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Diethelm LTH, Ramos ABDSB, de Lorena GB, Trajano BI, do Espírito Santo RD, de Menezes RPB, Scotti MT, Colombo FA, Marques MJ, Correia CRD, Reimão JQ. First Description of Marinoquinoline Derivatives' Activity against Toxoplasma gondii. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:262. [PMID: 38399316 PMCID: PMC10891983 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic disease with significant clinical implications, including neurotoxoplasmosis, a leading cause of cerebral lesions in AIDS patients. The current pharmacological treatments for toxoplasmosis face clinical limitations, necessitating the urgent development of new therapeutics. Natural sources have yielded diverse bioactive compounds, serving as the foundation for clinically used derivatives. The exploration of marine bacteria-derived natural products has led to marinoquinolines, which feature a pyrroloquinoline core and demonstrate in vitro and in vivo anti-Plasmodium activity. This study investigates the in vitro anti-Toxoplasma gondii potential of six marinoquinoline derivatives. Additionally, it conducts absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) predictions, and evaluates the in vivo efficacy of one selected compound. The compounds displayed half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) values between 1.31 and 3.78 µM and half-maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC50) values ranging from 4.16 to 30.51 µM, resulting in selectivity indices (SI) from 3.18 to 20.85. MQ-1 exhibiting the highest in vitro SI, significantly reduced tachyzoite numbers in the peritoneum of RH-infected Swiss mice when it was orally administered at 12.5 mg/kg/day for eight consecutive days. Also, MQ-1 significantly reduced the cerebral parasite burden in chronically ME49 infected C57BL/6 mice when it was orally administered at 25 mg/kg/day for 10 consecutive days. These findings underscore the promising anti-T. gondii activity of marinoquinolines and their potential as novel therapeutic agents against this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Tamie Hirata Diethelm
- Laboratory of Preclinical Assays and Research of Alternative Sources of Innovative Therapy for Toxoplasmosis and Other Sicknesses (PARASITTOS), Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí 13202-550, Brazil
| | - Amanda Bruno da Silva Bellini Ramos
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil; (A.B.d.S.B.R.); (F.A.C.); (M.J.M.)
| | - Giovanna Braga de Lorena
- Laboratory of Preclinical Assays and Research of Alternative Sources of Innovative Therapy for Toxoplasmosis and Other Sicknesses (PARASITTOS), Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí 13202-550, Brazil
| | - Bruna Inácio Trajano
- Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil (R.D.d.E.S.); (C.R.D.C.)
| | | | - Renata Priscila Barros de Menezes
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos (PgPNSB), Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos (IPeFarM), Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil (M.T.S.)
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos (PgPNSB), Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos (IPeFarM), Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil (M.T.S.)
| | - Fabio Antonio Colombo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil; (A.B.d.S.B.R.); (F.A.C.); (M.J.M.)
| | - Marcos José Marques
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil; (A.B.d.S.B.R.); (F.A.C.); (M.J.M.)
| | | | - Juliana Quero Reimão
- Laboratory of Preclinical Assays and Research of Alternative Sources of Innovative Therapy for Toxoplasmosis and Other Sicknesses (PARASITTOS), Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí 13202-550, Brazil
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Abbasali Z, Pirestani M, Dalimi A, Badri M, Fasihi-Ramandi M. Anti-parasitic activity of a chimeric peptide Cecropin A (2-8)-Melittin (6-9) (CM11) against tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii and the BALB/c mouse model of acute toxoplasmosis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2023; 255:111578. [PMID: 37348706 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2023.111578] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease that infects most animals, including humans. Pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine is the standard treatment for toxoplasmosis. Although this treatment has been successful, it is often associated with side effects that cannot be tolerated. Therefore, various compounds have been proposed as alternative treatments for toxoplasmosis. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) act on various pathogens, from viruses to protozoa. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of CM11 on in vitro and in vivo Toxoplasma gondii infection. For in vitro experiments, VERO cells were treated with different concentrations of CM11 (1-128 μg/ml) compared to sulfadiazine (SDZ) (0.78-100 μg/ml). MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays evaluated the cell viability and plasma membrane integrity. Then, the inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were determined for treating tachyzoites of T. gondii before or on cells previously infected. Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining was used to distinguish viable and apoptotic cells. The effect of CM11, SDZ, and a combination of CM11 and SDZ was evaluated in the BALB/c mouse model of acute toxoplasmosis. CM11 was effective on tachyzoites of T. gondii and had a time and dose-dependent manner. The results of the MTT assay showed that the CC50 values of CM11 and SDZ were estimated at 17.4 µg/ml and 62.3 µg/ml after 24-h, respectively. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CM11 and SDZ on infected cells was estimated at 1.9 µg/ml and 1.4 µg/ml after 24-h, respectively. The highest rate of apoptosis (early and late) in high concentrations of SDZ and CM11 was determined for tachyzoites (2.13 % and 13.88 %), non-infected VERO cells (6.1 % and 19.76 %), and infected VERO cells (7.45 % and 29.9 %), respectively. Treating infected mice with CM11 and a combination of CM11 and SDZ had increased survival time. Based on the mentioned results, it can be concluded that CM11 has a beneficial effect on tachyzoites of T. gondii in vitro. The result of the mouse model suggests that CM11, either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, could be a potential therapeutic for toxoplasmosis. Hence, antimicrobial peptides could be applied as promising anti-toxoplasma agents for treating toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Abbasali
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Pirestani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abdolhossein Dalimi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Milad Badri
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mahdi Fasihi-Ramandi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Alday PH, Nilsen A, Doggett JS. Structure-activity relationships of Toxoplasma gondii cytochrome bc1 inhibitors. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:997-1011. [PMID: 35772172 PMCID: PMC9561756 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2096588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasma gondii is a prolific apicomplexan parasite that infects human and nonhuman animals worldwide and can cause severe brain and eye disease. Safer, more effective therapies for toxoplasmosis are needed. Cytochrome bc1 inhibitors are remarkably effective against toxoplasmosis and other apicomplexan-caused diseases. AREAS COVERED This work reviews T. gondii cytochrome bc1 inhibitors. Emphasis is placed on the structure-activity relationships of these inhibitors with regard to efficacy, pharmacokinetics, selectivity of T. gondii cytochrome bc1 over host, safety, and potential therapeutic strategies. EXPERT OPINION Cytochrome bc1 inhibitors are highly promising compounds for toxoplasmosis that have been effective in clinical and preclinical studies. Clinical experience with atovaquone previously validated cytochrome bc1 as a tractable drug target and, over the past decade, optimization of cytochrome bc1 inhibitors has resulted in improved bioavailability, metabolic stability, potency, blood-brain barrier penetration, and selectivity for the T. gondii cytochrome bc1 over the mammalian bc1. Recent studies have demonstrated preclinical safety, identified novel therapeutic strategies for toxoplasmosis using synergistic combinations or long-acting administration and provided insight into their role in chronic infection. This research has identified drug candidates that are more effective than clinically used drugs in preclinical measures of efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phil Holland Alday
- Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Aaron Nilsen
- Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Impact of secondary TCR engagement on the heterogeneity of pathogen-specific CD8+ T cell response during acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010296. [PMID: 35727849 PMCID: PMC9249239 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Initial TCR engagement (priming) of naive CD8+ T cells results in T cell expansion, and these early events influence the generation of diverse effector and memory populations. During infection, activated T cells can re-encounter cognate antigen, but how these events influence local effector responses or formation of memory populations is unclear. To address this issue, OT-I T cells which express the Nur77-GFP reporter of TCR activation were paired with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii that expresses OVA to assess how secondary encounter with antigen influences CD8+ T cell responses. During acute infection, TCR stimulation in affected tissues correlated with parasite burden and was associated with markers of effector cells while Nur77-GFP- OT-I showed signs of effector memory potential. However, both Nur77-GFP- and Nur77-GFP+ OT-I from acutely infected mice formed similar memory populations when transferred into naive mice. During the chronic stage of infection in the CNS, TCR activation was associated with large scale transcriptional changes and the acquisition of an effector T cell phenotype as well as the generation of a population of CD103+ CD69+ Trm like cells. While inhibition of parasite replication resulted in reduced effector responses it did not alter the Trm population. These data sets highlight that recent TCR activation contributes to the phenotypic heterogeneity of the CD8+ T cell response but suggest that this process has a limited impact on memory populations at acute and chronic stages of infection.
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Konstantinovic N, Guegan H, Stäjner T, Belaz S, Robert-Gangneux F. Treatment of toxoplasmosis: Current options and future perspectives. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2019; 15:e00036. [PMID: 32095610 PMCID: PMC7033996 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide parasitic disease infecting about one third of humans, with possible severe outcomes in neonates and immunocompromised patients. Despite continuous and successful efforts to improve diagnosis, therapeutic schemes have barely evolved since many years. This article aims at reviewing the main clinical trials and current treatment practices, and at addressing future perspectives in the light of ongoing researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Konstantinovic
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Hélène Guegan
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Tijana Stäjner
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sorya Belaz
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
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Castaño Osorio JC, Giraldo García AM. Antiparasitic phytotherapy perspectives, scope and current development. INFECTIO 2019. [DOI: 10.22354/in.v23i2.777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropical protozoan diseases are currently a major public health problem throughout the world and are strongly linked with poverty, this combined with a lack of commercial markets for potential drugs has created a large burden on the health and economic development of low-income and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Due to the low research interest and the high increase of resistance against the existing treatments, as well as increasing inefficiency, toxicity, prolonged treatment schedules and costs, there is an urgent need for cost-effective, safe and easy-to-administer, new effective compounds with novel mechanisms of action. Several studies of crude plant extracts have already identified potential compounds to treat Chagas’ disease, Leishmaniasis, Toxoplasmosis, Giardiasis, and Malaria among other protozoan parasites. Natural compounds of medicinal plants have shown lower toxicity together with higher specificity, creating an optimistic view of new treatments for diseases. Out of 1010 new active substances approved as drugs for medical conditions by regulatory agencies during the past 25 years, 490(48.5%) were from a natural origin.
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Montazeri M, Mehrzadi S, Sharif M, Sarvi S, Shahdin S, Daryani A. Activities of anti-Toxoplasma drugs and compounds against tissue cysts in the last three decades (1987 to 2017), a systematic review. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3045-3057. [PMID: 30088074 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6027-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Currently, there is no approved therapy that can eradicate Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts, which are responsible for chronic infection. This systematic review was performed to assess drugs or compounds that can be used as anti-T. gondii tissue cysts in vitro and in vivo. English electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science) were systematically searched for articles published up to 2017. A total of 55 papers published from 1987 to 2017 were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. Among the drugs, atovaquone and azithromycin were found effective after long-term inoculation into mice; however, clinical cases of resistance to these drugs have been reported. Also, FR235222, QUI-11, tanshinone IIA, and hydroxyzine were shown to be effective against Toxoplasma cysts, but their effectiveness in vivo remains unknown. Additionally, compound 32, endochin-like quinolones, miltefosine, and guanabenz can be used as effective antiparasitic with the unique ability to reduce brain tissue cysts in chronically infected mice. Importantly, these antimicrobial agents are significant criteria for drug candidates. Future studies should focus on the biology and drug susceptibility of the cyst form of T. gondii in chronic toxoplasmosis patients to find more effective strategies that have sterilizing activity for eliminating T. gondii tissue cysts from the host, preventing disease relapse and potentially shortening the required duration of drug administration. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahbobeh Montazeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Saeed Mehrzadi
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sharif
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Sari Branch, Islamic AZAD University, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, PC 48168-95475, Iran
| | - Shayesteh Shahdin
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, PC 48168-95475, Iran.
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Treatment of Toxoplasmosis: Historical Perspective, Animal Models, and Current Clinical Practice. Clin Microbiol Rev 2018; 31:31/4/e00057-17. [PMID: 30209035 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00057-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary Toxoplasma gondii infection is usually subclinical, but cervical lymphadenopathy or ocular disease can be present in some patients. Active infection is characterized by tachyzoites, while tissue cysts characterize latent disease. Infection in the fetus and in immunocompromised patients can cause devastating disease. The combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine (pyr-sulf), targeting the active stage of the infection, is the current gold standard for treating toxoplasmosis, but failure rates remain significant. Although other regimens are available, including pyrimethamine in combination with clindamycin, atovaquone, clarithromycin, or azithromycin or monotherapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) or atovaquone, none have been found to be superior to pyr-sulf, and no regimen is active against the latent stage of the infection. Furthermore, the efficacy of these regimens against ocular disease remains uncertain. In multiple studies, systematic screening for Toxoplasma infection during gestation, followed by treatment with spiramycin for acute maternal infections and with pyr-sulf for those with established fetal infection, has been shown to be effective at preventing vertical transmission and minimizing the severity of congenital toxoplasmosis (CT). Despite significant progress in treating human disease, there is a strong impetus to develop novel therapeutics for both the acute and latent forms of the infection. Here we present an overview of toxoplasmosis treatment in humans and in animal models. Additional research is needed to identify novel drugs by use of innovative high-throughput screening technologies and to improve experimental models to reflect human disease. Such advances will pave the way for lead candidates to be tested in thoroughly designed clinical trials in defined patient populations.
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Synthesis, SAR, and Docking Studies Disclose 2-Arylfuran-1,4-naphthoquinones as In Vitro Antiplasmodial Hits. J Trop Med 2017; 2017:7496934. [PMID: 29225629 PMCID: PMC5684547 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7496934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 28 lapachol-related naphthoquinones with four different scaffolds were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. In vitro antiplasmodial activity was assayed against the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum W2 strain by the parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) method. Cytotoxicity against Hep G2A16 cell was determined by the MTT assay. All compounds disclosed higher in vitro antiplasmodial activity than lapachol. Ortho- and para-naphthoquinones with a furan ring fused to the quinonoid moiety were more potent than 2-hydroxy-3-(1′-alkenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinones, while ortho-furanonaphthoquinones were more cytotoxic. Molecular docking to Plasmodium targets Pfcyt bc1 complex and PfDHOD enzyme showed that five out of the 28 naphthoquinones disclosed favorable binding energies. Furanonaphthoquinones endowed with an aryl moiety linked to the furan ring are highlighted as new in vitro antiplasmodial lead compounds and warrant further investigation.
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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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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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Eraky MA, El-Fakahany AF, El-Sayed NM, Abou-Ouf EAR, Yaseen DI. Effects of Thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract on chronic toxoplasmosis in a mouse model. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2863-71. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5041-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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da Silva LLR, Portes JDA, de Araújo MH, Silva JLS, Rennó MN, Netto CD, da Silva AJM, Costa PRR, De Souza W, Seabra SH, DaMatta RA. Further evidence that naphthoquinone inhibits Toxoplasma gondii growth in vitro. Parasitol Int 2015; 64:622-31. [PMID: 26335616 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a widely disseminated disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular protozoan parasite. Standard treatment causes many side effects, such as depletion of bone marrow cells, skin rashes and gastrointestinal implications. Therefore, it is necessary to find chemotherapeutic alternatives for the treatment of this disease. It was shown that a naphthoquinone derivative compound is active against T. gondii, RH strain, with an IC50 around 2.5 μM. Here, three different naphthoquinone derivative compounds with activity against leukemia cells and breast carcinoma cell were tested against T. gondii (RH strain) infected LLC-MK2 cell line. All the compounds were able to inhibit parasite growth in vitro, but one of them showed an IC50 activity below 1 μM after 48 h of treatment. The compounds showed low toxicity to the host cell. In addition, these compounds were able to induce tachyzoite-bradyzoite conversion confirmed by morphological changes, Dolichus biflorus lectin cyst wall labeling and characterization of amylopectin granules in the parasites by electron microscopy analysis using the Thierry technique. Furthermore, the compounds induced alterations on the ultrastructure of the parasite. Taken together, our results point to the naphthoquinone derivative (LQB 151) as a potential compound for the development of new drugs for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Lemos Rangel da Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Juliana de Araujo Portes
- Laboratório de Tecnologia em Cultura de Células, Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste, Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 23070-200, Brazil
| | - Marlon Heggdorne de Araújo
- Laboratório de Produtos Bioativos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé Professor Aloísio Teixeira, Macaé, RJ, 27930-560, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Lays Sant'ana Silva
- Laboratório de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé Professor Aloísio Teixeira, Macaé, RJ, 27930-560, Brazil
| | - Magdalena Nascimento Rennó
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Pesquisa em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé Professor Aloísio Teixeira, Macaé, RJ, 27910-970, Brazil
| | - Chaquip Daher Netto
- Laboratório de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé Professor Aloísio Teixeira, Macaé, RJ, 27930-560, Brazil
| | - Alcides José Monteiro da Silva
- Laboratório de Química Bioorgânica, Instituto de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco H, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Paulo Roberto Ribeiro Costa
- Laboratório de Química Bioorgânica, Instituto de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco H, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Wanderley De Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21491-590, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade Industrial e Tecnologia-Inmetro, Duque de Caxias, RJ, 20261-232, Brazil
| | - Sergio Henrique Seabra
- Laboratório de Tecnologia em Cultura de Células, Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste, Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 23070-200, Brazil
| | - Renato Augusto DaMatta
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil.
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Köksal ZŞ, Yanik K, Bilgin K, Yılmaz EM, Hokelek M. In Vivo Efficacy of Drugs against Toxoplasma gondii Combined with Immunomodulators. Jpn J Infect Dis 2015; 69:113-7. [PMID: 26166498 DOI: 10.7883/yoken.jjid.2015.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of pyrimethamine (PYR) and sulfadiazine (SDZ) combined with levamisole and echinacea on the survival of mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii. For this, we used 99 specific pathogen-free BALB/c mice. All the mice were infected intraperitoneally with 10(5) T. gondii tachyzoites and were divided into 11 groups, each including 9 mice. Except for the control group, oral treatment was initiated in all groups 24 h post infection and was continued for 10 days. The treatment regimen included dual combinations of PYR (dose, 6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg/day) and SDZ (dose, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day), triple combinations of PYR + SDZ, and levamisole (dose, 2.5 mg/kg/day) or echinacea (dose, 130 and 260 mg/kg/day) and echinacea alone (dose, 130 and 260 mg/kg/day). We observed that an effective dose of the combination of PYR + SDZ and levamisole resulted in a statistically significant increase in the survival rate from 33.3% to 88.9%. Similarly, half the dose of this combination resulted an increase in the survival rate from 0% to 44.4% (p < 0.05). Survival rate also increased in the groups treated with the combinations including echinacea; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance. The triple combination of PYR-SDZ-levamisole could be an alternative treatment option in case of infections caused by T. gondii.
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Hong S, Lee HA, Lee YS, Chung YH, Kim O. Anti-toxoplasmosis effect of Dictamnus dasycarpus extract against Toxoplasma Gondii. J Biomed Res 2014. [DOI: 10.12729/jbr.2014.15.1.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Ferreira RA, de Oliveira AB, Gualberto SA, Miguel Del Corral JM, Fujiwara RT, Gazzinelli Guimarães PH, de Almeida Vitor RW. New naphthoquinones and an alkaloid with in vitro activity against Toxoplasma gondii RH and EGS strains. Exp Parasitol 2012; 132:450-7. [PMID: 23000485 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2012.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2012] [Revised: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy of three amino-terpenyl naphthoquinones and the alkaloid liriodenine were examined against tachyzoites and tissues cysts of the RH and EGS strains, respectively. Monolayers of 2C4 fibroblasts infected with tachyzoites of the RH strain were incubated with different concentrations of the compounds for 48 h. Specifically, 7-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-2-pyrrolidine-[1,4]-naphthoquinone (QUI-5), 6-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-2-pyrrolidine-[1,4]-naphthoquinone (QUI-6), 6-(4-methylpentyl)-2-pyrrolidine-[1,4]-naphthoquinone (QUI-11), and 8 h-benzo[g]-1,3-benzodioxolo[6,5,4-de]quinolin-8-one,9Cl-1,2-methylene dioxiaporfina (liriodenine) inhibited intracellular replication of T. gondii. The IC(50) values obtained for compounds QUI-5 and QUI-6 were 69.35 and 172.81 μM (i.e., 21.4 and 53.4 μg/mL), respectively. The naphthoquinone QUI-11 and liriodenine significantly inhibited intracellular replication of T. gondii. The IC(50) values obtained with these experiments were 0.32 and 0.07 μM (i.e., 0.1 and 0.02 μg/mL), respectively. Compounds QUI-5, QUI-6, QUI-11 and liriodenine demonstrated lower toxicity for 2C4 fibroblasts compared to atovaquone. In addition, cysts isolated from the brains of mice chronically infected with the EGS strain were exposed to the compounds. Infectivity of the cysts after incubation with the compounds was assessed by infection of mice. The data obtained showed that in vitro incubation with QUI-6, QUI-11 and liriodenine inhibited the infectivity of the bradyzoites. This activity was time- and concentration-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronize Andréia Ferreira
- Laboratório de Microscopia, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Faculdade de Estudos Administrativos, FEAD, Brazil
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Enrofloxacin is able to control Toxoplasma gondii infection in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Vet Parasitol 2012; 187:44-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2011] [Revised: 12/23/2011] [Accepted: 12/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Lowenstine LJ, Osborn KG. Respiratory System Diseases of Nonhuman Primates. NONHUMAN PRIMATES IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH 2012. [PMCID: PMC7158299 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381366-4.00009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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de Oliveira TC, Silva DAO, Rostkowska C, Béla SR, Ferro EAV, Magalhães PM, Mineo JR. Toxoplasma gondii: effects of Artemisia annua L. on susceptibility to infection in experimental models in vitro and in vivo. Exp Parasitol 2009; 122:233-41. [PMID: 19389400 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2008] [Revised: 04/08/2009] [Accepted: 04/12/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Considering that the treatment for toxoplasmosis is based on drugs that show limited efficacy due to their substantial side effects, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Artemisia annua on in vitro and in vivo Toxoplasma gondii infection. A. annua infusion was prepared from dried herb and tested in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) or mice that were infected with the parasite and compared with sulfadiazine treatment. For in vitro experiments, treatment was done on parasite before HFF infection or on cells previously infected with T. gondii and the inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values for each treatment condition were determined. Viability of HFF cells in the presence of different concentrations of A. annua infusion and sulfadiazine was above 72%, even when the highest concentrations from both treatments were tested. Also, the treatment of T. gondii tachyzoites with A. annua infusion before infection in HFF cells showed a dose-response inhibitory curve that reached up to 75% of inhibition, similarly to the results observed when parasites were treated with sulfadiazine. In vivo experiments with a cystogenic T. gondii strain demonstrated an effective control of infection using A. annua infusion. In conclusion, our results indicate that A. annua infusion is useful to control T. gondii infection, due to its low toxicity and its inhibitory action directly against the parasite, resulting in a well tolerated therapeutic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taísa Carrijo de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
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Bastos LM, Júnior RJO, Silva DAO, Mineo JR, Vieira CU, Teixeira DNS, Homsi-Brandeburgo MI, Rodrigues VM, Hamaguchi A. Toxoplasma gondii: Effects of neuwiedase, a metalloproteinase from Bothrops neuwiedi snake venom, on the invasion and replication of human fibroblasts in vitro. Exp Parasitol 2008; 120:391-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2008.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2008] [Revised: 09/04/2008] [Accepted: 09/09/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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