1
|
Nunes Lemes LF, Magoulas GE, Souza de Oliveira A, Barrias E, de Camargo Nascente L, Granado R, Teixeira de Macedo Silva S, Assimomytis N, de Souza W, Bolognesi ML, Romeiro LAS, Calogeropoulou T. Valorizing Constituents of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid toward the Sustainable Development of New Drugs against Chagas Disease. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1334-1345. [PMID: 37307287 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Six new ether phospholipid analogues encompassing constituents from cashew nut shell liquid as the lipid portion were synthesized in an effort to valorize byproducts of the cashew industry toward the generation of potent compounds against Chagas disease. Anacardic acids, cardanols, and cardols were used as the lipid portions and choline as the polar headgroup. The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiparasitic activity against different developmental stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. Compounds 16 and 17 were found to be the most potent against T. cruzi epimastigotes, trypomastigotes, and intracellular amastigotes exhibiting selectivity indices against the latter 32-fold and 7-fold higher than current drug benznidazole, respectively. Hence, four out of six analogues can be considered as hit-compounds toward the sustainable development of new treatments for Chagas disease, based on inexpensive agro-waste material.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laís Flávia Nunes Lemes
- Tropical Medicine Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70910-900 Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Catholic University of Brasilia, QS 07, Lote 01, EPCT, Águas Claras, 71966-700 Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - George E Magoulas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece
| | - Andressa Souza de Oliveira
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70910-900 Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Emile Barrias
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho s/n, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho s/n, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana de Camargo Nascente
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70910-900 Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Renato Granado
- Laboratory of Metrology Applied to Life Sciences, National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology - Inmetro, Rua Santa Alexandrina, 416, Rio Comprido, 20261-232 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sara Teixeira de Macedo Silva
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho s/n, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nikos Assimomytis
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho s/n, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho s/n, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luiz Antonio Soares Romeiro
- Tropical Medicine Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70910-900 Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70910-900 Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Theodora Calogeropoulou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Thevenard F, Brito IA, Costa-Silva TA, Tempone AG, Lago JHG. Enyne acetogenins from Porcelia macrocarpa displayed anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity and cause a reduction in the intracellular calcium level. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10254. [PMID: 37355735 PMCID: PMC10290671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37520-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural products are a promising source of new compounds with a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties, including antiprotozoal activities. Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is one of several neglected tropical diseases with reduced options for treatment, which presents limitations such as toxicity and ineffectiveness in the chronic stage of the disease. Aiming to investigate the Brazilian flora for the discovery of new anti-T. cruzi compounds, the MeOH extract from Porcelia macrocarpa R.E. Fries (Annonaceae) fruit peels displayed potent activity against trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes and was subjected to bioactivity-guided fractionation. Using different chromatographic steps, a fraction composed of a mixture of four new chemically related acetogenins was obtained. The compounds were characterized as (2S*,3R*,4R*)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(n-octadeca-13',17'-dien-11'-inil)butanolide (1), (2S*,3R*,4R*)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(n-eicosa-13',19'-dien-11'-inil)butanolide (2), (2S*,3R*,4R*)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(n-octadec-13'-en-11'-inil)butanolide (3), and (2S*,3R*,4R*)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(n-eicosa-13'-en-11'-inil)butanolide (4) by NMR analysis and UHPLC/ESI-HRMS data. The mixture of compounds 1-4, displayed an EC50 of 4.9 and 2.5 µg/mL against trypomastigote and amastigote forms of T. cruzi, respectively, similar to the standard drug benznidazole (EC50 of 4.8 and 1.4 µg/mL). Additionally, the mixture of compounds 1-4 displayed no mammalian toxicity for murine fibroblasts (CC50 > 200 µg/mL), resulting in a SI > 40.8 and > 83.3 against trypomastigotes and amastigotes, respectively. Based on these results, the mechanism of action of this bioactive fraction was investigated. After a short-time incubation with the trypomastigotes, no alterations in the cell membrane permeability were observed. However, it was verified a decrease in the intracellular calcium of the parasites, without significant pH variations of the acidocalcisomes. The intracellular damages were followed by an upregulation of the reactive oxygen species and ATP, but no depolarization effects were observed in the mitochondrial membrane potential. These data suggest that the mixture of compounds 1-4 caused an irreversible oxidative stress in the parasites, leading to death. If adequately studied, these acetogenins can open new insights for the discovery of new routes of death in T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Thevenard
- Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ivanildo A Brito
- Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais A Costa-Silva
- Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, Brazil
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Biotechnology, São Paulo, 01130-000, Brazil
| | - Andre G Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - João Henrique G Lago
- Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Synthetic Analogues of Gibbilimbol B Induce Bioenergetic Damage and Calcium Imbalance in Trypanosoma cruzi. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030663. [PMID: 36983820 PMCID: PMC10052702 DOI: 10.3390/life13030663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is an endemic tropical disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which affects around 7 million people worldwide, mostly in development countries. The treatment relies on only two available drugs, with severe adverse effects and a limited efficacy. Therefore, the search for new therapies is a legitimate need. Within this context, our group reported the anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of gibbilimbol B, a natural alkylphenol isolated from the plant Piper malacophyllum. Two synthetic derivatives, LINS03018 (1) and LINS03024 (2), demonstrated a higher antiparasitic potency and were selected for mechanism of action investigations. Our studies revealed no alterations in the plasma membrane potential, but a rapid alkalinization of the acidocalcisomes. Nevertheless, compound 1 exhibit a pronounced effect in the bioenergetics metabolism, with a mitochondrial impairment and consequent decrease in ATP and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Compound 2 only depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential, with no interferences in the respiratory chain. Additionally, no macrophages response of nitric oxide (NO) was observed in both compounds. Noteworthy, simple structure modifications in these derivatives induced significant differences in their lethal effects. Thus, this work reinforces the importance of the mechanism of action investigations at the early phases of drug discovery and support further developments of the series.
Collapse
|
4
|
Souza DCS, Costa-Silva TA, Morais TR, Brito JR, Ferreira EA, Antar GM, Sartorelli P, Tempone AG, Lago JHG. Simplified Derivatives of Dibenzylbutyrolactone Lignans from Hydrocotyle bonariensis as Antitrypanosomal Candidates. Chem Biodivers 2021; 18:e2100515. [PMID: 34424612 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202100515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The search for the pharmacophore of a bioactive compound, crucial for drug discovery studies, involves the adequate arrangement of different atoms in the molecule. As part of a continuous work aiming discovery of new drug candidates against the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the hexane extract of Hydrocotyle bonariensis was subjected to a bioactivity-guided fractionation to afford two chemically related dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans - hinokinin (1) and hibalactone (2). Compounds 1 and 2 showed activity against trypomastigote with EC50 values of 17.0 and 69.4 μM, respectively. Compound 1 was also active against the clinically relevant form of the parasite, amastigotes, displaying an EC50 value of 34.4 μM. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) indicated that the absence of the double bond at C-7 is a crucial feature for the increment of the antiparasitic activity. The lethal action of the most potent compound 1 was investigated in the trypomastigotes. The fluorescent-based assay with SYTOX Green demonstrated a significant alteration of the plasma membrane permeability of the parasite. Additionally, compound 1 demonstrated no significant hemolytic activity in mice erythrocytes at 200 μM. To search the pharmacophore, three different simplified compounds - 3,4-methylenedioxydihydrocinnamic acid (3), 3,4-methylenedioxydihydrocinnamic alcohol (4) and 3,4-methylenedioxycinnamic acid (5) - were prepared and tested against T. cruzi. These derivatives displayed EC50 values of 37.2 (3), 25.8 (4) and 73.5 (5) μM against trypomastigotes, and 41.3 (3) and 48.2 (4) μM against amastigotes, whereas compound 5 was inactive. Except for compound 2, which resulted in a CC50 value of 114.5 μM, all compounds showed no mammalian cytotoxicity at 200 μM. An in silico ADMET study was performed and predicted values demonstrated an acceptable drug-likeness profile for compounds 1-5. Despite the minor reduction in the potency, the simplified derivatives retained the antitrypanosomal activity against the intracellular amastigotes, even with 95 % reduction of their molecular weight. Additionally, in silico studies suggested them as more soluble compounds, making these simplified structures promising scaffolds for optimization studies in Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalete Christine S Souza
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, 09913-030, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Thais A Costa-Silva
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, 09210-580, Santo Andre, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago R Morais
- Neglected Diseases Research Center, University of Guarulhos, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana R Brito
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, 09913-030, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Edgard A Ferreira
- School of Engineering, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, 01302-907, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme M Antar
- Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Patricia Sartorelli
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, 09913-030, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Andre G Tempone
- Center for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, 01246-902, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João Henrique G Lago
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, 09210-580, Santo Andre, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Glanzmann N, Antinarelli LMR, da Costa Nunes IK, Pereira HMG, Coelho EAF, Coimbra ES, da Silva AD. Synthesis and biological activity of novel 4-aminoquinoline/1,2,3-triazole hybrids against Leishmania amazonensis. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111857. [PMID: 34323702 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Quinoline and 1,2,3-triazoles are well-known nitrogen-based heterocycles presenting diverse pharmacological properties, although their antileishmanial activity is still poorly exploited. As an effort to contribute with studies involving these interesting chemical groups, in the present study, a series of compounds derived from 4-aminoquinoline and 1,2,3-triazole were synthetized and biological studies using L. amazonensis species were performed. The results pointed that the derivative 4, a hybrid of 4-aminoquinoline/1,2,3-triazole exhibited the best antileishmanial action, with inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of ~1 µM against intramacrophage amastigotes of L. amazonensis , and being 16-fold more active to parasites than to the host cell. The mechanism of action of derivative 4 suggest a multi-target action on Leishmania parasites, since the treatment of L. amazonensis promastigotes caused mitochondrial membrane depolarization, accumulation of ROS products, plasma membrane permeabilization, increase in neutral lipids, exposure of phosphatidylserine to the cell surface, changes in the cell cycle and DNA fragmentation. The results suggest that the antileishmanial effect of this compound is primarily altering critical biochemical processes for the correct functioning of organelles and macromolecules of parasites, with consequent cell death by processes related to apoptosis-like and necrosis. No up-regulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates was promoted by derivative 4 on L. amazonensis -infected macrophages, suggesting a mechanism of action independent from the activation of the host cell. In conclusion, data suggest that derivative 4 presents selective antileishmanial effect, which is associated with multi-target action, and can be considered for future studies for the treatment against disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nícolas Glanzmann
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36.036-900, Brazil
| | - Luciana Maria Ribeiro Antinarelli
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36.036-900, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30.130-100, Brazil
| | - Isabelle Karine da Costa Nunes
- Laboratório de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Polo de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21.941-598, Brazil
| | - Henrique Marcelo Gualberto Pereira
- Laboratório de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Polo de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21.941-598, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Antonio Ferraz Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30.130-100, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Elaine Soares Coimbra
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36.036-900, Brazil
| | - Adilson David da Silva
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36.036-900, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|