δ-ALA-D is a metalloenzyme that has 3 vicinal thiol/thiolate groups that coordinate with Zn(II). The proximity between the sulfhydryl groups renders δ-ALA-D extremely sensitive to oxidation by soft electrophiles, such as Pb(II), Hg(II), As(III) and organoseleno and organotellurium compounds. In fact, blood δ-ALA-D is a classical biomarker of lead exposure in humans. The inhibition of δ-ALA-D can increase the concentration of 5-aminolevulinate (δ-ALA), which is a pro-oxidant compound. δ-ALA can generate oxidative stress that can further increase δ-ALA-D inhibition. Recently, data have been obtained indicating that the δ-ALA-D could be a marker of oxidative stress in human pathologies. In summary, considering its high sensitivity to pro-oxidant situations, δ-ALA-D can be considered a universal marker of oxidative stress.

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The oil obtained from the Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. ( pequi) fruit pulp (C. coriaceum fixed oil -CCFO), rich in fatty acids, has been secularly employed by traditional medicine in the treatment of respiratory affections, skin inflammation, and wounds. These observations encouraged us to investigate the antimicrobial activity of CCFO and to investigate its effect in combination with aminoglycosides. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CCFO alone and associated with aminoglycosides against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains were determined using microdilution assay. CCFO alone had a MIC of 512 mg/mL against E. coli and S. aureus resistant strains. Combining the CCFO with aminoglycosides reduced the MIC of aminoglycosides against the resistant strains of E. coli and S. aureus. The results obtained indicate that CCFO displays a significant synergistic antibiotic effect when combined with aminoglycosides, demonstrating that the oil constituents (fatty acids) may act as potentiators of the antibiotic activity of aminoglycosides. These properties make CCFO oil an interesting alternative as a remedy or nutraceutical against multiresistant bacteria, preventing the development of resistance by these microorganisms.Practical applications: This article demonstrates the capacity of the C. coriaceum oil to enhance the antibiotic activity of aminoglycosides. This activity could represent a new way to combat the growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, an important problem of public health.

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