Voltammetric behavior of benznidazole at a DNA-electrochemical biosensor

Benznidazole treatment leads to DNA damage in Trypanosoma cruzi and the persistence of rare widely dispersed non-replicative amastigotes in mice

Benznidazole is the front-line drug used to treat infections with Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. However, for reasons that are unknown, treatment failures are common. When we examined parasites that survived benznidazole treatment in mice using highly sensitive in vivo and ex vivo bioluminescence imaging, we found that recrudescence is not due to persistence of parasites in a specific organ or tissue that preferentially protects them from drug activity. Surviving parasites are widely distributed and located in host cells where the vast majority contained only one or two amastigotes. Therefore, infection relapse does not arise from a small number of intact large nests. Rather, persisters are either survivors of intracellular populations where co-located parasites have been killed, or amastigotes in single/low-level infected cells exist in a state where they are less susceptible to benznidazole. To better assess the nature of parasite persisters, we exposed infected mammalian cell monolayers to a benznidazole regimen that reduces the intracellular amastigote population to <1% of the pre-treatment level. Of host cells that remained infected, as with the situation in vivo, the vast majority contained only one or two surviving intracellular amastigotes. Analysis, based on non-incorporation of the thymidine analogue EdU, revealed these surviving parasites to be in a transient non-replicative state. Furthermore, treatment with benznidazole led to widespread parasite DNA damage. When the small number of parasites which survive in mice after non-curative treatment were assessed using EdU labelling, this revealed that these persisters were also initially non-replicative. A possible explanation could be that triggering of the T. cruzi DNA damage response pathway by the activity of benznidazole metabolites results in exit from the cell cycle as parasites attempt DNA repair, and that metabolic changes associated with non-proliferation act to reduce drug susceptibility. Alternatively, a small percentage of the parasite population may pre-exist in this non-replicative state prior to treatment.

Electrochemical DNA biosensors developed for the monitoring of biointeractions with drugs: a review

The interaction of drugs with DNA is important for the discovery of novel drug molecules and for understanding the therapeutic effects of drugs as well as the monitoring of side effects. For this reason, many studies have been carried out to investigate the interactions of drugs with nucleic acids. In recent years, a large number of studies have been performed to electrochemically detect drug-DNA interactions. The fast, sensitive, and accurate results of electrochemical techniques have resulted in a leading role for their implementation in this field. By means of electrochemical techniques, it is possible not only to demonstrate drug-DNA interactions but also to quantitatively analyze drugs. In this context, electrochemical biosensors for drug-DNA interactions have been examined under different headings including anticancer, antiviral, antibiotic, and central nervous system drugs as well as DNA-targeted drugs. An overview of the studies related to electrochemical DNA biosensors developed for the detection of drug-DNA interactions that were reported in the last two decades in the literature is presented herein along with their applications and they are discussed together with their future perspectives.

Challenges in Chagas Disease Drug Development

The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease, an important public health problem throughout Latin America. Current therapeutic options are characterised by limited efficacy, long treatment regimens and frequent toxic side-effects. Advances in this area have been compromised by gaps in our knowledge of disease pathogenesis, parasite biology and drug activity. Nevertheless, several factors have come together to create a more optimistic scenario. Drug-based research has become more systematic, with increased collaborations between the academic and commercial sectors, often within the framework of not-for-profit consortia. High-throughput screening of compound libraries is being widely applied, and new technical advances are helping to streamline the drug development pipeline. In addition, drug repurposing and optimisation of current treatment regimens, informed by laboratory research, are providing a basis for new clinical trials. Here, we will provide an overview of the current status of Chagas disease drug development, highlight those areas where progress can be expected, and describe how fundamental research is helping to underpin the process.

A novel quantitative electrochemical method to monitor DNA double-strand breaks caused by a DNA cleavage agent at a DNA sensor

To date, DNA cleavage, caused by cleavage agents, has been monitored mainly by gel and capillary electrophoresis. However, these techniques are time-consuming, non-quantitative and require gel stains. In this work, a novel, simple and, importantly, a quantitative method for monitoring the DNA nuclease activity of potential anti-cancer drugs, at a DNA electrochemical sensor, is presented. The DNA sensors were prepared using thiol-modified oligonucleotides that self-assembled to create a DNA monolayer at gold electrode surfaces. The quantification of DNA double-strand breaks is based on calculating the DNA surface coverage, before and after exposure to a DNA cleavage agent. The nuclease properties of a model DNA cleavage agent, copper bis-phenanthroline ([Cu^II(phen)₂]²⁺), that can cleave DNA in a Fenton-type reaction, were quantified electrochemically. The DNA surface coverage decreased on average by 21% after subjecting the DNA sensor to a nuclease assay containing [Cu^II(phen)₂]²⁺, a reductant and an oxidant. This percentage indicates that 6 base pairs were cleaved in the nuclease assay from the immobilised 30 base pair strands. The DNA cleavage can be also induced electrochemically in the absence of a chemical reductant. [Cu^II(phen)₂]²⁺ intercalates between DNA base pairs and, on application of a suitable potential, can be reduced to [Cu^I(phen)₂]⁺, with dissolved oxygen acting as the required oxidant. This reduction process is facilitated through DNA strands via long-range electron transfer, resulting in DNA cleavage of 23%. The control measurements for both chemically and electrochemically induced cleavage revealed that DNA strand breaks did not occur under experimental conditions in the absence of [Cu^II(phen)₂]²⁺.

Enhancing anticancer activity through the combination of bioreducing agents and triterpenes

AIM

Triterpenes are natural compounds, whose wide biological activity predestines them for application as promising new chemotherapeutics. In this paper, we report the results of our investigations into the substitution of oleanolic acid with aromatic and nitroaromatic moieties acting as bioreducing agents.

RESULTS

The process of reduction of nitro groups was investigated through cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroelectrochemistry. The cytotoxic activity against selected cancer cell lines was determined, showing a significant increase in cytotoxicity when the triterpene is equipped with a nitroaromatic moiety.

CONCLUSION

We believe this approach to the functionalization is promising in terms of enhancing anticancer activity. We also indicate electrochemical techniques as advantageous preclinical screening methods for the identification of cytotoxic agents.

Genome-wide mutagenesis and multi-drug resistance in American trypanosomes induced by the front-line drug benznidazole

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and affects 5–8 million people in Latin America. Although the nitroheterocyclic compound benznidazole has been the front-line drug for several decades, treatment failures are common. Benznidazole is a pro-drug and is bio-activated within the parasite by the mitochondrial nitroreductase TcNTR-1, leading to the generation of reactive metabolites that have trypanocidal activity. To better assess drug action and resistance, we sequenced the genomes of T. cruzi Y strain (35.5 Mb) and three benznidazole-resistant clones derived from a single drug-selected population. This revealed the genome-wide accumulation of mutations in the resistant parasites, in addition to variations in DNA copy-number. We observed mutations in DNA repair genes, linked with increased susceptibility to DNA alkylating and inter-strand cross-linking agents. Stop-codon-generating mutations in TcNTR-1 were associated with cross-resistance to other nitroheterocyclic drugs. Unexpectedly, the clones were also highly resistant to the ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitor posaconazole, a drug proposed for use against T. cruzi infections, in combination with benznidazole. Our findings therefore identify the highly mutagenic activity of benznidazole metabolites in T. cruzi, demonstrate that this can result in multi-drug resistance, and indicate that vigilance will be required if benznidazole is used in combination therapy.

Simultaneous determination of benznidazole and itraconazole using spectrophotometry applied to the analysis of mixture: A tool for quality control in the development of formulations

The aim of this work was the development of an analytical procedure using spectrophotometry for simultaneous determination of benznidazole (BNZ) and itraconazole (ITZ) in a medicine used for the treatment of Chagas disease. In order to achieve this goal, the analysis of mixtures was performed applying the Lambert-Beer law through the absorbances of BNZ and ITZ in the wavelengths 259 and 321 nm, respectively. Diverse tests were carried out for development and validation of the method, which proved to be selective, robust, linear, and precise. The lower limits of detection and quantification demonstrate its sensitivity to quantify small amounts of analytes, enabling its application for various analytical purposes, such as dissolution test and routine assays. In short, the quantification of BNZ and ITZ by analysis of mixtures had shown to be efficient and cost-effective alternative for determination of these drugs in a pharmaceutical dosage form.

Development of UV/HPLC methods for quantitative analysis of benznidazole in human plasma and urine for application in pediatric clinical studies

OBJECTIVE

Chagas disease constitutes a major public health problem in Latin America. Correctly designed pharmacokinetic, safety, and bioequivalence studies are desirable in order to fill the knowledge gaps that presently exist on available drugs. It is necessary to develop accurate, simple, reproducible, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/UV methods for the quantization of benznidazole (BNZ) in human plasma and urine for clinical applications, specially in pediatric patients.

METHODS

Quantization of BNZ in human plasma involved freeze-drying and re-suspension in organic solvent followed by reverse phase HPLC with UV detection. Analysis of BNZ in urine involved liquid/liquid extraction followed by reverse phase HPLC with UV detection.

RESULTS

Limits of quantization (LOQ) were 0.32 μg/ml for plasma and 5.2 μg/ml for urine. No metabolite interferences were showed in both methods.

CONCLUSION

The LOQ of methods seems appropriate in pediatric clinical contexts. Both procedures were applied with good results, to the quantization of BNZ in plasma and urine of patients treated for Chagas disease.

Indazoles: a new top seed structure in the search of efficient drugs against Trypanosoma cruzi

For years, Chagas disease treatment has been limited to only two drugs of highly questionable and controversial use (Nifurtimox® and Benznidazole®). In the search of effective drugs, many efforts have been made, but only a few structures have emerged as actual candidates. Heading into this, the multitarget-directed approach appears as the best choice. In this framework, indazoles were shown to be potent Trypanosoma cruzi growth inhibitors, being able to lead both the formation of reactive oxygen species and the inhibition of trypanothione reductase. Herein, we discuss the main structural factors that rule the anti-T. cruzi properties of indazoles, and how they would be involved in the biological properties as well as in the action mechanisms, attempting to make parallels between the old paradigms and current evidences in order to outline what could be the next steps to follow in regard to the future drug design for Chagas disease treatment.

Development of an ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method for the determination of nifurtimox and benznidazole in human plasma

Dispersive ionic liquid-liquid microextraction combined with liquid chromatography and UV detection was used for the determination of two antichagasic drugs in human plasma: nifurtimox and benznidazole. The effects of experimental parameters on extraction efficiency-the type and volume of ionic liquid and disperser solvent, pH, nature and concentration of salt, and the time for centrifugation and extraction-were investigated and optimized. Matrix effects were detected and thus the standard addition method was used for quantification. This microextraction procedure yielded significant improvements over those previously reported in the literature and has several advantages, including high inter-day reproducibility (relative standard deviation=1.02% and 3.66% for nifurtimox and benznidazole, respectively), extremely low detection limits (15.7 ng mL(-1) and 26.5 ng mL(-1) for nifurtimox and benznidazole, respectively), and minimal amounts of sample and extraction solvent required. Recoveries were high (98.0% and 79.8% for nifurtimox and benznidazole, respectively). The proposed methodology offers the advantage of highly satisfactory performance in addition to being inexpensive, simple, and fast in the extraction and preconcentration of these antichagasic drugs from human-plasma samples, with these characteristics being consistent with the practicability requirements in current clinical research or within the context of therapeutic monitoring.

Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts: biological activities and potentialities to the discovery of new cheaper drugs

This review aims to present by the first time the Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts (MBHA) as a new class of bioactive compounds and highlight its potentialities to the discovery of new cheaper and efficient drugs. Now, most these compounds can be prepared fast and on a single synthetic step (one-pot reaction) in high yields and using ecofriendly synthetic protocols. We highlight here the aromatic MBHA, which have shown diverse biological activities as anti-Leishmania chagasi and Leishmania amazonensis (parasites that cause cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis), anti-Trypanosoma cruzi (parasite that cause Chagas disease), anti-Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei (parasites that cause malaria), lethal against Biomphalaria glabrata (the snail transmitter of schistosomiasis), antibacterial, antifungal, herbicide and actives against some human tumor cell lines. Understanding of the biological mechanisms of action of this new class of molecules is still in the infancy stage. However, we report here which has been described to date on the possibilities of biological mechanisms of action, and we present new analyzes based on literature in this area. The academic and industrial interest in selecting green and cheaper experiments to the drugs development has been the prime mover of the growth on the subject.

Electrochemical biosensors in pharmaceutical analysis

Given the increasing demand for practical and low-cost analytical techniques, biosensors have attracted attention for use in the quality analysis of drugs, medicines, and other analytes of interest in the pharmaceutical area. Biosensors allow quantification not only of the active component in pharmaceutical formulations, but also the analysis of degradation products and metabolites in biological fluids. Thus, this article presents a brief review of biosensor use in pharmaceutical analysis, focusing on enzymatic electrochemical sensors.

Voltammetric Behavior of o-Nitrophenol and Damage to DNA

The electrochemical behavior of o-nitrophenol was studied in detail with a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The dependence of peak potential on pH indicated that equivalent electrons and protons were involved in the process of o-nitrophenol reduction. The interaction of o-nitrophenol with calf thymus DNA was investigated by adding DNA to the o-nitrophenol solution and by immobilizing DNA on GCE, respectively. The peak current decrement and peak potential shift in presence of DNA indicated that o-nitrophenol could interact with DNA. The result was demonstrated that the in situ DNA damage was detected by differential pulse voltammetry after the o-nitrophenol was electrochemically reduced.

Voltammetric studies on the HIV-1 inhibitory drug Efavirenz: the interaction between dsDNA and drug using electrochemical DNA biosensor and adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination on disposable pencil graphite electrode

The interaction of Efavirenz (EFV) with fish sperm dsDNA immobilized onto pencil graphite electrode (PGE) has been studied by using differential pulse voltammetric technique using an electrochemical DNA biosensor. The guanine signal was lower with (double stranded-DNA) dsDNA-treated PGE than the untreated electrode after the interaction with EFV occurred. The changes in the experimental parameters such as the accumulation time and the concentration of EFV were also studied. All necessary parameters such as sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy and precision were calculated. In addition, the detection and determination limits, reproducibility and applicability of the analysis to pharmaceutical dosage forms were also investigated. These results showed that this DNA biosensor could be used for the sensitive, rapid simple and cost effective detection and determination of EFV-dsDNA interaction. The linearity was between 2 and 24 ppm of EFV concentration on guanine signal decreasing curve. EFV showed an irreversible oxidation behavior at all investigated pH values. This oxidation step was adsorption controlled on PGE. Hence, differential pulse adsorptive stripping (AdsDPV) voltammetric method was developed for the determination of EFV. Accumulation time and potential were optimized. Under these conditions, the current showed a linear dependence with concentration in the range between 0.018 and 2.56 ppm. Both determination methods were fully validated and applied for the analysis of EFV pharmaceutical dosage form.

Linear Sweep Voltammetric Studies on the Interaction of Brilliant Cresyl Blue With Nucleic Acids and its Analytical Application

In this paper, the interaction of brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) with nucleic acids was studied and further applied for the microdetermination of nucleic acids. In aqueous Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffer solution, BCB can be easily reduced on the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) and had a sensitive voltammetric reduction peak at -0.09 V (vs. SCE). The reduction peak current of BCB could be greatly decreased by the addition of DNA. The results of voltammetric measurements had indicated that a binding reaction was occurred between BCB and DNA and a new supramolecular complex was formed, which resulted in the decrease of the diffusion coefficient of the reaction solution and the decrease of the reduction peak current correspondingly. The conditions of interaction and the electrochemical detection were carefully investigated. Under the selected conditions, the calibration curves for the detection of fish sperm (fs)DNA, calf thymus (ct)DNA and yeast (y)RNA were established. The linear range of this assay was 1.0-30.0 microg/mL for fsDNA, 1.0-45.0 microg/mL for ctDNA and 1.0-25.0 microg/mL for yRNA, respectively. The detection limits were 0.38 microg/mL fsDNA, 0.43 microg/mL ctDNA, 0.64 microg/mL yRNA. The interaction parameters such as the equilibrium constant and the binding number were calculated by electrochemical method. The results showed that the 2:3 type of complex was formed in the fsDNA-BCB complex with the binding constant as 2.51 x 10(7). The proposed method was further applied to the synthetic samples determination with satisfactory results.

Recent developments in bio-molecular electronics techniques for food pathogens

Food borne illnesses contribute to the majority of infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Detection of these pathogens originating from different sources has led to increased interest of researchers. New bio-molecular techniques for food pathogen detection are being developed to improve the sensor characteristics such as sensitivity, reusability, simplicity and economic viability. Present article deals with the various methods of food pathogen detection with special emphasis on bio-molecular electronics techniques such as biosensors, microarrays, electronic nose, and nano-materials based methods.

Application of electrochemically prepared polypyrrole–polyvinyl sulphonate films to DNA biosensor

Double stranded calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was physisorbed onto polypyrrole-polyvinyl sulphonate (PPY-PVS) films electrochemically deposited onto indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coated glass plates. These DNA immobilized PPY-PVS films optimized for various conditions, such as polymerization potential, pH of buffer, DNA concentration and scan rate were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques, respectively. The amperometric response studies of these DNA/PPY-PVS electrodes were carried out as a function of 2-aminoantharcene (2-AA, 0.01-20 ppm) and o-chlorophenol (OCP, 0.1-30 ppm) concentration, respectively at 25 degrees C. The observed amperometric current arising due to oxidation of guanine in the DNA/PPY-PVS films decreased linearly with the increase in the concentration of 2-AA and OCP. It has been revealed that 10 ppm of 2-AA is sufficient to reduce the observed guanine oxidation peak current by approximately -95+/-10% as compared to the reported values. A 25 ppm of OCP was capable enough to reduce the guanine oxidation current to zero. These DNA/PPY-PVS electrodes were found to have a shelf life of about 4 months when stored at 25 degrees C.

DNA-modified carbon paste electrode applied to the study of interaction between Rifampicin (RIF) and DNA in solution and at the electrode surface

Rifampicin (RIF) is an antibiotic widely used against tuberculosis and a DNA intercalator. The interaction of RIF with double-stranded (ds) and single-stranded (ss) calf thymus DNA was studied in solution as well as at the electrode surface by means of transfer voltammetry using differential pulse as stripping mode with carbon paste electrode (CPE) at 0.2M acetate buffer at pH 5.0 and at 0.2M phosphate buffer pH 7.4. Differentiations in the above-mentioned interaction at different pH values are presented and compared in order to optimize the detection of Rifampicin (RIF).