curcumin and Streptococcal-Infections

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature followed by a meta-analysis about the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the microorganisms responsible for dental caries. The research question and the keywords were constructed according to the PICO strategy. The article search was done in Embase, Lilacs, Scielo, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Pubmed databases. Randomized clinical trials and in vitro studies were selected in the review. The study was conducted according the PRISMA guideline for systematic review. A total of 34 articles were included in the qualitative analysis and four articles were divided into two subgroups to perform the meta-analysis. Few studies have achieved an effective microbial reduction in microorganisms associated with the pathogenesis of dental caries. The results highlight that there is no consensus about the study protocols for PDT against cariogenic microorganisms, although the results showed the PDT could be a good alternative for the treatment of dental caries.

Topics: Bacteroidaceae Infections; Biofilms; Candida; Candidiasis; Curcumin; Dental Caries; Humans; Methylene Blue; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Rosaniline Dyes; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus; Tolonium Chloride; Treatment Outcome

Finding an effective alternative way to aid defense cells to fight Streptococcus mutans was the main goal of this study. The effect of plant extracts from Curcuma longa L. (turmeric), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary), and Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme) was evaluated on murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) infected by S. mutans. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined. Macrophages were infected by S. mutans and treated with each extract. From the supernatants, it was measured nitric oxide (NO) level. Posteriorly, RAW 264.7 were lysed to expose living and phagocytosed bacteria. Cytotoxicity was checked by lysosomal activity analysis, using neutral red assay. Each extract helped RAW 264.7 to eliminate S. mutans during infection, as observed by a significant bacterial reduction. Significant cell viability was also found. Besides, an increased production of NO was verified using R. officinalis L. and T. vulgaris L. extracts. The evaluated extracts demonstrated an effective action to assist RAW 264.7 to fight S. mutans during infection.

Topics: Animals; Curcuma; Macrophages; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phagocytosis; Plant Extracts; Rosmarinus; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus mutans; Thymus Plant

Curcumin, a multi-targeting pharmacologically active compound, is a promising molecule for the treatment of skin inflammation and infection in chronic wounds. However, its hydrophobic nature remains to be a challenge in development of its pharmaceutical products, including dermatopharmaceuticals. Here we propose deformable liposomes (DLs) as a mean to overcome the curcumin limitations in skin treatment. We explored the properties and biological effects of curcumin containing DLs (curcumin-DLs) with varying surface charge by preparing the neutral (NDLs), cationic (CDLs) and anionic (ADLs) nanocarriers. The vesicles of mean diameter 200-300 nm incorporated high curcumin load mirroring the type of employed surfactant. Curcumin-CDLs provided the most sustained ex vivo penetration of curcumin through the full thickness human skin. Although the curcumin-CDLs were the most potent regarding the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, all curcumin-DLs were superior to curcumin in solution (control). No cytotoxicity in human skin fibroblasts was detected. All DLs significantly inhibited bacterial Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes growth in vitro. The curcumin-CDLs were found superior to other DLs. The incorporation of curcumin in DLs enabled both its sustained skin penetration and enhancement of its biological properties. Cationic nanocarriers enhanced the activities of curcumin to the greatest extent.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Cations; Cell Survival; Curcumin; Drug Carriers; Fibroblasts; Humans; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Liposomes; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Skin; Skin Absorption; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcal Skin Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes; Surface-Active Agents

The antibiotics were frequently used for combating bacterial infections in aquaculture, but this treatment causes antibiotic resistance, negative impact on the environment and on health, and accumulation of residual in edible tissues. Several evidences have considered the dietary supplementation with natural products an interesting alternative to antibiotics, as the use of curcumin, a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether fish fed with a diet containing 150 mg curcumin/kg feed is able to enhance the resistance of silver catfish to Streptococcus agalactiae infection. Our results demonstrated that curcumin dietary supplement exerts potent bactericidal action against S. agalactiae, presenting 100% of therapeutic efficacy when compared to infected and non-supplemented animals. Also, the treatment prevented the occurrence of clinical signs of disease, as erratic swimming, corneal opacity, skin lesions in the fin and tail, and loss of appetite. In summary, curcumin can be a promising dietary supplement for improving disease resistance.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Catfishes; Curcumin; Dietary Supplements; Fish Diseases; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus agalactiae; Treatment Outcome

Many curcuminoid derivatives have been reported to have multiple biological activities. The aim of this study was to improve the biological activity of curcuminoids by synthesizing 16 new derivatives which combined cinnamic acids with curcuminoids, and we also analyzed the structure-activity relationship of the new compounds. Almost all the new compounds showed encouraging activity, especially compound 7g. It had much better antioxidant activity than curcuminoids and Vitamin C (VC), and also had the most significant antibacterial activity, which was 5-folder better than ampicillin (one of the best marketed antibiotics) with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.5 µg/mL against Gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus viridans) as well as Escherichia coli and 0.6 µg/mL against Enterobacter cloacae. Compound 7g also showed the greatest anticancer activity with a much lower IC50, which was 0.51 µM against MCF-7, 0.58 µM against HepG-2, 0.63 µM against LX-2, and 0.79 µM against 3T3. The results suggest that these compounds have promising potential as candidates for the treatment of cancer and thus further studies are warranted.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Cell Line, Tumor; Cinnamates; Curcumin; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Humans; Neoplasms; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcal Infections; Structure-Activity Relationship; Viridans Streptococci