Genetically engineered oncolytic viruses (OVs) have been proven to be effective anti-cancer agents. However, the heterogeneity of tumours and obligate attenuation of OVs to achieve safety can limit their efficacy. Our lab has previously shown that diverse small molecules, which we have termed “Viral Sensitizers”, used in combination with OVs can potentiate the infection of cancer cells by OVs over 1000-fold in some cases, resulting in cancer-specific killing in both in vitro and in vivo tumour models. We observed that a subset of viral sensitizer compounds ultimately acts by reducing the expression of IFNb, thereby inhibiting antiviral signaling. Here, we aimed to further refine the mechanism of action of this class of compounds. Our results suggest that VSe1 and more stable analogs such as VSe1-28 inhibit nuclear accumulation of NF-kB p65 and expression of various antiviral cytokines including, TNFa, IL-6, IFITM1, and MX2 in multiple oncolytic VSV-resistant cancer cell lines but not in normal cells. This was also observed in vivo in CT26wt immune-competent mouse tumour models, where our group has already demonstrated the therapeutic benefit of combining VSe1-28 with oncolytic VSV. Using various biochemical methods, we have determined that VSe1 and its analog VSe1-28 lead to these effects at least in part through covalent modification of NF-kB p65. In sum, this study provides a new understanding of how these novel viral sensitizers work at the molecular level. This new understanding will not only aid in the discovery and development of improved molecules but also their clinical translation in combination with oncolytic viruses.

No description available.

No

Cervical cancer is a major cause of death in women and is strongly associated with infection by human papillomavirus (HPV). Integration of HPV is thought to form a key step in the formation of cancer, and is thought to involve the upregulation of HPV E6 and E7 due to the loss of E2 transcriptional control. Leptomycin B (LMB), a nuclear export inhibitor, has previously been shown to induce apoptosis in HPV-containing cancer cell lines and HPV 16 E7 or E6/E7 transduced primary keratinocytes, but not in normal cells. This thesis shows that LMB can induce apoptosis and a reduction in the colony survival of derivatives of the W12 cell line that contain HPV 16 in either episomal or integrated form. The HPV genome status, including variations in viral integration type, appears to influence the cumulative and temporal pattern of LMB-induced apoptosis. The effects of LMB were also apparent in cells grown in organotypic raft culture, with differences in behaviour again apparent between cells containing episomal and integrated HPV. As previously noted, treatment with LMB was associated with increased expression of the cell regulators p53 and p21; however, the induction of apoptosis was not dependent upon transcriptionally active p53. It is therefore likely that induction and mediation of LMB-induced apoptosis occurs via alternative, currently unidentified, pathways. These findings suggest that LMB can induce apoptosis in keratinocytes containing HPV 16 in either episomal or integrated form, with genome status and potentially lesion grade likely to influence the response of HPV-associated anogenital lesions to LMB treatment.

L'émergence de la résistance des poux aux insecticides neurotoxiques ont favorisé le développement de nouveaux pédiculicides à action « mécanique » à base d’huile. Mais le mécanisme précis d’action de ces produits était mal connu. Dans ce travail, nous nous sommes intéressés aux modes d’action de 5 huiles essentielles pédiculicides et d’une huile minérale, la diméticone également pédiculicide. Dans une première étape, j’ai évalué l’efficacité pédiculicide des huiles essentielles. Seule Eugenia caryophyllata s’est révélée très efficace, Litsea cubeba, a montré une efficacité relative. Dans une deuxième étape, j’ai évalué la résistance des poux à la noyade et à l’anoxie, mécanismes d’action revendiqués pour les produits huileux. Alors que les poux résistent jusque 24 h dans l’eau sans se noyer, ils se noient rapidement et meurent dans la diméticone, en moins de 30 min. Les poux meurent également par noyade lorsqu’ils sont immergés dans les composants biochimiques des huiles étudiées. Les poux résistent à l’anoxie jusque 14 h. Dans une troisième étape, l’activité neurotoxique des principaux composants des huiles a été évaluée sur la blatte, Periplaneta americana, seul modèle disponible pour ce travail. Selon la technique du patch-clamp, aucune activité électrophysiologique n’est décelée aux concentrations habituellement utilisées. Enfin, nous avons étudié le génotypage des poux utilisés. Les poux de Bobigny appartiennent à 3 clades : A, B et E. Le clade E est noté pour la première fois en région parisienne. Les agents pathogènes hébergés par ces poux ont été recherchés et nous notons pour la première fois la présence de Bartonella quintana dans les poux de corps de Bobigny / The emergence of resistance in Pediculus h. capitis, to chemical-based insecticides has result the development of "mechanical" oil-based pediculicides. Despite this interest, little is known on the precise mechanism of action of these products. In the current thesis, we have concentrated on the modes of action of 5 essential oils commonly used as pediculicides as well as one mineral oil, dimeticone. At the first step, the pediculicidal efficacy of essential oils was evaluated by in-vitro bioassay. Among oils examined, only E. caryophyllata has proved to be very effective followed by Litsea cubeba. In the second step, the resistance of head lice to drowning and anoxia was assessed. The lice were resistant up to 24 h in the water without drowning whereas they were quickly drown and died in the dimeticone, in less than 30 min. In addition, the lice were died by drowning during immersion in the pure biochemical components of essential oils. In the same way, the lice were resistant to anoxia up to 14 h in an enclosed box without oxygen. In the third step, the neurotoxic activity of the main components derived from mentioned essential oils were analyzed on the cockroach, Periplaneta americana as the sole model available. According to the patch-clamp technique, no electrophysiological activity was detected using habitual concentrations. Finally, the bacterial flora of mentioned specimens was studied using molecular analysis. Based on our results, Bartonella quintana was detected for the first time in the body lice collected in Bobigny. According to the genotyping results, the lice of Bobigny belong to three clades of A, B and E. The latter is newly reported in the current thesis

L’étude de plantes appartenant au genre Psorospermum, a conduit à isoler plusieurs composés anthranoïdes, dont 9 vismiones, à partir de l’extrait d’écorce de P. glaberrimum. Celles-ci ont montré de fortes activités anti-Leishmania. Afin de vérifier que l’activité anti-Leishmania des extraits est corrélée à leur teneur en vismiones, un dosage par LC-FTMS des vismiones dans plusieurs organes de différentes espèces de Psorospermum a été réalisé. Une approche par synthèse organique a permis 1) d’obtenir une large variété d’analogues de vismiones dans le but de mieux comprendre les déterminants structuraux responsables de l’activité anti-Leishmania ; 2) de synthétiser un analogue présentant une activité optimisée ainsi qu’une stabilité augmentée par rapport aux vismiones naturelles ; 3) de mettre au point une voie de synthèse totale des vismiones, encore jamais réalisée à ce jour. L’activité anti-Leishmania des analogues synthétisés ainsi que leur cytotoxicité ont été évaluées. Enfin, des premières investigations sur le mécanisme d’action des vismiones ont été réalisées sur un modèle végétal exprimant une voie de biosynthèse essentielle à la croissance chez le parasite. Ces investigations nous ont conduits à étudier plus avant les propriétés de fluorescence intrinsèques des vismiones, qui en font potentiellement des outils intéressants en tant que sondes fluorescentes. / The study of plants belonging to the Psorospermum genus, led us to isolate several anthranoïd compounds, among which 9 vismiones, from an extract of P. glaberrimum bark. The latter have shown strong anti-Leishmania activity. In order to check if the anti-Leishmania activity of the extracts correlates with their vismiones content, a dosage of the vismiones in several organs of various Psorospermum species has been carried out using LC-FTMS. Organic synthesis work has allowed: 1) to obtain a wide variety of vismione analogues in order to better understand which structural subunit is responsible for the anti-Leishmania activity; 2) to synthesize an analogue showing an optimised activity as well as an enhanced stability compared to natural vismiones; 3) set up a route for the total synthesis of vismione, which has never been achieved yet. The anti-Leishmania activities of the synthesized analogues, as well as their cytotoxicity were evaluated. Finally, preliminary investigations on the mode of action of vismiones were carried out on a plant model which has a biosynthetic pathway essential for the survival of the parasite. These investigations led us to further study the intrinsic fluorescence properties of the vismiones, which potentially make them interesting tools as fluorescent probes.

Leishmania é um protozoário parasito flagelado responsável pelas Leishmanioses, classificadas como doenças negligenciadas, que causam um risco a 350 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo. As fumarato hidratases (FHs) são enzimas que catalisam a hidratação reversível da molécula de fumarato em S-malato e estudos recentes em tripanosomatídeos, utilizando Trypanosoma brucei como modelo, apontam essas enzimas como potenciais alvos para o planejamento de compostos com ação tripanossomicida e leishmanicida. O presente trabalho visou à caracterização funcional e estrutural das enzimas fumarato hidratase de Leishmania major através da determinação da estrutura por técnicas de difração de raios-X em monocristais, aliadas a técnicas espectroscópicas, de mutagênese sítio dirigida e simulação de dinâmica molecular. A susceptibilidade dessa classe de enzimas ao oxigênio devido a presença de um complexo do tipo [4Fe-4S] exigiu a utilização de técnicas modernas para a realização dos experimentos em condição de anaerobiose. A estrutura da isoforma citosólica da FH em L. major (LmFH-2) foi determinada por técnicas de difração de raios-X em monocristais e consiste na primeira estrutura de uma proteína da classe I das FHs a ser determinada. O enovelamento de LmFH-2 foi descrito como novo e consiste em uma proteína dimérica na qual cada monômero apresenta dois domínios denominados domínios N- e C- terminais, que possuem grande mobilidade entre si. A análise das estruturas cristalográficas de LmFH-2 em complexo com o substrato malato e os inibidores malonato e succinato, associada aos estudos de dinâmica molecular, nos permitiu propor que a mobilidade entre os domínios está associada à entrada do substrato no sítio ativo. Os dados estruturais corroborados pelos dados espectroscópicos e bioquímicos foram utilizados para mapear o sítio ativo e construirmos um modelo para descrever o mecanismo de ação enzimática adotado por essa classe de enzimas. Na tentativa de dar ínicio à validação do nosso modelo, o resíduo conservado Thr467, pertencente ao sítio ativo da LmFH-2 e identificado como importante na interação com o substrato, teve seu papel catalítico avaliado através da combinação de técnicas de mutação sítio-dirigida associada a estudos cinéticos e estruturais. A perda significativa na atividade da proteína mutante LmFH-2-T467A fortaleceu nossas hipóteses de que a Thr467 poderia atuar como ácido ou base no mecanismo RESUMO | II de ação das FHs da classe I. Os resultados obtidos nesse trabalho nos fornecerão as bases estruturais para o mapeamento acerca do mecanismo catalítico adotado pelas enzimas fumarato hidratase da classe I, assim como, para o planejamento de ligantes específicos como uma importante ferramenta na avaliação do potencial desta classe de enzimas como alvo para o desenvolvimento de novas terapias contra a Leishmaniose. / Leishmania parasites are the casual agent of leishamaniasis, classified as neglected tropical diseases, with 350 million people at risk of infection. Fumarate hydratases (FH) are enzymes that catalyze the stereospecific reversible hydratation of fumarate to S-malate and recent studies in trypanosomatids, using Trypanosoma brucei as a model suggest that the fumarate hydratase enzymes are essential for the parasite survival and should be exploited as potential targets for the development of new therapies against trypanosomatid related diseases. The present work focused the functional and structural characterization of both fumarate hydratase enzymes from Leishmania major by a combination of crystallographic, spectroscopic, site-direct mutagenesis and molecular dynamics techniques. The susceptibility to oxygen observed for this class of proteins due to the presence of a [4Fe-4S] cluster required the use of state-of-art infrastructure to perform the experiments under anaerobic environment. The structure of LmFH-2 has been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques and consists of the first class I FH structure to be reported. LmFH-2 folding has been found to be unique and consists of a dimer with each monomer composed of two major domains named N- and C-terminal domains. The analysis of the crystallographic structure of LmFH-2 in complex with the substrate malate and with both inhibitors malonate and succinate has allowed us to propose that the movement observed between both N- and C-domains is associated to the entrance of the substrate into the active site. The structural data corroborated with biochemical and spectroscopic studies have been used to map the active site and to build a model to describe the mechanism of action adopted by this class of enzymes. As our first attempt to validate our model, the residue Thr467 that belongs to the active site and has been identified as important in the interaction with the substrate, had its catalytic role evaluated by site-direct mutagenesis in combination with kinetic and structural studies. The significant loss in activity observed for the mutant LmFH-2-T467A supports our hypothesis that Thr467 can act as either acid or base during catalysis. Our results have provided the structural basis for the complete mapping of the catalytic mechanism adopted by fumarate hydratase enzymes, as well as for the design of specific ligands as an important tool for evaluating FHs as drug targets in development of new therapies against Leishmaniasis.

Submitted by Ubirajara Cruz (ubirajara.cruz@gmail.com) on 2017-06-07T15:21:51Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Clarissa Caetano de Castro.pdf: 1512780 bytes, checksum: 8bb13b97653dff0e33b2ee2f520be9f0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2017-06-08T13:02:14Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Clarissa Caetano de Castro.pdf: 1512780 bytes, checksum: 8bb13b97653dff0e33b2ee2f520be9f0 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-08T13:02:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Clarissa Caetano de Castro.pdf: 1512780 bytes, checksum: 8bb13b97653dff0e33b2ee2f520be9f0 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / A busca de novas substâncias com atividade antiviral levou este estudo a investigar a ação do peptídeo antimicrobiano P34, produzido pelo Bacillus sp. P34, frente ao herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 (BoHV-1) e de moléculas sintetizadas da 2-picolilamina e 2-aminoetilpiperidina derivadas da classe da 4-tiazolidinona denominadas V19 (2a), V20 (2b), V23 (2c), V28 (2d), V29 (2e), AK11 (1a), AK16 (1d), AK17 (1e), AK18 (1b) e AK20 (1c) frente a diversos vírus que infectam animais. Inicialmente foram determinadas as concentrações não citotóxicas dos diferentes compostos, em diferentes linhagens celulares, através dos métodos MTT e vermelho neutro. A seguir a atividade antiviral foi avaliada mediante um ensaio de inibição do efeito citopático. Em todos os testes, o título viral em cultivo celular foi comparado ao título viral na presença de cada composto para a determinação do percentual de inibição (PI). O P34 demonstrou um PI de 99,94% e alto índice de seletividade (SI de 22,9). Os testes para identificar o modo de ação indicaram que o peptídeo P34 não atua sobre as células MDBK, ou receptores celulares. Em concentrações citotóxicas o P34 obteve efeito virucida e 100% de inibição viral nos ensaios de redução viral e de penetração. Foi evidenciada total inibição na produção das partículas de BoHV-1 quando as células foram tratadas com o P34 posterior a 8 h de infecção. Houve redução significativa (p< 0.01) do título do BoHV-1 na presença do P34 após 8 h de infecção (PI de 90%), chegando a 99,9% de PI após 18 h de tratamento pós-infecção. O P34 inibiu o BoHV-1 tanto no meio extracelular, inibindo a infecção celular, quanto no meio intracelular, após a infecção, impedindo o egresso. Com relação às moléculas derivadas da 4-tiazolidinona a menos tóxica foi a AK 16 (157 μg/mL) nas quatro linhagens de células (RK13, MDCK, CRFK e MDBK) e as mais tóxicas foram as AK11, AK18 e AK20 (19 μg/mL). O PI da molécula AK16 foi de 96,9%, 90,1% e 90,1% contra o EAV, FCV e CPV-2, respectivamente. O composto AK17 mostrou PI de 90,1% contra o EAV, a V20 de 78% contra BVDV, a V28 de 94,4% contra EIV e 78% contra BVDV e a V29 de 94,4% contra CPV-2. As moléculas V20 e V28 foram escolhidas para dar continuidade ao estudo frente ao BVDV. Foram determinados para V20 um SI de 16,8 e de 14,73 para V28. Nos ensaios de inibição da produção de partículas virais, adsorção, competição com receptores celulares, penetração viral e efeito virucida não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os títulos do BVDV com e sem tratamentos com as moléculas. A associação das moléculas V20 e V28 aumentou de 78 para 82% o PI, não sendo verificada alteração no PI quando as moléculas foram associadas com os antivirais interferon-α 2b ou ribavirina. Através da determinação da curva de crescimento do BVDV foi evidenciada atuação no período entre 1 a 5 h pós-infecção com o BVDV, sugerindo ação posterior à entrada viral, mas antes do egresso, provavelmente no período de síntese do RNA e enzimas virais. Os resultados demonstram que o peptídeo P34 e os compostos V20 e V28 derivados da 4-tiazolidinona podem ser considerados promissores antivirais contra BoHV-1 e BVDV. / The search for new substances with antiviral activity has led this study to investigate the action of the antimicrobial peptide P34, produced by Bacillus sp. P34 against bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) and of the synthetic molecules 2-picolylamine and 2-aminoethylpiperidine, which are derived from the class of thiazolidin-4-one named V19 (2a), V20 (2b), V23 (2c), V28 (2d), V29 (2e), AK11 (1a), AK16 (1d), AK17 (1e), AK18 (1b) and AK20 (1c) in opposition to several viruses that infect animals. Initially non-cytotoxic concentrations of the different compounds were determined, in different cell lines, through the MTT and neutral red methods. Then, the antiviral activity was evaluated by an assay of the cytopathic effect inhibition. In all tests, the viral titer in cell culture was compared to the viral titer in the presence of each compound to determine the percentage of inhibition (PI). The P34 demonstrated a PI of 99.94% and high selectivity index (SI 22.9). Tests to identify the mode of action indicated that the peptide P34 has no effect on MDBK cells, or cell receptors. In cytotoxic concentrations P34 obtained virucidal effect and 100% inhibition in viral reduction viral and penetration assays. Total inhibition was observed in the production of the BoHV-1 particles when cells were treated with P34 after 8 h of infection. There was a significant reduction (p <0.01) in BoHV-1 titer in the presence of P34 after 8 h of infection (PI 90%), reaching 99.9% PI after 18 h post-infection treatment. P34 inhibited BoHV-1 as extracellularly, inhibiting cell infection, as intracellularly, after infection, preventing its egress. Regarding molecules derived from thiazolidin-4-one the less toxic was AK16 (157 μg/mL) in the four cell lines (RK13, MDCK, CRFK and MDBK), and the most toxics were AK11, AK18 and AK20 (19 μg/mL). The PI of AK16 molecule was 96.9%, 90.1% and 90.1% against EAV, FCV and CPV-2, respectively. The compound AK17 showed PI of 90.1% against EAV, V20 of 78% against BVDV, V28 of 94.4% against EIV and 78% against BVDV and the V29 of 94.4% against CPV-2. V20 and V28 molecules were chosen to continue the study against BVDV. To V20 and V28 molecules, were determined SI of 16.8 and 14.73, respectively. In assays of inhibition of production of viral particles, adsorption, competing with cellular receptors, viral penetration and virucidal effect no significant differences were observed between titers the BVDV with and without treatment with the molecules. The association of V20 and V28 molecules increased the PI from 78 to 82%, and changes in the PI were not verified when the molecules were associated with antiviral interferon-α 2b and ribavirin. Through the determination of BVDV growth curve, was observed activity in the period between 1 to 5 h post-infection with BVDV, suggesting further action on viral entry, but probably, before the egress, in the period of RNA synthesis and viral enzymes. The results demonstrate that peptide P34 and compounds V20 and V28 derived from thiazolidin-4-one can be considered as promising antiviral against BoHV-1 and BVDV.

Two specific goals were addressed for this dissertation. First to investigate and identify the mechanistic profile of ketoconazole (KT)-induced hepatotoxicity by utilizing in vivo and in vitro approaches determining the mechanism of action for the hepatotoxicity incurred. To date, there has not been a mechanistic determination of the hepatotoxicity associated with KT in vivo. This dissertation evaluates the possible metabolic bioactivation of KT by cytochrome-P450 (CYP) or flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMO) resulting in covalent binding with hepatic macromolecules. The hypothesis of this study was to reveal whether covalent binding by the parent compound, KT, and/or reactive metabolites produces hepatic damage associated with increased serum alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) release and decreased hepatic glutathione (GSH). The first objective was determination of in vivo covalent binding in a dose-time response comparison in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat ALT and GSH levels. Increased ALT and reduced hepatic GSH levels occurred. The second objective was an in vitro comparison of covalent binding with GSH levels utilizing SD microsomal protein with incubations of KT. Covalent binding decreased with added GSH to microsomal incubations. Thirdly, correlate in vivo with in vitro findings. Covalent binding of KT in vivo and in vitro occurred with increased doses and time. The final objective was to determine the bioactivation pathway utilizing heat inactivation and no NADPH in vitro. Covalent binding of KT decreased in the absence of NADPH and deactivation of FMO. The second goal was to determine and quantitate in vitro the presence of FMO isozymes in microsomes of the human intestinal duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon as well as the Caco-2 (HTB-37), epithelial intestinal (CCL-241) and colon (CRL1790) cell lines. The presence of FMO could result in a first-pass effect decreasing the bioavailability of soft nucleophiles or a toxicity effect due to inhibition or modulation of the enzyme from co-administration. To date, this is the first evaluation of FMO isoforms in human intestine and cell lines. Western blot techniques were utilized for detection of human FMO1, FMO3, and FMO5 using human FMO-expressed recombinant cDNA from a baculovirus system. / Graduation date: 2003

La contamination des aliments par les mycotoxines est une source très importante de gaspillage de nourriture. Depuis des années, la stratégie classique pour lutter contre ces contaminants est l’utilisation de pesticides. Cependant, il a été montré que ces produits pouvaient avoir des effets nocifs sur la biodiversité et la santé humaine et animale. Il est donc nécessaire de développer de nouvelles stratégies, plus écologiques, pour lutter contre les mycotoxines. L’utilisation de produits naturels pourrait représenter une alternative intéressante et plus respectueuse de l’environnement. En effet, certains produits naturels sont capables d’inhiber la production de mycotoxines. Cependant, le mécanisme d’action mis en jeu est souvent mal compris. Un des objectifs principaux de ce travail a consisté à identifier des produits naturels capables d’inhiber la production de mycotoxines et d’élucider leur mécanisme d’action moléculaire. Pour ce faire, un outil moléculaire a été conçu pour comprendre les mécanismes permettant à des produits naturels d’inhiber la production d’Aflatoxine B1 (AFB1) chez Aspergillus flavus. L’étude de cette mycotoxine est importante puisque c’est un cancérigène puissant chez l’homme et les animaux. Un outil moléculaire permettant l’analyse simultanée de l’expression de 60 des principaux gènes impliqués dans la synthèse de l’aflatoxine B1 par q-*-PCR a été développé. Il permet d’étudier l’ensemble des gènes du cluster d’AFB1 mais également 33 autres gènes codant pour des facteurs de régulation liés à l’environnement dans lequel se trouve la moisissure. Par cette approche, le mécanisme d'action moléculaire de l’eugénol et la pipérine, ainsi que celui de 3 extraits naturels de plantes a été identifié et l'impact de ces composés sur les gènes impliqués dans la production d'AFB1 a été élucidé. L'un des principaux résultats de cette étude a été de montrer que les différents produits naturels modulent systématiquement plusieurs gènes au cours de l'inhibition de la production d’AFB1. Notre étude montre que les produits naturels représentent une alternative possible pour limiter la contamination des aliments par l’AFB1. L'élucidation du mécanisme d'action des produits naturels ouvre de nouvelles perspectives sur les méthodes à employer pour inhiber la production de la toxine. / Mycotoxin’s contamination represents an important source of food spoilage that has to be taken in consideration. For years pesticides, have been used as a common strategy to combat mycotoxin contamination. However, such products were also demonstrated to be harmful to humans and animals’ health. Therefore, it is necessary to find new strategies in order to avoid mycotoxin contamination and the use of natural products could be a promising alternative. Indeed, these compounds may be eco-friendly and several of them are demonstrated aseffective agents against toxin production. Nevertheless, their precise mechanism of action is poorly documented. One of the principal aim of this work consisted in the identification of natural sources capable to inhibit mycotoxin production and in the elucidation of their molecular mechanism of action. For that, we developed a molecular tool aiming the analysis of the impact of natural extracts on the expression of several genes related to Aflatoxin B1 synthesis in Aspergillus flavus. The study of this mycotoxin is an important issue since it is one of the most dangerous compounds inducing cancer in humans and animals. Taking advantage of the well-studied genome of Aspergillus flavus and considering that AFB1 production involves a great number of genetic elements, a q-PCR approach including 60 of the principal genes involved in toxin biosynthesis was developed. This tool simultaneously studies the entire AFB1 gene cluster but also 33 regulatory factors coding for external stimuli to which fungus is exposed. Using this molecular approach, the study of already known but also, new sources of anti-aflatoxigenic compounds was performed. The molecular mechanism of action of 2 isolated molecules and 3 whole plant extracts were determined and the impact of these compounds on the genes involved in AFB1 production was analysed. One of the innovative findings consisted in the demonstration that natural products systematically modulate several genes within AFB1’s inhibition. Taken together, our approach demonstrated that the use of natural products against mycotoxin production can represent an alternative strategy to inhibit food contamination. The elucidation of the mechanism of action of natural products allowed a better understanding of the fungal machinery through which toxin can be inhibited.