Antibacterial activity of new structural class of semisynthetic molecule, triphenyl-phosphonium conjugated diarylheptanoid.

Antibacterial activity of new structural class of semisynthetic molecule, triphenyl-phosphonium conjugated diarylheptanoid. Free Radic Biol Med. 2019 Aug 06;: Authors: Kumari S, Jayakumar S, Gupta GD, Bihani SC, Sharma D, Kutala VK, Sandur SK, Kumar V Abstract Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a serious threat to public health due to limited therapeutic options. Bactericidal agents with polypharmacological profiles or targeting bacterial membrane have lower propensity to develop resistance. Mitocurcumin (MitoC) is a novel compound synthesized by triphenyl-phosphonium conjugation with curcumin. Here, we demonstrate the antibacterial properties of MitoC that structurally differs markedly from the known antibacterial compounds. MitoC shows efficient bactericidal activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Mycobacteria, with MIC values in 1.5-12.5 μM range, but does not affect the viability of human leukocytes and human lung normal cell lines. Even at sub-MIC values, MitoC displays bactericidal properties. MitoC bactericidal action involves rapid disruption of bacterial membrane potential. Scanning electron microscope images of MitoC treated cells show structural deformations in terms of shrinking, loss of turgidity and formation of blisters and bubbles on their surface. Although MitoC increases ROS levels in bacterial cells, it may not be the primary cause of cell death as prior treatment with anti-oxidant...
Source: Free Radical Biology and Medicine - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: Free Radic Biol Med Source Type: research