude; Peptides; Peptides, Cyclic; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins; Solubility

A series of acylated analogues of the novel macrocyclic lipopeptidolactone FR901469 has been prepared and evaluated for antifungal and hemolytic activity. Several analogues displayed markedly reduced hemolytic potential and comparable protective effects to the natural product in a mouse model of candidiasis.

Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candidiasis; Depsipeptides; Hemolysis; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Peptides, Cyclic; Structure-Activity Relationship

A series of tyrosine-modified derivatives of the macrocyclic lipopeptidolactone FR901469 have been prepared and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity and for hemolytic activity towards red blood cells. Compound 14 displayed significantly reduced hemolytic potential at 1mg/mL and a comparable protective effect to FR901469 in a mouse candidiasis model.

Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Depsipeptides; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Lactones; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Peptides, Cyclic; Tyrosine

In aqueous solutions N-methyl-N-D-fructosyl amphotericin B methyl ester (MFAME), a novel amphotericin B derivative with low animal toxicity, similar to its parent antibiotic, exists in three forms: monomeric, soluble and insoluble aggregates in equilibrium [1]. The aim of our work was to examine the influence of medium composition on the MFAME self-association and the relationship between MFAME self-association and its toxicity towards red blood cells. The toxicity of MFAME in aggregated state towards red blood cells was tested by measuring the induction of potassium leakage and extent of haemolysis. The proportions of antibiotic species present in various aqueous media were determined by analysis of the UV-Vis spectra as a function of the antibiotic concentration. Numeric decomposition of the spectra allowed identification of four spectral species present in MFAME solutions: monomeric and three aggregated forms. Our results indicate that these aggregates, named type I, type II and type III, are different in terms of spectral properties, as well as effectiveness towards red blood cells. Soluble aggregate types I and III are the active forms of MFAME towards erythrocytes. The medium composition seems to be the main factor determining which type of antibiotic aggregate prevails in solution.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Erythrocytes; Glucose; Hemolysis; Humans; Methanol; Potassium; Sodium Chloride; Solutions; Spectrophotometry; Water

The goal of this study was to assess a solvent evaporation method for the encapsulation of amphotericin B (AmB) in poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(N-hexyl stearate L-aspartamide) (PEO-b-PHSA) micelles. By the solvent evaporation method, PEO-b-PHSA self-assembled into small spherical micelles with a high AmB content based on transmission electron microscopy, size exclusion chromatography and absorption spectroscopy. The encapsulation of AmB was slightly better than an earlier method based on dialysis. Importantly, AmB in PEO-b-PHSA micelles encapsulated by the solvent evaporation method was non-haemolytic at 15 microg/ml, whereas AmB in PEO-b-PHSA micelles encapsulated by the dialysis method caused 50% haemolysis at the level of 3.8 microg/ml, and AmB itself caused 100% haemolysis at 1.0 microg/ml. Thus, PEO-b-PHSA micelles could effectively encapsulate AmB, increase the overall water solubility of AmB and reduce the toxicity of the membrane-acting drug, particularly by a solvent evaporation method.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Hemolysis; Micelles; Polyesters; Polyethylene Glycols; Solubility; Volatilization

Studies have shown that the dose-limiting toxicity of amphotericin B (AmB), a key drug for systemic mycoses, depends on its self-aggregation state. In a step toward understanding the various factors in blood mediating the toxicity of AmB, we have investigated the effect of serum albumin, the most abundant plasma protein, on the aggregation state of AmB using absorption spectroscopy. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of AmB, which coincides with its concentration at the onset of toxicity (hemolysis), was 1.1 microM, but rose in proportion to the level of serum albumin (1.0 to 4.0% w/v). The CAC of AmB was 8.0 microM at 4.0% w/v serum albumin, which is considerably higher than peak therapeutic levels of AmB in plasma (i.e., 2.0 microM). Serum albumin (4.0% w/v) lowered the degree of aggregation of AmB (size of aggregates) above the CAC and increased its solubility. The results suggest that serum albumin attenuates the toxicity of AmB at a membrane level by affecting its aggregation state. In this way, serum albumin in blood may balance deleterious effects of AmB mediated by serum low-density lipoproteins.

Topics: Absorption; Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Cattle; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Hemolysis; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Serum Albumin; Solvents; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Fluorinated anesthetics can profoundly alter plasma membrane structure and function, potentially impacting cell injury responses. Because major surgery often precipitates acute renal failure, this study assessed whether the most commonly used fluorinated anesthetic, isoflurane, alters tubular cell responses to toxic and hypoxic attack.. Mouse proximal tubule segments were incubated under control conditions or with a clinically relevant isoflurane dose. Cell viability (lactate dehydrogenase release), deacylation (fatty acid, such as C20:4 levels), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations were assessed under one or more of the following conditions: (a) exogenous phospholipase A2 (PLA2) or C20:4 addition, (b) Ca2+ overload (A23187 ionophore), (c) increased metabolic work (Na ionophore), and (d) hypoxia- or antimycin A-induced attack. Isoflurane's effect on NBD phosphatidylserine uptake (an index of plasma membrane aminophospholipid translocase activity) was also assessed.. Isoflurane alone caused trivial deacylation and no lactate dehydrogenase release. However, it strikingly sensitized to both PLA2- and A23187-induced deacylation and cell death. Isoflurane also exacerbated C20:4's direct membrane lytic effect. Under conditions of mild ATP depletion (Na ionophore-induced increased ATP consumption; PLA2-induced mitochondrial suppression), isoflurane provoked moderate/severe ATP reductions and cell death. Conversely, under conditions of maximal ATP depletion (hypoxia, antimycin), isoflurane conferred a modest cytoprotective effect. Isoflurane blocked aminophospholipid translocase activity, which normally maintains plasma membrane lipid asymmetry (that is, preventing its "flip flop").. Isoflurane profoundly and differentially affects tubular cell responses to toxic and hypoxic attack. Direct drug-induced alterations in lipid trafficking/plasma membrane orientation and in cell energy production are likely involved. Although the in vivo relevance of these findings remains unknown, they have potential implications for intraoperative renal tubular cell structure/function and how cells may respond to superimposed attack.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Amphotericin B; Anesthetics, Inhalation; Animals; Arachidonic Acid; Calcimycin; Cell Death; Energy Metabolism; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Hemolysis; In Vitro Techniques; Ionophores; Isoflurane; Kidney Tubules, Proximal; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Male; Mice; Phospholipases A; Phospholipases A2

New, stable, highly water-soluble, nontoxic polysaccharide conjugates of amphotericin B (AmB) are described. AmB was conjugated by a Schiff-base reaction with oxidized arabinogalactan (AG). AG is a highly branched natural polysaccharide with unusual water solubility (70% in water). A high yield of active AmB was obtained with the conjugates which were similarly highly water soluble and which could be appropriately formulated for injection. They showed comparable MICs for Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans (MICs, 0.1 to 0.2 microg/ml). The reduced AmB conjugate, which was synthesized at pH 11 for 48 h at 37 degrees C, was nonhemolytic and was much safer than conventional micellar AmB-deoxycholate. It was the least toxic AmB-AG conjugate among those tested with mice (maximal tolerated dose, 50 mg/kg of body weight), and histopathology indicated no damage to the liver or kidneys. This conjugate, similarly to the liposomal formulation (AmBisome), was more effective than AmB-deoxycholate in prolonging survival. It was more effective than both the liposomal and the deoxycholate formulations in eradicating yeast cells from target organs. The overall results suggest that after further development of the AmB-AG conjugate, it may be a potent agent in the treatment of fungal infections.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus neoformans; Erythrocytes; Galactans; Hemolysis; Injections, Intravenous; Kidney; Liver; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Sheep; Solubility; Water

The immune response against Aspergillus fumigatus has been studied during infection and therapy in order to understand the mechanism of pathogenesis and the effect of treatment with amphotericin B. With this in view an animal model of aspergillosis was developed in Balb/c mice by intravenous injection of an optimized dose of 3. 6x10(6) A. fumigatus spores. Infection due to Aspergillus was well established by histopathological examination and fungal load in the animal. Lesions and eosinophil infiltration was observed in the infected tissues which indicated the involvement of a Type I hypersensitivity response. Evaluation of serological parameters indicated high levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and A. fumigatus specific IgG antibodies. The reduction in fungal load and modulation of immune response in the infected mice was studied following treatment with amphotericin B/cholesterol hemisuccinate vesicles (ABCV). The results clearly indicated significant reduction in the fungal load, disappearance of eosinophils and lesions with the appearance of macrophages and neutrophils in the infected lung tissue, a decrease in IL-4 (fourfold) and a concomitant increase of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma; twofold) with an improvement in general condition of mice. In the non-treated mice, the rise of IL-4 level indicated the association of T(H)2 cell response with susceptibility to infection while the increase of IFN-gamma in the treated group suggested that T(H)1 cell response may be involved in resistance to Aspergillus infection.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antibodies, Fungal; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus fumigatus; Cholesterol; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Compounding; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Immunoglobulin G; Lung; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Rabbits; Survival Analysis; Th1 Cells; Th2 Cells

Polymeric micelles may serve as nanoscopic, long-circulating carriers of hydrophobic drugs. In this study, we have researched the solubilization of amphotericin B (AmB), an antifungal drug, by micelles of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(beta benzyl-L-aspartate) (PEO-PBLA), the properties of the AmB-loaded PEO-PBLA micelles and the resultant haemolytic activity of AmB. AmB loading takes place during self assembly of PEO-PBLA micelles, and this occurs through a dialysis procedure as an alkaline aqueous solution replaces the selective solvent for the polymer and the drug. In this way, AmB reaches levels of 57 to 141 microg/ml, corresponding to a loading efficiency of 27-30% (loaded AmB/initial amount of AmB). The molar ratio of AmB to PEO-PBLA is 0.40 to 1.0. Pictures by transmission electron microscopy reveal spherical AmB-loaded PEO-PBLA micelles with a mean diameter of 25.8+/-4.2 nm. AmB-loaded PEO-PBLA micelles are nonhaemolytic at an AmB level of 10 microg/ml as assessed by release of haemoglobin, measured by UV-Vis spectroscopy. AmB as Fungizone, its standard formulation, completely lyses red blood cells at a level of 3.0 microg/ml in 30 min. In contrast, there is no haemolysis at 5.5 h for AmB-loaded PEO-PBLA micelles at 3.0 microg/ml of AmB, indicating the gradual release of AmB from PEO-PBLA micelles. PEO-PBLA itself is nonhaemolytic even at a level of 0.70 mg/ml. Most amphiphiles, e.g. sodium deoxycholate, present in Fungizone, are haemolytic. Finally, AmB-loaded PEO-PBLA micelles can be freeze-dried and easily reconstituted in water. Afterwards, AmB is present in the intact PEO-PBLA micelles and remains nonhaemolytic.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Drug Carriers; Excipients; Hemolysis; Micelles; Microscopy, Electron; Peptides; Polyethylene Glycols; Polymers; Solubility

Application of amphotericin B in lipid emulsions (AmB/L) reduced membrane toxicity in vitro and decreased amphotericin B-associated toxic side effects in vivo when compared to that of amphotericin B applied in 5% glucose (AmB/G). Therefore, a comparative analysis of the pharmacological parameters of AmB/L and AmB/G was performed. Thirteen patients were analyzed, and nine of these patients received a subsequent treatment with AmB/G and AmB/L. In patients in both treatment groups amphotericin B showed a biphasic elimination from serum, with a prolonged terminal half-life of approximately 27 h. Patients treated with AmB/L showed significantly lower peak concentrations (44.2%; P = 0.008) and correspondingly lower area under the drug concentration-time curve (AUC) values (64.3%; P = 0.015) compared to the values for the same patients treated with AmB/G at a dose range of 0.6 to 1.5 mg/kg of body weight. The enhanced clearance of AmB/L may be due to a faster initial elimination of amphotericin B-lipid aggregates by the reticuloendothelial system. Lower peak concentrations and AUC values in serum and a correspondingly faster deposition of AmB/L in tissues may at least partly explain the lower toxicity of AmB/L. A comparative pharmacokinetic analysis with data for a single patient treated with AmB/L demonstrated that hemodialysis did not significantly affect the disposition of amphotericin B.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drug Carriers; Emulsions; Erythrocyte Membrane; Female; Half-Life; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Lipids; Male; Middle Aged; Renal Dialysis

The echinocandin MK-0991, formerly L-743,872, is a water-soluble lipopeptide that has been demonstrated in preclinical studies to have potent activity against Candida spp., Aspergillus fumigatus, and Pneumocystis carinii. An extensive in vitro biological evaluation of MK-0991 was performed to better define the potential activities of this novel compound. Susceptibility testing with MK-0991 against approximately 200 clinical isolates of Candida, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus isolates was conducted to determine MICs and minimum fungicidal concentrations MF(s). The MFC at which 90% of isolates are inhibited for 40 C. albicans clinical isolates was 0.5 microg/ml. Susceptibility testing with panels of antifungal agent-resistant species of Candida and C. neoformans isolates indicated that the MK-0991 MFCs for these isolates are comparable to those obtained for susceptible isolates. Growth kinetic studies of MK-0991 against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis isolates showed that the compound exhibited fungicidal activity (i.e., a 99% reduction in viability) within 3 to 7 h at concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 1 microg/ml (0.25 to 4 times the MIC). Drug combination studies with MK-0991 plus amphotericin B found that this combination was not antagonistic against C. albicans, C. neoformans, or A. fumigatus in vitro. Studies with 0 to 50% pooled human or mouse serum established that fungal susceptibility to MK-0991 was not significantly influenced by the presence of human or mouse serum. Results from resistance induction studies suggested that the susceptibility of C. albicans was not altered by repeated exposure (40 passages) to MK-0991. Erythrocyte hemolysis studies with MK-0991 with washed and unwashed human or mouse erythrocytes indicated minimal hemolytic potential with this compound. These favorable results of preclinical studies support further studies with MK-0991 with humans.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillus; Candida; Caspofungin; Cryptococcus neoformans; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Echinocandins; Hemolysis; Humans; Lipopeptides; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Peptides; Peptides, Cyclic

A new method of preparing liposomes containing amphotericin B (AmB) was developed with the purpose of reducing the toxicity of AmB without causing a loss in its antifungal activity. The procedure involved the precipitation of AmB and egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) or tris buffered saline (TBS, pH 7.4) by evaporating methanol and chloroform, which had been previously mixed in the buffer solution, at 4 degrees C and 600 mm Hg. The in vitro toxicity of the precipitated liposomes containing 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 wt% AmB was compared with that of the film-swollen liposomes containing the equivalent contents of the drug. The hemolytic ability of the precipitated liposomes at 37 degrees C was 50.3% at maximum of the film-swollen liposomes at a dose of 30 micrograms AmB/ml, as measured after 17-hr incubation. The significant reduction in the hemolysis effect may in fact be attributed to the reduced rate of drug release from the precipitated liposomes. The precipitated liposomes were multilayered and aggregates of AmB were embedded in the bilayers. These aggregates of AmB would be responsible for an intensive positive peak around 330 nm and reduced toxicity. Despite the decrease in toxicity, the activity of the precipitated liposomes against Candida albicans remained almost equipotent to that of the film-swollen liposomes. Therefore, liposomes prepared by the precipitation method are less toxic but equally as active.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Chemical Precipitation; Circular Dichroism; Drug Carriers; Drug Stability; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Liposomes; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microscopy, Electron; Particle Size; Phosphatidylcholines; Temperature

The selectivity of the transmembrane permeability induced by polyene antibiotics was studied in human erythrocytes and related to the hemolytic potency of the drugs. The selectivity induced was differently, dependent on the antibiotic structure in aromatic (vacidin A, gedamycin) and nonaromatic heptaenes (amphotericin B, candidin). Aromatic heptaenes were more effective than nonaromatic in inducing permeability to K+. For both groups of antibiotics, permeability to K+ was not affected by substitution at the carboxyl group but important differences in the induction of permeability to H+, OH- and Cl- were found. The strongly hemolytic aromatic heptaenes vacidin A and gedamycin exhibited much higher protonophoric activity than the nonaromatic ones: amphotericin B, and candidin. The protonophoric properties of aromatic heptaenes were related to the presence of a free carboxyl group in the antibiotic molecule. Indeed the esterification or amidation of the carboxyl group of vacidin A or gedamycin eliminated the ability of the antibiotic to increase H+ conductance and consequently diminished their hemolytic activity to an important extent. Both groups of antibiotics differed also in the efficiency of anion permeability induction. Only unsubstituted aromatic heptaenes, at high concentration, induced Cl-/OH- exchange and conductive flux of Cl- in a concentration-dependent manner. Substitution at the carboxyl group of vacidin A or gedamycin eliminated this property. Amphotericin B as well as its carboxyl-substituted derivatives formed a pathway characterized by low K+ over Cl- selectivity, whatever the concentration. The hemolytic activity, related to K+ permeability increased by heptaenes was dependent on simultaneous increase of the permeability to anions, and net KCl influx. Carboxyl-substituted derivatives of aromatic heptaenes presenting a remarkably high selectivity for K+, had consequently a very poor hemolytic activity.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anions; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Candicidin; Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone; Cell Membrane Permeability; Chlorides; Erythrocyte Membrane; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Membrane Potentials; Permeability; Polyenes; Potassium; Protons; Structure-Activity Relationship; Valinomycin

Amphotericin B systemically infused into anesthetized rats at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg body weight over 20 min reproducibly induced renal vasoconstriction and renal cortical hypoxemia. By contrast, when infused with albumin (3 g/dl), amphotericin B did not reduce renal blood flow and did not affect renal cortical oxygenation. In vitro, hemolysis induced by amphotericin was also markedly reduced in the presence of albumin. Albumin did not appear to reduce the antibiotic effect of amphotericin in vitro. It was concluded that amphotericin B toxicity may be considerably reduced if administered in an albumin vehicle.

Topics: Albumins; Amphotericin B; Animals; Cell Survival; Hemolysis; In Vitro Techniques; Kidney Cortex; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Paecilomyces; Pharmaceutical Vehicles; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Renal Circulation

The antifungal agent amphotericin B (AmB) alters neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte [PMN]) function, and this may be the mechanism for some of the adverse effects caused by AmB. AmB is a potent inhibitor of PMN migration, increases PMN adherence and aggregation, and primes PMN for increased oxidative activity in response to a second stimulus. AmB also stimulates mononuclear leukocytes (MNLs) to release inflammatory mediators which augment the effects of AmB on PMN function. In the present study, we observed that the methylxanthine derivative pentoxifylline decreased the effects of AmB on PMN function. AmB (2 micrograms/ml) priming doubled PMN chemiluminescence stimulated by fMet-Leu-Phe. In the presence of MNLs, AmB priming increased fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated PMN chemiluminescence to 622% of unprimed PMN activity. Pentoxifylline (100 microM) blunted the rise in AmB-augmented PMN chemiluminescence in the presence of MNLs to 282% of unprimed PMN activity, and pentoxifylline metabolites were active at 10 microM. Pentoxifylline (100 microM) also blocked AmB-augmented PMN oxidative activity in whole blood, as measured by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction. In the presence of MNL, AmB (2 micrograms/ml) doubled the expression of the important PMN adherence factor Mac-1. Pentoxifylline (1 mM) decreased AmB-stimulated PMN Mac-1 expression back to unstimulated amounts. In the presence of MNLs, AmB (2 micrograms/ml) decreased PMN nondirected and directed migration to fMet-Leu-Phe to 40 and 38% of control PMN migration, respectively. Pentoxifylline (300 microM) counteracted AmB inhibition of nondirected and directed migration to fMet-Leu-Phe, resulting in migration that was 71 and 87% of control PMN migration, respectively. In contrast, the methylxanthine caffeine (100 muM) increased AmB-enhanced chemiluminescence but did not affect AmB-inhibited PMN migration. Pentoxifylline should be evaluated as adjunctive therapy to lessen the inflammatory damage caused by AmB.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antioxidants; Gene Expression Regulation; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Luminescent Measurements; Lymphocyte Activation; N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; Neutrophils; Nitroblue Tetrazolium; Oxidation-Reduction; Pentoxifylline; Superoxides; Xanthines

When interacting with phospholipid in an aqueous environment, amphotericin B forms unusual structures of markedly reduced toxicity (Janoff et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 6122-6126). These structures, which appear ribbon-like by freeze-fracture electron microscopy (EM), are found exclusively at amphotericin B to lipid mole ratios of 1:3 to 1:1. At lower mole ratios they occur in combination with liposomes. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra revealed two distinct modes of lipid-amphotericin B interaction, one for liposomes and one for the ribbon-like structures. In isolated liposomes, amphotericin B which comprised 3-4 mole percent of the bulk lipid was monomeric and exhibited a hemolytic activity comparable to amphotericin B suspended in deoxycholate. Above 3-4 mole percent amphotericin B, ribbon-like structures emerged and CD spectra indicated drug-lipid complexation. Minimal inhibitory concentrations for Candida albicans of liposomal and complexed amphotericin B were comparable and could be attributed to amphotericin a release as a result of lipid breakdown within the ribbon-like material by a heat labile extracellular yeast product (lipase). Negative stain EM of the ribbon-like structures indicated that the ribbon-like appearance seen by freeze-fracture EM arises as a consequence of the cross-fracturing of what are aggregated, collapsed single lamellar, presumably interdigitated, membranes. Studies examining complexation of amphotericin B with either DMPC or DMPG demonstrated that headgroup interactions played little role in the formation of the ribbon-like structures. With these results we propose that ribbon-like structures result from phase separation of amphotericin B-phospholipid complexes within the phospholipid matrix such that amphotericin B release, and thus acute toxicity, is curtailed. Formation of amphotericin B-lipid structures such as those described here indicates a possible new role for lipid as a stabilizing matrix for drug delivery of lipophilic substances, specifically where a highly ordered packing arrangement between lipid and compound can be achieved.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Candida albicans; Carbon Radioisotopes; Drug Interactions; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; In Vitro Techniques; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microscopy, Electron; Phospholipids; Spectrum Analysis

The effect of Myrj 59 (a polyoxyethyleneglycol derivative of stearic acid) on amphotericin B (Am B) solubility, toxicity and activity has been investigated. We showed that Myrj 59 could solubilize the antibiotic. Moreover, it also decreased and abolished the haemolytic activity of the drug by increasing the resistance of the red blood cells and impairing the interaction of Am B with the cellular membrane cholesterol, but it did not modify the in-vitro antifungal activity of the drug. On the other hand, Myrj 59 did not decrease the acute in-vivo toxicity of the drug (LD50 and nephrotoxicity). In a previous study we have shown that a polyoxyethleneglycol derivative of cholesterol could solubilize Am B and was able to decrease the in-vitro and in-vivo toxicity of the antibiotic without altering its in-vitro antifungal activity. The results of the present study suggest that the cholesterol moiety of the surfactant is not necessary to decrease the in-vitro lytic activity of the drug but could play a role in the reduction of the in-vivo toxicity.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Excipients; Fungi; Hemolysis; In Vitro Techniques; Kidney Diseases; Lethal Dose 50; Male; Mice; Polyethylene Glycols; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Solubility

Topics: Amphotericin B; Erythrocyte Membrane; Hemolysis; Kinetics

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a potent antifungal agent used to treat patients with systemic mycoses. The cytotoxicity of AmB is related to its binding to membrane sterols and its clinical usefulness is based on its greater affinity to ergosterol, the fungal sterol, compared to the mammalian cell sterol, cholesterol (1-3). Here we report that sucrose monolaurate (L.S.) decreased the binding of AmB to cholesterol without interfering with its binding to ergosterol. Furthermore, the toxicity of AmB for mouse erythrocytes (RBC) and cultured mouse fibroblasts, L-929, cells was significantly decreased by low concentrations of L.S., whereas under the same conditions, its toxicity for Candida albicans was unaffected. We observed a very good correlation between the spectroscopic and cell studies. The results reported here on the effects of L.S. on the selectivity of AmB toxicity for fungal cells compared to animal cells and the relative nontoxic nature of sugar esters suggest a potential for compounds of this type to enhance the therapeutic index of AmB.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Candida albicans; Cell Survival; Cholesterol; Ergosterol; Erythrocytes; Hemoglobins; Hemolysis; L Cells; Mice; Sterols; Sucrose

The quantitative structure-activity relationships studies of amphotericin B and its 16 semisynthetic derivatives obtained by modification at carboxyl and amino groups have been done. The results of five biological tests were subjected to principal component analysis, a numerical method useful in the investigation of large sets of data. For some compounds, also, interaction with lipidic vesicles was investigated by spectroscopic methods. The results obtained indicate that: (i) The presence of positively charged nitrogen atom (protonable or bearing fixed charge) is indispensable for biological activity and antibiotic-sterol interaction; (ii) The lack of free carboxyl group in the molecule favours the differentiation between cholesterol and ergosterol containing cells.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Candida albicans; Cholesterol; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ergosterol; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Potassium; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Structure-Activity Relationship

Use of liposomal drug delivery systems can enhance the therapeutic potential of membrane active anti-cancer and anti-infectious drugs. Thus, the therapeutic index of the important antifungal agent amphotericin B is markedly improved via incorporation of the drug into liposomes. The mechanistic basis of this effect seems to be an increase in the selectivity of the drug at the cellular level. Thus, free amphotericin B can readily partition into both fungal and mammalian membranes and can cause toxicity to both types of cells, giving rise to the notorious in vivo toxicity of this drug. By contrast, when amphotericin B is formulated in certain types of liposomes, the drug still readily partitions into fungal membranes but can no longer partition into animal cell membranes, thus markedly reducing its toxicity. Liposomes can also be used to reduce the toxicity of membrane-active antitumor drugs. Thus, the peptide ionophore valinomycin is far less toxic to animals when presented in liposomal form. Nonetheless, the drug retains useful antitumor activity in this form. The underlying basis of the enhanced therapeutic index of liposomal valinomycin is unknown at this time but is being explored. The development of membrane-active anti-tumor drugs, in conjunction with liposomal delivery systems, could be an important new approach in cancer chemotherapy. While no anticancer drug is likely to be free of toxic side effects, the toxicities engendered by membrane-active antitumor drugs are likely to affect a different spectrum of tissues and organs than those caused by "conventional" antitumor drugs. Thus membrane-active drugs could complement existing drugs and provide a valuable adjunct to therapy.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Candida; Cell Membrane; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Hemolysis; Infections; Kidney; Leukemia P388; Leukemia, Experimental; Liposomes; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Rubidium; Solubility; Valinomycin

Previously, it has been shown that incorporation of the membrane channel-forming polyene antibiotic, amphotericin B (AMB), into liposomes composed of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine/dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (7:3 ratio) results in reduced drug toxicity to animals with full retention of therapeutic activity against systemic fungal infections. In this report we explore the cellular and biochemical bases of the enhanced therapeutic index of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB). AMB and L-AMB are equally potent and both promptly induce rapid cation efflux from Candida albicans cells. By contrast, AMB, but not L-AMB, induces cation efflux and cell lysis in mammalian erythrocytes, demonstrating the selectivity of L-AMB at the cellular level. The characteristics of the lipid of the erythrocyte membrane seem to be the most important determinant of cellular sensitivity, since AMB, but not L-AMB, induces cation release from large unilamellar liposomes composed of red cell membrane lipids, thus paralleling the observations on intact cells. The ability of L-AMB to induce cation release and cause toxicity to erythrocytes, however, can be modulated by changing the lipid composition of the liposome carrier. Thus, AMB-containing liposomes composed of phospholipids with saturated acyl chains are nontoxic, whereas AMB liposomes composed of phospholipids containing unsaturated acyl chains are almost as toxic as AMB itself. The acyl chain composition rather than the head group composition seems most important, although substitution of anionic phosphatidylglycerols for phosphatidylcholines contributes somewhat to the protective effect. Analysis of several types of liposomes containing AMB at concentrations up to 5 mol %, using electron paramagnetic resonance and freeze fracture electron microscopy, shows that the drug is incorporated in the lipid bilayer but produces only modest disruptive effects on bilayer structure. Current results are interpreted in terms of a selective transfer of AMB from "donor" liposomes to "target" cell membranes. The transfer process probably occurs by diffusion of AMB through the solvent but is regulated by the physical properties of both donor and target membranes.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Candida; Diffusion; Erythrocyte Membrane; Freeze Fracturing; Hemolysis; Humans; Ionophores; Liposomes; Membrane Fusion; Membrane Lipids; Structure-Activity Relationship; Time Factors

The interaction of amphotericin B with isolated human erythrocyte ghosts was monitored by circular dichroism at 37 degrees C and 15 degrees C. Although different, these spectra were not concentration dependent over a concentration range covering the inducement of K+ leakage and hemolysis, which suggests the existence of only one bound amphotericin B species. At 15 degrees C, the spectra indicate that amphotericin B is complexed with membrane cholesterol; the complex formation is saturable but not cooperative. At 37 degrees C new spectra are observed, and their existence is conditioned by the presence of membrane proteins. The binding is cooperative but not saturable. The amphotericin B right side-out vesicles complexation is temperature as well as ionic strength dependent: at high ionic strength it is the same as with ghosts, with the same temperature dependence. At low ionic strength it is characteristic of an interaction with cholesterol, regardless of temperature. In the large unilamellar vesicles reconstituted from the total lipid extracts of erythrocyte membranes, amphotericin B is complexed with cholesterol, regardless of temperature and ionic strength. These results indicate that there are two different modes of amphotericin B complexation with erythrocyte membranes, reversible one in the other, depending on the molecular organization of the membrane and the presence of membrane proteins.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Circular Dichroism; Erythrocyte Membrane; Hemolysis; Humans; Osmolar Concentration; Potassium; Temperature

We have prepared lipid vesicles (liposomes) composed of polymerized bis[12-(methacryloyloxy)dodecanoyl]-L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine (DPL) which contain the antifungal polyene antibiotic amphotericin B (AMB). It was necessary to devise a novel method for incorporating AMB into the liposomes subsequent to polymerization. The polymer liposome AMB was as effective as AMB in "conventional" liposomes in terms of inhibiting fungal growth in vitro. However, in contrast to "conventional" liposomes, the polymerized DPL vesicles did not protect mammalian cells against AMB induced toxicity.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Candida albicans; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Liposomes; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning

Amphotericin B (AmB) treatment before infection with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes prolonged survival of AKR mice but shortened survival of C57BL/6 mice compared with survival of untreated infected controls. C57BL/6 mice were also more sensitive to the acute toxic effects of AmB than AKR mice, as were (C57BL/6 X AKR)F1 hybrid mice. Spleen cells and erythrocytes (RBCs) from the C57BL/6 and the F1 hybrid mice were both more sensitive to the lytic and lethal effects of AmB than corresponding cells from AKR mice. Biochemical analysis indicated that catalase levels in RBCs from C57BL/6 and F1 hybrid mice were about 60% of those found in RBCs from AKR mice. The lysis by AmB of RBCs from all these strains of mice was inhibited by catalase or incubation in a low-oxygen environment. These findings suggest that (i) the low catalase levels in C57BL/6 and F1 hybrid mice may limit the protection of cells from the oxidant damage involved in AmB action, and (ii) the toxicity which occurs at low concentrations of AmB in the mouse strains with low intracellular catalase levels may interfere with or ablate the AmB-induced increases in mouse resistance to L. monocytogenes infection.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Crosses, Genetic; Erythrocytes; Female; Hemoglobins; Hemolysis; Listeriosis; Lymphocytes; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred AKR; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred Strains; Species Specificity

Lysis of human erythrocytes induced by amphotericin B was retarded when the oxygen tension of the incubation mixture was reduced or when the antioxidant catalase was added; lysis was accelerated when cells were preincubated with the prooxidant ascorbate. In the atmosphere of reduced oxygen tension, the erythrocytes containing carboxyhemoglobin lysed at a slower rate than did the cells containing oxyhemoglobin. Consistent with a role for oxidative damage in lysis, the mixture of erythrocytes and amphotericin B showed an increase in malonyldialdehyde, the product of peroxidation, which paralleled the progression of hemolysis. In contrast, the permeabilizing effect of amphotericin B, measured as a decrease in intracellular K+, was not affected by changes in oxygen tension, catalase, or ascorbate treatment. These results imply that oxidant damage is involved in the lytic, but not in the permeabilizing, action of amphotericin B.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Ascorbic Acid; Carboxyhemoglobin; Catalase; Cell Membrane Permeability; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Light; Malondialdehyde; Oxidation-Reduction; Potassium; Time Factors

Topics: Acetaminophen; Age Factors; Amphotericin B; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Drug Interactions; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Hemolysis; Humans; Isoniazid; Kidney Diseases; Methotrexate; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Probability; Time Factors

Amphotericin B-induced lysis of erythrocytes is diminished in the presence of Cu2+, but the prelytic amphotericin B-induced K+ leakage is unaffected. These results and the weak binding of Cu2+ to amphotericin B, demonstrated by circular dichroism and EPR studies, are consistent with the view that Cu2+ protects erythrocytes by increasing their resistance to lysis.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Circular Dichroism; Copper; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; Hemolysis; Humans; Permeability; Potassium

Amphotericin B is an efficacious but extremely toxic anti fungal drug. Recently it has been shown that the incorporation of Amphotericin B in multilamellar liposomes results in a marked reduction in drug toxicity in mice with no loss of anti fungal potency. Until now, the mechanistic basis of the enhanced therapeutic index of liposomal Amphotericin B has been unclear. In this report, however, we show that the in vivo effects can be mimicked in vitro where free but not liposomal Amphotericin B causes lysis of erythrocytes while both free and liposomal drug kill fungal cells. These results suggest that the markedly improved therapeutic index of liposomal Amphotericin B is largely due to a fundamental alteration in the ability of the drug to interact with mammalian cell membranes rather than to alterations in pharmacokinetics or drug distribution.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida; Hemolysis; Liposomes; Mice

Palytoxin causes within minutes a temperature-dependent K+ loss from human and rat erythrocytes which is followed within hours by haemolysis. It decreases the osmotic resistance in a concentration-dependent manner, so that osmotic influences are negligible for K+ release but considerable in haemolysis. External K+ inhibits the haemoglobin release and Rb+ inhibits the release of K+ and haemoglobin. Ca2+ (over 20 microM) and borate (over 5 microM) enhance the loss of K+ and haemoglobin. With both Ca2+ and borate present, the efficacy of palytoxin is raised about 10 000-fold. Under these conditions, about 15 palytoxin molecules per human cell trigger a 50% K+ loss over a wide range of cell concentrations. The palytoxin effect is reversible. After depletion from K+ by low concentrations of palytoxin, human cells can be refilled with K+ and resealed. The pores formed by palytoxin are small. They allow the entrance of Na+ and choline, whereas inositol is largely excluded and Ca2+, as well as sucrose and inulin, are completely excluded. Amphotericin B resembles palytoxin in its ability to cause a considerable prelytic K+ loss and to form small pores. However, it is about 1000-times weaker than palytoxin, is not inhibited by K+ or Rb+, is not activated by Ca2+ or borate, and has a negative temperature dependence. Thus palytoxin represents a novel type of cytolysin.

Topics: Acrylamides; Amphotericin B; Animals; Calcium; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cnidarian Venoms; Erythrocyte Membrane; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Kinetics; Osmotic Pressure; Potassium; Rats; Rubidium; Temperature

Amphotericin B, a polyene antibiotic effective against eukaryotic cells, can eliminate the trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi from blood stored at 4 degrees C. This antitrypanosomal effect can be achieved with a concentration of 3 micrograms/ml within 48 hours. This concentration of amphotericin B does not produce hemolysis over a period of 3 weeks. Amphotericin B methyl ester and nystatin are not effective. Amphotericin B may be considered as a replacement for crystal violet in blood bank blood to prevent transfusion-induced Chagas' disease.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Brazil; Chagas Disease; Hemolysis; Mice; Transfusion Reaction

Human erythrocytes suspended at 37 degrees C in hypertonic solution of either electrolytes or nonelectrolytes undergo hemolysis when the temperature is lowered toward 0 degrees C (Green, F.A., Jung, C.Y. 1977 J. Membrane Biol. 33:249). In the present studies this hypertonic cryohemolysis was profoundly affected by the pH of incubation, and was completely abolished at ph 5. In hypertonic NaCl, there was an apparent pH optimum at 6--6.5. In hypertonic sucrose, on the other hand, hemolysis increased progressively with increasing pH between 6 and 9. Amphotericin B inhibited hypertonic cryohemolysis in NaCl or KCl solution. No inhibiting effect of amphotericin B was observed when hypertonicity was due to sodium sulfate or sucrose. Valinomycin also inhibited hypertonic cryohemolysis in KCl, but did not affect the process in NaCl or sucrose solution. SITS (4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate) and phloretin interfered with this valinomycin effect, whereas phlorizin did not. These results indicate that dissipation of an osmotic gradient across membranes may be responsible for the inhibition of the hemolysis by these inophores. Iso-osmotic cell shrinkage induced by valinomycin in 150 mM NaCl solution did not result in cryohemolysis.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Cold Temperature; Cytochalasins; Glutaral; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hypertonic Solutions; Ionophores; Phloretin; Phlorhizin; Stilbenes; Valinomycin

Intact erythrocytes were spin-labeled with various classes of phospholipid label. The ESR spectrum for phosphatidylcholine spin label was distinctly different from those for phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidic acid spin labels. The overall splitting for the former (52.5 G) was markedly larger than those for the others (approx. 47 G), suggesting a more rigid phosphatidylcholine bilayer phase and more fluid phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine phases in the erythrocyte membrane. Evidence for asymmetric distribution of phospholipids in the membrane was obtained. Spin-labeled phosphatidylcholine incorporated into erythrocytes was reduced immediately by cystein and Fe3+, while the reduction of spin-labeled phosphatidylserine was very slow. The present results therefore suggest asymmetric fluidity in erythrocyte membrane; a more rigid outer layer and a more fluid inner layer. The heterogeneity in the lipid structure was also manifested in the temperature dependence of the fluidity. The overall splitting for phosphatidylcholine spin label showed two inflection points at 18 and 33 degrees C, while that for phosphatidylserine spin label had only one transition at 30 degrees C. When the spin-labeled erythrocytes were hemolyzed, the marked difference in the ESR spectra disappeared, indicating homogenization of the heterogenous fluidity. Mg2+ or Mg2+ + ATP prevented the hemolysis-induced spectral changed. Ca2+ did not prevent the homogenization and acted antagonistically to Mg2+. The heterogeneity preservation by Mg2+ was nullified by trypsin, pronase or N-ethylmaleimide added inside the cell. Some inner proteins may therefore be involved in maintaining the heterogeneous structure. The protecting action of Mg2+ was dependent on hemolysis temperature, starting to decrease at 18 degrees C and vanishing at 40 degrees C. The present study suggests that the heterogeneity in the fluidity of intact erythrocyte membranes arises from interactions between lipids and proteins in the membrane and also from interactions between the membrane constituents and the inner proteins. Concentration of cholesterol in the outer layer may also partly contribute to the heterogeneity.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Binding Sites; Cell Membrane; Cholesterol; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Molecular Conformation; Phosphatidylcholines; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Phosphatidylglycerols; Phosphatidylserines; Saponins; Spin Labels; Structure-Activity Relationship; Temperature

Among the polyene antibiotics, many, like filipin, cannot be used clinically because they are toxic; amphotericin B, however, is useful in therapy of human fungal infections because it is less toxic. Both the toxicity of filipin and the therapeutic value of amphotericin B can be rationalized at the cellular and molecular level by the following observations: (i) these polyene antibiotics showed differential effects on cells; filipin was more potent in lysing human red blood cells, whereas amphotericin B was more potent in inhibiting yeast cell growth; and (ii) the effects of filipin were more efficiently inhibited by added cholesterol, the major membrane sterol in human cells, whereas the effects of amphotericin B were more efficiently inhibited by ergosterol, the major membrane sterol in yeast. The simplest inference is that the toxicity and effectiveness of polyenes are determined by their relative avidities for the predominant sterol in cell membranes.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Drug Interactions; Erythrocytes; Filipin; Hemolysis; Humans; Polyenes; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Sterols

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Carbon Radioisotopes; Cell Membrane; Cell Survival; Erythrocytes; Fungal Proteins; Hemolysis; Leucine; Nystatin; Oxygen Consumption; Phenyl Ethers; Potassium; Rats; RNA; Tritium; Uridine

The effect of polyene antibiotics on Candida albicans, human erythrocytes, and Acholeplasma laidlawii was studied. The results sustain the observations made with lecithin-sterol liposomes. The distribution of double bonds in the membrane sterol nucleus appears to be of major importance in conferring polyene susceptibility; those sterols with the ergosterol nucleus are far more effective than those with a nucleus similar to cholesterol. Different polyenes vary in their membrane selectivity. The clinical implications of these observations are discussed.

Topics: Acholeplasma laidlawii; Amphotericin B; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Candida albicans; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cholesterol; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Ergosterol; Erythrocytes; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Hemolysis; Lactones; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nystatin; Polyenes; Structure-Activity Relationship

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Candida; Candida albicans; Cysteine; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Hydrochloric Acid; Mice; Micropore Filters; Sodium; Spectrophotometry; Sulfites; Thiosulfates; Ultraviolet Rays

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Amphotericin B; Cell Membrane Permeability; Erythrocyte Aging; Erythrocytes; Fatty Acids; Glycolysis; Hemolysis; Humans; Kinetics; Lactates; Potassium

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anthocyanins; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascomycota; Cell Membrane Permeability; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Plants; Riboflavin; Streptomyces

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anemia; Anemia, Aplastic; Blood; Blood Transfusion; Erythrocytes; Hematocrit; Hemolysis; Humans; Iron; Nitrogen; Toxicology; Uremia

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacillus megaterium; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Mannitol; Neurospora; Nystatin; Pharmacology; Polyenes; Protoplasts; Rats; Research; Sodium Chloride; Spectrophotometry; Sterols; Sucrose; Vitamin A

Topics: Amphotericin B; Cell Death; Hemolysis; Humans

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Mammals; Nystatin; Polyenes