m -Nitrocinnamic Acid Containing Lipophilic Peptide Exhibits Selective Growth Inhibition Activity against Leishmania major

α,ε-Hybrid Peptide-Stabilized Magnetic Nanoparticle-Coated Paper-Based Actuators

The development of α,ε-hybrid peptide-stabilized magnetic nanoparticles and their application to fabricate a paper-based actuator has been reported. From single-crystal diffraction analysis, the nitropeptide 2 has an extended structure with a trans geometry. The one-pot in situ multiple oxidation-reduction reaction of a synthetic nitropeptide solution in ammonium hydroxide and FeCl₂ leads to the formation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The reduction reaction replaces the nitro group with an amine group, which finally acts as capping agent for the stabilization of the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Paper-based soft magneto machines with multivariant actuation modes such as contraction-expansion, bending, and uplifting locomotion have been studied. The device has potential as controllable paper-based soft robots.

A recent update on new synthetic chiral compounds with antileishmanial activity

Parasitic diseases, including malaria, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis, affect billions of people and are responsible for almost 500,000 deaths/year. In particular, leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, is considered a global public health problem because current drugs have several drawbacks including to toxicity, high cost, and drug resistance, which result in a lack of effective and readily available therapies. Therefore, the synthesis of new, safe, and effective molecules still requires the attention of the scientific community. Moreover, it is well known that chirality plays a crucial role in the antiparasitic activity of molecules, driving the design of their synthesis. Therefore, in this review we report a recent update on new chiral compounds with promising antileishmanial activity, focusing on synthetic approaches. Where reported, in most cases the enantiopure compound has shown better potency against the protozoa than its enantiomer or corresponding racemic mixture.

Alkyl and Aryl Derivatives Based on p-Coumaric Acid Modification and Inhibitory Action against Leishmania braziliensis and Plasmodium falciparum

In low-income populations, neglected diseases are the principal cause of mortality. Of these, leishmaniasis and malaria, being parasitic, protozoan infections, affect millions of people worldwide and are creating a public health problem. The present work evaluates the leishmanicidal and antiplasmodial action of a series of twelve p-coumaric acid derivatives. Of the tested derivatives, eight presented antiparasitic activities 1–3, 8–12. The hexyl p-coumarate derivative (9) (4.14 ± 0.55 μg/mL; selectivity index (SI) = 2.72) showed the highest leishmanicidal potency against the Leishmania braziliensis amastigote form. The results of the molecular docking study suggest that this compound inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), mitogen-activated kinase protein (MPK4), and DNA topoisomerase 2 (TOP2), all of which are key enzymes in the development of Leishmania braziliensis. The data indicate that these enzymes interact via Van der Waals bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and hydrogen bonds with phenolic and aliphatic parts of this same compound. Of the other compounds analyzed, methyl p-coumarate (64.59 ± 2.89 μg/mL; IS = 0.1) demonstrated bioactivity against Plasmodium falciparum. The study reveals that esters presenting a p-coumarate substructure are promising for use in synthesis of derivatives with good antiparasitic profiles.