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Elisa ANDREOTTI

Ricercatore Universitario
Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita sede ex-Biologia (Orto Botanico)

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Pubblicazioni

2020 - Design, synthesis and evaluation of benzothiazole derivatives as multifunctional agents [Articolo su rivista]
Djuidje, E. N.; Sciabica, S.; Buzzi, R.; Dissette, V.; Balzarini, J.; Liekens, S.; Serra, E.; Andreotti, E.; Manfredini, S.; Vertuani, S.; Baldisserotto, A.
abstract

Oxidative stress is the product or aetiology of various multifactorial diseases; on the other hand, the development of multifunctional compounds is a recognized strategy for the control of complex diseases. To this end, a series of benzothiazole derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their multifunctional effectiveness as antioxidant, sunscreen (filter), antifungal and antiproliferative agents. Compounds were easily synthesized via condensation reaction between 2-aminothiophenols and different benzaldehydes. SAR study, particularly in position 2 and 6 of benzothiazoles, led to the identification of 4g and 4k as very interesting potential compounds for the design of multifunctional drugs. In particular, compound 4g is the best blocker of hERG potassium channels expressed in HEK 293 cells exhibiting 60.32% inhibition with IC50 = 4.79 μM.

2020 - Variation in essential oil content and composition of Ridolfia segetum Moris based on 30-hour prolonged fractionated extraction procedure [Articolo su rivista]
Božović, Mijat; Garzoli, Stefania; Baldisserotto, Anna; Andreotti, Elisa; Cesa, Stefania; Pepi, Federico; Vertuani, Silvia; Manfredini, Stefano; Ragno, Rino
abstract

A comprehensive study on essential oil samples extracted from Ridolfia segetum Moris (Apiaceae) collected in Tarquinia (Italy) is reported. In this study, a 30-hour, fractionated, steam distillation procedure for essential oil preparation was applied. The gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry analysis showed monoterpene o-cymene and phenylpropanoid dill-apiol as the major essential oil’s constituents revealing a new chemotype dependent on extraction duration. Great impact of the duration of the distillation process on chemical profile of essential oil was observed; prolonged distillation gives chemically more diverse essential oil samples. Preliminary microbiological evaluations of the essential oils samples revealed some activity, although not high, against Candida albicans.

2018 - Sideritis romana L. subsp. purpurea (Tal. ex Benth.) Heywood, a new chemotype from Montenegro [Articolo su rivista]
Garzoli, Stefania; Božović, Mijat; Baldisserotto, Anna; Andreotti, Elisa; Pepi, Federico; Tadić, Vanja; Manfredini, Stefano; Ragno, Rino
abstract

A study on essential oil fractions of the Western Balkan endemic Sideritis romana L. subsp. purpurea (Tal. ex Benth.) Heywood collected in Montenegro is reported. The 24-h systematic steam distillation extraction procedure was performed. The gas chromatographic/ mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis of the fractions showed γelemene and spathulenol as two main constituents, revealing a new chemotype of this plant species. Although varying in the content of these two main compounds, which makes the fractions quite different between each other, evaluation of the anti-Candida activity showed the lack of any significant efficacy. Natural Product research

2017 - Essential oil extraction, chemical analysis and anti-candida activity of calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi subsp. glandulosa (Req.) ball-new approaches [Articolo su rivista]
Božović, Mijat; Garzoli, Stefania; Sabatino, Manuela; Pepi, Federico; Baldisserotto, Anna; Andreotti, Elisa; Romagnoli, Carlo; Mai, Antonello; Manfredini, Stefano; Ragno, Rino
abstract

A comprehensive study on essential oils extracted from different Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi subsp. glandulosa (Req.) Ball samples from Tarquinia (Italy) is reported. In this study, the 24-h steam distillation procedure for essential oil preparation, in terms of different harvesting and extraction times, was applied. The Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis showed that C. nepeta (L.) Savi subsp. glandulosa (Req.) Ball essential oils from Tarquinia belong to the pulegone-rich chemotype. The analysis of 44 samples revealed that along with pulegone, some other chemicals may participate in exerting the related antifungal activity. The results indicated that for higher activity, the essential oils should be produced with at least a 6-h steam distillation process. Even though it is not so dependent on the period of harvesting, it could be recommended not to harvest the plant in the fruiting stage, since no significant antifungal effect was shown. The maximum essential oil yield was obtained in August, with the highest pulegone percentage. To obtain the oil with a higher content of menthone, September and October should be considered as the optimal periods. Regarding the extraction duration, vegetative stage material gives the oil in the first 3 h, while material from the reproductive phase should be extracted at least at 6 or even 12 h.

2016 - Antidermatophytic action of resorcinol derivatives: Ultrastructural evidence of the activity of phenylethyl resorcinol against microsporum gypseum [Articolo su rivista]
Romagnoli, Carlo; Baldisserotto, Anna; Vicentini, Chiara B.; Mares, Donatella; Andreotti, Elisa; Vertuani, Silvia; Manfredini, Stefano
abstract

In this work, we evaluated the antidermatophytic activities of three resorcinol derivatives that have a history of use in dermo-cosmetic applications to discover molecules with multiple dermatological activities (i.e., multi-Target drugs), thereby reducing the cost and time necessary for new drug development. The antidermatophytic activities of the three skin lighteners were evaluated relative to the known antifungal drug fluconazole on nine dermatophytes responsible for the most common dermatomycoses: Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton violaceum, Arthroderma cajetani, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Nannizzia gypsea, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans. Among the three tested resorcinols, only two showed promising properties, with the ability to inhibit the growth of all tested dermatophytes; additionally, the IC50 values of these two resorcinols against the nine dermatophytes confirmed their good antifungal activity, particularly for phenylethyl resorcinol against M. gypseum. Ultrastructural alterations exhibited by the fungus were observed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy and reflected a dose-dependent response to treatment with the activation of defence and self-preservation strategies.

2015 - A Multi-Target Approach toward the Development of Novel Candidates for Antidermatophytic Activity: Ultrastructural Evidence on α-Bisabolol-Treated Microsporum gypseum [Articolo su rivista]
Romagnoli, Carlo; Baldisserotto, Anna; Malisardi, Gemma; Vicentini, Chiara Beatrice; Mares, Donatella; Andreotti, Elisa; Vertuani, Silvia; Manfredini, Stefano
abstract

Multi-target strategies are directed toward targets that are unrelated (or distantly related) and can create opportunities to address different pathologies. The antidermatophytic activities of nine natural skin lighteners: α-bisabolol, kojic acid, β-arbutin, azelaic acid, hydroquinone, nicotinamide, glycine, glutathione and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, were evaluated, in comparison with the known antifungal drug fluconazole, on nine dermatophytes responsible for the most common dermatomycoses: Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton violaceum, Nannizzia cajetani, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Arthroderma gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans. α-Bisabolol showed the best antifungal activity against all fungi and in particular; against M. gypseum. Further investigations were conducted on this fungus to evaluate the inhibition of spore germination and morphological changes induced by α-bisabolol by TEM.

2014 - Biological and chemo-diverse characterization of Amazonian (Ecuador) Citrus petitgrains [Articolo su rivista]
Guerrini, A; Rossi, D.; Grandini, A.; Scalvenzi, L.; Rivera, P. F. Noriega; Andreotti, Elisa; Tacchini, M.; Spagnoletti, A.; Poppi, I.; Maietti, S.; Sacchetti, G.
abstract

Six Amazonian petitgrain samples from C. nobilis Lour., C. auran-tium L., C. limon L. and mixture of Citrus spp. (Rutaceae), named CN, CA, CL1, CL2, C1 and C2, were chemically characterized by GC-MS and 13C NMR and evaluated for antioxidant acitivity (DPPH and β-carotene bleaching tests), for antimicrobial properties (disk diffusion method) and for antifungal capacity (agar vapour assay). CN, C1, C2 samples evidenced the most interesting results: CN (γ-terpinene/linalool chemotype: 14.3 %/41.6 %, with a considerable amount of thymol: 9.0 %), and C1 (linalool, 18.3 %; sabinene, 11.6 %; thymol, 5.5 %), showed relevant antioxidant activity with both DPPH (IC50 = 3.52 and 5.48 mg/ml, respectively) and β-carotene (IC50 = 0.387 and 0.491 mg/ml, respectively). Antibacterial properties of CN and C1 against P. mirabilis (MIC = 0.61 mg/ml for both) and B. subtilis (MIC = 0.61 and 0.44 mg/ml, respectively) were most probably due to thymol. C2 (geranial: 34.7 %, neral: 33.1 %) evidenced a valuable bioactivity against C. albicans (MIC = 0.44 mg/ml). The 50 % growth inhibition (IC50) of the dermatophytes T. mentagrophytes and N. cajetani was reached with amounts of C1, C2 and CN less than 4 μl/plate. Bioactivity of Amazonian Citrus spp. CN, C1 and C2 essential oils suggests their potential use as food preservatives or additives in cosmeceuticals as preventive against dermatophytic fungal infections.

2012 - Synthesis, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of a New Phloridzin Derivative for Dermo-cosmetic Applications [Articolo su rivista]
A., Baldisserotto; G., Malisardi; E., Scalambra; Andreotti, Elisa; Romagnoli, Carlo; C. B., Vicentini; S., Manfredini; S., Vertuani
abstract

The phenolic compound phloridzin (phloretin 2′-O-glucoside, variously named phlorizin, phlorrhizin, phlorhizin or phlorizoside) is a prominent member of the chemical class of dihydrochalcones, which are phenylpropanoids. Phloridzin is specifically found in apple and apple juice and known for its biological properties. In particular we were attracted by potential dermo-cosmetic applications. Here we report the synthesis, stability studies and antimicrobial activity of compound F2, a new semi-synthetic derivative of phloridzin. The new derivative was also included in finished formulations to evaluate its stability with a view to a potential topical use. Stability studies were performed by HPLC; PCL assay and ORAC tests were used to determine the antioxidant activity. F2 presented an antioxidant activity very close to that of the parent phloridzin, but, unlike the latter, was more stable in formulations. To further explore potential health claims, antifungal activity of phloridzin and its derivative F2 were determined; the results, however, were rather low; the highest value was 31,6% of inhibition reached by F2 on Microsporum canis at the highest dose.

2011 - Antidermatophytic activity of pyrazolo[3,4-c]isothiazoles: a preliminary approach on 4-chlorophenyl derivative for evaluation of mutagenic and clastogenic effects on bacteria and human chromosomes in vitro [Articolo su rivista]
D., Rossi; D., Mares; Romagnoli, Carlo; Andreotti, Elisa; S., Manfredini; C. B., Vicentini
abstract

The antifungal activity of eight pyrazolo[3,4-c]isothiazole derivatives was evaluated on five 21 dermatophytes: three are anthropophilic species, i.e. Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton 22 rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans, and two are geophilic species, Microsporum gypseum and 23 Nannizia cajetani. The new compounds proved to be unlikely effective in inhibiting the growth of 24 the different strains. In general the fungi parasitic on man were more sensitive than the geophilic25 species. This fact can be positive for a possible practical-therapeutic utilization of these class of 26 compounds. To verify their possible use against fungi of medical interest, the most interesting 27 substance at low doses, 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-6H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]isothiazol-3-amine, was 28 chosen to perform in vitro genotoxicity tests using: Salmonella/microsome test (SAL), Sister 29 Chromatid Excange test (SCE), Cytokinesis-Blocked Micronucleus test (CBMN) and its 30 improvement (Ara-C/CBMN). The compound showed no mutagenic activity at low doses, whereas 31 at the highest dose (100 μg/mL) it causes a generalized cytotoxic effect. The high growth inhibition32 exerted on fungi at the lowest dose and the concomitant lack of genotoxicity, at least until the dose 33 of 50 μg/mL, might suggest the compound as a safe candidate as antidermatophytic substance.

2010 - Antifungal activity of essential oil from fruits of Indian Cuminum cyminum [Articolo su rivista]
Romagnoli, Carlo; Andreotti, Elisa; S., Maietti; Mares, R. M. a. h. e. n. d. r. a. D.
abstract

The essential oil of fruits of Cuminum cyminum L. (Apiaceae), from India, was analyzed by GC and GC-MS, and its antifungal activity was tested on dermatophytes and phytopathogens, fungi, yeasts and some new Aspergilli. The most abundant components were cumin aldehyde, pinenes, and p-cymene, and a fraction of oxygenate compounds such as alcohol and epoxides. Because of the large amount of the highly volatilecomponents in the cumin extract, we used a modified recent technique to evaluate the antifungal activity only of the volatile parts at doses from 5 to 20 μL of pure essential oil. Antifungal testing showed that Cuminum cyminum is active in general on all fungi but in particular on the dermatophytes, where Trichophyton rubrum was the most inhibited fungus also at the lowest dose of 5 μL. Less sensitive to treatmentwere the phytopathogens.

2009 - Bioactivities of Piper aduncum L. and Piper obliquum Ruiz & Pavon (Piperaceae) essential oils from Eastern Ecuador [Articolo su rivista]
Guerrini, A.; Sacchetti, G.; Rossi, D.; Paganetto, G.; Muzzoli, M.; Andreotti, E.; Tognolini, M.; Maldonado, M. E.; Bruni, R.
abstract

Essential oils from aerial parts of Piper aduncum (Matico) and Piper obliquum (Anis del Oriente) of ecuadorian origin were analyzed by GC-FID, GC-MS, 13C NMR and their biological and pharmacological activities were assessed. Chemical composition proved to be unusually different from previous reports for safrole-rich P. obliquum (45.8%), while P. aduncum main constituent was dillapiol (45.9%). No genotoxic activity was found in the Ames/Salmonella typhimurium (TA98 and TA100) assay, either with or without S9 activation. Mutagen-protective properties, evaluated using sodium azide, 2-nitrofluorene and 2-aminoanthracene as mutagens/promutagens, was observed against promutagen 2-aminoanthracene, likely in consequence of microsomial deactivation. Antimicrobial assays have been performed on Gram+/Gram- bacteria, dermatophyte and phytopathogenic fungi and best results were provided by P. aduncum against fungal strains with complete inhibition at 500 μg/ml. Preliminary analgesic and antithrombotic activities evidenced the absence of the former in hot plate and edema assays and a limited antiplatelet action against three different agonists (ADP, AA and U46619). Both oils have a very limited antioxidant capacity. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

2009 - Reduction screening with endophytic fungi: Synthesis of homochiral secondary alcohols [Articolo su rivista]
Pedrini, P.; Giovannini, P. P.; Mantovani, M.; Andreotti, E.; Colalongo, C.
abstract

Twelve strains of endophytic fungi, isolated from various plants (i.e. Eugenia hallii, Schinus molle, Crataegus monogyna, Juniperus communis and Sambucus nigra) sampled in Amazonian forest and in Italy, were screened for their reduction activity with a cocktail of ketones 1-4. The four most active strains [i.e. Phomopsis (FE86 and FE290), Pestalotia and Epicoccum] were chosen for the reduction of 5-hexen-2-one 1, acetophenone 2, cis-bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one 3, 2-methylcyclohexanone 4, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one 5, 2-furyl methyl ketone 6, 1-indanone 7, and 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one 8 and in all cases the S-alcohols were obtained with variable yields and enantiomeric excesses depending on the strains. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

2008 - Three new species of Aspergillus from Amazonian forest soil (Ecuador) [Articolo su rivista]
D., Mares; Andreotti, Elisa; M. E., Maldonado; P., Pedrini; C., Colalongo; Romagnoli, Carlo
abstract

From an undisturbed natural forest soil inEcuador, three fungal strains of the genus Aspergillus wereisolated. Based on molecular and morphological featuresthey are described as three new species, named A. quitensis,A. amazonicus, and A. ecuadorensis.

2007 - Synthetic Pyrazole derivatives as growth inhibitors of some phytopathogenic fungi [Articolo su rivista]
C. B., Vicentini; Romagnoli, Carlo; Andreotti, Elisa; D., Mares
abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the antifungal activity of pyrazole/isoxazole-3-carboxamido-4-carboxylic acids, 4-oxo-5-substituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-6-thiones, and N-alkyl/aryl-N′-(4-carbethoxy-3-pyrazolyl)thioureas against Pythium ultimum, Botrytis cinerea, and Magnaporthegrisea. The results on growth inhibition showed differences in the sensitivity of the threefungi to the tested substances, and in general P. ultimum was shown to be the most sensitive. On allphytopathogens the best results within the pyrazole/isoxazolecarboxamide series are given bythe compounds with the carboxamide and carboxylic groups in positions 3 and 4; the presence ofthese groups seems to be critical for biological activity in this series of compounds. Among thepyrazolopyrimidines the derivative supplied with the benzylic group was the most active on the threefungi and in particular against P. ultimum. Several compounds belonging to the thiourea series areable to inhibit selectively M. grisea at 50 and 10 μg mL-1, doses at which the reference commercialcompound tricyclazole had low or no effect.

2006 - Emerging antifungal azoles and effects on Magnaporthe grisea [Articolo su rivista]
D., Mares; Romagnoli, Carlo; Andreotti, Elisa; G., Forlani; S., Guccione; C. B., Vicentini
abstract

Derivatives of pyrazolo[1,5-a][1, 3, 5]triazine-2,4-dione,pyrazolo[1,5-c][1, 3, 5] thiadiazine-2-one, pyrazolo[3,4-d][1, 3]thiazine-4-one, and pyrazolo[3,4-d][1, 3]thiazine-4-thione were screened for antifungal activity against the causal agent of rice blast disease, Magnaporthe grisea. The compounds were tested at doses ranging from 10 to 200 mu g ml(-1), using the commercial fungicide tricyclazole as reference compound. All triazine derivatives inhibited the growth and pigmentation of the mycelia less effectively than tricyclazole. The thiadiazine derivatives proved to be more effective than their triazine counterparts, but only 4-(butylimino)-7-methylpyrazolo [1, 5-c] [1, 3,5] thiadiazine-2-one (2h) and 4-(cyclohexylimino) -7- methylpyrazolo [1, 5-c] [1, 3,5] thiadiazine-2-one (2j) were more effective than tricyclazole. Pyrazolo[3,4-d][1,3]thiazine-4-one derivatives were active only at the highest doses, whereas members of the pyrazolo[3,4-d][1,3]thiazine-4-thione series inhibited fungal growth at the lowest concentrations used, at which tricyclazole had no effect. A dose-dependent mechanism might be responsible for this effect, with lipophilicity as the governing factor. Within a given set, the presence of a cyclohexyl or an n-butyl group generally increased antifungal activity, with respect to both growth inhibition and cell de-pigmentation of the mycelium, suggesting that a higher lipophilicity might improve transport inside the cells. SEM and TEM of M. grisea hyphae showed that treatment with the most active substance (2h) caused significant ultrastructural effects, particularly on the endomembrane system, suggesting a mechanism of action similar to that of most azole fungicides. Dissimilarities were also observed, with no alterations of the cell wall evident. In conclusion, several compounds showed greater inhibition than tricyclazole, and therefore provide useful new chemistry for control of M. grisea infections.

2006 - Xanthomonas maltophilia CBS 897.97 as a source of new 7β- and 7α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and cholylglycine hydrolase: Improved biotransformations of bile acids [Articolo su rivista]
Pedrini, P; Andreotti, Elisa; Guerrini, A; Dean, M; Fantin, G; Giovannini, P. P.
abstract

The paper reports the partial purification and characterization of the 7_- and 7_-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDH) and cholylglycine hydrolase (CGH), isolated from Xanthomonas maltophilia CBS 897.97. The activity of 7_-HSDH and 7_-HSDH in the reduction of the 7-keto bile acids is determined. The affinity of 7_-HSDH for bile acids is confirmed by the reduction, on analytical scale, to the corresponding 7_-OH derivatives. A crude mixture of 7_- and 7_-HSDH, in soluble or immobilized form, is employed in the synthesis, on preparative scale, of ursocholic and ursodeoxycholic acids starting from the corresponding 7_-derivatives. On the other hand, a partially purified 7_-HSDH in a double enzyme system, where the couple formate/formate dehydrogenase allows the cofactor recycle, affords 6_- fluoro-3_, 7_-dihydroxy-5_-cholan-24-oic acid (6-FUDCA) by reduction of the corresponding 7-keto derivative. This compound is not obtainable by microbiological route. The efficient and mild hydrolysis of glycinates and taurinates of bile acids with CGH is also reported. Very promising results are also obtained with bile acid containing raw materials.

2005 - Caratterizzazione chimica e funzionale di fonti vegetali di interesse officinale. [Articolo su rivista]
Mares, D; Medici, A; Pedrini, P; Tosi, B; Sacchetti, G; Romagnoli, Carlo; VICENTINI C., B; Guerrini, A; Maietti, S; Andreotti, Elisa; Rambaldi, A; Muzzoli, M.
abstract

La ricerca è impostata su criteri multidisciplinari con finalità applicative. Circa la caratterizzazione chimica della fonte vegetale vengono applicate strategie estrattive ed analitiche al fine di avere una completa impronta biochimica. Le finalità applicative spaziano da ricerche di enzimi per biotrasformazioni alla determinazione dell'eventuale attività biologica( antifungina, antibatterica, antiossidante)dei fitocomplessi e/o delle classi chimiche isolate

2005 - Chemical characterization and antifungal activity of essential oil of capitula from wild Indian Tagetes patula L. [Articolo su rivista]
Romagnoli, Carlo; R., Bruni; Andreotti, Elisa; M. K., Rai; C. B., Vicentini; D., Mares
abstract

The essential oil extracted by steam distillation from the capitula of Indian Tagetes patula, Asteraceae, was evaluated for its antifungal properties and analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Thirty compounds were identified, representing 89.1% of the total detected. The main components were piperitone (24.74%), piperitenone (22.93%), terpinolene (7.8%), dihydro tagetone (4.91%), cis-tagetone (4.62%), limonene (4.52%), and allo-ocimene (3.66%). The oil exerted a good antifungal activity against two phytopathogenic fungi, Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium digitatum, providing complete growth inhibition at 10 μ l/ml and 1.25 μ l/ml, respectively. The contribution of the two main compounds, piperitone and piperitenone, to the antifungal efficacy was also evaluated and ultrastructural modifications in mycelia were observed via electron microscopy, evidencing large alterations in hyphal morphology and a multisite mechanism of action.

2005 - Chicory extracts from Cichorium intybus L. as potential antifungals [Articolo su rivista]
D., Mares; Romagnoli, Carlo; B., Tosi; Andreotti, Elisa; G., Chillemi; F., Poli
abstract

Abstract In this work extracts from roots of the common vegetable Cichorium intybus L., highly appreciated for its bitter taste, were studied to investigate their possible biological activity on fungi from a variety of ecological environments: some are parasites on plants (phytopathogens) or of animals and humans (zoophilic and anthropophilic dermatophytes), others live on the soil and only seldom parasitize animals (geophilic dermatophytes). The extracts were ineffective on geophilic species and on tested phytopathogens, with the exception of Pythium ultimum, whereas they inhibited the growth of zoophilic and anthropophilic dermatophytes, in particular Trichophyton tonsurans var. sulfureum, whose treatment caused morphological anomalies, here observed by scanning electron microscopy. This behaviour is discussed on the basis of the presence in the chicory extract of the two main sesquiterpene lactones, 8-deoxylactucin and 11β,13-dihydrolactucin.

2005 - Comparative chemical composition and variability of biological activity of methanolic extracts from Hypericum perforatum L [Articolo su rivista]
Conforti, F.; Statti, G. A.; Tundis, R.; Bianchi, A.; Agrimonti, C.; Sacchetti, G.; Andreotti, E.; Menichini, F.; Poli, F.
abstract

The biovariability of Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's Wort) grown wild in Calabria and Sardinia (Italy) was reported with the aim to characterize the species through the isolation, detection, and quantitative evaluations of chemical markers (hypericin, querectin, rutin) by HPLC analysis. Antioxidant activity of the methanolic H. perforatum extracts showed that the Calabrian samples were more active than those from Sardinia. The antibacterial activity evidenced the best performance on the gram positive bacteria with a MIC value of 50 μg/mL. Moreover, antifungal activity of all the extracts was also tested which showed interesting results particularly on the phytopathogene fungus P. ultimum. The variability shown by the samples could be attributed to environmental factors such as chemical physical properties, composition of the soil, geographical coordinate, altitude, and solar exposure. The phytochemical analysis and the biological activity data suggested a possible use of H. perforatum extracts in the alimentary, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical field. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Ltd.

2004 - Antifungal activity of Tagetes patula extracts on some phytopathogenic fungi: ultrastructural evidence on Pythium ultimum [Articolo su rivista]
D., Mares; B., Tosi; F., Poli; Andreotti, Elisa; Romagnoli, Carlo
abstract

Methanol extract, obtained from Tagetes patula plant, was assayed against three phytopathogenic fungi: Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium moniliforme and Pythium ultimum. The antifungal activity was tested both in the dark and in the light, using two different Lighting systems. The data showed that the extract proved to have a dose-dependent activity on all the fungi with a marked difference between treatments in the tight than in the dark. Good growth inhibition was observed in fungi only when these were treated with the highest dose of the extract and irradiated, whereas the same dose gave only a modest inhibition when the experiment was conducted in the dark. At 5 and 10 mug/ml in the dark, growth increased. The results indicated that the presence of a luminous source enhances the antifungal activity, with small differences between UV-A and solar spectrum Light. SEM and TEM observations on Pythium ultimum revealed that the Tagetes patulo extract induced alterations on cell fungal membranes with a photoactivation mechanism possibly involving the production of free radicals and Leading to a premature aging of the mycelium.

2004 - Chemical composition and biological activities of Ishpingo essential oil, a traditional Ecuadorian spice from Ocotea quixos (lam.) Kosterm. (Laureaceae) flower calices. [Articolo su rivista]
R., Bruni; A., Medici; Andreotti, Elisa; C., Fantin; M., Muzzoli; M., Dehesa; Romagnoli, Carlo; G., Sacchetti
abstract

The essential oil of Ishpingo (Ocotea quixos, Lauraceae) fruit calices was analysed by GC (gas chromatography) and GC-MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry). Fourty-four compounds were identified. The main components detected were transcinnamaldehyde (27.9%), methylcinnamate (21.6%), 1,8-cincole (8.0%), benzaldehyde (3.6%), and beta-selinene (2.1%). In vitro antioxidant properties of the essential oil, obtained by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and beta-carotene bleaching assays, were also evaluated. The oil exerted a relatively good capacity to act as a non-specific donor of hydrogen atoms or electrons when checked by the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl assay, quenching 52% of the radical. On the other hand, it showed weak effects in inhibiting oxidation of linoleic acid when assayed by the beta-carotene bleaching test. Antibacterial activity of the essential oil was also checked against gram positive (Enterococcus foecalis, Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The oil also showed a dose-dependent antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, phytopathogen Pythium ultimum and dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

2004 - Synthesis and antifungal action of new tricyclazole analogues [Articolo su rivista]
D., Mares; Romagnoli, Carlo; Andreotti, Elisa; M., Manfrini; Cb, Vicentini
abstract

Melanins are very important pigments for the survival and longevity of fungi, so their biosynthesis inhibition is a new biochemical target aiming at the discovery of selective fungicides. In this work is described the synthesis of new pyrazolo-thiazolo-triazole compounds, analogues of tricyclazole (a commercial antifungal product that acts by inhibiting melanin synthesis), and their biological activity was studied on some dermatophytes and phytopathogens. The compounds poorly inhibited the growth and pigmentation of fungi tested and were less efficient than tricyclazole. Electron microscopy on Botrytis cinerea showed that treatment with the most active compound caused abnormally thickened and stratified walls in fungi, whose ultrastructure was, in contrast, generally normal. The fungus treated with tricyclazole, on the other hand, appeared to be drastically altered, so as to become completely disorganized. These results suggest that the new azole compounds employ an action mechanism similar to that of other azoles, but dissimilar to that of tricyclazole.

2002 - Antifungal activity of 5 new synthetic compounds vs. Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum [Articolo su rivista]
Romagnoli, Carlo; Mares, D; Bruni, A; Andreotti, Elisa; Manfrini, M; Vicentini, Cb
abstract

The antifungal activity of five new synthetic compounds was evaluated on two dermatophytes: Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton rubrum. The data showed that the imidazo-pyrazole and pyrazolo-thiazoles were not particularly effective, while the two pyrazole-thiocyanates proved highly active on both fungi. The most active 5-amino-3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazolo-4-thiocyanate was chosen to perform SEM and TEM morphological studies on both fungi. Both SEM and TEM observations revealed interesting alterations on the two dermatophytes, particularly involving the endomembrane system.