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Saidu MB, Krstić G, Barta A, Hunyadi A, Berkecz R, Gallah US, Cholke K, Gertsch J, Rédei D, Hohmann J. Euphane and Tirucallane Triterpenes with Trypanocidal Activity from Euphorbia desmondii. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024. [PMID: 39276089 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.4c00730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2024]
Abstract
The phytochemical investigation of Euphorbia desmondii resulted in the isolation of 15 previously undescribed triterpenoids (desmondiins A, C-P) and 8 already described compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses. The compounds were identified as tirucallane and euphane triterpenes based on 7-keto-8-ene, 11-keto-8-ene, or 7,11-diketo-8-ene skeletons. Additionally, the selective trypanocidal activities of these compounds against Trypanosoma cruzi were evaluated. Desmondiins A, C, D, F, H, and M exhibited IC50 values in the range of 3-5 μM, and selectivity indices between 5-9, against T. cruzi epimastigotes over the host cell (RAW264.7 macrophages). Furthermore, desmondiin A efficiently inhibited amastigote replication in host cells (IC50 = 2.5 ± 0.3 μM), which was comparable to that of the positive control, benznidazole (3.6 ± 0.4 μM). Overall, the isolated euphane and tirucallane triterpenoids could act as antichagasic lead scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Bello Saidu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gordana Krstić
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, 11158 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Anita Barta
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Hunyadi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Róbert Berkecz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Analysis, University of Szeged, Somogyi u. 4, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Umar Shehu Gallah
- Bioresource Department, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria, 1052, Nigeria
| | - Kaushavi Cholke
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dóra Rédei
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Judit Hohmann
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
- HUN-REN-USZ Biologically Active Natural Products Research Group, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
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Gouda NA, Alshammari SO, Abourehab MAS, Alshammari QA, Elkamhawy A. Therapeutic potential of natural products in inflammation: underlying molecular mechanisms, clinical outcomes, technological advances, and future perspectives. Inflammopharmacology 2023; 31:2857-2883. [PMID: 37950803 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01366-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a common underlying factor in many major diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, and is responsible for up to 60% of all deaths worldwide. Metformin, statins, and corticosteroids, and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are often given as anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals, however, often have even more debilitating side effects than the illness itself. The natural product-based therapy of inflammation-related diseases has no adverse effects and good beneficial results compared to substitute conventional anti-inflammatory medications. In this review article, we provide a concise overview of present pharmacological treatments, the pathophysiology of inflammation, and the signaling pathways that underlie it. In addition, we focus on the most promising natural products identified as potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents. Moreover, preclinical studies and clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of natural products as anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents and their pragmatic applications with promising outcomes are reviewed. In addition, the safety, side effects and technical barriers of natural products are discussed. Furthermore, we also summarized the latest technological advances in the discovery and scientific development of natural products-based medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha A Gouda
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Saud O Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha, 76321, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A S Abourehab
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Qamar A Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha, 76321, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Elkamhawy
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10326, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
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Ewais O, Abdel-Tawab H, El-Fayoumi H, Aboelhadid SM, Al-Quraishy S, Falkowski P, Abdel-Baki AAS. Administration of Ethanolic Extract of Spinacia oleracea Rich in Omega-3 Improves Oxidative Stress and Goblet Cells in Broiler Chickens Infected with Eimeria tenella. Molecules 2023; 28:6621. [PMID: 37764396 PMCID: PMC10534835 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186621] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the anticoccidial activity of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) whole-plant extract against Eimeria tenella, both in vitro and in vivo. For this purpose, one hundred 8-day-old broiler chicks of both sexes were divided into four groups (n = 25 in each group). Chicks in the first group served as the negative control (non-treated-non-infected). Chicks in the second group were challenged at 18 days old with 5 × 104E. tenella sporulated oocysts. The third group was challenged with 5 × 104 sporulated E. tenella oocysts at 18 days old after receiving spinach extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg at 8 days old. The fourth group received 0.2 mg/kg diclazuril (Coxiril® 0.2%) in their diet two days before being orally infected with 5 × 104 sporulated E. tenella oocysts and this continued till day 10 post-infection (PI). The growth performance, clinical symptoms, oocyst shedding, histological findings, and biochemical parameters were used to evaluate the efficacy on day 8 PI when the infection was at its peak. A gas chromatography examination revealed that omega-3 fatty acids were the main constituents of the spinach extract, followed by oleic acid, palmitic acid, and phytol, with amounts of 23.37%, 17.53%, 11.26%, and 7.97%, respectively. The in vitro investigation revealed that the spinach extract at concentrations of 10% and 5% inhibited the oocyst sporulation by 52.1% and 45.1%, respectively. The 5% concentration was selected for the in vivo trial based on the results of the in vitro study. The infected-untreated group showed high levels of OPG; lower body weight; a greater number of parasite stages; few goblet cells; decreased SOD, CAT, and GPX levels; and increased MDA and NO levels. The spinach-treated group, on the other hand, showed a significant decrease in oocyst output per gram of feces (OPG), increased body weight, decreased parasitic stages, and a nearly normal number of goblet cells. Additionally, it reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), while increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). In conclusion, spinach produced significant antioxidant effects, increased body weight, reduced the number of oocysts and parasite stages in the caecum, and restored the number of goblet cells relative to those of an uninfected control. Furthermore, spinach extract inhibits the sporulation percentage of E. tenella oocysts. The ethanolic extract of S. oleracea (whole plant) contained high concentrations of fatty acids, palmitic acid, Phytol, betulin, and ursolic aldehyde, all of which are known to regulate the antioxidant pathway and modulate inflammatory processes and may be the main reason for its anticoccidial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama Ewais
- Department of Parasitology, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt (H.A.-T.); (A.-A.S.A.-B.)
| | - Heba Abdel-Tawab
- Department of Parasitology, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt (H.A.-T.); (A.-A.S.A.-B.)
| | - Huda El-Fayoumi
- Department of Parasitology, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt (H.A.-T.); (A.-A.S.A.-B.)
| | - Shawky M Aboelhadid
- Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Saleh Al-Quraishy
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh12211, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Piotr Falkowski
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic for Birds and Exotic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 45, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Abdel-Azeem S. Abdel-Baki
- Department of Parasitology, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt (H.A.-T.); (A.-A.S.A.-B.)
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Özdemir Z, Wimmer Z. Selected plant triterpenoids and their amide derivatives in cancer treatment: A review. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2022; 203:113340. [PMID: 35987401 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Medicinal plants have been used to treat different diseases throughout the human history namely in traditional medicine. Most of the plants mentioned in this review article belong among them, including those that are widely spread in the nature, counted frequently to be food and nutrition plants and producing pharmacologically important secondary metabolites. Triterpenoids represent an important group of plant secondary metabolites displaying emerging pharmacological importance. This review article sheds light on four selected triterpenoids, oleanolic, ursolic, betulinic and platanic acid, and on their amide derivatives as important natural or semisynthetic agents in cancer treatment, and, in part, in pathogenic microbe treatment. A literature search was made in the Web of Science for the given key words covering the required area of secondary plant metabolites and their amide derivatives. The most recently published findings on the biological activity of the selected triterpenoids, and on the structures and biological activity of their relevant amide derivatives have been summarized therein. Mainly anti-cancer effects, and, in part, antimicrobial and other effects of the four selected triterpenoids and their amide derivatives have also been reviewed. A comparison of the effects of the parent plant products and those of their amide derivatives has been made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zulal Özdemir
- University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, Technická 5, 16028, Prague 6, Czech Republic; Institute of Experimental Botany AS CR, Isotope Laboratory, Vídeňská 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Zdeněk Wimmer
- University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, Technická 5, 16028, Prague 6, Czech Republic; Institute of Experimental Botany AS CR, Isotope Laboratory, Vídeňská 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
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Nistor G, Trandafirescu C, Prodea A, Milan A, Cristea A, Ghiulai R, Racoviceanu R, Mioc A, Mioc M, Ivan V, Șoica C. Semisynthetic Derivatives of Pentacyclic Triterpenes Bearing Heterocyclic Moieties with Therapeutic Potential. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27196552. [PMID: 36235089 PMCID: PMC9572482 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Medicinal plants have been used by humans since ancient times for the treatment of various diseases and currently represent the main source of a variety of phytocompounds, such as triterpenes. Pentacyclic triterpenes have been subjected to numerous studies that have revealed various biological activities, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects, which can be employed in therapy. However, due to their high lipophilicity, which is considered to exert a significant influence on their bioavailability, their current use is limited. A frequent approach employed to overcome this obstacle is the chemical derivatization of the core structure with different types of moieties including heterocycles, which are considered key elements in medicinal chemistry. The present review aims to summarize the literature published in the last 10 years regarding the derivatives of pentacyclic triterpenes bearing heterocyclic moieties and focuses on the biologically active derivatives as well as their structure-activity relationships. Predominantly, the targeted positions for the derivatization of the triterpene skeleton are C-3 (hydroxyl/oxo group), C-28 (hydroxyl/carboxyl group), and C-30 (allylic group) or the extension of the main scaffold by fusing various heterocycles with the A-ring of the phytocompound. In addition, numerous derivatives also contain linker moieties that connect the triterpenic scaffold with heterocycles; one such linker, the triazole moiety, stands out as a key pharmacophore for its biological effect. All these studies support the hypothesis that triterpenoid conjugates with heterocyclic moieties may represent promising candidates for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Nistor
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristina Trandafirescu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandra Prodea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (A.M.); Tel.: +40-256-494-604 (A.P.)
| | - Andreea Milan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (A.M.); Tel.: +40-256-494-604 (A.P.)
| | - Andreea Cristea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Ghiulai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Racoviceanu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandra Mioc
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marius Mioc
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Viviana Ivan
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Codruța Șoica
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq., No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Magalhães TBDS, Silva DKC, Teixeira JDS, De Lima JDT, Barbosa-Filho JM, Moreira DRM, Guimarães ET, Soares MBP. A Betulinic Acid Derivative, BA5, Induces G0/G1 Cell Arrest, Apoptosis Like-Death, and Morphological Alterations in Leishmania sp. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:846123. [PMID: 35392556 PMCID: PMC8981292 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.846123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis are endemic diseases caused by different species of intracellular parasites of the genus Leishmania. Due to the high toxicity and drug resistance of current antileishmanial drugs, it is necessary to identify new and more effective drugs. Previously, we investigated the immunomodulatory and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi action of BA5, a derivative of betulinic acid. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro activity of BA5 against different species of Leishmania and their action mechanism. BA5 exhibited low cytotoxicity against macrophages and inhibited the proliferation of promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis (IC50 = 4.5 ± 1.1 μM), Leishmania major (IC50 = 3.0 ± 0.8 μM), Leishmania braziliensis (IC50 = 0.9 ± 1.1 μM) and Leishmania infantum (IC50 = 0.15 ± 0.05 μM). Incubation with BA5 reduced the percentage of Leishmania amazonensis-infected macrophages and the number of intracellular parasites (IC50 = 4.1 ± 0.7 μM). To understand the mechanism of action underlying BA5 antileishmanial activity (incubation at IC50/2, IC50 or 2xIC50 values of the drug), we investigated ultrastructural changes by scanning electron microscopy and evaluated cell cycle, membrane mitochondrial potential, and cell death against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis by flow cytometry. Promastigotes incubated with BA5 presented membrane blebbing, flagella damage, increased size, and body deformation. Flow cytometry analysis showed that parasite death is mainly caused by apoptosis-like death, arrested cell cycle in G0/G1 phase and did not alter the membrane mitochondrial potential of Leishmania amazonensis. Surprisingly, the combination of BA5 and amphotericin B, an assay used to determine the degree of drug interaction, revealed synergistic effects (CI = 0.15 ± 0.09) on promastigotes forms of Leishmania amazonensis. In conclusion, BA5 compound is an effective and selective antileishmanial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Barbosa Dos Santos Magalhães
- Laboratório de Histotécnica e Cultura Celular, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade Do Estado da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil.,Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Dahara Keyse Carvalho Silva
- Laboratório de Histotécnica e Cultura Celular, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade Do Estado da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil.,Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Jessica da Silva Teixeira
- Laboratório de Histotécnica e Cultura Celular, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade Do Estado da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil.,Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Juliana Dizaira Teles De Lima
- Laboratório de Histotécnica e Cultura Celular, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade Do Estado da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil.,Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | | | - Diogo Rodrigo Magalhães Moreira
- Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Elisalva Teixeira Guimarães
- Laboratório de Histotécnica e Cultura Celular, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade Do Estado da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil.,Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil.,Instituto Senai de Inovação Em Sistemas Avançados Em Saúde, SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil
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Potential of Triterpenic Natural Compound Betulinic Acid for Neglected Tropical Diseases New Treatments. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040831. [PMID: 35453582 PMCID: PMC9027248 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040831] [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: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases are one of the most important public health problems in many countries around the world. Among them are leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and malaria, which contribute to more than 250 million infections worldwide. There is no validated vaccine to prevent these infections and the treatments available are obsolete, highly toxic, and non-effective due to parasitic drug resistance. Additionally, there is a high incidence of these diseases, and they may require hospitalization, which is expensive to the public health systems. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new treatments to improve the management of infected people, control the spread of resistant strains, and reduce health costs. Betulinic acid (BA) is a triterpene natural product which has shown antiparasitic activity against Leishmania, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Plasmodium. Here, we review the main results regarding the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activity of BA and its derivatives against these parasites. Some chemical modifications of BA have been shown to improve its activities against the parasites. Further improvement on studies of drug-derived, as well as structure–activity relationship, are necessary for the development of new betulinic acid-based treatments.
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8
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Durão R, Ramalhete C, Madureira AM, Mendes E, Duarte N. Plant Terpenoids as Hit Compounds against Trypanosomiasis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030340. [PMID: 35337138 PMCID: PMC8951850 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) are vector-borne neglected tropical diseases, caused by the protozoan parasites Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively. These diseases were circumscribed to South American and African countries in the past. However, human migration, military interventions, and climate changes have had an important effect on their worldwide propagation, particularly Chagas disease. Currently, the treatment of trypanosomiasis is not ideal, becoming a challenge in poor populations with limited resources. Exploring natural products from higher plants remains a valuable approach to find new hits and enlarge the pipeline of new drugs against protozoal human infections. This review covers the recent studies (2016–2021) on plant terpenoids, and their semi-synthetic derivatives, which have shown promising in vitro and in vivo activities against Trypanosoma parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Durão
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.Ulisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.D.); (C.R.); (A.M.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Cátia Ramalhete
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.Ulisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.D.); (C.R.); (A.M.M.); (E.M.)
- ATLANTICA—Instituto Universitário, Fábrica da Pólvora de Barcarena, 2730-036 Barcarena, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Madureira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.Ulisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.D.); (C.R.); (A.M.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Eduarda Mendes
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.Ulisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.D.); (C.R.); (A.M.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Noélia Duarte
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.Ulisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.D.); (C.R.); (A.M.M.); (E.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Pardo-Rodriguez D, Lasso P, Mateus J, Mendez J, Puerta CJ, Cuéllar A, Robles J, Cuervo C. A terpenoid-rich extract from Clethra fimbriata exhibits anti- Trypanosoma cru zi activity and induces T cell cytokine production. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09182. [PMID: 35368545 PMCID: PMC8968664 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, a worldwide public health concern, is a chronic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Considering T. cruzi chronic persistence correlates with CD4+ and CD8+ T cell dysfunction and the safety and efficacy profiles of Benznidazol and Nifurtimox, the two drugs currently used for its etiological treatment, are far from ideal, the search of new trypanocidal treatment options is a highly relevant issue. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the trypanocidal effect and cytokine production induction of three extracts (hexane, dichloromethane and hydroalcoholic) obtained from Clethra fimbriata, a plant traditionally used as a febrifuge in Colombia. Additionally, the extracts' major components with the highest trypanocidal activity were determined. It was evidenced C. fimbriata hexane extract exhibited the highest activity capable of inhibiting the three parasite developmental stages with an IC50/EC50 of 153.9 ± 29.5 (epimastigotes), 39.3 ± 7.2 (trypomastigotes), and 45.6 ± 10.5 (amastigotes) μg/mL, presenting a low cytotoxicity in VERO cells with a selectivity index ranging from 6.49 to 25.4. Moreover, this extract induced trypomastigote apoptotic death and inhibited parasite cell infection. The extract also induced IFN-γ and TNF production in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as de novo production of the cytotoxic molecules granzyme B and perforin in CD8+ T cells from healthy donors. Fatty acids and terpenes represented C. fimbriata key compounds. Thus, the trypanocidal activity and cytokine production induction of the hexane extract may be associated with terpene presence, particularly, triterpenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pardo-Rodriguez
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Productos Naturales, Universidad del Tolima, Tolima, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - José Mateus
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mendez
- Grupo de Productos Naturales, Universidad del Tolima, Tolima, Colombia
| | - Concepción J. Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo en Ciencias de Laboratorio Clínico, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jorge Robles
- Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
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10
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Santos EDS, Silva DKC, dos Reis BPZC, Barreto BC, Cardoso CMA, Ribeiro dos Santos R, Meira CS, Soares MBP. Immunomodulation for the Treatment of Chronic Chagas Disease Cardiomyopathy: A New Approach to an Old Enemy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:765879. [PMID: 34869068 PMCID: PMC8633308 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.765879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a parasitic infection caused by the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the most severe manifestation of the disease, developed by approximately 20-40% of patients and characterized by occurrence of arrhythmias, heart failure and death. Despite having more than 100 years of discovery, Chagas disease remains without an effective treatment, especially for patients with CCC. Since the pathogenesis of CCC depends on a parasite-driven systemic inflammatory profile that leads to cardiac tissue damage, the use of immunomodulators has become a rational alternative for the treatment of CCC. In this context, different classes of drugs, cell therapies with dendritic cells or stem cells and gene therapy have shown potential to modulate systemic inflammation and myocarditis in CCC models. Based on that, the present review provides an overview of current reports regarding the use of immunomodulatory agents in treatment of CCC, bringing the challenges and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuelle de Souza Santos
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | | | - Breno Cardim Barreto
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Ribeiro dos Santos
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Cássio Santana Meira
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Brazil
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11
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A Novel High-Content Screening-Based Method for Anti- Trypanosoma cruzi Drug Discovery Using Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:2642807. [PMID: 34434238 PMCID: PMC8380504 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2642807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection and remains a relevant cause of chronic heart failure in Latin America. The pharmacological arsenal for Chagas disease is limited, and the available anti-T. cruzi drugs are not effective when administered during the chronic phase. Cardiomyocytes derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs) have the potential to accelerate the process of drug discovery for Chagas disease, through predictive preclinical assays in target human cells. Here, we aimed to establish a novel high-content screening- (HCS-) based method using hiPSC-CMs to simultaneously evaluate anti-T. cruzi activity and cardiotoxicity of chemical compounds. To provide proof-of-concept data, the reference drug benznidazole and three compounds with known anti-T. cruzi activity (a betulinic acid derivative named BA5 and two thiazolidinone compounds named GT5A and GT5B) were evaluated in the assay. hiPSC-CMs were infected with T. cruzi and incubated for 48 h with serial dilutions of the compounds for determination of EC50 and CC50 values. Automated multiparametric analyses were performed using an automated high-content imaging system. Sublethal toxicity measurements were evaluated through morphological measurements related to the integrity of the cytoskeleton by phalloidin staining, nuclear score by Hoechst 33342 staining, mitochondria score following MitoTracker staining, and quantification of NT-pro-BNP, a peptide released upon mechanical myocardial stress. The compounds showed EC50 values for anti-T. cruzi activity similar to those previously described for other cell types, and GT5B showed a pronounced trypanocidal activity in hiPSC-CMs. Sublethal changes in cytoskeletal and nucleus scores correlated with NT-pro-BNP levels in the culture supernatant. Mitochondrial score changes were associated with increased cytotoxicity. The assay was feasible and allowed rapid assessment of anti-T. cruzi action of the compounds, in addition to cardiotoxicity parameters. The utilization of hiPSC-CMs in the drug development workflow for Chagas disease may help in the identification of novel compounds.
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12
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Njanpa CAN, Wouamba SCN, Yamthe LRT, Dize D, Tchatat BMT, Tsouh PVF, Pouofo MN, Jouda JB, Ndjakou BL, Sewald N, Kouam SF, Boyom FF. Bio-guided isolation of anti-leishmanial natural products from Diospyros gracilescens L. (Ebenaceae). BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:106. [PMID: 33789661 PMCID: PMC8011081 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03279-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plants represent an intricate and innovative source for the discovery of novel therapeutic remedies for the management of infectious diseases. The current study aimed at discovering new inhibitors of Leishmania spp., using anti-leishmanial activity-guided investigation approach of extracts from Diospyros gracilescens Gürke (1911) (Ebenaceae), targeting the extracellular (promastigotes) and intracellular (amastigotes) forms of Leishmania donovani. METHODS The plant extracts were prepared by maceration using H20: EtOH (30:70, v/v) and further fractionated using a bio-guided approach. Different concentrations of D. gracilescens extracts, fractions and isolated compounds were tested in triplicate against L. donovani promastigotes and amastigotes in vitro. The antileishmanial potency and cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 cells were determined using the resazurin colorimetric assay. The time kill kinetic profile of the most active sample was also investigated. The structures of all compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS and by comparison of their data with those reported in the literature. RESULTS The hydroethanolic crude extract of D. gracilescens trunk showed the most potent antileishmanial activity (IC50 = 5.84 μg/mL). Further fractionation of this extract led to four (4) fractions of which, the hexane fraction showed the most potent activity (IC50 = 0.79 μg/mL), and seven (07) compounds that exhibited moderate potency (IC50 = 13.69-241.71 μM) against L. donovani. Compound 1-deoxyinositol (7) inhibited the promastigote and amastigote forms of L. donovani with IC50 values of 241.71 μM and 120 μM respectively and also showed the highest selectivity against L. donovani promastigotes (SI > 5.04). To the best of our knowledge, the antileishmanial activity of this compound is being reported here for the first time. The promising hexane fraction showed significant inhibition of parasites growth at different concentrations, but with no evidence of cidal effect over an exposure period of 120 h. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained indicated that the hydroethanolic extract from the D. gracilescens trunk and the derived hexane fraction have very potent inhibitory effect on cultivated promastigotes and amastigotes of L. donovani parasite. The isolated compounds showed a lesser extent of potency and selectivity. However, further structure-activity-relationship studies of 1-deoxyinositol could lead to more potent and selective hit derivatives of interest for detailed drug discovery program against visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille Armel N Njanpa
- Antimicrobial and Biocontrol Agents Unit, Laboratory for Phytobiochemistry and Medicinal Plants Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of science University of Yaounde I, P. O Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Steven Collins N Wouamba
- Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde I, P. O. Box 47, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Lauve Rachel T Yamthe
- Antimicrobial and Biocontrol Agents Unit, Laboratory for Phytobiochemistry and Medicinal Plants Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of science University of Yaounde I, P. O Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
- Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, P.O. Box 6133, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Darline Dize
- Antimicrobial and Biocontrol Agents Unit, Laboratory for Phytobiochemistry and Medicinal Plants Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of science University of Yaounde I, P. O Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Brice Mariscal T Tchatat
- Antimicrobial and Biocontrol Agents Unit, Laboratory for Phytobiochemistry and Medicinal Plants Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of science University of Yaounde I, P. O Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Patrick Valère F Tsouh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of science University of Bamenda, Bambili, P. O Box. 39, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Michel Nguiam Pouofo
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P. O Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Jean Bosco Jouda
- Chemical Engineering and Mineral Industries School, University of Ngaoundere, P. O. Box 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | - Bruno Lenta Ndjakou
- Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde I, P. O. Box 47, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Norbert Sewald
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bielefeld, D-33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Simeon Fogue Kouam
- Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde I, P. O. Box 47, Yaounde, Cameroon.
| | - Fabrice Fekam Boyom
- Antimicrobial and Biocontrol Agents Unit, Laboratory for Phytobiochemistry and Medicinal Plants Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of science University of Yaounde I, P. O Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon.
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Chemical Strategies towards the Synthesis of Betulinic Acid and Its More Potent Antiprotozoal Analogues. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26041081. [PMID: 33670791 PMCID: PMC7922983 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26041081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA, 3β-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid) is a pentacyclic triterpene acid present predominantly in Betula ssp. (Betulaceae) and is also widely spread in many species belonging to different plant families. BA presents a wide spectrum of remarkable pharmacological properties, such as cytotoxic, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antimicrobial activities, including antiprotozoal effects. The present review first describes the sources of BA and discusses the chemical strategies to produce this molecule starting from betulin, its natural precursor. Next, the antiprotozoal properties of BA are briefly discussed and the chemical strategies for the synthesis of analogues displaying antiplasmodial, antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities are systematically presented. The antiplasmodial activity described for BA was moderate, nevertheless, some C-3 position acylated analogues showed an improvement of this activity and the hybrid models—with artesunic acid—showed the most interesting properties. Some analogues also presented more intense antileishmanial activities compared with BA, and, in addition to these, heterocycles fused to C-2/C-3 positions and amide derivatives were the most promising analogues. Regarding the antitrypanosomal activity, some interesting antitrypanosomal derivatives were prepared by amide formation at the C-28 carboxylic group of the lupane skeleton. Considering that BA can be produced either by isolation of different plant extracts or by chemical transformation of betulin, easily obtained from Betula ssp., it could be said that BA is a molecule of great interest as a starting material for the synthesis of novel antiprotozoal agents.
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14
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de Almeida JM, Nunes FO, Ceole LF, Klimeck TDF, da Cruz LA, Tófoli D, Borges BS, Garcez WS, Tozetti IA, Medeiros LCS, Garcez FR, Ferreira AMT. Synergistic effect and ultrastructural changes in Trypanosoma cruzi caused by isoobtusilactone A in short exposure of time. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245882. [PMID: 33507972 PMCID: PMC7842926 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Butanolides have shown a variety of biological effects including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal effects against certain strains of Trypanosoma cruzi. Considering the lack of an effective drug to treat T. cruzi infections and the prominent results obtained in literature with this class of lactones, we investigated the anti-T. cruzi activity of five butanolides isolated from two species of Lauraceae, Aiouea trinervis and Mezilaurus crassiramea. Initially, the activity of these compounds was evaluated on epimastigote forms of the parasite, after a treatment period of 4 h, followed by testing on amastigotes, trypomastigotes, and mammalian cells. Next, the synergistic effect of active butanolides against amastigotes was evaluated. Further, metacyclogenesis inhibition and infectivity assays were performed for the most active compound, followed by ultrastructural analysis of the treated amastigotes and trypomastigotes. Among the five butanolides studied, majoranolide and isoobtusilactone A were active against all forms of the parasite, with good selectivity indexes in Vero cells. Both butanolides were more active than the control drug against trypomastigote and epimastigote forms and also had a synergic effect on amastigotes. The most active compound, isoobtusilactone A, which showed activity against all tested strains inhibited metacyclogenesis and infection of new host cells. In addition, ultrastructural analysis revealed that this butanolide caused extensive damage to the mitochondria of both amastigotes and trypomastigotes, resulting in severe morphological changes in the infective forms of the parasite. Altogether, our results highlight the potential of butanolides against the etiologic agent of Chagas disease and the relevance of isoobtusilactone A as a strong anti-T. cruzi drug, affecting different events of the life cycle and all evolutionary forms of parasite after a short period of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlio Menta de Almeida
- Laboratório de Imunologia, Biologia Molecular e Bioensaios do Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Felipe Oliveira Nunes
- Laboratório de Pesquisa de Produtos Naturais Bioativos do Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Lígia Fernanda Ceole
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas (Fiocruz-Paraná), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Letícia Alves da Cruz
- Laboratório de Imunologia, Biologia Molecular e Bioensaios do Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Danilo Tófoli
- Laboratório de Pesquisa de Produtos Naturais Bioativos do Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Santana Borges
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas (Fiocruz-Paraná), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Walmir Silva Garcez
- Laboratório de Pesquisa de Produtos Naturais Bioativos do Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Inês Aparecida Tozetti
- Laboratório de Imunologia, Biologia Molecular e Bioensaios do Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Fernanda Rodrigues Garcez
- Laboratório de Pesquisa de Produtos Naturais Bioativos do Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Alda Maria Teixeira Ferreira
- Laboratório de Imunologia, Biologia Molecular e Bioensaios do Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
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15
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Cavalcante BRR, Aragão-França LS, Sampaio GLA, Nonaka CKV, Oliveira MS, Campos GS, Sardi SI, Dias BRS, Menezes JPB, Rocha VPC, Rossi EA, Paredes BD, Martins GLS, Allahdadi KJ, Peixoto LR, Barbosa-Filho JM, Souza BSF, Soares MBP. Betulinic Acid Exerts Cytoprotective Activity on Zika Virus-Infected Neural Progenitor Cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:558324. [PMID: 33251156 PMCID: PMC7674920 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.558324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, was brought into the spotlight due to its widespread and increased pathogenicity, including Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs), which are multipotent cells capable of differentiating into the major neural phenotypes, are very susceptible to ZIKV infection. Given the complications of ZIKV infection and potential harm to public health, effective treatment options are urgently needed. Betulinic acid (BA), an abundant terpenoid of the lupane group, displays several biological activities, including neuroprotective effects. Here we demonstrate that Sox2+ NPCs, which are highly susceptible to ZIKV when compared to their neuronal counterparts, are protected against ZIKV-induced cell death when treated with BA. Similarly, the population of Sox2+ and Casp3+ NPCs found in ZIKV-infected cerebral organoids was significantly higher in the presence of BA than in untreated controls. Moreover, well-preserved structures were found in BA-treated organoids in contrast to ZIKV-infected controls. Bioinformatics analysis indicated Akt pathway activation by BA treatment. This was confirmed by phosphorylated Akt analysis, both in BA-treated NPCs and brain organoids, as shown by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analyses, respectively. Taken together, these data suggest a neuroprotective role of BA in ZIKV-infected NPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno R R Cavalcante
- Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, São Rafael Hospital, Salvador, Brazil.,D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Luciana S Aragão-França
- Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, São Rafael Hospital, Salvador, Brazil.,D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriela L A Sampaio
- Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, São Rafael Hospital, Salvador, Brazil.,Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Carolina K V Nonaka
- Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, São Rafael Hospital, Salvador, Brazil.,D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Moisés S Oliveira
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Gúbio S Campos
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Silvia I Sardi
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Beatriz R S Dias
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Juliana P B Menezes
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Vinícius P C Rocha
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Erik A Rossi
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Bruno D Paredes
- Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, São Rafael Hospital, Salvador, Brazil.,D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Kyan J Allahdadi
- Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, São Rafael Hospital, Salvador, Brazil.,D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Laisla R Peixoto
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno S F Souza
- Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, São Rafael Hospital, Salvador, Brazil.,D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Milena B P Soares
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
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16
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Loiseau PM, Pomel S, Croft SL. Chitosan Contribution to Therapeutic and Vaccinal Approaches for the Control of Leishmaniasis. Molecules 2020; 25:E4123. [PMID: 32916994 PMCID: PMC7571104 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The control of leishmaniases, a complex parasitic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania, requires continuous innovation at the therapeutic and vaccination levels. Chitosan is a biocompatible polymer administrable via different routes and possessing numerous qualities to be used in the antileishmanial strategies. This review presents recent progress in chitosan research for antileishmanial applications. First data on the mechanism of action of chitosan revealed an optimal in vitro intrinsic activity at acidic pH, high-molecular-weight chitosan being the most efficient form, with an uptake by pinocytosis and an accumulation in the parasitophorous vacuole of Leishmania-infected macrophages. In addition, the immunomodulatory effect of chitosan is an added value both for the treatment of leishmaniasis and the development of innovative vaccines. The advances in chitosan chemistry allows pharmacomodulation on amine groups opening various opportunities for new polymers of different size, and physico-chemical properties adapted to the chosen routes of administration. Different formulations have been studied in experimental leishmaniasis models to cure visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, and chitosan can act as a booster through drug combinations with classical drugs, such as amphotericin B. The various architectural possibilities given by chitosan chemistry and pharmaceutical technology pave the way for promising further developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe M. Loiseau
- Antiparasite Chemotherapy, CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France;
| | - Sébastien Pomel
- Antiparasite Chemotherapy, CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France;
| | - Simon L. Croft
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK;
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17
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Betulinic Acid-Nitrogen Heterocyclic Derivatives: Design, Synthesis, and Antitumor Evaluation in Vitro. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25040948. [PMID: 32093264 PMCID: PMC7070564 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25040948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) is a star member of the pentacyclic triterpenoid family, which exhibits great prospects for antitumor drug development. In an attempt to develop novel antitumor candidates, 21 BA-nitrogen heterocyclic derivatives were synthetized, in addition to four intermediates, 23 of which were first reported. Moreover, they were screened for in-vitro cytotoxicity against four tumor cell lines (Hela, HepG-2, BGC-823 and SK-SY5Y) by a standard methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The majority of these derivatives showed much stronger cytotoxic activity than BA. Remarkably, the most potent compound 7e (the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of which was 2.05 ± 0.66 μM) was 12-fold more toxic in vitro than BA-treated Hela. Furthermore, multiple fluorescent staining techniques and flow cytometry collectively revealed that compound 7e could induce the early apoptosis of Hela cells. Structure–activity relationships were also briefly discussed. The present study highlighted the importance of introducing nitrogen heterocyclic rings into betulinic acid in the discovery and development of novel antitumor agents.
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18
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Zadeh Mehrizi T, Khamesipour A, Shafiee Ardestani M, Ebrahimi Shahmabadi H, Haji Molla Hoseini M, Mosaffa N, Ramezani A. Comparative analysis between four model nanoformulations of amphotericin B-chitosan, amphotericin B-dendrimer, betulinic acid-chitosan and betulinic acid-dendrimer for treatment of Leishmania major: real-time PCR assay plus. Int J Nanomedicine 2019; 14:7593-7607. [PMID: 31802863 PMCID: PMC6831986 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s220410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amphotericin B (Amp) and Betulinic acid (BA) as antileishmanial agents have negligible water solubility and high toxicity. To solve these problems, for the first time, chitosan nanoparticles and Anionic Linear Globular Dendrimer (D) were synthesized for the treatment of Leishmania major (L. major). Method Chitosan and dendrimer nanoparticles were synthesized, and Amp and BA were loaded into the nanoparticles. The particles were then characterized using various methods and their efficacy was evaluated in vitro and in vivo environments (parasite burden was confirmed using pathological studies and real-time PCR methods). Result The results of docking showed that Amp and BA can be loaded into chitosan and dendrimer nanoparticles. The results of physically drug loading efficiency for AK (Amphotericin B-chitosan), BK (Betulinic acid-chitosan), AD (Amphotericin B-Dendrimer) and BD (Betulinic acid- Dendrimer) were 90, 93, 84 and 96 percent, respectively. The characterization results indicated that the drugs were loaded into nanoparticles physically. Moreover, the increased solubility rate for AD=478, BD=790, AK=80 and BK=300 folds. Furthermore, the results of the drug delivery system showed the slow controlled drug release pattern with cellular uptake of more than 90%. The treatment results showed a 100 percent decrease of toxicity for the all nanodrugs was observed in vivo and in vitro environments. Moreover, AK10 and BK20 mg/kg reduced parasite burden by 83 percent (P<0.001), while AD50 and BD40 mg/kg reduced it to a lesser extent compared to glucantime. Conclusion All the synthesized nanodrugs were completely succeeded by 100% to recovery the L. major induced pathological effects in the infected footpad. Also, the results of present study were confirmed with real-time PCR and the results showed that AK and BK were succeeded in a large extent to the treatment of L. major infection (P<0.001), therefore AK and BK could be considered as proper alternatives of choices drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Zadeh Mehrizi
- Department of Clinical Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Pishtaz Teb Zaman Diagnostics, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Shafiee Ardestani
- Department of Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hasan Ebrahimi Shahmabadi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Mostafa Haji Molla Hoseini
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nariman Mosaffa
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amitis Ramezani
- Department of Clinical Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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19
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Amiri S, Dastghaib S, Ahmadi M, Mehrbod P, Khadem F, Behrouj H, Aghanoori MR, Machaj F, Ghamsari M, Rosik J, Hudecki A, Afkhami A, Hashemi M, Los MJ, Mokarram P, Madrakian T, Ghavami S. Betulin and its derivatives as novel compounds with different pharmacological effects. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 38:107409. [PMID: 31220568 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Betulin (B) and Betulinic acid (BA) are natural pentacyclic lupane-structure triterpenoids which possess a wide range of pharmacological activities. Recent evidence indicates that B and BA have several properties useful for the treatment of metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and neurological disorders. In the current review, we discuss B and BA structures and derivatives and then comprehensively explain their pharmacological effects in relation to various diseases. We also explain antiviral, antibacterial and anti-cancer effects of B and BA. Finally, we discuss the delivery methods, in which these compounds most effectively target different systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayan Amiri
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady College of Medicine, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Sanaz Dastghaib
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mazaher Ahmadi
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Mehrbod
- Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Department, Pasteur Institute of IRAN, Tehran, Iran
| | - Forough Khadem
- Department of Immunology, Rady College of Medicine, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Hamid Behrouj
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohamad-Reza Aghanoori
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Filip Machaj
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-344 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Mahdi Ghamsari
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Jakub Rosik
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-344 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Hudecki
- Institue of Non-Ferrous Metals, ul. Sowińskiego 5, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Abbas Afkhami
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hashemi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Zahedan University of Medical Science, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Marek J Los
- Biotechnology Center, Silesian University of Technology, ul Bolesława Krzywoustego 8, Gliwice, Poland; Linkocare Life Sciences AB, Teknikringen 10, Plan 3, 583 30 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Pooneh Mokarram
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Tayyebeh Madrakian
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady College of Medicine, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Biology of Breathing Theme, Children Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
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20
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Meira CS, Santos EDS, Santo RFDE, Vasconcelos JF, Orge ID, Nonaka CKV, Barreto BC, Caria ACI, Silva DN, Barbosa-Filho JM, Macambira SG, Moreira DRM, Soares MBP. Betulinic Acid Derivative BA5, Attenuates Inflammation and Fibrosis in Experimental Chronic Chagas Disease Cardiomyopathy by Inducing IL-10 and M2 Polarization. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1257. [PMID: 31244833 PMCID: PMC6579897 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a major cause of heart disease in Latin America and treatment for this condition is unsatisfactory. Here we investigated the effects of BA5, an amide semi-synthetic derivative betulinic acid, in a model of CCC. Mice chronically infected with T. cruzi were treated orally with BA5 (10 or 1 mg/Kg), three times per week, for 2 months. BA5 treatment decreased inflammation and fibrosis in heart sections but did not improve exercise capacity or ameliorate cardiac electric disturbances in infected mice. Serum concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β, as well as cardiac gene expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, were reduced after BA5 treatment. In contrast, a significant increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 concentration was observed in BA5-treated mice in both tested doses compared to vehicle-treated mice. Moreover, polarization to anti-inflammatory/M2 macrophage phenotype was evidenced by a decrease in the expression of NOS2 and proinflammatory cytokines and the increase in M2 markers, such as Arg1 and CHI3 in mice treated with BA5. In conclusion, BA5 had a potent anti-inflammatory activity on a model of parasite-driven heart disease related to IL-10 production and a switch from M1 to M2 subset of macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Renan Fernandes do Espírito Santo
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Science and Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Juliana Fraga Vasconcelos
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Iasmim Diniz Orge
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Carolina Kymie Vasques Nonaka
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Breno Cardim Barreto
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | - Daniela Nascimento Silva
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - José Maria Barbosa-Filho
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Simone Garcia Macambira
- Science and Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
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21
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In Vivo Therapeutic Effects of Four Synthesized Antileishmanial Nanodrugs in the Treatment of Leishmaniasis. ARCHIVES OF CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2018. [DOI: 10.5812/archcid.80314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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22
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Zadeh Mehrizi T, Shafiee Ardestani M, Haji Molla Hoseini M, Khamesipour A, Mosaffa N, Ramezani A. Novel Nanosized Chitosan-Betulinic Acid Against Resistant Leishmania Major and First Clinical Observation of such parasite in Kidney. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11759. [PMID: 30082741 PMCID: PMC6078985 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30103-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Regarding the antiparasitic effects of Betulinic acid (B) against Leishmaniasis, it was loaded into nanochitosan (K) for the first time in order to improve its therapeutic effects and decrease its side effects for the treatment of Leishmania major-infected Balb/c mice. Improvement the therapeutic efficacy of Bas an anti-leishmania agent through increasing the effective dose was achieved by using a novel solvent and phase separation method for K synthesis. The synthesized K with the size of 102 nm and Betulinic acid-nanochitosan (BK) with the size of 124 nm and drug loading efficiency of 93%, cellular uptake of 97.5% with the slow drug release pattern was prepared. To increase the therapeutic dose, a modified 10% acetic acid solvent was used. The in vitro and in vivo results showed that the nanodrug of BK was non toxic by 100% and BK20 mg/kg could completely performed the wound healing and inhibit the parasite in a large extent (P ˂ 0.001) compared to other groups. Therefore, BK could be considered as an alternative regimen for treatment of L. major.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mehdi Shafiee Ardestani
- Department of Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mostafa Haji Molla Hoseini
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nariman Mosaffa
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amitis Ramezani
- Department of Clinical Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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23
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Seo J, Jung J, Jang DS, Kim J, Kim JH. Induction of Cell Death by Betulinic Acid through Induction of Apoptosis and Inhibition of Autophagic Flux in Microglia BV-2 Cells. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2017; 25:618-624. [PMID: 28274097 PMCID: PMC5685431 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2016.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA), a natural pentacyclic triterpene found in many medicinal plants is known to have various biological activity including tumor suppression and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the cell-death induction effect of BA was investigated in BV-2 microglia cells. BA was cytotoxic to BV-2 cells with IC50 of approximately 2.0 μM. Treatment of BA resulted in a dose-dependent chromosomal DNA degradation, suggesting that these cells underwent apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis further confirmed that BA-treated BV-2 cells showed hypodiploid DNA content. BA treatment triggered apoptosis by decreasing Bcl-2 levels, activation of capase-3 protease and cleavage of PARP. In addition, BA treatment induced the accumulation of p62 and the increase in conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II, which are important autophagic flux monitoring markers. The increase in LC3-II indicates that BA treatment induced autophagosome formation, however, accumulation of p62 represents that the downstream autophagy pathway is blocked. It is demonstrated that BA induced cell death of BV-2 cells by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting autophagic flux. These data may provide important new information towards understanding the mechanisms by which BA induce cell death in microglia BV-2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongbin Seo
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Juneyoung Jung
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Sik Jang
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Joungmok Kim
- Department of Oral Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hee Kim
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.,Department of Oral Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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24
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Sousa PL, Souza RODS, Tessarolo LD, de Menezes RRPPB, Sampaio TL, Canuto JA, Martins AMC. Betulinic acid induces cell death by necrosis in Trypanosoma cruzi. Acta Trop 2017; 174:72-75. [PMID: 28690148 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Chagas' disease is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and constitutes a serious health problem worldwide. The treatment is limited, with variable efficacy of benznidazole and nifurtimox. Betulinic Acid (BA), a triterpene, can be found in medicinal herbs and has a wide variety of biological and pharmacological activities. The objective was to evaluate betulinic acid effects on the cell death mechanism in Trypanosoma cruzi strain Y. BA inhibited the growth of epimastigotes in periods of 24h (IC50=73.43μM), 48h (IC50=119.8μM) and 72h (IC50=212.2μM) of incubation; of trypomastigotes (IC50=51.88μM) in periods of 24h and intracellular amastigotes (IC50=25.94μM) in periods of 24 and 48h of incubation, no toxicity on LLC-MK2 cells at the concentrations used. Analysis of the possible mechanism of parasite cell death showed alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential, alterations in cell membrane integrity, an increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species and increase swelling of the reservosomes. In conclusion, betulinic acid was be able to inhibition all developmental forms of Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain with necrotic mechanism and involvement of mitochondrial membrane potential alteration and increase in reactive oxygen species.
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25
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Meira CS, Espírito Santo RFD, Dos Santos TB, Orge ID, Silva DKC, Guimarães ET, Aragão França LSD, Barbosa-Filho JM, Moreira DRM, Soares MBP. Betulinic acid derivative BA5, a dual NF-kB/calcineurin inhibitor, alleviates experimental shock and delayed hypersensitivity. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 815:156-165. [PMID: 28899698 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) is a naturally occurring triterpenoid with several biological properties already described, including immunomodulatory activity. Here we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of eight semi-synthetic amide derivatives of betulinic acid. Screening of derivatives BA1-BA8 led to the identification of compounds with superior immunomodulatory activity than BA on activated macrophages and lymphocytes. BA5, the most potent derivative, inhibited nitric oxide and TNFα production in a concentration-dependent manner, and decreased NF-κB activation in Raw 264.7 cells. Additionally, BA5 inhibited the proliferation of activated lymphocytes and the secretion of IL-2, IL-4 IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A and IFNɣ, in a concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis in lymphocyte cultures showed that treatment with BA5 induces cell cycle arrest in pre-G1 phase followed by cell death by apoptosis. Moreover, BA5 also inhibited the activity of calcineurin, an enzyme that plays a critical role in the progression of cell cycle and T lymphocyte activation. BA5 has a synergistic inhibitory effect with dexamethasone on lymphoproliferation, showing a promising profile for drug combination. Finally, we observed immunosuppressive effects of BA5 in vivo in mouse models of lethal endotoxemia and delayed type hypersensitivity. Our results reinforce the potential use of betulinic acid and its derivatives in the search for potent immunomodulatory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renan Fernandes do Espírito Santo
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, BA, Brazil; Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Barbosa Dos Santos
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, BA, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Iasmim Diniz Orge
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Dahara Keyse Carvalho Silva
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, BA, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Elisalva Teixeira Guimarães
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, BA, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | | | - José Maria Barbosa-Filho
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | | | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
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