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Isern JA, Carlucci R, Labadie GR, Porta EOJ. Progress and Prospects of Triazoles in Advanced Therapies for Parasitic Diseases. Trop Med Infect Dis 2025; 10:142. [PMID: 40423371 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed10050142] [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: 03/24/2025] [Revised: 05/14/2025] [Accepted: 05/18/2025] [Indexed: 05/28/2025] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases represent a severe global burden, with current treatments often limited by toxicity, drug resistance, and suboptimal efficacy in chronic infections. This review examines the emerging role of triazole-based compounds, originally developed as antifungals, in advanced antiparasitic therapy. Their unique structural properties, particularly those of 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazole isomers, facilitate diverse binding interactions and favorable pharmacokinetics. By leveraging innovative synthetic approaches, such as click chemistry (copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition) and structure-based design, researchers have repurposed and optimized triazole scaffolds to target essential parasite pathways, including sterol biosynthesis via CYP51 and other novel enzymatic routes. Preclinical studies in models of Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, malaria, and helminth infections demonstrate that derivatives like posaconazole, ravuconazole, and DSM265 exhibit potent in vitro and in vivo activity, although their primarily static effects have limited their success as monotherapies in chronic cases. Combination strategies and hybrid molecules have demonstrated the potential to enhance efficacy and mitigate drug resistance. Despite challenges in achieving complete parasite clearance and managing potential toxicity, interdisciplinary efforts across medicinal chemistry, parasitology, and clinical research highlight the significant potential of triazoles as components of next-generation, patient-friendly antiparasitic regimens. These findings support the further optimization and clinical evaluation of triazole-based agents to improve treatments for neglected parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime A Isern
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Renzo Carlucci
- Instituto de Química Rosario, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
| | - Guillermo R Labadie
- Instituto de Química Rosario, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
| | - Exequiel O J Porta
- UCL School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Life Sciences, University College London (UCL), 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
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2
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Chaudhary J, Kaur G, Singh I. Synthesis strategies and anti-parasitic evaluation of novel compounds for chagas disease: Advancing drug discovery through structure-activity relationships. Eur J Med Chem 2025; 284:117203. [PMID: 39740321 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.117203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2024] [Revised: 12/14/2024] [Accepted: 12/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/02/2025]
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive exploration of the synthesis of novel compounds targeting Chagas Disease (CD) caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. It is a global health threat with over 6-7 million infections worldwide. Addressing challenges in current treatments, the investigation explores diverse compound classes, including thiazoles, thiazolidinone, imidazole, pyrazole, 1,6-diphenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridine, pyrrole, naphthoquinone, neolignan, benzeneacyl hydrazones, and chalcones-based compounds. Highlighting compounds with superior trypanocidal activity compared to standard drugs. The study elucidates structure-activity relationships, emphasizing the impact of substituents, fluorine presence, and substitution patterns. Noteworthy findings include neolignan derivatives demonstrating efficacy against intracellular amastigotes and free-moving trypomastigotes, with unsaturated side chains. Benzeneacylhydrazones and chalcones, as novel classes, showed varied efficacy, with certain compounds surpassing benznidazole. A novel series of triketone compounds exhibited strong anti-parasitic activity, outperforming standard drugs. Docking study revealed that the halogen and methoxy substituted phenyl ring, thiazole, thiazolidine-4-one, quinoline, isoindoline-1,3-dione, pyrrole heterocyclic motifs can play the key role in the designing of effective inhibitors of T. cruzi. Mutually, these insights placed the foundation for the development of innovative and effective treatments for CD, addressing the urgent need for improved therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitendra Chaudhary
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, 144411, India
| | - Gurdeep Kaur
- School of Chemical Engineering and Physical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, 144411, India
| | - Iqubal Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, 144411, India.
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3
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Camargo PG, Suzukawa HT, Pereira PML, Silva ML, Macedo F, Albuquerque MG, Rodrigues CR, Yamada-Ogatta SF, da Silva Lima CH, Bispo MDLF. In vitro assays identified thiohydantoins with anti-trypanosomatid activity and molecular modelling studies indicated possible selective CYP51 inhibition. Sci Rep 2025; 15:465. [PMID: 39748011 PMCID: PMC11695927 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-84697-2] [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: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 12/26/2024] [Indexed: 01/04/2025] Open
Abstract
This work investigates the anti-trypanosomal activities of ten thiohydantoin derivatives against the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Compounds with aliphatic chains (THD1, THD3, and THD5) exhibited the most promising IC50 against the epimastigote form of T. cruzi. Also, it showed lower cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. THD3 and THD5 (IC50 = 72.4 µg/mL and 115 µg/mL) presented great activity against trypomastigote and amastigote forms (IC50 = 47.7 µg/mL and 34.1 µg/mL). THD5 had high selectivity index (SI = 15.1) against the amastigote form. The molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to understand the interaction between the THD and the important target CYP51 enzyme essential to T. cruzi. THD3 and THD5 were found to have strong interactions within the hydrophobic channel of CYP51 due to their aliphatic side chains, leading to favorable binding free energies. Despite the possibility of cross-reactivity between THD5 and human CYP2C9, the results indicate low identity and similarity between the homolog enzymes and possible selectivity of THD5 for the protozoan one, suggesting that these compounds could inhibit sterol biosynthesis, crucial for the parasite's survival. These findings indicate that THD3 and THD5 are promising hits for the development of Chagas disease treatments. To fully validate this potential, carrying out enzymatic and other in vitro and in vivo assays is essential in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Goes Camargo
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brasil
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Helena Tiemi Suzukawa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Patrícia Morais Lopes Pereira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Mariana Luiza Silva
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Fernando Macedo
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Carlos Rangel Rodrigues
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brasil
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4
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Tawaraishi T, Ochida A, Akao Y, Itono S, Kamaura M, Akther T, Shimada M, Canan S, Chowdhury S, Cao Y, Condroski K, Engkvist O, Francisco A, Ghosh S, Kaki R, Kelly JM, Kimura C, Kogej T, Nagaoka K, Naito A, Pairaudeau G, Radu C, Roberts I, Shum D, Watanabe NA, Xie H, Yonezawa S, Yoshida O, Yoshida R, Mowbray C, Perry B. Collaborative Virtual Screening Identifies a 2-Aryl-4-aminoquinazoline Series with Efficacy in an In Vivo Model of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1221-1238. [PMID: 36607408 PMCID: PMC9884087 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Probing multiple proprietary pharmaceutical libraries in parallel via virtual screening allowed rapid expansion of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) around hit compounds with moderate efficacy against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas Disease. A potency-improving scaffold hop, followed by elaboration of the SAR via design guided by the output of the phenotypic virtual screening efforts, identified two promising hit compounds 54 and 85, which were profiled further in pharmacokinetic studies and in an in vivo model of T. cruzi infection. Compound 85 demonstrated clear reduction of parasitemia in the in vivo setting, confirming the interest in this series of 2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinazolines as potential anti-trypanosome treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taisuke Tawaraishi
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Atsuko Ochida
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Akao
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Sachiko Itono
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kamaura
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Thamina Akther
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Mitsuyuki Shimada
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Stacie Canan
- Celgene
Corporation, Celgene Global Health, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Sanjoy Chowdhury
- TCG
Lifesciences, Plot No-7,
Salt Lake Electronics Complex, BN Block, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Yafeng Cao
- WuXi
AppTec Company Ltd., 666 Gaoxin Road, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan 430075, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kevin Condroski
- Celgene
Corporation, Celgene Global Health, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Ola Engkvist
- AstraZeneca
Discovery Sciences, R&D, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Amanda Francisco
- London School
of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Sunil Ghosh
- TCG
Lifesciences, Plot No-7,
Salt Lake Electronics Complex, BN Block, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Rina Kaki
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - John M. Kelly
- London School
of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Chiaki Kimura
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Thierry Kogej
- AstraZeneca
Discovery Sciences, R&D, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Kazuya Nagaoka
- Eisai
Co., Ltd, 1-3, Tokodai
5-chome, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2635, Japan
| | - Akira Naito
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Garry Pairaudeau
- AstraZeneca,
Discovery Sciences, R&D, The Darwin Building, 310 Milton Road, Milton, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K.
| | - Constantin Radu
- Institut
Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro
712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Ieuan Roberts
- AstraZeneca,
Discovery Sciences, R&D, The Darwin Building, 310 Milton Road, Milton, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K.
| | - David Shum
- Institut
Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro
712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Nao-aki Watanabe
- Eisai
Co., Ltd, 1-3, Tokodai
5-chome, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2635, Japan
| | - Huanxu Xie
- WuXi
AppTec Company Ltd., 666 Gaoxin Road, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan 430075, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuji Yonezawa
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Osamu Yoshida
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Ryu Yoshida
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Charles Mowbray
- Drugs for Neglected
Diseases Initiative, 15 Chemin Camille Vidart, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Perry
- Drugs for Neglected
Diseases Initiative, 15 Chemin Camille Vidart, Geneva 1202, Switzerland,
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5
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Jaime LD, Aracely LM, Paulina OM, Dumonteil E, Barnabé C, Waleckx E, Hernández-Giles RG, Ramos-Ligonio A. Molecular Characterization of Four Mexican Isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi and Their Profile Susceptibility to Nifurtimox. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:1584-1593. [PMID: 36029434 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00608-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study was to molecularly characterize Mexican isolates of T. cruzi obtained from infected triatomine bugs (the vectors of T. cruzi) and to evaluate their susceptibility to Nifurtimox (NFX). METHODS Three isolates obtained from Triatoma dimidiata (collected in the State of Veracruz) and one isolate obtained from Triatoma bassolsae (collected in the State of Puebla) were molecularly characterized and the expression of genes associated with natural resistance to NFX was analyzed by qPCR. RESULTS Molecular characterization by PCR showed that isolates Zn3, Zn5, and SRB1 belong to the DTU TcI, while isolate Sum3 belongs to TcIV. The latter was also confirmed by sequencing of mitochondrial genes. Isolate Zn5 was the most sensitive to treatment with NFX (IC50, 6.8 μM), isolates SRB1 and Zn3 were partially resistant (IC50, 12.8 μM and 12.7 μM) and isolate Sum3 showed a high degree of resistance to NFX (IC50, 21.4 µM). We also found an association between decreased NTR1 or OYE gene expression with NFX resistance. CONCLUSION Our results also evidenced a high variability in the susceptibility to NFX of these T. cruzi isolates Central and Southeastern Mexico, suggesting the presence of naturally resistant isolates circulating in the country. These results have important implications for defining treatment policies for patients with Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- López-Domínguez Jaime
- LADISER de Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Edificio D, Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009, Colonia Rafael Alvarado, C.P. 94340, 86039, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.,Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - López-Monteon Aracely
- LADISER de Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Edificio D, Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009, Colonia Rafael Alvarado, C.P. 94340, 86039, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.,Asociacion Chagas con Ciencia y Conocimiento A.C., Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Ochoa-Martínez Paulina
- LADISER de Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Edificio D, Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009, Colonia Rafael Alvarado, C.P. 94340, 86039, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.,Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Christian Barnabé
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Etienne Waleckx
- Asociacion Chagas con Ciencia y Conocimiento A.C., Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.,Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Rubén Gustavo Hernández-Giles
- LADISER de Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Edificio D, Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009, Colonia Rafael Alvarado, C.P. 94340, 86039, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.,Maestría en Ciencias en Procesos Biológicos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Angel Ramos-Ligonio
- LADISER de Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Edificio D, Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009, Colonia Rafael Alvarado, C.P. 94340, 86039, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico. .,Asociacion Chagas con Ciencia y Conocimiento A.C., Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.
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6
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Kratz JM, Gonçalves KR, Romera LM, Moraes CB, Bittencourt-Cunha P, Schenkman S, Chatelain E, Sosa-Estani S. The translational challenge in Chagas disease drug development. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e200501. [PMID: 35613156 PMCID: PMC9128742 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. There is an urgent need for safe, effective, and accessible new treatments since the currently approved drugs have serious limitations. Drug development for Chagas disease has historically been hampered by the complexity of the disease, critical knowledge gaps, and lack of coordinated R&D efforts. This review covers some of the translational challenges associated with the progression of new chemical entities from preclinical to clinical phases of development, and discusses how recent technological advances might allow the research community to answer key questions relevant to the disease and to overcome hurdles in R&D for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadel M Kratz
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karolina R Gonçalves
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Lavínia Md Romera
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Carolina Borsoi Moraes
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Diadema, SP, Brasil
| | - Paula Bittencourt-Cunha
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Sergio Schenkman
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Sosa-Estani
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland.,Epidemiology and Public Health Research Centre, CIESP-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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7
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Zhao Y, Sun H, Li J, Ju C, Huang J. The Transcription Factor FgAtrR Regulates Asexual and Sexual Development, Virulence, and DON Production and Contributes to Intrinsic Resistance to Azole Fungicides in Fusarium graminearum. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11020326. [PMID: 35205191 PMCID: PMC8869466 DOI: 10.3390/biology11020326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Fusarium graminearum is a devastating plant pathogen that can cause wheat head blight. Azole fungicides are commonly used chemicals for control of this disease. However, F. graminearum strains resistant to these fungicides have emerged. To better understand the azole resistance mechanism of F. graminearum, we identified and characterized the Zn(II)2-Cys6 transcription factor FgAtrR in F. graminearum. We found that FgAtrR played critical roles in vegetative growth, conidia production, perithecium formation, and virulence on wheat heads and corn silks. FgAtrR was also involved in the resistance to azole antifungals by regulating the expression of the drug target FgCYP51s and efflux pump transporters. These results broadened our understanding of the azole resistance mechanisms of F. graminearum. Abstract Fusarium graminearum is the predominant causal agent of cereal Fusarium head blight disease (FHB) worldwide. The application of chemical fungicides such as azole antifungals is still the primary method for FHB control. However, to date, our knowledge of transcriptional regulation in the azole resistance of F. graminearum is quite limited. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized a Zn(II)2-Cys6 transcription factor FgAtrR in F. graminearum. We constructed a FgAtrR deletion mutant and found that deletion of FgAtrR resulted in faster radial growth with serious pigmentation defects, significantly reduced conidial production, and an inability to form perithecia. The pathogenicity of the ΔFgAtrR mutant on wheat spikes and corn silks was severely impaired with reduced deoxynivalenol production, while the tolerance to prochloraz and propiconazole of the deletion mutant was also significantly decreased. RNA-seq indicated that many metabolic pathways were affected by the deletion of FgAtrR. Importantly, FgAtrR could regulate the expression of the FgCYP51A and ABC transporters, which are the main contributors to azole resistance. These results demonstrated that FgAtrR played essential roles in asexual and sexual development, DON production, and pathogenicity, and contributed to intrinsic resistance to azole fungicides in F. graminearum. This study will help us improve the understanding of the azole resistance mechanism in F. graminearum.
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8
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Pereira CG, Moraes CB, Franco CH, Feltrin C, Grougnet R, Barbosa EG, Panciera M, Correia CRD, Rodrigues MJ, Custódio L. In Vitro Anti- Trypanosoma cruzi Activity of Halophytes from Southern Portugal Reloaded: A Special Focus on Sea Fennel ( Crithmum maritimum L.). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:2235. [PMID: 34834598 PMCID: PMC8625203 DOI: 10.3390/plants10112235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Marine halophytes are an outstanding reservoir of natural products and several species have anti-infectious traditional uses. However, reports about their potential use against neglected tropical ailments, such as Chagas disease, are scarce. This work evaluated for the first time the in vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of extracts from the aromatic and medicinal species Helichrysum italicum subsp. picardii (Boiss. & Reut.) Franco (Asteraceae, everlasting) and Crithmum maritimum L. (Apiaceae, sea fennel). For that purpose, decoctions, tinctures, and essential oils from everlasting's flowers and sea fennel's stems, leaves, and flowers were tested against intracellular amastigotes of two T. cruzi strains. The extract from the sea fennel flower decoction displayed significant anti-trypanosomal activity and no toxicity towards the host cell (EC50 = 17.7 µg/mL, selectivity index > 5.65). Subsequent fractionation of this extract afforded 5 fractions that were re-tested in the same model of anti-parasitic activity. Fraction 1 was the most active and selective (EC50 = 0.47 μg/mL, selectivity index = 59.6) and was submitted to preparative thin-layer chromatography. One major compound was identified, falcarindiol, which was likely the one responsible for the observed anti-trypanosomal activity. This was confirmed using a commercially sourced molecule. Target-fishing studies showed falcarindiol as a ligand of T. cruzi spermidine synthase, pointing to a potential enzyme-inhibiting anti-trypanosomal mechanism of action. Overall, this work shows that sea fennel can provide effective anti-parasitic molecule(s) with potential pharmacological applications in the treatment of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina G. Pereira
- Centre of Marine Sciences CCMAR, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (C.G.P.); (M.J.R.)
| | - Carolina Borsoi Moraes
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, SP, Brazil; (C.B.M.); (C.H.F.); (C.F.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, SP, Brazil
| | - Caio H. Franco
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, SP, Brazil; (C.B.M.); (C.H.F.); (C.F.)
| | - Clarissa Feltrin
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, SP, Brazil; (C.B.M.); (C.H.F.); (C.F.)
| | - Raphaël Grougnet
- Natural Products, Analysis, Synthesis, UMR CNRS 8038, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris, 4 Avenue de l’Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France;
| | | | - Michele Panciera
- Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Josue de Castro St., Campinas 13083-970, SP, Brazil; (M.P.); (C.R.D.C.)
| | - Carlos Roque D. Correia
- Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Josue de Castro St., Campinas 13083-970, SP, Brazil; (M.P.); (C.R.D.C.)
| | - Maria João Rodrigues
- Centre of Marine Sciences CCMAR, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (C.G.P.); (M.J.R.)
| | - Luísa Custódio
- Centre of Marine Sciences CCMAR, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (C.G.P.); (M.J.R.)
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Higher oral efficacy of ravuconazole in self-nanoemulsifying systems in shorter treatment in experimental chagas disease. Exp Parasitol 2021; 228:108142. [PMID: 34375652 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the in vitro activity and selectivity, and in vivo efficacy of ravuconazole (RAV) in self-nanoemulsifying delivery system (SNEDDS) against Trypanosoma cruzi. Novel formulations of this poorly soluble C14-α-demethylase inhibitor may improve its efficacy in the experimental treatment. In vitro activity was determined in infected cardiomyocytes and efficacy in vivo evaluated in terms of parasitological cure induced in Y and Colombian strains of T. cruzi-infected mice. In vitro RAV-SNEDDS exhibited significantly higher potency of 1.9-fold at the IC50 level and 2-fold at IC90 level than free-RAV. No difference in activity with Colombian strain was observed in vitro. Oral treatment with a daily dose of 20 mg/kg for 30 days resulted in 70% of cure for RAV-SNEDDS versus 40% for free-RAV and 50% for 100 mg/kg benznidazole in acute infection (T. cruzi Y strain). Long-term treatment efficacy (40 days) was able to cure 100% of Y strain-infected animals with both RAV preparations. Longer treatment time was also efficient to increase the cure rate with benznidazole (Y and Colombian strains). RAV-SNEDDS shows greater efficacy in a shorter time treatment regimen, it is safe and could be a promising formulation to be evaluated in other pre-clinical models to treat T. cruzi and fungi infections.
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Choudhury SD. Nano-Medicines a Hope for Chagas Disease! Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:655435. [PMID: 34141721 PMCID: PMC8204082 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.655435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, is a vector-mediated tropical disease whose causative agent is a parasitic protozoan named Trypanosoma cruzi. It is a very severe health issue in South America and Mexico infecting millions of people every year. Protozoan T. cruzi gets transmitted to human through Triatominae, a subfamily of the Reduviidae, and do not have any effective treatment or preventative available. The lack of economic gains from this tropical parasitic infection, has always been the reason behind its negligence by researchers and drug manufacturers for many decades. Hence there is an enormous requirement for more efficient and novel strategies to reduce the fatality associated with these diseases. Even, available diagnosis protocols are outdated and inefficient and there is an urgent need for rapid high throughput diagnostics as well as management protocol. The current advancement of nanotechnology in the field of healthcare has generated hope for better management of many tropical diseases including Chagas disease. Nanoparticulate systems for drug delivery like poloxamer coated nanosuspension of benzimidazole have shown promising results in reducing toxicity, elevating efficacy and bioavailability of the active compound against the pathogen, by prolonging release, thereby increasing the therapeutic index. Moreover, nanoparticle-based drug delivery has shown promising results in inducing the host’s immune response against the pathogen with very few side effects. Besides, advances in diagnostic assays, such as nanosensors, aided in the accurate detection of the parasite. In this review, we provide an insight into the life cycle stages of the pathogen in both vertebrate host and the insect vector, along with an overview of the current therapy for Chagas disease and its limitations; nano carrier-based delivery systems for antichagasic agents, we also address the advancement of nano vaccines and nano-diagnostic techniques, for treatment of Chagas disease, majorly focusing on the novel perspectives in combating the disease.
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