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de Almeida GC, de Oliveira GB, da Silva Monte Z, Costa ÉCS, da Silva Falcão EP, Scotti L, Scotti MT, Oliveira Silva R, Pereira VRA, da Silva ED, Junior PAS, de Andrade Cavalcante MK, de Melo SJ. Structure-based design, optimization of lead, synthesis, and biological evaluation of compounds active against Trypanosoma cruzi. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 102:843-856. [PMID: 37455325 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14294] [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] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Chagas' disease affects approximately eight million people throughout the world, especially the poorest individuals. The protozoan that causes this disease-Trypanosoma cruzi-has the enzyme cruzipain, which is the main therapeutic target. As no available medications have satisfactory effectiveness and safety, it is of fundamental importance to design and synthesize novel analogues that are more active and selective. In the present study, molecular docking and the in silico prediction of ADMET properties were used as strategies to optimize the trypanocidal activity of the pyrimidine compound ZN3F based on interactions with the target site in cruzipain. From the computational results, eight 4-amino-5-carbonitrile-pyrimidine analogues were proposed, synthesized (5a-f and 7g-h) and, tested in vitro on the trypomastigote form of the Tulahuen strain of T. cruzi. The in silico study showed that the designed analogues bond favorably to important amino acid residues of the active site in cruzipain. An in vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity was performed on L929 mammal cell lines. All derivatives inhibited the Tulahuen strain of T. cruzi and also exhibited lower toxicity to L929 cells. The 5e product, in particular, proved to be a potent, selective (IC50 = 2.79 ± 0.00 μM, selectivity index = 31.3) inhibitor of T. cruzi. The present results indicated the effectiveness of drugs based on the structure of the receptor, revealing the potential trypanocidal of pyrimidines. This study also provides information on molecular aspects for the inhibition of cruzipain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleybson Correia de Almeida
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Gerliny Bezerra de Oliveira
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Zenaide da Silva Monte
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Érick Caique Santos Costa
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences, Department of Biosciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Scotti
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Program of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products (PgPNSB), Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Program of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products (PgPNSB), Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Oliveira Silva
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Center for Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Journalist Anibal Fernandes, Recife, Brazil
| | - Valéria Rêgo Alves Pereira
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Elis Dionisio da Silva
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Policarpo Ademar Sales Junior
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Marton Kaique de Andrade Cavalcante
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Sebastião José de Melo
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences, Department of Biosciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
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2
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Rubio-Hernández M, Alcolea V, Pérez-Silanes S. Potential of sulfur-selenium isosteric replacement as a strategy for the development of new anti-chagasic drugs. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106547. [PMID: 35667455 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106547] [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: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment for Chagas disease is based on only two drugs: benznidazole and nifurtimox. Compounds containing sulfur (S) in their structure have shown promising results in vitro and in vivo against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas disease. Notably, some reports show that the isosteric replacement of S by selenium (Se) could be an interesting strategy for the development of new compounds for the treatment of Chagas disease. To date, the activity against T. cruzi of three Se- containing groups has been compared with their S counterparts: selenosemicarbazones, selenoquinones, and selenocyanates. More studies are needed to confirm the positive results of Se compounds. Therefore, we have investigated S compounds described in the literature tested against T. cruzi. We focused on those tested in vivo that allowed isosteric replacement to propose their Se counterparts as promising compounds for the future development of new drugs against Chagas disease.
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Zhou S, Huang G, Chen G. Synthesis and anti-tumor activity of marine alkaloids. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 41:128009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Zhou S, Huang G. Retracted Article: The synthesis and biological activity of marine alkaloid derivatives and analogues. RSC Adv 2020; 10:31909-31935. [PMID: 35518151 PMCID: PMC9056551 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra05856d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The ocean is the origin of life, with a unique ecological environment, which has given birth to a wealth of marine organisms. The ocean is an important source of biological resources and tens of thousands of monomeric compounds have been separated from marine organisms using modern separation technology. Most of these monomeric compounds have some kind of biological activity that has attracted extensive attention from researchers. Marine alkaloids are a kind of compound that can be separated from marine organisms. They have complex and special chemical structures, but at the same time, they can show diversity in biological activities. The biological activities of marine alkaloids mainly manifest in the form of anti-tumor, anti-fungus, anti-viral, anti-malaria, and anti-osteoporosis properties. Many marine alkaloids have good medicinal prospects and can possibly be used as anti-tumor, anti-viral, and anti-fungal clinical drugs or as lead compounds. The limited amounts of marine alkaloids that can be obtained by separation, coupled with the high cytotoxicity and low selectivity of these lead compounds, has restricted the clinical research and industrial development of marine alkaloids. Marine alkaloid derivatives and analogues have been obtained via rational drug design and chemical synthesis, to make up for the shortcomings of marine alkaloids; this has become an urgent subject for research and development. This work systematically reviews the recent developments relating to marine alkaloid derivatives and analogues in the field of medical chemistry over the last 10 years (2010–2019). We divide marine alkaloid derivatives and analogues into five types from the point-of-view of biological activity and elaborated on these activities. We also briefly discuss the optimization process, chemical synthesis, biological activity evaluation, and structure–activity relationship (SAR) of each of these compounds. The abundant SAR data provides reasonable approaches for the design and development of new biologically active marine alkaloid derivatives and analogues. The ocean is the origin of life, with a unique ecological environment, which has given birth to a wealth of marine organisms.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyang Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Green Synthesis and Application
- Active Carbohydrate Research Institute
- College of Chemistry
- Chongqing Normal University
- Chongqing 401331
| | - Gangliang Huang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Green Synthesis and Application
- Active Carbohydrate Research Institute
- College of Chemistry
- Chongqing Normal University
- Chongqing 401331
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Khaligh NG, Abbo H, Titinchi SJ, Johan MR. An Overview of Recent Advances in Biological and Pharmaceutical Developments of Fluoro-containing Drugs. CURR ORG CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1385272824666191213123930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
:
This review article provides a brief assessment of the biological and pharmaceutical
developments of fluorinated drugs. It also discusses possible impacts on the further
development of new fluoro-containing pharmaceuticals. Structural aspects of new
drug-candidates currently under development and their biological properties, therapeutic
potential and syntheses are critically evaluated
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader G. Khaligh
- Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, Institute of Postgraduate Studies, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hanna Abbo
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
| | - Salam J.J. Titinchi
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mohd R. Johan
- Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, Institute of Postgraduate Studies, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Previtali V, Sánchez-Sanz G, Trujillo C. Theoretical Investigation of Cyano-Chalcogen Dimers and Their Importance in Molecular Recognition. Chemphyschem 2019; 20:3186-3194. [PMID: 31608563 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201900899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In this manuscript the different noncovalent interactions established between (HYCN)2 dimers (Y=S, Se and Te) have been studied at the MP2 and CCSD(T) level of theory. Several homodimers have been taken into account, highlighting the capacity of these compounds to act both as electron donor and acceptor. The main properties studied were geometries, binding energy (Eb ), and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP). Given the wide application of chalcogen bonds, and more specifically of cyano-chalcogen moieties in molecular recognition, natural bond orbital (NBO), "atoms-in-molecules" (AIM), and electron density shift (EDS) analysis were also used to analyse the different noncovalent interactions upon complexation. The presence of hydrogen, chalcogen and dipole-dipole interactions was confirmed and their implications on molecular recognition were analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Previtali
- Center for Nanomedicine & Theranostics, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 207, Kongens Lyngby, DK, Denmark
| | - Goar Sánchez-Sanz
- Irish Centre of High-End Computing, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland & School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Cristina Trujillo
- School of Chemistry Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublini, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Chao MN, Lorenzo-Ocampo MV, Szajnman SH, Docampo R, Rodriguez JB. Further insights of selenium-containing analogues of WC-9 against Trypanosoma cruzi. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:1350-1361. [PMID: 30808607 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.02.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
As a continuation of our project aimed at searching for new chemotherapeutic agents against American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), new selenocyanate derivatives were designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated against the clinically more relevant dividing form of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of this illness. In addition, in order to establish the role of each part of the selenocyanate moiety, different derivatives, in which the selenium atom or the cyano group were absent, were conceived, synthesized and biologically evaluated. In addition, in order to study the optimal position of the terminal phenoxy group, new regioisomers of WC-9 were synthesized and evaluated against T. cruzi. Finally, the resolution of a racemic mixture of a very potent conformationally rigid analogue of WC-9 was accomplished and further tested as growth inhibitors of T. cruzi proliferation. The results provide further insight into the role of the selenocyanate group in its antiparasitic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- María N Chao
- Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET-FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María V Lorenzo-Ocampo
- Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET-FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sergio H Szajnman
- Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET-FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Juan B Rodriguez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET-FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Chanquia SN, Larregui F, Puente V, Labriola C, Lombardo E, García Liñares G. Synthesis and biological evaluation of new quinoline derivatives as antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal agents. Bioorg Chem 2018; 83:526-534. [PMID: 30469145 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.10.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
As a part of our project aimed at developing new safe chemotherapeutic agents against tropical diseases, a series of aryl derivatives of 2- and 3-aminoquinoline, some of them new compounds, was designed, synthesized, and evaluated as antiproliferative agents against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease), and Leishmania mexicana, the etiological agent of Leishmaniasis. Some of them showed a remarkable activity as parasite growth inhibitors. Fluorine-containing derivatives 11b and 11c were more than twice more potent than geneticin against intracellular promastigote form of Leishmania mexicana exhibiting both IC50 values of 41.9 μM. The IC50 values corresponding to fluorine and chlorine derivatives 11b-d were in the same order than benznidazole against epimastigote form. These drugs are interesting examples of effective antiparasitic agents with outstanding potential not only as lead drugs but also to be used for further in vivo studies. In addition, the obtained compounds showed no toxicity in Vero cells, which makes them good candidates to control tropical diseases. Regarding the probable mode of action, assayed quinoline derivatives interacted with hemin, inhibiting its degradation and generating oxidative stress that is not counteracted by the antioxidant defense system of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago N Chanquia
- Laboratorio de Biocatálisis. Departamento de Química Orgánica y UMYMFOR, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, piso 3, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Facundo Larregui
- Laboratorio de Biocatálisis. Departamento de Química Orgánica y UMYMFOR, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, piso 3, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanesa Puente
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Porfirias y Porfirinas (CIPYP, UBA-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Avenida Córdoba 2351, 1120 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Labriola
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, C1405BWE Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elisa Lombardo
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Porfirias y Porfirinas (CIPYP, UBA-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Avenida Córdoba 2351, 1120 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Guadalupe García Liñares
- Laboratorio de Biocatálisis. Departamento de Química Orgánica y UMYMFOR, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, piso 3, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Barbosa MCS, de Souza Barbosa C, de Oliveira JT, Moreira NCS, de Miranda Martins NR, Alves Gomes GK, Caldeira CA, Alves e Costa ML, Martins Guimarães DS, Guimarães L, Nascimento CS, de Pilla Varotti F, Ribeiro Viana GH, Santos FVD. Synthesis and evaluation of the mutagenicity of 3-alkylpyridine marine alkaloid analogues with anticancer potential. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2018; 825:31-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Chao MN, Storey M, Li C, Rodríguez MG, Di Salvo F, Szajnman SH, Moreno SN, Docampo R, Rodriguez JB. Selenium-containing analogues of WC-9 are extremely potent inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi proliferation. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:6435-6449. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Montazeri M, Sharif M, Sarvi S, Mehrzadi S, Ahmadpour E, Daryani A. A Systematic Review of In vitro and In vivo Activities of Anti -Toxoplasma Drugs and Compounds (2006-2016). Front Microbiol 2017; 8:25. [PMID: 28163699 PMCID: PMC5247447 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The currently available anti-Toxoplasma agents have serious limitations. This systematic review was performed to evaluate drugs and new compounds used for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. Data was systematically collected from published papers on the efficacy of drugs/compounds used against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) globally during 2006-2016. The searched databases were PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, ISI Web of Science, EBSCO, and Scopus. One hundred and eighteen papers were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review, which were both in vitro and in vivo studies. Within this review, 80 clinically available drugs and a large number of new compounds with more than 39 mechanisms of action were evaluated. Interestingly, many of the drugs/compounds evaluated against T. gondii act on the apicoplast. Therefore, the apicoplast represents as a potential drug target for new chemotherapy. Based on the current findings, 49 drugs/compounds demonstrated in vitro half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of below 1 μM, but most of them were not evaluated further for in vivo effectiveness. However, the derivatives of the ciprofloxacin, endochin-like quinolones and 1-[4-(4-nitrophenoxy) phenyl] propane-1-one (NPPP) were significantly active against T. gondii tachyzoites both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, these compounds are promising candidates for future studies. Also, compound 32 (T. gondii calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 inhibitor), endochin-like quinolones, miltefosine, rolipram abolish, and guanabenz can be repurposed into an effective anti-parasitic with a unique ability to reduce brain tissue cysts (88.7, 88, 78, 74, and 69%, respectively). Additionally, no promising drugs are available for congenital toxoplasmosis. In conclusion, as current chemotherapy against toxoplasmosis is still not satisfactory, development of well-tolerated and safe specific immunoprophylaxis in relaxing the need of dependence on chemotherapeutics is a highly valuable goal for global disease control. However, with the increasing number of high-risk individuals, and absence of a proper vaccine, continued efforts are necessary for the development of novel treatment options against T. gondii. Some of the novel compounds reviewed here may represent good starting points for the discovery of effective new drugs. In further, bioinformatic and in silico studies are needed in order to identify new potential toxoplasmicidal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahbobeh Montazeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical SciencesSari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical SciencesSari, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sharif
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical SciencesSari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical SciencesSari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical SciencesSari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical SciencesSari, Iran
| | - Saeed Mehrzadi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences TehranIran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical SciencesTabriz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical SciencesSari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical SciencesSari, Iran
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Chao MN, Li C, Storey M, Falcone BN, Szajnman SH, Bonesi SM, Docampo R, Moreno SNJ, Rodriguez JB. Activity of Fluorine-Containing Analogues of WC-9 and Structurally Related Analogues against Two Intracellular Parasites: Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii. ChemMedChem 2016; 11:2690-2702. [PMID: 27886451 PMCID: PMC5200956 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201600505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Two obligate intracellular parasites, Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, and Toxoplasma gondii, an agent of toxoplasmosis, upregulate the mevalonate pathway of their host cells upon infection, which suggests that this host pathway could be a potential drug target. In this work, a number of compounds structurally related to WC-9 (4-phenoxyphenoxyethyl thiocyanate), a known squalene synthase inhibitor, were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their effect on T. cruzi and T. gondii growth in tissue culture cells. Two fluorine-containing derivatives, the 3-(3-fluorophenoxy)- and 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenoxyethyl thiocyanates, exhibited half-maximal effective concentration (EC50 ) values of 1.6 and 4.9 μm, respectively, against tachyzoites of T. gondii, whereas they showed similar potency to WC-9 against intracellular T. cruzi (EC50 values of 5.4 and 5.7 μm, respectively). In addition, 2-[3- (phenoxy)phenoxyethylthio]ethyl-1,1-bisphosphonate, which is a hybrid inhibitor containing 3-phenoxyphenoxy and bisphosphonate groups, has activity against T. gondii proliferation at sub-micromolar levels (EC50 =0.7 μm), which suggests a combined inhibitory effect of the two functional groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- María N. Chao
- M. N. Chao, Dr. B. N. Falcone, Dr. S. H. Szajnman, Prof. Dr. J. B. Rodriguez, Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET–FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Catherine Li
- C. Li, M. Storey, Prof. Dr. R. Docampo, Prof. Dr. S. N. J. Moreno, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
| | - Melissa Storey
- C. Li, M. Storey, Prof. Dr. R. Docampo, Prof. Dr. S. N. J. Moreno, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
| | - Bruno N. Falcone
- M. N. Chao, Dr. B. N. Falcone, Dr. S. H. Szajnman, Prof. Dr. J. B. Rodriguez, Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET–FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sergio H. Szajnman
- M. N. Chao, Dr. B. N. Falcone, Dr. S. H. Szajnman, Prof. Dr. J. B. Rodriguez, Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET–FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sergio M. Bonesi
- Prof. Dr. S. M. Bonesi, Departamento de Química Orgánica and CIHIDECAR (CONICET–FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Roberto Docampo
- C. Li, M. Storey, Prof. Dr. R. Docampo, Prof. Dr. S. N. J. Moreno, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
| | - Silvia N. J. Moreno
- C. Li, M. Storey, Prof. Dr. R. Docampo, Prof. Dr. S. N. J. Moreno, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
| | - Juan B. Rodriguez
- M. N. Chao, Dr. B. N. Falcone, Dr. S. H. Szajnman, Prof. Dr. J. B. Rodriguez, Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET–FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Review of Experimental Compounds Demonstrating Anti-Toxoplasma Activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:7017-7034. [PMID: 27600037 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01176-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous apicomplexan parasite capable of infecting humans and other animals. Current treatment options for T. gondii infection are limited and most have drawbacks, including high toxicity and low tolerability. Additionally, no FDA-approved treatments are available for pregnant women, a high-risk population due to transplacental infection. Therefore, the development of novel treatment options is needed. To aid this effort, this review highlights experimental compounds that, at a minimum, demonstrate inhibition of in vitro growth of T. gondii When available, host cell toxicity and in vivo data are also discussed. The purpose of this review is to facilitate additional development of anti-Toxoplasma compounds and potentially to extend our knowledge of the parasite.
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Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of 3-thiocyanato-1H-indoles as potential anticancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 118:21-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Rodriguez JB, Falcone BN, Szajnman SH. Detection and treatment ofTrypanosoma cruzi: a patent review (2011-2015). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2016; 26:993-1015. [DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2016.1209487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Chao MN, Matiuzzi CE, Storey M, Li C, Szajnman SH, Docampo R, Moreno SNJ, Rodriguez JB. Aryloxyethyl Thiocyanates Are Potent Growth Inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii. ChemMedChem 2015; 10:1094-108. [PMID: 25914175 PMCID: PMC4447534 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As a part of our project aimed at searching for new safe chemotherapeutic agents against parasitic diseases, several compounds structurally related to the antiparasitic agent WC-9 (4-phenoxyphenoxyethyl thiocyanate), which were modified at the terminal phenyl ring, were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as growth inhibitors against Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, and Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite responsible of toxoplasmosis. Most of the synthetic analogues exhibited similar antiparasitic activity and were slightly more potent than our lead WC-9. For example, two trifluoromethylated derivatives exhibited ED50 values of 10.0 and 9.2 μM against intracellular T. cruzi, whereas they showed potent action against tachyzoites of T. gondii (ED50 values of 1.6 and 1.9 μM against T. gondii). In addition, analogues of WC-9 in which the terminal aryl group is in the meta position with respect to the alkyl chain bearing the thiocyanate group showed potent inhibitory action against both T. cruzi and T. gondii at the very low micromolar range, which suggests that a para-phenyl substitution pattern is not necessary for biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- María N Chao
- Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET-FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
| | - Carolina Exeni Matiuzzi
- Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET-FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
| | - Melissa Storey
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602 (USA)
| | - Catherine Li
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602 (USA)
| | - Sergio H Szajnman
- Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET-FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602 (USA)
| | - Silvia N J Moreno
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602 (USA)
| | - Juan B Rodriguez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica and UMYMFOR (CONICET-FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires (Argentina).
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Sá MM, Ferreira M, Lima ES, dos Santos I, Orlandi PP, Fernandes L. Antimicrobial activity of allylic thiocyanates derived from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. Braz J Microbiol 2014; 45:807-12. [PMID: 25477911 PMCID: PMC4204962 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-83822014000300007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics has been recognized as a significant global health issue. In this study, we carried out the screening of a family of allylic thiocyanates for their action against a diversity of bacteria and fungi with a view to developing new antimicrobial agents. Allylic thiocyanates bearing halogenated aryl groups, which were readily obtained in two steps from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts, showed moderate-to-high activity against selective pathogens, including a methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain. In particular cases, methyl (Z)-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(thiocyanomethyl)-2-propenoate exhibited antimicrobial activity comparable to the reference antibiotic Imipenem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Mandolesi Sá
- Departamento de Química Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina FlorianópolisSC Brazil Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Misael Ferreira
- Departamento de Química Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina FlorianópolisSC Brazil Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Emerson Silva Lima
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Universidade Federal do Amazonas ManausAM Brazil Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Ivanildes dos Santos
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade em Saúde Centro de Pesquisa Leônidas e Maria Deane Fundação Oswaldo Cruz ManausAM Brazil Coordenação de Biodiversidade em Saúde, Centro de Pesquisa Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Puccinelli Orlandi
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade em Saúde Centro de Pesquisa Leônidas e Maria Deane Fundação Oswaldo Cruz ManausAM Brazil Coordenação de Biodiversidade em Saúde, Centro de Pesquisa Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Luciano Fernandes
- Departamento de Engenharia Química Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná Ponta GrossaPR Brazil Departamento de Engenharia Química, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil
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Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of WC-9 analogs as antiparasitic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2013; 69:480-9. [PMID: 24090919 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Revised: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
As a part of our project pointed at the search of new safe chemotherapeutic and chemoprophylactic agents against parasitic diseases, several compounds structurally related to 4-phenoxyphenoxyethyl thiocyanate (WC-9), which were modified at the terminal aromatic ring, were designed, synthesized and evaluated as antiproliferative agents against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible of American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) and Toxoplasma gondii, the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis. Most of the synthetic analogs exhibited similar antiparasitic activity being slightly more potent than the reference compound WC-9. For example, the nitro derivative 13 showed an ED₅₀ value of 5.2 μM. Interestingly, the regioisomer of WC-9, compound 36 showed similar inhibitory action than WC-9 indicating that para-phenyl substitution pattern is not necessarily required for biological activity. The biological evaluation against T. gondii was also very promising. The ED₅₀ values corresponding for 13, 36 and 37 were at the very low micromolar level against tachyzoites of T. gondii.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasma gondii, the agent that causes toxoplasmosis, is an opportunistic parasite that infects many mammalian species. It is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes severe congenital neurological and ocular disease mostly in immunocompromised humans. The current regimen of therapy includes only a few medications that often lead to hypersensitivity and toxicity. In addition, there are no vaccines available to prevent the transmission of this agent. Therefore, safer and more effective medicines to treat toxoplasmosis are urgently needed. AREAS COVERED The author presents in silico and in vitro strategies that are currently used to screen for novel targets and unique chemotypes against T. gondii. Furthermore, this review highlights the screening technologies and characterization of some novel targets and new chemical entities that could be developed into highly efficacious treatments for toxoplasmosis. EXPERT OPINION A number of diverse methods are being used to design inhibitors against T. gondii. These include ligand-based methods, in which drugs that have been shown to be efficacious against other Apicomplexa parasites can be repurposed to identify lead molecules against T. gondii. In addition, structure-based methods use currently available repertoire of structural information in various databases to rationally design small-molecule inhibitors of T. gondii. Whereas the screening methods have their advantages and limitations, a combination of methods is ideally suited to design small-molecule inhibitors of complex parasites such as T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandhya Kortagere
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 2900, Queen Lane, PA 19129, USA.
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Allylic thiocyanates as a new class of antitubercular agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:6486-9. [PMID: 22967767 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.08.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2012] [Revised: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
TB is a global public health emergency in which new drugs are desperately needed. Herein we report on the synthesis of a diverse panel of 41 aryl allylic azides, thiocyanates, isothiouronium salts, and N,N'-diacetylisothioureas that were evaluated for their in vitro activity against replicating and non-replicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H(37)Rv and toxicity to VERO cells. We found a selective group of new and promising compounds having good (micromolar) to excellent (sub-micromolar) potency against replicating Mtb H(37)Rv. Allylic thiocyanates bearing halophenyl (halo=2-Br, 4-Br, 4-Cl, 4-F), 4-methylphenyl and 2-naphthyl moieties were the most active as antitubercular agents. In particular, the 2-bromophenyl-substituted thiocyanate showed MIC=0.25 μM against replicating Mtb, MIC=8.0 μM against non-replicating Mtb and IC(50)=32 μM in the VERO cellular toxicity assay.
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Chemoenzymatic synthesis and biological evaluation of 2- and 3-hydroxypyridine derivatives against Leishmania mexicana. Bioorg Med Chem 2012; 20:4614-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2012.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Revised: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 06/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Rodriguez JB, Szajnman SH. New antibacterials for the treatment of toxoplasmosis; a patent review. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2012; 22:311-33. [PMID: 22404108 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2012.668886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis. T. gondii is able to infect a wide range of hosts, particularly humans and warm-blooded animals. Toxoplasmosis can be considered as one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases affecting close to one billion people worldwide, but its current chemotherapy is still deficient and is only effective in the acute phase of the disease. AREAS COVERED This review covers different approaches to toxoplasmosis chemotherapy focused on the metabolic differences between the host and the parasite. Selective action on different targets such as the isoprenoid pathway, dihydrofolate reductase, T. gondii adenosine kinase, different antibacterials, T. gondii histone deacetylase and calcium-dependent protein kinases is discussed. EXPERT OPINION A new and safe chemotherapy is needed, as T. gondii causes serious morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and immunodeficient patients undergoing chemotherapy. A particular drawback of the available treatments is the lack of efficacy against the tissue cyst of the parasite. During this review a broad scope of several attractive targets for drug design have been presented. In this context, the isoprenoid pathway, dihydrofolate reductase, T. gondii histone deacetylase are promising molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Bautista Rodriguez
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Química Orgánica & UMYMFOR (CONICET-FCEyN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pab 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, C1428EHA, Argentina.
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Sarvary A, Shaabani S, Shaabani A, Ng SW. Synthesis of functionalized iminolactones via an isocyanide-based three-component reaction. Tetrahedron 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2011.03.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Cerecetto H, González M. Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry in Chagas' Disease: Compounds at The Final Stage of "Hit-To-Lead" Phase. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2010; 3:810-838. [PMID: 27713281 PMCID: PMC4034012 DOI: 10.3390/ph3040810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2010] [Accepted: 03/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas' disease, or American trypanosomosiasis, has been the most relevant illness produced by protozoa in Latin America. Synthetic medicinal chemistry efforts have provided an extensive number of chemodiverse hits at the "active-to-hit" stage. However, only a more limited number of these have been studied in vivo in models of Chagas' disease. Herein, we survey some of the cantidates able to surpass the "hit-to-lead" stage discussing their limitations or merit to enter in clinical trials in the short term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Cerecetto
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
| | - Mercedes González
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica, Instituto de Química Biológica-Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
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Kastenbauer U, Wolf E, Kollan C, Hamouda O, Bogner JR. Impaired CD4-cell immune reconstitution upon HIV therapy in patients with toxoplasmic encephalitis compared to patients with pneumocystis pneumonia as AIDS indicating disease. Eur J Med Res 2009; 14:244-9. [PMID: 19541584 PMCID: PMC3352016 DOI: 10.1186/2047-783x-14-6-244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is only little data on immune reconstitution in antiretroviral naive AIDS-patients with toxoplasmosis. The observation of several cases with reduced increase of CD4-cells upon start of antiretroviral treatment (ART) prompted us to investigate the topic using the ClinSurv cohort. METHODS 17 German HIV treatment centers contribute to ClinSurv, a multicentre observational cohort under the auspices of the Robert Koch Institute. We retrospectively selected all antiretroviral-naive patients with toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) and - as comparator group - with pneumocystosis (PCP) between January 1999 and December 2005. RESULTS A total of 257 patients were included in the analysis, 61 with TE and 196 with PCP. Demographic baseline data showed differences with regard to gender, transmission group, and baseline CD4 superset+ counts (60.9 vs. 44.7/microl, p = 0.022). After ART-initiation the increase in CD4 superset+ lymphocytes was lower in the TE- versus the PCP-group in the first, second and fourth three-month-period (74.4 vs. 120.3/microl, p = 0.006; 96.6 vs. 136.2/microl, p = 0.021; 156.5 vs. 211.5/microl, p = 0.013). Viral load (VL) was higher in the PCP-group at baseline (4.46 log subset10cop/ml vs. 5.00 log subset10cop/ml, p = 0.008), while virological success of ART was equal. CONCLUSIONS Our data show for the first time that the average CD4 superset+ T-cell increase of patients with toxoplasmosis is impaired compared to PCP-patients. Most clinicians would not be prepared to discontinue follow-up TE-therapy unless CD4 superset+ counts of 200/microl are reached. Explanation for our finding might be the myelosuppressive side effect of pyrimethamine, possible interactions of toxoplasmosis therapy with ART, or an unknown direct biological influence of toxoplasmosis on immune restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Kastenbauer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Munich, Medizinische Poliklinik, Germany.
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Moreno SNJ, Li ZH. Anti-infectives targeting the isoprenoid pathway of Toxoplasma gondii. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2008; 12:253-63. [PMID: 18269336 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.12.3.253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Isoprenoids are an extensive group of natural products with diverse structures consisting of various numbers of five carbon isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) units. OBJECTIVE We review here what is known about the isoprenoid pathway in T. gondii. METHODS Recent primary literature is reviewed. RESULTS/CONCLUSION Genomic evidence points toward the presence of a 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate/2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (DOXP/MEP) pathway, similar to the one found in plants, which will produce isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP). The DOXP/MEP pathway has been validated as a target in the related Apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium. The DOXP/MEP pathway in Toxoplasma has not been characterized. Downstream in the pathway, the enzyme farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) has a central role in forming important intermediates since farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) is a precursor of critical molecules with fundamental biological function such as dolichols, heme a, cholesterol, farnesylated proteins and others. Strong evidence indicates that this enzyme is a valid target for drugs since bisphosphonates, which are specific FPPS inhibitors, inhibited parasite growth in vitro and in vivo. Our hypothesis is that the isoprenoid pathway constitutes a major novel target for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia N J Moreno
- University of Georgia, Department of Cellular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, 500 D. W. Brooks Dr, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
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