Anticoccidial evaluation of halofuginone, lasalocid, maduramicin, monensin and salinomycin

The antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects of Ionophores for the treatment of human infection

Ionophores are a diverse class of synthetic and naturally occurring ion transporter compounds which demonstrate both direct and in-direct antimicrobial properties against a broad panel of bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic pathogens. In addition, ionophores can regulate the host-immune response during communicable and non-communicable disease states. Although the clinical use of ionophores such as Amphotericin B, Bedaquiline and Ivermectin highlight the utility of ionophores in modern medicine, for many other ionophore compounds issues surrounding toxicity, bioavailability or lack of in vivo efficacy studies have hindered clinical development. The antimicrobial and immunomodulating properties of a range of compounds with characteristics of ionophores remain largely unexplored. As such, ionophores remain a latent therapeutic avenue to address both the global burden of antimicrobial resistance, and the unmet clinical need for new antimicrobial therapies. This review will provide an overview of the broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties of ionophores, and their potential uses in clinical medicine for combatting infection.

Maduramicin arrests myocardial cells at G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle through inhibiting AKT-Cyclin D1 signaling

Maduramicin, a polyether ionophore antibiotic used as an anticoccidial feed additive in poultry, is toxic to animals and humans and can cause heart failure. The present study was initiated to explore the underlying mechanism of toxicity in H9c2 myocardial cells. We observed using cell imaging and counting methods that maduramicin inhibited cell growth in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, MTT assays showed that maduramicin inhibited cell proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and was also confirmed by the finding that maduramicin time dependently blocked the incorporation of BrdU into DNA in H9c2 myocardial cells. Further studies revealed that maduramicin induced accumulation of the cells at G₀/G₁ phase of the cell cycle and concurrently, there was down regulation of expression of Cyclin D1. In addition, exposure to maduramicin pruned phosphorylation of AKT at both T308 and S473 sites. Finally, we found that pre-treatment of H9c2 myocardial cells with AKT activator SC79, attenuated the inhibitory effects of maduramicin on Cyclin D1 expression and cell proliferation. Collectively, our results suggest that maduramicin-suppressed AKT-Cyclin D1 signaling which results in G₀/G₁ phase cell cycle arrest, leading to the inhibition of myocardial cell proliferation.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases as drug targets

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) have been considered very attractive drug-targets for decades. This interest probably emerged with the identification of differences in AARSs between prokaryotic and eukaryotic species, which provided a rationale for the development of antimicrobials targeting bacterial AARSs with minimal effect on the homologous human AARSs. Today we know that AARSs are not only attractive, but also valid drug targets as they are housekeeping proteins that: (i) play a fundamental role in protein translation by charging the corresponding amino acid to its cognate tRNA and preventing mistranslation mistakes [1], a critical process during fast growing conditions of microbes; and (ii) present significant differences between microbes and humans that can be used for drug development [2]. Together with the vast amount of available data on both pathogenic and mammalian AARSs, it is expected that, in the future, the numerous reported inhibitors of AARSs will provide the basis to develop new therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases. In this chapter, a detailed summary on the state-of-the-art in drug discovery and drug development for each aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase will be presented.

Genomics-driven discovery of the biosynthetic gene cluster of maduramicin and its overproduction in Actinomadura sp. J1-007

Maduramicin is the most efficient and possesses the largest market share of all anti-coccidiosis polyether antibiotics (ionophore); however, its biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) has yet to been identified, and the associated strains have not been genetically engineered. Herein, we performed whole-genome sequencing of a maduramicin-producing industrial strain of Actinomadura sp. J1-007 and identified its BGC. Additionally, we analyzed the identified BGCs in silico to predict the biosynthetic pathway of maduramicin. We then developed a conjugation method for the non-spore-forming Actinomadura sp. J1-007, consisting of a site-specific integration method for gene overexpression. The maduramicin titer increased by 30% to 7.16 g/L in shake-flask fermentation following overexpression of type II thioesterase MadTE that is the highest titer at present. Our findings provide insights into the biosynthetic mechanism of polyethers and provide a platform for the metabolic engineering of maduramicin-producing microorganisms for overproduction and development of maduramicin analogs in the future.

Salinomycin and its derivatives - A new class of multiple-targeted "magic bullets"

The history of drug development clearly shows the scale of painstaking effort leading to a finished product - a highly biologically active agent that would be at the same time no or little toxic to human organism. Moreover, the aim of modern drug discovery can move from "one-molecule one-target" concept to more promising "one-molecule multiple-targets" one, particularly in the context of effective fight against cancer and other complex diseases. Gratifyingly, natural compounds are excellent source of potential drug leads. One of such promising naturally-occurring drug candidates is a polyether ionophore - salinomycin (SAL). This compound should be identified as multi-target agent for two reasons. Firstly, SAL combines a broad spectrum of bioactivity, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic and anticancer activity, with high selectivity of action, proving its significant therapeutic potential. Secondly, the multimodal mechanism of action of SAL has been shown to be related to its interactions with multiple molecular targets and signalling pathways that are synergistic for achieving a therapeutic anticancer effect. On the other hand, according to the Paul Ehrlich's "magic bullet" concept, invariably inspiring the scientists working on design of novel target-selective molecules, a very interesting direction of research is rational chemical modification of SAL. Importantly, many of SAL derivatives have been found to be more promising as chemotherapeutics than the native structure. This concise review article is focused both on the possible role of SAL and its selected analogues in future antimicrobial and/or cancer therapy, and on the potential use of SAL as a new class of multiple-targeted "magic bullet" because of its multimodal mechanism of action.

Effects of maduramicin on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio): Acute toxicity, tissue damage and oxidative stress

Maduramicin, a potent polyether ionophore antibiotic, has been widely used to control coccidiosis in the poultry production. Nevertheless, incomplete metabolism of maduramicin in chicken may result in its accumulation in the aquatic environment, while maduramicin's threat to fish remains largely unknown. In the present study, we focused on acute toxicity, histopathological lesion and oxidative stress damage of maduramicin in adult zebrafish. Primarily, we obtained that the 96-h median lethal concentration (96 h LC₅₀) of adult zebrafish exposure to maduramicin was 13.568 mg/L. On basis of that, adult zebrafish were separately exposed to 0.1 mg/L (1/125 LC₅₀), 0.5 mg/L (1/25 LC₅₀) and 2.5 mg/L (1/5 LC₅₀) maduramicin for 14 days. On day 3, 0.1 mg/L maduramicin significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione s-transferase (GST) in the liver of zebrafish, while the activities of these antioxidant enzymes in the liver were significantly inhibited by 2.5 mg/L maduramicin. Moreover, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver of different dose groups were all significantly promoted after 14 days of exposure. For the gill of zebrafish, the increase in MDA contents was found after only 3 days of exposure to maduramicin. Furthermore, maduramicin treatment significantly up-regulated the mRNA levels of genes (sod1, gpx1a, gstr, nrf2 and keap1) in the liver of zebrafish after 3 days of exposure. On days 6, 9 and 14, maduramicin treatment significantly down-regulated the mRNA levels of these genes in the liver of zebrafish. Meanwhile, maduramicin significantly down-regulated the mRNA levels of genes (sod1, cat, gpx1a, gstr, nrf2 and keap1) in the gill of zebrafish during the 14-day of exposure. In addition, a dose-dependent induction in histopathological lesion was observed in multiple organs after 14 days of exposure, including lamellar fusion, epithelial lifting in the gill and vacuole formation in the liver as well as the fracture of intestinal villus in the intestine. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that waterborne maduramicin (2.5 mg/L) exposure can induce severe oxidative stress and tissue damage in adult zebrafish while this damage was not enough to kill them after 14 days of waterborne exposure.

Salinomycin Inhibits Influenza Virus Infection by Disrupting Endosomal Acidification and Viral Matrix Protein 2 Function

Screening of chemical libraries with 2,000 synthetic compounds identified salinomycin as a hit against influenza A and B viruses, with 50% effective concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 4.3 μM in cells. This compound is a carboxylic polyether ionophore that exchanges monovalent ions for protons across lipid bilayer membranes. Monitoring the time course of viral infection showed that salinomycin blocked nuclear migration of viral nuclear protein (NP), the most abundant component of the viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complex. It caused cytoplasmic accumulation of NP, particularly within perinuclear endosomes, during virus entry. This was primarily associated with failure to acidify the endosomal-lysosomal compartments. Similar to the case with amantadine (AMT), proton channel activity of viral matrix protein 2 (M2) was blocked by salinomycin. Using purified retroviral Gag-based virus-like particles (VLPs) with M2, it was proved that salinomycin directly affects the kinetics of a proton influx into the particles but in a manner different from that of AMT. Notably, oral administration of salinomycin together with the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir phosphate (OSV-P) led to enhanced antiviral effect over that with either compound used alone in influenza A virus-infected mouse models. These results provide a new paradigm for developing antivirals and their combination therapy that control both host and viral factors.IMPORTANCE Influenza virus is a main cause of viral respiratory infection in humans as well as animals, occasionally with high mortality. Circulation of influenza viruses resistant to the matrix protein 2 (M2) inhibitor, amantadine, is highly prevalent. Moreover, the frequency of detection of viruses resistant to the neuraminidase inhibitors, including oseltamivir phosphate (OSV-P) or zanamivir, is also increasing. These issues highlight the need for discovery of new antiviral agents with different mechanisms. Salinomycin as the monovalent cation-proton antiporter exhibited consistent inhibitory effects against influenza A and B viruses. It plays multifunctional roles by blocking endosomal acidification and by inactivating the proton transport function of M2, the key steps for influenza virus uncoating. Notably, salinomycin resulted in marked therapeutic effects in influenza virus-infected mice when combined with OSV-P, suggesting that its chemical derivatives could be developed as an adjuvant antiviral therapy to treat influenza infections resistant or less sensitive to existing drugs.

Maduramicin induces apoptosis in chicken myocardial cells via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways

Maduramicin is one of the most extensively used anticoccidial drugs for the treatment of Eimeria spp. infections. However, overdosage, misuse and drug interactions have resulted in the development of ionophore toxic syndrome. Heart and skeletal muscles have been identified as the main target organs of toxicity. In the present study, primary chicken myocardial cells were isolated to investigate the toxicity and underlying mechanisms of maduramicin. Our results showed that maduramicin causes morphological changes and a decrease in the viability of chicken myocardial cells. Annexin V-FITC/PI and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining showed a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells. Furthermore, caspases-3/8/9 were activated at the gene and protein levels and this was accompanied by the upregulation of apoptosis-related genes, including bcl-2, bax, and cytochrome C. Treatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp (O-Me) fluoromethyl ketone (z-VAD-fmk) ameliorated the apoptosis and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, intracellular Ca²⁺ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were elevated, whereas mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and intracellular glutathione (GSH) decreased with exposure to maduramicin. The antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) had no significant effect on maduramicin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that maduramicin is cytotoxic to primary chicken myocardial cells via caspase dependent and independent apoptotic pathways.

Halofuginone attenuates intervertebral discs degeneration by suppressing collagen I production and inactivating TGFβ and NF-кB pathway

Most low back pain is caused by intervertebral discs (IVD) degeneration, a disease that prevalence is increasing with age. Halofuginone, an analog of ferbrifugine isolated from plant Dichroa febrifuga, has drawn much attention in recent years for the wide range of bioactivities in malaria, cancer, fibrotic and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we evaluated the benefit effects of halofuginone in IVD degeneration treatment in a validated rabbit puncture model. Halofuginone treatment could attenuate disc degeneration by suppressing the decrease of discs height and nucleus pulposus signal strength. Besides, halofuginone treatment could suppress mRNA and protein expression of collagen I in nucleus pulposus. This might possibly due to the inactivation of transform growth factor-β (TGFβ) signal pathway by down-regulating p-Samd3 and up-regulating inhibitory Smad7. Then, we evaluated the effects of halofuginone treatment on nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway and its downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines. The level of p-p65 and p-IκBα was down-regulated in halofuginone treated group, indicating the inactivation of NF-κB signal pathway. The mRNA expression of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) was decreased in nucleus pulposus too, indicating the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, halofuginone treatment could attenuate IVD degeneration and this was possibly due to suppressing of collagen I production and inactivation of TGFβ and NF-κB signal pathway in nucleus pulposus of degenerated discs. These results suggest that halofuginone has the potential for IVD degeneration treatment, but more research is needed to validate this.

Circular Dichroism is Sensitive to Monovalent Cation Binding in Monensin Complexes

Monensin is a natural antibiotic that exhibits high affinity to certain metal ions. In order to explore its potential in coordination chemistry, circular dichroism (CD) spectra of monensic acid A (MonH) and its derivatives containing monovalent cations (Li(+) , Na(+) , K(+) , Rb(+) , Ag(+) , and Et4 N(+) ) in methanolic solutions were measured and compared to computational models. Whereas the conventional CD spectroscopy allowed recording of the transitions down to 192 nm, synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) revealed other bands in the 178-192 nm wavelength range. CD signs and intensities significantly varied in the studied compounds, in spite of their similar crystal structure. Computational modeling based on the Density Functional Theory (DFT) and continuum solvent model suggests that the solid state monensin structure is largely conserved in the solutions as well. Time-dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) simulations did not allow band-to-band comparison with experimental spectra due to their limited precision, but indicated that the spectral changes were caused by a combination of minor conformational changes upon the monovalent cation binding and a direct involvement of the metal electrons in monensin electronic transitions. Both the experiment and simulations thus show that the CD spectra of monensin complexes are very sensitive to the captured ions and can be used for their discrimination. Chirality 28:420-428, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Maduramicin Rapidly Eliminates Malaria Parasites and Potentiates the Gametocytocidal Activity of the Pyrazoleamide PA21A050

New strategies targeting Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes, the sexual-stage parasites that are responsible for malaria transmission, are needed to eradicate this disease. Most commonly used antimalarials are ineffective against P. falciparum gametocytes, allowing patients to continue to be infectious for over a week after asexual parasite clearance. A recent screen for gametocytocidal compounds demonstrated that the carboxylic polyether ionophore maduramicin is active at low nanomolar concentrations against P. falciparum sexual stages. In this study, we showed that maduramicin has an EC50 (effective concentration that inhibits the signal by 50%) of 14.8 nM against late-stage gametocytes and significantly blocks in vivo transmission in a mouse model of malaria transmission. In contrast to other reported gametocytocidal agents, maduramicin acts rapidly in vitro, eliminating gametocytes and asexual schizonts in less than 12 h without affecting uninfected red blood cells (RBCs). Ring stage parasites are cleared by 24 h. Within an hour of drug treatment, 40% of the normally crescent-shaped gametocytes round up and become spherical. The number of round gametocytes increases to >60% by 2 h, even before a change in membrane potential as monitored by MitoProbe DiIC1 (5) is detectable. Maduramicin is not preferentially taken up by gametocyte-infected RBCs compared to uninfected RBCs, suggesting that gametocytes are more sensitive to alterations in cation concentration than RBCs. Moreover, the addition of 15.6 nM maduramicin enhanced the gametocytocidal activity of the pyrazoleamide PA21A050, which is a promising new antimalarial candidate associated with an increase in intracellular Na(+) concentration that is proposed to be due to inhibition of PfATP4, a putative Na(+) pump. These results underscore the importance of cation homeostasis in sexual as well as asexual intraerythrocytic-stage P. falciparum parasites and the potential of targeting this pathway for drug development.

Halofuginone - the multifaceted molecule

Halofuginone is an analog of febrifugine-an alkaloid originally isolated from the plant Dichroa febrifuga. During recent years, halofuginone has attracted much attention because of its wide range of beneficial biological activities, which encompass malaria, cancer, and fibrosis-related and autoimmune diseases. At present two modes of halofuginone actions have been described: (1) Inhibition of Smad3 phosphorylation downstream of the TGFβ signaling pathway results in inhibition of fibroblasts-to-myofibroblasts transition and fibrosis. (2) Inhibition of prolyl-tRNA synthetase (ProRS) activity in the blood stage of malaria and inhibition of Th17 cell differentiation thereby inhibiting inflammation and the autoimmune reaction by activation of the amino acid starvation and integrated stress responses. This review deals with the history and origin of this natural product, its synthesis, its known modes of action, and it's various biological activities in pre-clinical animal models and in humans.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases as drug targets in eukaryotic parasites

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Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are essential and many aaRS inhibitors kill parasites.

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We examine compound inhibitors tested experimentally against parasite aaRSs.

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Successful inhibitors were discovered by both phenotype and target-based approaches.

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Selectivity and resistance are ongoing challenges for development of parasite drugs.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are central enzymes in protein translation, providing the charged tRNAs needed for appropriate construction of peptide chains. These enzymes have long been pursued as drug targets in bacteria and fungi, but the past decade has seen considerable research on aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in eukaryotic parasites. Existing inhibitors of bacterial tRNA synthetases have been adapted for parasite use, novel inhibitors have been developed against parasite enzymes, and tRNA synthetases have been identified as the targets for compounds in use or development as antiparasitic drugs. Crystal structures have now been solved for many parasite tRNA synthetases, and opportunities for selective inhibition are becoming apparent. For different biological reasons, tRNA synthetases appear to be promising drug targets against parasites as diverse as Plasmodium (causative agent of malaria), Brugia (causative agent of lymphatic filariasis), and Trypanosoma (causative agents of Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis). Here we review recent developments in drug discovery and target characterisation for parasite aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.

Cytostatic and cytotoxic properties of monensic acid and its biometal(II) complexes against human tumor / non-tumor cell lines

The anticancer activity of monensic acid (MonH) and its biometal(II) complexes [M(Mon)2(H2O)2](M = Mg, Ca, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn) was evaluated against cultured human permanent cell lines established from glioblastoma multiforme (8MGBA) and cancers of the lung (A549), breast (MCF-7), uterine cervix (HeLa) and liver (HepG2). The viability and proliferation of the non-tumor human embryonic cell line Lep3 was also tested. The investigations were carried out using a thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide test, neutral red uptake cytotoxicity assay, crystal violet staining, colony forming method and double staining with acridin orange and propidium iodide. The results obtained reveal that the compounds applied at concentrations of 0.5–25 µg mL−1 for 24–72 h decrease the viability and proliferation of the treated cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The metal(II) complexes studied (especially those of Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)) have been found to express stronger cytotoxic and cytostatic activities than the non-coordinated monensic acid. The non-tumor human cell line showed strong chemosensitivity towards compounds tested comparable to that of cultured human tumor cell lines.

First solid state alkaline-earth complexes of monensic acid A (MonH): crystal structure of [M(Mon)2(H (2)O)2] (M = Mg, Ca), spectral properties and cytotoxicity against aerobic Gram-positive bacteria

Alkaline-earth metal complexes of the monoanionic form of the polyether ionophore monensin A were isolated for the first time in solid state and were structurally characterized using various spectroscopic methods (IR, NMR, FAB-MS). The stoichiometric reaction of monensic acid (MonH) with M(2+) (M = Mg, Ca) in the presence of an organic base leads to the formation of mononuclear complexes of composition [M(Mon)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]. The structures of magnesium (1) and calcium (2) monensin complexes in the solid state were established by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The complexes crystallize as [Mg(Mon)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]x5MeCN (1) and [Ca(Mon)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]xH(2)Ox5MeCN (2) in the monoclinic P21 space group. The alkaline-earth metal ion is placed in a distorted octahedral environment, defined by two monensin anions acting as bidentate ligands in the equatorial plane of the complex as well as by two water molecules occupying the axial positions of the inner coordination sphere. The bactericidal activity of 1 and 2 was evaluated against aerobic Gram-positive microorganisms applying the double layer agar hole diffusion method.

Polyether ionophores: broad-spectrum and promising biologically active molecules for the control of drug-resistant bacteria and parasites

BACKGROUND

As multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens continue to emerge, there is a substantial amount of pressure to identify new drug candidates. Carboxyl polyethers, also referred to as polyether antibiotics, are a unique class of compounds with outstanding potency against a variety of critical infectious disease targets including protozoa, bacteria and viruses. The characteristics of these molecules that are of key interest are their selectivity and high potency against several MDR etiological agents.

OBJECTIVE

Although many studies have been published about carboxyl polyether antibiotics, there are no recent reviews of this class of drugs. The purpose of this review is to provide the reader with an overview of the spectrum of activity of polyether antibiotics, their mechanism of action, toxicity and potential as drug candidates to combat drug-resistant infectious diseases.

CONCLUSION

Polyether ionophores show a high degree of promise for the potential control of drug-resistant bacterial and parasitic infections. Despite the long history of use of this class of drugs, very limited medicinal chemistry and drug optimization studies have been reported, thus leaving the door open to these opportunities in the future. Scifinder and PubMed were the main search engines used to locate articles relevant to the topic presented in the present review. Keywords used in our search were specific names of each of the 88 compounds presented in the review as well as more general terms such as polyethers, ionophores, carboxylic polyethers and polyether antibiotics.

Effects of polyether ionophores on the protective immune responses of broiler chickens against Angara disease and Newcastle disease viruses

Immunization against Angara disease virus (ADV), a serotype 4 avian adenovirus, and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian paramyxovirus serotype 1, is the mainstay of a broiler vaccination programme, while polyether ionophores usually form an essential component of a broiler medication programme in most parts of India and Pakistan. The role of polyether ionophores in the protective immune responses of broiler chickens vaccinated and challenged with ADV and NDV was investigated. A total of 1600 birds were divided into eight groups of 200 birds each. First four groups were vaccinated against NDV and ADV, while the remaining four served as unvaccinated controls. The first 3 groups of birds were administered salinomycin, monensin and cyclophosphamide (CYP), respectively. The last group served as an untreated control. The same treatment schedule was also followed for the next four unvaccinated groups. The post-vaccination and post-challenge serological responses to NDV and ADV, body and lymphoid organ weight gains, post-challenge survival rate and detection of NDV and ADV in the tissues of infected birds were evaluated. Birds administered salinomycin showed a significant stimulation of protective immune responses against both NDV and ADV as compared to the untreated and CYP-treated birds. Monensin also enhanced the protective immune responses against both viruses but the effect was not statistically significant. Thus, it is concluded that monensin and salinomycin augment the anti-NDV and anti-ADV immune responses in broiler chickens, which supports their use in poultry flocks.

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of halofuginone, an oral quinazolinone derivative in patients with advanced solid tumours

PURPOSE

Halofuginone (tempostatin) is a synthetic derivative of a quinazolinone alkaloid showing anti-angiogenic, anti-metastatic and anti-proliferative effects in preclinical studies. The objectives of this phase I study were to assess the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and to study the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of halofuginone when administered once or twice daily orally to patients with advanced solid tumours.

METHODS

Patients were treated with escalating doses of halofuginone at doses ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 mg/day. For pharmacokinetic analysis plasma sampling was performed during the first and second course and assayed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic assay with mass spectrometric detection.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients received a total of 106 courses. The 'acute' MTD was reached at 3.5 mg/day, with nausea, vomiting, and fatigue as DLT. The recommended dose for chronic administration was defined as 0.5mg/day with the requirement of 5HT3 antagonists to control nausea and vomiting considered as DLT. Several patients experienced bleeding complications on treatment with halofuginone in which a causal relationship could not be excluded. The PKs of halofuginone were linear over the dose range studied with a large interpatient variability.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study the DLT of halofuginone was nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. The recommended dose for phase II studies of halofuginone is 0.5mg administered orally, once daily.

Clinico-haematological and mineral studies on experimental maduramicin toxicity in chickens

Clinico-haematological and mineral studies were carried out in experimental chickens given maduramicin medicated feed at 5 and 10 ppm for 21 days. Maduramicin medication in both medicated groups caused growth retardation. Clinical signs namely watery diarrhoea, depression, dullness and ruffled feathers were noticed in chickens from second week of the medication at 10 ppm but this effect was seen from third week in the birds given maduramicin at 5 ppm. Maduramicin medication caused significant reduction in haemoglobin in both the medicated group from day 14 and total erythrocyte count and packed cell volume in 10 ppm group on day 21. There was an increase in MCV in 10 ppm group on day 21 indicating macrocytic anaemia and decrease in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in both the medicated groups indicating hypochromic anaemia. The leucopenia due to lymphopenia was observed in 10 ppm group on day 21. Maduramicin medication caused significant increase in serum Zn in 10 ppm group and decrease in Cu concentration in both the medicated groups from day 14. It is concluded that maduramicin caused toxic effects from day 14 in both the medicated groups.

Anticoccidial efficacy of semduramicin. 2. Evaluation against field isolates including comparisons with salinomycin, maduramicin, and monensin in battery tests

The efficacy of semduramicin (AVIAX), a novel polyether ionophore, was profiled in a series of 57 battery tests conducted in the United States and the United Kingdom. The studies employed mixed and monospecific infections of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria mivati/Eimeria mitis, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria necatrix, and Eimeria tenella derived from North American and European field isolates. Ten-day-old broiler cockerels in pens of 8 to 10 birds were continuously medicated in feed beginning 24 h before challenge in tests of 6 to 8 days' duration. At the use level of 25 ppm, semduramicin effectively controlled mortality, lesions, and weight gain depression that occurred in unmedicated, infected controls for all species. In comparison with 60 ppm salinomycin, semduramicin significantly (P < .05) improved weight gain against E. brunetti and E. tenella, lesion control against E. brunetti and E. maxima, and the control of coccidiosis mortality against E. tenella. Salinomycin was superior (P < .05) to all treatments in maintenance of weight gain and control of lesions for E. acervulina. Maduramicin at 5 ppm was inferior (P < .05) to semduramicin in control of E. acervulina and E. maxima lesions, but was superior (P < .05) to all treatments in maintenance of weight gain and control of lesions in E. tenella infections. The data indicate that semduramicin at 25 ppm is well tolerated in broilers and possesses broad spectrum anticoccidial activity.

In vitro cultivation of Cryptosporidium parvum and screening for anticryptosporidial drugs

Sporozoites of Cryptosporidium parvum which were excysted in vitro from oocysts isolated from calves or patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome underwent development in monolayers of the mouse fibroblast cell line L929. Asexual multiplication occurred, with the maximum numbers of parasites usually being observed between 24 and 48 h after infection. Gametocytes were also found, but their numbers were relatively small compared with those of the asexual stages. A study was made of the effect on parasite development of 20 antimicrobial agents, most of which were anticoccidial or antimalarial agents. The majority of the drugs had a limited inhibitory effect on parasite development, but usually only at high concentrations. The two most active drugs were monensin and halofuginone, which reduced parasite multiplication by more than 90% at high concentrations. In the case of monensin, however, inhibition of parasite development at higher concentrations was due, at least in part, to a toxic effect of the drug on the host cells.

Effect of lasalocid on the development of Eimeria tenella in chicken embryos

Sporozoites of Eimeria tenella were treated with lasalocid in vitro and their viability tested by inoculating them into the allantoic cavity of 11-day-old chicken embryos. Concentrations of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 micrograms ml-1 reduced sporozoite viability, as judged by oocyst production. Injections into the embryos of 5, 50 or 500 micrograms of lasalocid 92-93 h after infection also reduced oocyst production, indicating activity against the later stages of the life cycle.