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de Lima SKS, Cavallone ÍN, Serrano DR, Anaya BJ, Lalatsa A, Laurenti MD, Lago JHG, da Silva Souza DC, Marinsek GP, Lopes BS, de Britto Mari R, Passero LFD. Therapeutic Activity of a Topical Formulation Containing 8-Hydroxyquinoline for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2602. [PMID: 38004580 PMCID: PMC10675550 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15112602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis exhibits a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations; however, only a limited number of drugs are available and include Glucantime® and amphotericin B, which induce unacceptable side effects in patients, limiting their use. Thus, there is an urgent demand to develop a treatment for leishmaniasis. Recently, it was demonstrated that 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) showed significant leishmanicidal effects in vitro and in vivo. Based on that, this work aimed to develop a topical formulation containing 8-HQ and assess its activity in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. 8-HQ was formulated using a Beeler base at 1 and 2% and showed an emulsion size with a D50 of 25 and 51.3 µm, respectively, with a shear-thinning rheological behaviour. The creams were able to permeate artificial Strat-M membranes and excised porcine skin without causing any morphological changes in the porcine skin or murine skin tested. In BALB/c mice infected with L. (L.) amazonensis, topical treatment with creams containing 1 or 2% of 8-HQ was found to reduce the parasite burden and lesion size compared to infected controls with comparable efficacy to Glucantime® (50 mg/kg) administered at the site of the cutaneous lesion. In the histological section of the skin from infected controls, a diffuse inflammatory infiltrate with many heavily infected macrophages that were associated with areas of necrosis was observed. On the other hand, animals treated with both creams showed only moderate inflammatory infiltrate, characterised by few infected macrophages, while tissue necrosis was not observed. These histological characteristics in topically treated animals were associated with an increase in the amount of IFN-γ and a reduction in IL-4 levels. The topical use of 8-HQ was active in decreasing tissue parasitism and should therefore be considered an interesting alternative directed to the treatment of leishmaniasis, considering that this type of treatment is non-invasive, painless, and, importantly, does not require hospitalisation, improving patient compliance by allowing the treatment to be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kymberly Santos de Lima
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
- Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases (LIM50), Department of Pathology, Medical School, São Paulo University, São Paulo 01246-903, SP, Brazil;
| | - Ítalo Novaes Cavallone
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
- Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases (LIM50), Department of Pathology, Medical School, São Paulo University, São Paulo 01246-903, SP, Brazil;
| | - Dolores Remedios Serrano
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Plaza Ramon y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.R.S.); (B.J.A.)
| | - Brayan J. Anaya
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Plaza Ramon y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.R.S.); (B.J.A.)
| | - Aikaterini Lalatsa
- CRUK Formulation Unit, Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK;
| | - Márcia Dalastra Laurenti
- Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases (LIM50), Department of Pathology, Medical School, São Paulo University, São Paulo 01246-903, SP, Brazil;
| | - João Henrique Ghilardi Lago
- Center for Natural and Human Science (CCNH), Federal University of ABC, Santo André, São Paulo 09210-580, SP, Brazil; (J.H.G.L.); (D.C.d.S.S.)
| | - Dalete Christine da Silva Souza
- Center for Natural and Human Science (CCNH), Federal University of ABC, Santo André, São Paulo 09210-580, SP, Brazil; (J.H.G.L.); (D.C.d.S.S.)
| | - Gabriela Pustiglione Marinsek
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
| | - Beatriz Soares Lopes
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
| | - Renata de Britto Mari
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
| | - Luiz Felipe Domingues Passero
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
- Institute for Advanced Studies of Ocean, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rua João Francisco Bensdorp, 1178, São Vicente 11350-011, SP, Brazil
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Kushwaha V, Capalash N. Evaluation of immunomodulatory potential of recombinant histidyl-tRNA synthetase (rLdHisRS) protein of Leishmania donovani as a vaccine candidate against visceral leishmaniasis. Acta Trop 2023; 241:106867. [PMID: 36878386 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is neglected tropical protozoan disease caused by Leishmania donovani and are associated with high fatality rate in developing countries since prophylactic vaccines are not available. In the present study, we evaluated the immunomodulatory potential of L. donovani histidyl-tRNA synthetase (LdHisRS) and predicted the epitopes using immunoinformatic tools. Histidyl-tRNA synthetase (HisRS) is a class IIa aminoacyl t-RNA synthetase enzyme (aaRS) required for histidine incorporation into proteins during protein synthesis. The recombinant LdHisRS protein (rLdHisRS) was expressed in E coli BL-21cells, and its immunomodulatory role was assessed in J774A.1 murine macrophage and in BALB/c mice, respectively. LdHisRS specifically stimulated and triggered enhance cell proliferation, nitric oxide release and IFN-γ (70%; P < 0.001), and IL-12 (55.37%; P < 0.05) cytokine release in vitro, whereas BALB/c mice immunized with rLdHisRS show higher NO release (80.95%; P<0.001), higher levels of Th1 cytokines IFN-γ (14%; P < 0.05), TNF-α (34.93%; P < 0.001), and IL-12 (28.49%; P < 0.001) and robust IgG (p<0.001) and IgG2a (p<0.001) production. We also identified 20 Helper T-lymphocytes (HTLs), 30 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and 18 B-cell epitopes from HisRS protein of L. donovani. All these epitopes can be further used to make a multiepitope vaccine against L. donovani.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Kushwaha
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Sector-25, South Campus, Chandigarh 160025, India
| | - Neena Capalash
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Sector-25, South Campus, Chandigarh 160025, India.
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Lamba S, Roy A. Demystifying the potential of inhibitors targeting DNA topoisomerases in unicellular protozoan parasites. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103574. [PMID: 37003515 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
DNA topoisomerases are a group of enzymes omnipresent in all organisms. They maintain the DNA topology during replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. However, the structure of topoisomerase in protozoan parasites differs significantly from that of human topoisomerases; thus, this enzyme acts as a crucial target in drug development against parasitic diseases. Although the therapeutic potential of drugs targeting the parasitic topoisomerase is well known, to manage the shortcomings of currently available therapeutics and the emergence of drug resistance, the discovery of novel antiparasitic molecules is an urgent need. In this review, we describe various investigational and repurposed topoisomerase inhibitors developed against protozoan parasites over the past few years. Teaser: Fatal parasitic diseases are an increasing cause for concern; here, we provide a compilation of different inhibitors targeting DNA topoisomerases, enzymes that are essential for, and unique to, protozoan parasites; therefore, inhibitors are efficient and have few adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Lamba
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411007, India
| | - Amit Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411007, India.
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Sakyi PO, Kwofie SK, Tuekpe JK, Gwira TM, Broni E, Miller WA, Wilson MD, Amewu RK. Inhibiting Leishmania donovani Sterol Methyltransferase to Identify Lead Compounds Using Molecular Modelling. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030330. [PMID: 36986430 PMCID: PMC10054574 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent outlook of leishmaniasis as a global public health concern coupled with the reportage of resistance and lack of efficacy of most antileishmanial drugs calls for a concerted effort to find new leads. The study combined In silico and in vitro approaches to identify novel potential synthetic small-molecule inhibitors targeting the Leishmania donovani sterol methyltransferase (LdSMT). The LdSMT enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway is required for the parasite’s membrane fluidity, distribution of membrane proteins, and control of the cell cycle. The lack of LdSMT homologue in the human host and its conserved nature among all Leishmania parasites makes it a viable target for future antileishmanial drugs. Initially, six known inhibitors of LdSMT with IC50 < 10 μM were used to generate a pharmacophore model with a score of 0.9144 using LigandScout. The validated model was used to screen a synthetic library of 95,630 compounds obtained from InterBioScreen limited. Twenty compounds with pharmacophore fit scores above 50 were docked against the modelled three-dimensional structure of LdSMT using AutoDock Vina. Consequently, nine compounds with binding energies ranging from −7.5 to −8.7 kcal/mol were identified as potential hit molecules. Three compounds comprising STOCK6S-06707, STOCK6S-84928, and STOCK6S-65920 with respective binding energies of −8.7, −8.2, and −8.0 kcal/mol, lower than 22,26-azasterol (−7.6 kcal/mol), a known LdSMT inhibitor, were selected as plausible lead molecules. Molecular dynamics simulation studies and molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area calculations showed that the residues Asp25 and Trp208 were critical for ligand binding. The compounds were also predicted to have antileishmanial activity with reasonable pharmacological and toxicity profiles. When the antileishmanial activity of the three hits was evaluated in vitro against the promastigotes of L. donovani, mean half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 21.9 ± 1.5 μM (STOCK6S-06707), 23.5 ± 1.1 μM (STOCK6S-84928), and 118.3 ± 5.8 μM (STOCK6S-65920) were obtained. Furthermore, STOCK6S-84928 and STOCK6S-65920 inhibited the growth of Trypanosoma brucei, with IC50 of 14.3 ± 2.0 μM and 18.1 ± 1.4 μM, respectively. The identified compounds could be optimised to develop potent antileishmanial therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick O. Sakyi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 56, Ghana
- Department of Chemical Sciences, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani P.O. Box 214, Ghana
| | - Samuel K. Kwofie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 77, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG 54, Ghana
- Correspondence: (S.K.K.); (R.K.A.); Tel.: +233-203797922 (S.K.K.); +233-543823483 (R.K.A.)
| | - Julius K. Tuekpe
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG 54, Ghana
| | - Theresa M. Gwira
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG 54, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Broni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 77, Ghana
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Whelton A. Miller
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michael D. Wilson
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Richard K. Amewu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 56, Ghana
- Correspondence: (S.K.K.); (R.K.A.); Tel.: +233-203797922 (S.K.K.); +233-543823483 (R.K.A.)
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Visceral Leishmaniasis: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Regimens in Different Geographical Areas with a Focus on Pediatrics. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10101887. [PMID: 36296164 PMCID: PMC9609364 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10101887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease caused by an intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania that can be lethal if not treated. VL is caused by Leishmania donovani in Asia and in Eastern Africa, where the pathogens’ reservoir is represented by humans, and by Leishmania infantum in Latin America and in the Mediterranean area, where VL is a zoonotic disease and dog is the main reservoir. A part of the infected individuals become symptomatic, with irregular fever, splenomegaly, anemia or pancytopenia, and weakness, whereas others are asymptomatic. VL treatment has made progress in the last decades with the use of new drugs such as liposomal amphotericin B, and with new therapeutic regimens including monotherapy or a combination of drugs, aiming at shorter treatment duration and avoiding the development of resistance. However, the same treatment protocol may not be effective all over the world, due to differences in the infecting Leishmania species, so depending on the geographical area. This narrative review presents a comprehensive description of the clinical picture of VL, especially in children, the diagnostic approach, and some insight into the most used pharmacological therapies available worldwide.
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Identification of L. infantum trypanothione synthetase inhibitors with leishmanicidal activity from a (non-biased) in-house chemical library. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114675. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Lamba S, Roy A. DNA Topoisomerases in the Unicellular Protozoan Parasites: Unwinding the Mystery. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 203:115158. [PMID: 35780829 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
DNA topoisomerases are a group of enzymes present ubiquitously in all organisms from unicellular protozoan parasites to humans. These enzymes control the topological problems caused by DNA double helix in the cell during nucleic acid metabolism. Certain types of topoisomerases present in unicellular parasites are quite different from human topoisomerases (hTop) concerning structure, expression, and function. Many protozoan parasites causing fatal diseases have DNA topoisomerases, which play vital roles in their survival. Given the fact that the structures of the protozoan parasite topoisomerases are different from humans, DNA topoisomerase acts as an essential target for potent drug development for parasitic diseases. Moreover, various studies revealed the therapeutic potential of these drugs targeting the parasitic topoisomerases. Therefore, the characterization of parasitic topoisomerases is pivotal for the development of future potential drug targets. Considering the importance of this ubiquitous enzyme as a potential drug target, we describe in detail all the reported protozoan topoisomerases in an organized manner including Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Giardia, Entamoeba, Babesia, Theileria, Crithidia, Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma, etc. This review highlights the unique attributes associated with the structure and function of different types of DNA topoisomerases from the unicellular protozoan parasites. So, it would be beneficial for researchers to obtain awareness about the currently characterized topoisomerases and the ones that need better characterization, understand the structure-function relationship of parasitic topoisomerases, to develop the potent anti-parasitic drugs, and also provides a future platform for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Lamba
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune-411007, India
| | - Amit Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune-411007, India.
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