1
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Cristovão-Silva AC, Brelaz-de-Castro MCA, Dionisio da Silva E, Leite ACL, Santiago LBAA, Conceição JMD, da Silva Tiburcio R, de Santana DP, Bedor DCG, de Carvalho BÍV, Ferreira LFGR, de Freitas E Silva R, Alves Pereira VR, Hernandes MZ. Trypanosoma cruzi killing and immune response boosting by novel phenoxyhydrazine-thiazole against Chagas disease. Exp Parasitol 2024; 261:108749. [PMID: 38593864 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) causes Chagas, which is a neglected tropical disease (NTD). WHO estimates that 6 to 7 million people are infected worldwide. Current treatment is done with benznidazole (BZN), which is very toxic and effective only in the acute phase of the disease. In this work, we designed, synthesized, and characterized thirteen new phenoxyhydrazine-thiazole compounds and applied molecular docking and in vitro methods to investigate cell cytotoxicity, trypanocide activity, nitric oxide (NO) production, cell death, and immunomodulation. We observed a higher predicted affinity of the compounds for the squalene synthase and 14-alpha demethylase enzymes of T. cruzi. Moreover, the compounds displayed a higher predicted affinity for human TLR2 and TLR4, were mildly toxic in vitro for most mammalian cell types tested, and LIZ531 (IC50 2.8 μM) was highly toxic for epimastigotes, LIZ311 (IC50 8.6 μM) for trypomastigotes, and LIZ331 (IC50 1.9 μM) for amastigotes. We observed that LIZ311 (IC50 2.5 μM), LIZ431 (IC50 4.1 μM) and LIZ531 (IC50 5 μM) induced 200 μg/mL of NO and JM14 induced NO production in three different concentrations tested. The compound LIZ331 induced the production of TNF and IL-6. LIZ311 induced the secretion of TNF, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17, cell death by apoptosis, decreased acidic compartment formation, and induced changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, LIZ311 is a promising anti-T. cruzi compound is not toxic to mammalian cells and has increased antiparasitic activity and immunomodulatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Cristovão-Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Molecular Biology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 50670-42, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Accioly Brelaz-de-Castro
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Molecular Biology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 50670-42, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratory of Parasitology, Vitória Academic Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, 55608-680, Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Elis Dionisio da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Molecular Biology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 50670-42, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina Lima Leite
- Laboratory of Planning and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Lizandra Beatriz Amorim Alves Santiago
- Laboratory of Planning and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Juliana Maria da Conceição
- Laboratory of Planning and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Robert da Silva Tiburcio
- Laboratory of Planning and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Davi Pereira de Santana
- Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Development Center (NUDFAC), Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Danilo Cesar Galindo Bedor
- Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Development Center (NUDFAC), Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Breno Ítalo Valença de Carvalho
- Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Development Center (NUDFAC), Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Luiz Felipe Gomes Rebello Ferreira
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Rafael de Freitas E Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Molecular Biology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 50670-42, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Valéria Rêgo Alves Pereira
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Molecular Biology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 50670-42, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Zaldini Hernandes
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Granato JDT, Silva ETD, Lemos ASDO, Machado PDA, Midlej VDV, Antinarelli LMR, Silva Neto AFD, Souza MVN, Coimbra ES. 4-Quinolinylhydrazone analogues kill Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis by inducing apoptosis and mitochondria-dependent pathway cell death. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14535. [PMID: 38772877 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14535] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Despite efforts, available alternatives for the treatment of leishmaniasis are still scarce. In this work we tested a class of 15 quinolinylhydrazone analogues and presented data that support the use of the most active compound in cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania amazonensis. In general, the compounds showed activity at low concentrations for both parasitic forms (5.33-37.04 μM to promastigotes, and 14.31-61.98 μM to amastigotes). In addition, the best compound (MHZ15) is highly selective for the parasite. Biochemical studies indicate that the treatment of promastigotes with MHZ15 leads the loss of mitochondrial potential and increase in ROS levels as the primary effects, which triggers accumulation of lipid droplets, loss of plasma membrane integrity and apoptosis hallmarks, including DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine exposure. These effects were similar in the intracellular form of the parasite. However, in this parasitic form there is no change in plasma membrane integrity in the observed treatment time, which can be attributed to metabolic differences and the resilience of the amastigote. Also, ultrastructural changes such as vacuolization suggesting autophagy were observed. The in vivo effectiveness of MHZ15 in the experimental model of cutaneous leishmaniasis was carried out in mice of the BALB/c strain infected with L. amazonensis. The treatment by intralesional route showed that MHZ15 acted with great efficiency with significantly reduction in the parasite load in the injured paws and draining lymph nodes, without clinical signs of distress or compromise of animal welfare. In vivo toxicity was also evaluated and null alterations in the levels of hepatic enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase was observed. The data presented herein demonstrates that MHZ15 exhibits a range of favorable characteristics conducive to the development of an antileishmanial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana da Trindade Granato
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Emerson Teixeira da Silva
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos Farmanguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ari Sérgio de Oliveira Lemos
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Patrícia de Almeida Machado
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Victor do Valle Midlej
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Maria Ribeiro Antinarelli
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adolfo Firmino da Silva Neto
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinícius Nora Souza
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos Farmanguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elaine Soares Coimbra
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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3
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Nieto-Meneses R, Castillo R, Hernández-Campos A, Nogueda-Torres B, López-Villegas EO, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Matadamas-Martínez F, Yépez-Mulia L. Characterization of the Effect of N-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1 H-benzimidazol-2-amine, Compound 8, against Leishmania mexicana and Its In Vivo Leishmanicidal Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:659. [PMID: 38203832 PMCID: PMC10779428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010659] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy currently available for leishmaniasis treatment has many adverse side effects and drug resistance. Therefore, the identification of new targets and the development of new drugs are urgently needed. Previously, we reported the synthesis of a N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine, named compound 8, with an IC50 value in the micromolar range against L. mexicana, it also inhibited 68.27% the activity of recombinant L. mexicana arginase. Herein, we report studies carried out to characterize the mechanism of action of compound 8, as well as its in vivo leishmanicidal activity. It was shown in our ultrastructural studies that compound 8 induces several changes, such as membrane blebbing, the presence of autophagosomes, membrane detachment and mitochondrial and kinetoplast disorganization, among others. Compound 8 triggers the production of ROS and parasite apoptosis. It reduced 71% of the parasite load of L. mexicana in an experimental model of cutaneous leishmaniasis in comparison with a control. Altogether, the data obtained suggest the potential use of compound 8 in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Nieto-Meneses
- Departamento de Parasitología, ENCB-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (R.N.-M.); (B.N.-T.)
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Rafael Castillo
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (R.C.); (A.H.-C.)
| | - Alicia Hernández-Campos
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (R.C.); (A.H.-C.)
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, ENCB-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (R.N.-M.); (B.N.-T.)
| | | | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico;
| | - Félix Matadamas-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Lilián Yépez-Mulia
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
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Francesconi V, Rizzo M, Schenone S, Carbone A, Tonelli M. State-of-the-art Review on the Antiparasitic Activity of Benzimidazolebased Derivatives: Facing Malaria, Leishmaniasis, and Trypanosomiasis. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:1955-1982. [PMID: 37718524 PMCID: PMC11071657 DOI: 10.2174/0929867331666230915093928] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Protozoan parasites represent a significant risk for public health worldwide, afflicting particularly people in more vulnerable categories and cause large morbidity and heavy economic impact. Traditional drugs are limited by their toxicity, low efficacy, route of administration, and cost, reflecting their low priority in global health management. Moreover, the drug resistance phenomenon threatens the positive therapy outcome. This scenario claims the need of addressing more adequate therapies. Among the diverse strategies implemented, the medicinal chemistry efforts have also focused their attention on the benzimidazole nucleus as a promising pharmacophore for the generation of new drug candidates. Hence, the present review provides a global insight into recent progress in benzimidazole-based derivatives drug discovery against important protozoan diseases, such as malaria, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis. The more relevant chemical features and structure-activity relationship studies of these molecules are discussed for the purpose of paving the way towards the development of more viable drugs for the treatment of these parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Francesconi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Marco Rizzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Silvia Schenone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Anna Carbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Michele Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, 16132, Italy
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5
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Pardo-Rodriguez D, Lasso P, Santamaría-Torres M, Cala MP, Puerta CJ, Méndez Arteaga JJ, Robles J, Cuervo C. Clethra fimbriata hexanic extract triggers alteration in the energy metabolism in epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1206074. [PMID: 37818099 PMCID: PMC10561390 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1206074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in American countries and an estimated 8 million people worldwide are chronically infected. Currently, only two drugs are available for therapeutic use against T. cruzi and their use is controversial due to several disadvantages associated with side effects and low compliance with treatment. Therefore, there is a need to search for new tripanocidal agents. Natural products have been considered a potential innovative source of effective and selective agents for drug development to treat T. cruzi infection. Recently, our research group showed that hexanic extract from Clethra fimbriata (CFHEX) exhibits anti-parasitic activity against all stages of T. cruzi parasite, being apoptosis the main cell death mechanism in both epimastigotes and trypomastigotes stages. With the aim of deepening the understanding of the mechanisms of death induced by CFHEX, the metabolic alterations elicited after treatment using a multiplatform metabolomics analysis (RP/HILIC-LC-QTOF-MS and GC-QTOF-MS) were performed. A total of 154 altered compounds were found significant in the treated parasites corresponding to amino acids (Arginine, threonine, cysteine, methionine, glycine, valine, proline, isoleucine, alanine, leucine, glutamic acid, and serine), fatty acids (stearic acid), glycerophospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine), sulfur compounds (trypanothione) and carboxylic acids (pyruvate and phosphoenolpyruvate). The most affected metabolic pathways were mainly related to energy metabolism, which was found to be decrease during the evaluated treatment time. Further, exogenous compounds of the triterpene type (betulinic, ursolic and pomolic acid) previously described in C. fimbriata were found inside the treated parasites. Our findings suggest that triterpene-type compounds may contribute to the activity of CFHEX by altering essential processes in the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pardo-Rodriguez
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Fitoquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Productos Naturales, Universidad del Tolima, Tolima, Colombia
- Metabolomics Core Facility—MetCore, Vice-Presidency for Research, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mary Santamaría-Torres
- Metabolomics Core Facility—MetCore, Vice-Presidency for Research, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mónica P. Cala
- Metabolomics Core Facility—MetCore, Vice-Presidency for Research, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J. Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Jorge Robles
- Grupo de Fitoquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
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de Castro Levatti EV, Costa-Silva TA, Morais TR, Fernandes JPS, Lago JHG, Tempone AG. Lethal action of Licarin A derivatives in Leishmania (L.) infantum: Imbalance of calcium and bioenergetic metabolism. Biochimie 2022; 208:141-150. [PMID: 36586562 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.12.018] [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: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Natural metabolites present an extraordinary chemo-diversity and have been used as the inspiration for new drugs. Considering the need for new treatments against the neglected parasitic disease leishmaniasis, three semi-synthetic derivatives of natural neolignane licarin A were prepared: O-acetyl (1a), O-allyl (1b), and 5-allyl (1c). Using an ex vivo assay, compounds 1a, 1b, and 1c showed activity against the intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania (L.) infantum, with IC50 values of 9, 13, and 10 μM, respectively. Despite no induction of hemolytic activity, only compound 1b resulted in mammalian cytotoxicity (CC50 = 64 μM). The most potent compounds (1a and 1c) resulted in selectivity indexes >18. The mechanism of action of compound 1c was evaluated by fluorescent/luminescent based techniques and MALDI-TOF/MS. After a short incubation period, increased levels of the cytosolic calcium were observed in the parasites, with alkalinization of the acidocalcisomes. Compound 1c also induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization, resulting in decreased levels of ATP without altering the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Neither plasma membrane damages nor DNA fragmentation were observed after the treatment, but a reduction in the cellular proliferation was detected. Using MALDI-TOF/MS, mass spectral alterations of promastigote proteins were observed when compared to untreated and miltefosine-treated groups. This chemically modified neolignan induced lethal alterations of the bioenergetic and protein metabolism of Leishmania. Future PKPD and animal efficacy studies are needed to optimize this promising natural-derived compound.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thais A Costa-Silva
- Centre of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Paulo, 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Thiago R Morais
- Centre of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Paulo, 09210-580, Brazil
| | - João Paulo S Fernandes
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 09972-270, Brazil
| | - João Henrique G Lago
- Centre of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Paulo, 09210-580, Brazil.
| | - Andre G Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, 01246-000, Brazil.
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Kumar A, Nimsarkar P, Singh S. Systems pharmacology aiding benzimidazole scaffold as potential lead compounds against leishmaniasis for functional therapeutics. Life Sci 2022; 308:120960. [PMID: 36116527 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120960] [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: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Systems pharmacology helps to understand the complex relationships between biological systems, drugs, and infection model; Leishmania major being one of them. It has aided the drug discovery process by addressing the concerns about economic stress, drug toxicity, and the emergence of resistance. Two million new leishmaniasis cases are reported annually, and >350 million people are at risk globally due to the parasite Leishmania. Trypanothione reductase (TryR) from the parasite-specific redox metabolism is a promising target. In the discipline of medicinal chemistry, benzimidazole is a strong pharmacophore and exhibits a broad range of biological activities. In the current study, benzimidazole derivatives were explored using computational, enzyme kinetics, biological activity, cytotoxic impact characterization, and in-silico ADME-Tox predictions, followed by their confirmation through in-vitro and animal experiments to discover novel inhibitors for TryR from Leishmania major. During rigorous in-silico screening, two benzimidazole derivatives were chosen for further experimentation. In-vitro testing revealed that compound C1 has a higher binding affinity for the TryR protein. Treatment with compound C1 caused significant morphological changes in the parasite, including size reduction, membrane blebbing, loss of motility, and improved anti-leishmanial efficacy. The compound C1 had significant anti-leishmanial potential against L. major promastigotes and demonstrated apoptosis-mediated leishmanicidal activity (apoptosis-like cell death). Furthermore, BALB/c female mice treated with C1 reduced parasite burden. Our findings depicts that C1 successfully lowered the parasite load and has a therapeutic impact on infected mice making C1 as a promising lead compound that, with additional modifications, may be exploited to create novel anti-leishmanial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anurag Kumar
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, SP Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, India
| | - Prajakta Nimsarkar
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, SP Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, India
| | - Shailza Singh
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, SP Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, India.
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8
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Cirqueira ML, Bortot LO, Bolean M, Aleixo MAA, Luccas PH, Costa-Filho AJ, Ramos AP, Ciancaglini P, Nonato MC. Trypanosoma cruzi nitroreductase: Structural features and interaction with biological membranes. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 221:891-899. [PMID: 36100001 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.09.073] [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: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Due to its severe burden and geographic distribution, Chagas disease (CD) has a significant social and economic impact on low-income countries. Benznidazole and nifurtimox are currently the only drugs available for CD. These are prodrugs activated by reducing the nitro group, a reaction catalyzed by nitroreductase type I enzyme from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcNTR), with no homolog in the human host. The three-dimensional structure of TcNTR, and the molecular and chemical bases of the selective activation of nitro drugs, are still unknown. To understand the role of TcNTR in the basic parasite biology, investigate its potential as a drug target, and contribute to the fight against neglected tropical diseases, a combined approach using multiple biophysical and biochemical methods together with in silico studies was employed in the characterization of TcNTR. For the first time, the interaction of TcNTR with membranes was demonstrated, with a preference for those containing cardiolipin, a unique dimeric phospholipid that exists almost exclusively in the inner mitochondrial membrane in eukaryotic cells. Prediction of TcNTR's 3D structure suggests that a 23-residue long insertion (199 to 222), absent in the homologous bacterial protein and identified as conserved in protozoan sequences, mediates enzyme specificity, and is involved in protein-membrane interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marília L Cirqueira
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FCFRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Leandro O Bortot
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FCFRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Laboratory of Computational Biology (LBC), Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Maytê Bolean
- Chemistry Dept., Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana A A Aleixo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FCFRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro H Luccas
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FCFRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio J Costa-Filho
- Physics Dept., Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Ramos
- Chemistry Dept., Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Pietro Ciancaglini
- Chemistry Dept., Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - M Cristina Nonato
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FCFRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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9
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Silva-Silva JV, Moreira RF, Watanabe LA, de Souza CDSF, Hardoim DDJ, Taniwaki NN, Bertho AL, Teixeira KF, Cenci AR, Doring TH, Júnior JWDC, de Oliveira AS, Marinho PSB, Calabrese KDS, Marinho AMDR, Almeida-Souza F. Monomethylsulochrin isolated from biomass extract of Aspergillus sp. against Leishmania amazonensis: In vitro biological evaluation and molecular docking. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:974910. [PMID: 36093206 PMCID: PMC9452909 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.974910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis represents a serious world health problem, with 1 billion people being exposed to infection and a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations with a potentially fatal outcome. Based on the limitations observed in the treatment of leishmaniasis, such as high cost, significant adverse effects, and the potential for drug resistance, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the leishmanicidal activity of the compounds pseurotin A and monomethylsulochrin isolated from the biomass extract of Aspergillus sp. The chromatographic profiles of the extract were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode-array UV-Vis detector (HPLC-DAD-UV), and the molecular identification of the pseurotin A and monomethylsulochrin were carried out by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in tandem (LC-ESI-MS-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Antileishmanial activity was assayed against promastigote and intracellular amastigote of Leishmania amazonensis. As a control, cytotoxicity assays were performed in non-infected BALB/c peritoneal macrophages. Ultrastructural alterations in parasites were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were determined by flow cytometry. Only monomethylsulochrin inhibited the promastigote growth (IC50 18.04 ± 1.11 µM), with cytotoxicity to peritoneal macrophages (CC50 5.09 91.63 ± 1.28 µM). Activity against intracellular amastigote forms (IC50 5.09 ± 1.06 µM) revealed an increase in antileishmanial activity when compared with promastigotes. In addition to a statistically significant reduction in the evaluated infection parameters, monomethylsulochrin altered the ultrastructure of the promastigote forms with atypical vacuoles, electron-dense corpuscles in the cytoplasm, changes at the mitochondria outer membrane and abnormal disposition around the kinetoplast. It was showed that monomethylsulochrin leads to a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (25.9%, p = 0.0286). Molecular modeling studies revealed that monomethylsulochrin can act as inhibitor of sterol 14-alpha-demethylase (CYP51), a therapeutic target for human trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. Assessed for its drug likeness, monomethylsulochrin follows the Lipinski Rule of five and Ghose, Veber, Egan, and Muegge criteria. Furthermore, monomethylsulochrin can be used as a reference in the development of novel and therapeutically useful antileishmanial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Victor Silva-Silva
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratory of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Daiana de Jesus Hardoim
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Alvaro Luiz Bertho
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Kerolain Faoro Teixeira
- Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau, SC, Brazil
| | - Arthur Ribeiro Cenci
- Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau, SC, Brazil
| | - Thiago Henrique Doring
- Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau, SC, Brazil
| | - José Wilmo da Cruz Júnior
- Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau, SC, Brazil
| | - Aldo Sena de Oliveira
- Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Kátia da Silva Calabrese
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Kátia da Silva Calabrese, ; Andrey Moacir do Rosario Marinho,
| | - Andrey Moacir do Rosario Marinho
- Post-graduate Program in Chemistry, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Kátia da Silva Calabrese, ; Andrey Moacir do Rosario Marinho,
| | - Fernando Almeida-Souza
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Post-Graduate in Animal Sciences, State University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
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10
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Romanelli M, Amaral M, Thevenard F, Santa Cruz LM, Regasini LO, Migotto AE, Lago JHG, Tempone AG. Mitochondrial Imbalance of Trypanosoma cruzi Induced by the Marine Alkaloid 6-Bromo-2'-de- N-Methylaplysinopsin. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:28561-28570. [PMID: 35990437 PMCID: PMC9387129 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects seven million people worldwide and lacks effective treatments. Using bioactivity-guided fractionation, NMR, and electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) spectral analysis, the indole alkaloid 6-bromo-2'-de-N-methylaplysinopsin (BMA) was isolated and chemically characterized from the marine coral Tubastraea tagusensis. BMA was tested against trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of T. cruzi, resulting in IC50 values of 62 and 5.7 μM, respectively, with no mammalian cytotoxicity. The mechanism of action studies showed that BMA induced no alterations in the plasma membrane permeability but caused depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, reducing ATP levels. Intracellular calcium levels were also reduced after the treatment, which was associated with pH alteration of acidocalcisomes. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF)/MS analysis, alterations of mass spectral signals were observed after treatment with BMA, suggesting a different mechanism from benznidazole. In silico pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) parameters suggested a drug-likeness property, supporting the promising usefulness of this compound as a new hit for optimizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiara
M. Romanelli
- Centre
for Parasitology and Mycology, Adolfo Lutz
Institute, Av Dr Arnaldo 351, São Paulo, SP 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Maiara Amaral
- Centre
for Parasitology and Mycology, Adolfo Lutz
Institute, Av Dr Arnaldo 351, São Paulo, SP 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Thevenard
- Centre
of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal
University of ABC (UFABC), Avenida dos Estados 5001, Santo Andre, SP 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Lucas M. Santa Cruz
- Department
of Organic Contaminants, Instituto Adolfo
Lutz, Av Dr Arnaldo 355, São Paulo, SP 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Luis O. Regasini
- Department
of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Biosciences,
Humanities and Exact Sciences, Universidade
Estadual Paulista, R. Cristóvão Colombo 2265, São
Jose do Rio Preto, SP 15054-000, Brazil
| | - Alvaro E. Migotto
- Centre
for Marine Biology, Universidade de São
Paulo, Rodovia Manoel Hypólito do Rego, Km 131, São Sebastião, São Paulo, SP 11600-000, Brazil
| | - João Henrique G. Lago
- Centre
of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal
University of ABC (UFABC), Avenida dos Estados 5001, Santo Andre, SP 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Andre G. Tempone
- Centre
for Parasitology and Mycology, Adolfo Lutz
Institute, Av Dr Arnaldo 351, São Paulo, SP 01246-000, Brazil
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11
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Lima ML, Abengózar MA, Torres-Santos EC, Borborema SET, Godzien J, López-Gonzálvez Á, Barbas C, Rivas L, Tempone AG. Energy metabolism as a target for cyclobenzaprine: A drug candidate against Visceral Leishmaniasis. Bioorg Chem 2022; 127:106009. [PMID: 35841672 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106009] [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: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniases have a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from a cutaneous to a progressive and fatal visceral disease. Chemotherapy is nowadays the almost exclusive way to fight the disease but limited by its scarce therapeutic arsenal, on its own compromised by adverse side effects and clinical resistance. Cyclobenzaprine (CBP), an FDA-approved oral muscle relaxant drug has previously demonstrated in vitro and in vivo activity against Leishmania sp., but its targets were not fully unveiled. This study aimed to define the role of energy metabolism as a target for the leishmanicidal mechanisms of CBP. Methodology to assess CBP leishmanicidal mechanism variation of intracellular ATP levels using living Leishmania transfected with a cytoplasmic luciferase. Induction of plasma membrane permeability by assessing depolarization with DiSBAC(2)3 and entrance of the vital dye SYTOX® Green. Mitochondrial depolarization by rhodamine 123 accumulation. Mapping target site within the respiratory chain by oxygen consumption rate. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production using MitoSOX. Morphological changes by transmission electron microscopy. CBP caused on L. infantum promastigotes a decrease of intracellular ATP levels, with irreversible depolarization of plasma membrane, the collapse of the mitochondrial electrochemical potential, mild uncoupling of the respiratory chain, and ROS production, with ensuing intracellular Ca2+ imbalance and DNA fragmentation. Electron microscopy supported autophagic features but not a massive plasma membrane disruption. The severe and irreversible mitochondrial damage induced by CBP endorsed the bioenergetics metabolism as a relevant target within the lethal programme induced by CBP in Leishmania. This, together with the mild-side effects of this oral drug, endorses CBP as an appealing novel candidate as a leishmanicidal drug under a drug repurposing strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lopes Lima
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria A Abengózar
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Joanna Godzien
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángeles López-Gonzálvez
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Madrid, Spain
| | - Coral Barbas
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Luis Rivas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Andre Gustavo Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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12
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Lazarin-Bidóia D, Garcia FP, Ueda-Nakamura T, Silva SDO, Nakamura CV. Natural compounds based chemotherapeutic against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis: mitochondrion as a strategic target. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e220396. [PMID: 35352776 PMCID: PMC8970591 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past years, natural products have been explored in order to find biological active substances to treat various diseases. Regarding their potential action against parasites such as trypanosomatids, specially Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp., much advance has been achieved. Extracts and purified molecules of several species from genera Piper, Tanacetum, Porophyllum, and Copaifera have been widely investigated by our research group and exhibited interesting antitrypanosomal and antileishmanial activities. These natural compounds affected different structures in parasites, and we believe that the mitochondrion is a strategic target to induce parasite death. Considering that these trypanosomatids have a unique mitochondrion, this cellular target has been extensively studied aiming to find more selective drugs, since the current treatment of these neglected tropical diseases has some challenges such as high toxicity and prolonged treatment time. Here, we summarise some results obtained with natural products from our research group and we further highlighted some strategies that must be considered to finally develop an effective chemotherapeutic agent against these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Lazarin-Bidóia
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Maringá, PR, Brasil
| | - Francielle Pelegrin Garcia
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Maringá, PR, Brasil
| | - Tânia Ueda-Nakamura
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Maringá, PR, Brasil
| | - Sueli de Oliveira Silva
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Maringá, PR, Brasil
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Maringá, PR, Brasil
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13
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Silva-Silva JV, Moragas-Tellis CJ, Chagas MSS, Souza PVR, Moreira DL, Hardoim DJ, Taniwaki NN, Costa VFA, Bertho AL, Brondani D, Zapp E, de Oliveira AS, Calabrese KS, Behrens MD, Almeida-Souza F. Carajurin Induces Apoptosis in Leishmania amazonensis Promastigotes through Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030331. [PMID: 35337130 PMCID: PMC8948652 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030331] [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] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Carajurin is the main constituent of Arrabidaea chica species with reported anti-Leishmania activity. However, its mechanism of action has not been described. This study investigated the mechanisms of action of carajurin against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. Carajurin was effective against promastigotes with IC50 of 7.96 ± 1.23 μg.mL−1 (26.4 µM), and the cytotoxic concentration for peritoneal macrophages was 258.2 ± 1.20 μg.mL−1 (856.9 µM) after 24 h of treatment. Ultrastructural evaluation highlighted pronounced swelling of the kinetoplast with loss of electron-density in L. amazonensis promastigotes induced by carajurin treatment. It was observed that carajurin leads to a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (p = 0.0286), an increase in reactive oxygen species production (p = 0.0286), and cell death by late apoptosis (p = 0.0095) in parasites. Pretreatment with the antioxidant NAC prevented ROS production and significantly reduced carajurin-induced cell death. The electrochemical and density functional theory (DFT) data contributed to support the molecular mechanism of action of carajurin associated with the ROS generation, for which it is possible to observe a correlation between the LUMO energy and the electroactivity of carajurin in the presence of molecular oxygen. All these results suggest that carajurin targets the mitochondria in L. amazonensis. In addition, when assessed for its drug-likeness, carajurin follows Lipinski’’s rule of five, and the Ghose, Veber, Egan, and Muegge criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Victor Silva-Silva
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (J.V.S.-S.); (D.J.H.); (F.A.-S.)
| | - Carla J. Moragas-Tellis
- Laboratory of Natural Products for Public Health, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (C.J.M.-T.); (M.S.S.C.); (P.V.R.S.); (D.L.M.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Maria S. S. Chagas
- Laboratory of Natural Products for Public Health, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (C.J.M.-T.); (M.S.S.C.); (P.V.R.S.); (D.L.M.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Paulo Victor R. Souza
- Laboratory of Natural Products for Public Health, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (C.J.M.-T.); (M.S.S.C.); (P.V.R.S.); (D.L.M.); (M.D.B.)
- Postgraduate Program in Translational Research in Drugs and Medicines, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Davyson L. Moreira
- Laboratory of Natural Products for Public Health, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (C.J.M.-T.); (M.S.S.C.); (P.V.R.S.); (D.L.M.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Daiana J. Hardoim
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (J.V.S.-S.); (D.J.H.); (F.A.-S.)
| | - Noemi N. Taniwaki
- Electron Microscopy Nucleus, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Sao Paulo 01246-000, Brazil;
| | - Vanessa F. A. Costa
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (V.F.A.C.); (A.L.B.)
| | - Alvaro L. Bertho
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (V.F.A.C.); (A.L.B.)
- Flow Cytometry Technological Platform, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Daniela Brondani
- Research Group on Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (GPQMedBio), Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau 89036-002, Brazil; (D.B.); (E.Z.); (A.S.d.O.)
| | - Eduardo Zapp
- Research Group on Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (GPQMedBio), Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau 89036-002, Brazil; (D.B.); (E.Z.); (A.S.d.O.)
| | - Aldo Sena de Oliveira
- Research Group on Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (GPQMedBio), Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau 89036-002, Brazil; (D.B.); (E.Z.); (A.S.d.O.)
| | - Kátia S. Calabrese
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (J.V.S.-S.); (D.J.H.); (F.A.-S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-2562-1879
| | - Maria D. Behrens
- Laboratory of Natural Products for Public Health, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (C.J.M.-T.); (M.S.S.C.); (P.V.R.S.); (D.L.M.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Fernando Almeida-Souza
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (J.V.S.-S.); (D.J.H.); (F.A.-S.)
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science, State University of Maranhão, Sao Luis 65055-310, Brazil
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14
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das Chagas Almeida A, Meinel RS, Leal YL, Silva TP, Glanzmann N, Mendonça DVC, Perin L, Cunha-Júnior EF, Coelho EAF, Melo RCN, da Silva AD, Coimbra ES. Functionalized 1,2,3-triazolium salts as potential agents against visceral leishmaniasis. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1389-1406. [PMID: 35169883 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07431-9] [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: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe clinical form of leishmaniasis, being fatal if untreated. In search of a more effective treatment for VL, one of the main strategies is the development and screening of new antileishmanial compounds. Here, we reported the synthesis of seven new acetyl functionalized 1,2,3-triazolium salts, together with four 1,2,3-triazole precursors, and investigated their effect against different strains of L. infantum from dogs and humans. The 1,2,3-triazolium salts exhibited better activity than the 1,2,3-triazole derivatives with IC50 range from 0.12 to 8.66 μM and, among them, compound 5 showed significant activity against promastigotes (IC50 from 4.55 to 5.28 μM) and intracellular amastigotes (IC50 from 5.36 to 7.92 μM), with the best selective index (SI ~ 6-9) and reduced toxicity. Our findings, using biochemical and ultrastructural approaches, demonstrated that compound 5 targets the mitochondrion of L. infantum promastigotes, leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increase of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial alteration. Moreover, quantitative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that compound 5 induces the reduction of promastigote size and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Interestingly, the effect of compound 5 was not associated with apoptosis or necrosis of the parasites but, instead, seems to be mediated through a pathway involving autophagy, with a clear detection of autophagic vacuoles in the cytoplasm by using both a fluorescent marker and TEM. As for the in vivo studies, compound 5 showed activity in a mouse model of VL at 20 mg/kg, reducing the parasite load in both spleen and liver (59.80% and 26.88%, respectively). Finally, this compound did not induce hepatoxicity or nephrotoxicity and was able to normalize the altered biochemical parameters in the infected mice. Thus, our findings support the use of 1,2,3-triazolium salts as potential agents against visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayla das Chagas Almeida
- Núcleo de Pesquisas Em Parasitologia, Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, I.C.B., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Raíssa Soares Meinel
- SINTBIOMOL, Departamento de Química, I.C.E., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Yasmim Lopes Leal
- SINTBIOMOL, Departamento de Química, I.C.E., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago P Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nícolas Glanzmann
- SINTBIOMOL, Departamento de Química, I.C.E., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Débora Vasconcelos Costa Mendonça
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luísa Perin
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Edézio Ferreira Cunha-Júnior
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Unidade Integrada de Pesquisa Em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Campus UFRJ-Macaé, Macaé, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rossana C N Melo
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adilson David da Silva
- SINTBIOMOL, Departamento de Química, I.C.E., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elaine Soares Coimbra
- Núcleo de Pesquisas Em Parasitologia, Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, I.C.B., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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15
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Elso OG, Puente V, Barrera P, Sosa-Escudero MA, Sülsen VP, Lombardo ME. Mode of action of the sesquiterpene lactones eupatoriopicrin and estafietin on Trypanosoma cruzi. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 96:153900. [PMID: 35026518 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) eupatoriopicrin (EP) and estafietin (ES), isolated from Stevia alpina Griseb. (Asteraceae) and Stevia maimarensis (Hieron.) Cabrera (Asteraceae) respectively, have previously showed promising trypanocidal activity, both in vitro and in vivo. PURPOSE In this work, using biochemical studies and electron microscopy, we aimed at characterizing the mode of action of both STLs on Trypanosoma cruzi. METHODS The interaction of STLs with hemin was examined by measuring modifications in the Soret absorption band of hemin; the thiol groups interaction was determined spectrophotometrically through its reaction with 5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoate; the effect on cruzipain activity was also assayed by spectrophotometry. The synthesis of sterols were qualitatively and quantitatively tested by TLC. Mitochondrial functionality was assessed by measuring mitochondrial membrane potential and the activity of NADH-cytochrome c reductase and succinate-cytochrome c reductase enzymes. The status of the antioxidant system was assessed by quantifying the level of free thiols by spectrophotometry, together with the intracellular oxidative state by flow cytometry. Ultrastructural changes were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS EP and ES were found to impair the functionality and the redox status of the parasite. ES produced a greater decrease in the activity of succinate dehydrogenase than eupatoriopicrin, affecting the functioning of the respiratory chain and the Krebs cycle. EP increased the formation of triglycerides leading to the presence of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. By electron microscopy, alterations in the kinetoplast and the appearance of large translucent vacuoles in the cytoplasm were observed for both compounds. CONCLUSIONS Both sesquiterpenelactones proved to act additively on T. cruzi, supporting the hypothesis that each compound would be acting on different primary targets.. The treatment combining eupatoriopicrin and estafietin could be considered a promising alternative for the treatment of Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orlando G Elso
- Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco (IQUIMEFA), CONICET- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956 2°piso, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina; Cátedra de Farmacognosia, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956 2°piso, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina
| | - Vanesa Puente
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Porfirinas y Porfirias (CIPYP), CONICET- Universidad de Buenos Aires Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Córdoba 2351, Buenos Aires 1120, Argentina
| | - Patricia Barrera
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos" (IHEM), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo-CONICET, CC 56 (5500), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Miguel A Sosa-Escudero
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos" (IHEM), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo-CONICET, CC 56 (5500), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Valeria P Sülsen
- Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco (IQUIMEFA), CONICET- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956 2°piso, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina; Cátedra de Farmacognosia, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956 2°piso, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina.
| | - María E Lombardo
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Porfirinas y Porfirias (CIPYP), CONICET- Universidad de Buenos Aires Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Córdoba 2351, Buenos Aires 1120, Argentina; Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.
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16
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Rose E, Moraes A, Shiroma T, Nitz N, Rosa ADC, Pratesi R, Hagström L, de Carvalho JL, Hecht M. Host DNA repair response to oxidative damage is modulated by Trypanosoma cruzi in a strain-dependent manner. Acta Trop 2021; 224:106127. [PMID: 34509459 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106127] [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: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The conservation of genomic integrity and stability is essential for cell survival. DNA Damage Responses (DDRs) are considered of paramount importance for all living beings and involve mechanisms of cell cycle regulation and damage-specific DNA repair pathways. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a compound that, in supraphysiological concentrations, damages biomolecules including the DNA, causing base modifications and strand breaks. There is evidence that Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan that causes Chagas disease, interferes in the host cell's DNA metabolism. In order to investigate the influence of T. cruzi infection over the host cell capacity to withstand and repair DNA damage, we analyzed L6 cells infected with Berenice, and Colombiana T. cruzi strains according to their viability, proliferation, morphology, DNA degradation, expression of DNA repair, and cell cycle genes following H2O2 treatment. It was noted that T. cruzi infection might act as either a stressor or a protective element of host DNA, depending on the strain and H2O2 concentration. Cells infected with Berenice strain and treated with 0.8 mM H2O2 presented a reduced DNA damage response intensity (e.g., BER and HR). Infection with T. cruzi Colombiana prevented the activation of DNA repair pathways in response to 0.8mM and 1.6mM H2O2 (NER and MMR). Nevertheless, since cellular viability was not significantly compromised in Colombiana-infected cells following the oxidative insult, it is possible that the parasite directly influenced the host DNA repair machinery. Our results support the notion that T. cruzi is able to modulate the host cell DNA metabolism in a strain-dependent manner, an event which can be explored in future drug development strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Rose
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
| | - Aline Moraes
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Shiroma
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Ana de Cássia Rosa
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Riccardo Pratesi
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Luciana Hagström
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott de Carvalho
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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17
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Dos Santos AL, Amaral M, Hasegawa FR, Lago JHG, Tempone AG, Sartorelli P. (-)-T-Cadinol-a Sesquiterpene Isolated From Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae)-Displayed In Vitro Activity and Causes Hyperpolarization of the Membrane Potential of Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:734127. [PMID: 34803682 PMCID: PMC8595124 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.734127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and affects 6-8 million people worldwide, mainly from developing countries. The treatment is limited to two approved nitro-derivatives, nifurtimox and benznidazole, with several side effects and reduced efficacy. Casearia sylvestris has been used in folk medicine as an antiseptic and cicatrizing in skin diseases. In the present work, the hexane phase from the MeOH extract from the leaves of Casearia sylvestris afforded a fraction composed by the sesquiterpene T-cadinol, which was chemically characterized by NMR and HRMS. The activity of T-cadinol was evaluated against T. cruzi, and IC50 values of 18 (trypomastigotes) and 15 (amastigotes) µM were established. The relation between the mammalian toxicity and the antiparasitic activity resulted in a selectivity index >12. Based on this promising activity, the mechanism of action was investigated by different approaches using fluorescent-based techniques such as plasma membrane permeability, plasma membrane electric potential, mitochondrial membrane electric potential, reactive oxygen species, and the intracellular calcium (Ca2+) levels. The obtained results demonstrated that T-cadinol affected neither the parasite plasma membrane nor the electric potential of the membrane. Nevertheless, this compound induced a mitochondrial impairment, resulting in a hyperpolarization of the membrane potential, with decreased levels of reactive oxygen species. No alterations in Ca2+ levels were observed, suggesting that T-cadinol may affect the single mitochondria of the parasite. This is the first report about the occurrence of T-cadinol in C. sylvestris, and our data suggest this sesquiterpene as an interesting hit compound for future optimizations in drug discovery studies for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augusto L Dos Santos
- Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, Brazil
| | - Maiara Amaral
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Santo André, Brazil.,Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flavia Rie Hasegawa
- Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, Brazil
| | - João Henrique G Lago
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Andre G Tempone
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Patricia Sartorelli
- Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, Brazil
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18
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Prasadareddy Kajuluri L, Singh A, Bajpai R, Kumar Veluru N, Mitra K, Sahasrabuddhe AA. Actin-related protein 4: An unconventional negative regulator of mitochondrial calcium in protozoan parasite Leishmania. Mitochondrion 2021; 62:31-40. [PMID: 34752857 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of mitochondrial calcium import is less understood in evolutionarily distinct protozoan parasites, such as Leishmania, as some of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex proteins are either missing or functionally diverged. Here, we show that Actin-related protein4 (ARP4), localizes exclusively into the Leishmania mitochondrion and depletion of this protein causes cells to accumulate calcium in the mitochondrion. The ARP4 depleted cells show increased activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase and production of ATP. Overall, our results indicate that ARP4 negatively regulates calcium uptake in the Leishmania mitochondrion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aastha Singh
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Ranju Bajpai
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Niranjan Kumar Veluru
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Kalyan Mitra
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Amogh A Sahasrabuddhe
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
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19
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Trindade JDS, Freire-de-Lima CG, Côrte-Real S, Decote-Ricardo D, Freire de Lima ME. Drug repurposing for Chagas disease: In vitro assessment of nimesulide against Trypanosoma cruzi and insights on its mechanisms of action. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258292. [PMID: 34679091 PMCID: PMC8535186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258292] [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: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected illness caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and its treatment is done only with two drugs, nifurtimox and benznidazole. However, both drugs are ineffective in the chronic phase, in addition to causing serious side effects. This context of therapeutic limitation justifies the continuous research for alternative drugs. Here, we study the in vitro trypanocidal effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug nimesulide, a molecule that has in its chemical structure a toxicophoric nitroaromatic group (NO2). The set of results obtained in this work highlights the potential for repurposing nimesulide in the treatment of this disease that affects millions of people around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana D’Arc S. Trindade
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Célio Geraldo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Suzana Côrte-Real
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Debora Decote-Ricardo
- Instituto de Veterinária, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marco Edilson Freire de Lima
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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20
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Gonçalves MD, Bortoleti BTDS, Tomiotto-Pellissier F, Concato VM, de Matos RLN, Silva TF, Rodrigues ACJ, Carloto ACM, Costa IN, Lazarin-Bidóia D, Miranda-Sapla MM, Pavanelli WR, Arakawa NS, Conchon-Costa I. Grandiflorenic acid isolated from Sphagneticola trilobata against Trypanosoma cruzi: Toxicity, mechanisms of action and immunomodulation. Toxicol In Vitro 2021; 78:105267. [PMID: 34688839 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2021.105267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Grandiflorenic acid (GFA) is one of the main kaurane diterpenes found in different parts of Sphagneticola trilobata. It has several biological activities, especially antiprotozoal action. In turn, Chagas disease is a complex systemic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, and the drugs available to treat it involve significant side effects and impose an urgent need to search for therapeutic alternatives. In this context, our goal was to determine the effect of GFA on trypomastigote and intracellular amastigote forms. Our results showed that GFA treatment led to significantly less viability of trypomastigote forms, with morphological and ultrastructural changes in the parasites treated with IC50 of GFA (24.60 nM), and larger levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial depolarization, lipid droplets accumulation, presence of autophagic vacuoles, phosphatidylserine exposure, and plasma membrane damage. In addition, the GFA treatment was able to reduce the percentage of infected cells and the number of amastigotes per macrophage (J774A.1) without showing cytotoxicity in mammalian cell lines (J774A.1, LLCMK2, THP-1, AMJ2-C11), in addition to increasing TNF-α and reducing IL-6 levels in infected macrophages. In conclusion, the GFA treatment exerted influence on trypomastigote forms through an apoptosis-like mechanism and by eliminating intracellular parasites via TNF-α/ROS pathway, without generating cellular cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil; Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute, ICC/Fiocruz/PR, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil; Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute, ICC/Fiocruz/PR, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Virginia Marcia Concato
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Taylon Felipe Silva
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Jacob Rodrigues
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil; Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute, ICC/Fiocruz/PR, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Idessania Nazareth Costa
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Danielle Lazarin-Bidóia
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Wander Rogério Pavanelli
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Nilton Syogo Arakawa
- Department of Chemical, Center of Exact Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Ivete Conchon-Costa
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
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21
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Moreira FF, Portes JDA, Barros Azeredo NF, Fernandes C, Horn A, Santiago CP, Segat BB, Caramori GF, Madureira LMP, Candela DRS, Marques MM, Lamounier Camargos Resende JA, de Souza W, DaMatta RA, Seabra SH. Development of new dinuclear Fe(III) coordination compounds with in vitro nanomolar antitrypanosomal activity. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:12242-12264. [PMID: 34519725 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt01048d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease is a major public health problem affecting about 6 to 7 million people worldwide, mostly in Latin America. The available therapy for this disease is based on two drugs, nifurtimox and benznidazole, which exhibit severe side effects, including resistance, severe cytotoxicity, variable efficacy and inefficiency in the chronic phase. Therefore, new drugs are urgently needed. Coordination compounds may be an interesting alternative for antiparasite therapy against Leishmania spp., Toxoplasma gondii and T. cruzi. Herein, we tested the in vitro effect on T. cruzi epimastigotes (Y strain) of two new μ-oxo Fe(III) dinuclear complexes: [(HL1)(Cl)Fe(μ-O)Fe(Cl)(HL2)](Cl)2·(CH3CH2OH)2·H2O (1) and [(HL2)(Cl)Fe(μ-O)Fe(Cl)(HL2)](Cl)2·H2O (2) where HL1 and HL2 are ligands which contain two pyridines, amine and alcohol moieties with a naphthyl pendant unit yielding a N3O coordination environment. Complexes (1) and (2), which are isomers, were completely characterized, including X-ray diffraction studies for complex (1). Parasites were treated with the complexes and the outcome was analyzed. Complex (1) exhibited the lowest IC50 values, which were 99 ± 3, 97 ± 2 and 110 ± 39 nM, after 48, 72 and 120 h of treatment, respectively. Complex (2) showed IC50 values of 118 ± 5, 122 ± 6 and 104 ± 29 nM for the same treatment times. Low cytotoxicity to the host cell LLC-MK2 was found for both complexes, resulting in impressive selectivity indexes of 106 for complex (1) and 178 for (2), after 120 h of treatment. Treatment with both complexes reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential of the parasite. Ultrastructural analysis of the parasite after treatment with complexes showed that the mitochondria outer membrane presented swelling and abnormal disposition around the kinetoplast; in addition, reservosomes presented anomalous spicules and rupture. The complexes showed low nanomolar IC50 values affecting mitochondria and reservosomes, essential organelles for the survival of the parasite. The low IC50 and the high selectivity index show that both complexes act as a new prototype of drugs against T. cruzi and may be used for further development in drug discovery to treat Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Figueirôa Moreira
- Laboratório de Tecnologia em Bioquímica e Microscopia, Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste (UEZO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. .,Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Juliana de Araujo Portes
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), RJ, Brazil
| | - Nathália Florência Barros Azeredo
- Laboratório de Ciências Químicas, Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Christiane Fernandes
- Laboratório de Ciências Químicas, Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Adolfo Horn
- Laboratório de Ciências Químicas, Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Cristina Pinheiro Santiago
- Laboratório de Ciências Químicas, Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Bruna Barriquel Segat
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Giovanni Finoto Caramori
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), RJ, Brazil
| | - Renato Augusto DaMatta
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sergio Henrique Seabra
- Laboratório de Tecnologia em Bioquímica e Microscopia, Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste (UEZO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. .,Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
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22
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Berná L, Greif G, Pita S, Faral-Tello P, Díaz-Viraqué F, Souza RDCMD, Vallejo GA, Alvarez-Valin F, Robello C. Maxicircle architecture and evolutionary insights into Trypanosoma cruzi complex. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009719. [PMID: 34437557 PMCID: PMC8425572 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We sequenced maxicircles from T. cruzi strains representative of the species evolutionary diversity by using long-read sequencing, which allowed us to uncollapse their repetitive regions, finding that their real lengths range from 35 to 50 kb. T. cruzi maxicircles have a common architecture composed of four regions: coding region (CR), AT-rich region, short (SR) and long repeats (LR). Distribution of genes, both in order and in strand orientation are conserved, being the main differences the presence of deletions affecting genes coding for NADH dehydrogenase subunits, reinforcing biochemical findings that indicate that complex I is not functional in T. cruzi. Moreover, the presence of complete minicircles into maxicircles of some strains lead us to think about the origin of minicircles. Finally, a careful phylogenetic analysis was conducted using coding regions of maxicircles from up to 29 strains, and 1108 single copy nuclear genes from all of the DTUs, clearly establishing that taxonomically T. cruzi is a complex of species composed by group 1 that contains clades A (TcI), B (TcIII) and D (TcIV), and group 2 (1 and 2 do not coincide with groups I and II described decades ago) containing clade C (TcII), being all hybrid strains of the BC type. Three variants of maxicircles exist in T. cruzi: a, b and c, in correspondence with clades A, B, and C from mitochondrial phylogenies. While A and C carry maxicircles a and c respectively, both clades B and D carry b maxicircle variant; hybrid strains also carry the b- variant. We then propose a new nomenclature that is self-descriptive and makes use of both the phylogenetic relationships and the maxicircle variants present in T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Berná
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Sección Biomatemática—Unidad de Genómica Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gonzalo Greif
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sebastián Pita
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Sección Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paula Faral-Tello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Florencia Díaz-Viraqué
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Gustavo Adolfo Vallejo
- Laboratorio de investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Tolima, Colombia
| | - Fernando Alvarez-Valin
- Sección Biomatemática—Unidad de Genómica Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- * E-mail:
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23
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Zuma AA, Dos Santos Barrias E, de Souza W. Basic Biology of Trypanosoma cruzi. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1671-1732. [PMID: 33272165 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826999201203213527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The present review addresses basic aspects of the biology of the pathogenic protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi and some comparative information of Trypanosoma brucei. Like eukaryotic cells, their cellular organization is similar to that of mammalian hosts. However, these parasites present structural particularities. That is why the following topics are emphasized in this paper: developmental stages of the life cycle in the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts; the cytoskeleton of the protozoa, especially the sub-pellicular microtubules; the flagellum and its attachment to the protozoan body through specialized junctions; the kinetoplast-mitochondrion complex, including its structural organization and DNA replication; glycosome and its role in the metabolism of the cell; acidocalcisome, describing its morphology, biochemistry, and functional role; cytostome and the endocytic pathway; the organization of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex; the nucleus, describing its structural organization during interphase and division; and the process of interaction of the parasite with host cells. The unique characteristics of these structures also make them interesting chemotherapeutic targets. Therefore, further understanding of cell biology aspects contributes to the development of drugs for chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline A Zuma
- Laboratorio de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emile Dos Santos Barrias
- Laboratorio de Metrologia Aplicada a Ciencias da Vida, Diretoria de Metrologia Aplicada a Ciencias da Vida - Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia (Inmetro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratorio de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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24
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Dantas-Pereira L, Cunha-Junior EF, Andrade-Neto VV, Bower JF, Jardim GAM, da Silva Júnior EN, Torres-Santos EC, Menna-Barreto RFS. Naphthoquinones and Derivatives for Chemotherapy: Perspectives and Limitations of their Anti-trypanosomatids Activities. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1807-1824. [PMID: 33167829 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201109111802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, Sleeping sickness and Leishmaniasis, caused by trypanosomatids Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp., respectively, are considered neglected tropical diseases, and they especially affect impoverished populations in the developing world. The available chemotherapies are very limited, and a search for alternatives is still necessary. In folk medicine, natural naphthoquinones have been employed for the treatment of a great variety of illnesses, including parasitic infections. This review is focused on the anti-trypanosomatid activity and mechanistic analysis of naphthoquinones and derivatives. Among all the series of derivatives tested in vitro, naphthoquinone-derived 1,2,3-triazoles were very active on T. cruzi infective forms in blood bank conditions, as well as in amastigotes of Leishmania spp. naphthoquinones containing a CF3 on a phenyl amine ring inhibited T. brucei proliferation in the nanomolar range, and naphthopterocarpanquinones stood out for their activity on a range of Leishmania species. Some of these compounds showed a promising selectivity index (SI) (30 to 1900), supporting further analysis in animal models. Indeed, high toxicity to the host and inactivation by blood components are crucial obstacles to be overcome to use naphthoquinones and/or their derivatives for chemotherapy. Multidisciplinary initiatives embracing medicinal chemistry, bioinformatics, biochemistry, and molecular and cellular biology need to be encouraged to allow the optimization of these compounds. Large scale automated tests are pivotal for the efficiency of the screening step, and subsequent evaluation of both the mechanism of action in vitro and pharmacokinetics in vivo is essential for the development of a novel, specific and safe derivative, minimizing adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luíza Dantas-Pereira
- Laboratorio de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Edézio F Cunha-Junior
- Laboratorio de Bioquimica de Tripanosomatideos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Valter V Andrade-Neto
- Laboratorio de Bioquimica de Tripanosomatideos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - John F Bower
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Guilherme A M Jardim
- Departamento de Quimica, Instituto de Ciencias Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Eufrânio N da Silva Júnior
- Departamento de Quimica, Instituto de Ciencias Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Eduardo C Torres-Santos
- Laboratorio de Bioquimica de Tripanosomatideos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rubem F S Menna-Barreto
- Laboratorio de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Dias GG, Paz ERS, Nunes MP, Carvalho RL, Rodrigues MO, Rodembusch FS, da Silva Júnior EN. Imidazoles and Oxazoles from Lapachones and Phenanthrene-9,10-dione: A Journey through their Synthesis, Biological Studies, and Optical Applications. CHEM REC 2021; 21:2702-2738. [PMID: 34170622 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202100138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Diverse structural frameworks are found in natural compounds and are well known for their chemical and biological properties; such compounds include the imidazoles and oxazoles. Researchers worldwide are continually working on the development of methods for synthesizing new molecules bearing these basic moiety and evaluating their properties and applications. To expand the knowledge related to azoles, this review summarizes important examples of imidazole and oxazole derivatives from 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds, such as lapachones and phenanthrene-9,10-diones, not only regarding their synthesis and biological applications but also their photophysical properties and uses. The data concerning the latter are particularly scarce in the literature, which leads to underestimation of the potential applications that can be envisaged for these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleiston G Dias
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Esther R S Paz
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Mateus P Nunes
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Renato L Carvalho
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marieli O Rodrigues
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fabiano S Rodembusch
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Eufrânio N da Silva Júnior
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Londero VS, Costa-Silva TA, Antar GM, Baitello JB, de Oliveira LVF, Camilo FF, Batista ANL, Batista JM, Tempone AG, Lago JHG. Antitrypanosomal Lactones from Nectandra barbellata. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 84:1489-1497. [PMID: 33857368 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c01303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Twigs of Nectandra barbellata were extracted using a solution of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (BMImBr) in H2O, assisted by microwave (MAE). After successive chromatographic steps, one sesquiterpene, costic acid, and three new related lactones, (R)-3(7)-Z-3-hexadec-21-enylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (1), (R)-3(7)-Z-3-hexadecylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (2), and (R)-3(7)-Z-3-docosylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (3), were isolated. After structural elucidation using IR, UV, HRESIMS, NMR, ECD, and VCD, compounds 1-3 were tested against trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. The mechanism of action of bioactive isolated compounds was studied using different fluorescent-based approaches to investigate alterations of the plasma membrane, permeability/electric potential (ΔΨp), reactive oxygen species levels, mitochondria (electric membrane potential, ΔΨm/ATP levels), Ca2+ levels, and pH of the acidocalcisomes. In addition, in silico studies predicted no resemblance to pan assay interference compounds (PAINS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius S Londero
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Thais A Costa-Silva
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo 09210-170, Brazil
| | - Guilherme M Antar
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - João B Baitello
- Dasonomy Division, Instituto Florestal, São Paulo 02377-000, Brazil
| | - Larissa V F de Oliveira
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Camilo
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Andrea N L Batista
- Institute of Chemistry, Fluminense Federal University, Rio de Janeiro 24220-900, Brazil
| | - Joao M Batista
- Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 12231-280, Brazil
| | - Andre G Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo 01246-902, Brazil
| | - Joao Henrique G Lago
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo 09210-170, Brazil
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27
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Macedo CM, Saraiva FMDS, Paula JIO, Nascimento SDB, Costa DDSDS, Costa PRR, Dias AG, Paes MC, Nogueira NP. The Potent Trypanocidal Effect of LQB303, a Novel Redox-Active Phenyl-Tert-Butyl-Nitrone Derivate That Causes Mitochondrial Collapse in Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:617504. [PMID: 33935988 PMCID: PMC8081855 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.617504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, which is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, establishes lifelong infections in humans and other mammals that lead to severe cardiac and gastrointestinal complications despite the competent immune response of the hosts. Furthermore, it is a neglected disease that affects 8 million people worldwide. The scenario is even more frustrating since the main chemotherapy is based on benznidazole, a drug that presents severe side effects and low efficacy in the chronic phase of the disease. Thus, the search for new therapeutic alternatives is urgent. In the present study, we investigated the activity of a novel phenyl-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN) derivate, LQB303, against T. cruzi. LQB303 presented trypanocidal effect against intracellular [IC50/48 h = 2.6 μM] and extracellular amastigotes [IC50/24 h = 3.3 μM] in vitro, leading to parasite lysis; however, it does not present any toxicity to host cells. Despite emerging evidence that mitochondrial metabolism is essential for amastigotes to grow inside mammalian cells, the mechanism of redox-active molecules that target T. cruzi mitochondrion is still poorly explored. Therefore, we investigated if LQB303 trypanocidal activity was related to the impairment of the mitochondrial function of amastigotes. The investigation showed there was a significant decrease compared to the baseline oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of LQB303-treated extracellular amastigotes of T. cruzi, as well as reduction of “proton leak” (the depletion of proton motive force by the inhibition of F1Fo ATP synthase) and “ETS” (maximal oxygen consumption after uncoupling) oxygen consumption rates. Interestingly, the residual respiration (“ROX”) enhanced about three times in LQB303-treated amastigotes. The spare respiratory capacity ratio (SRC: cell ability to meet new energy demands) and the ATP-linked OCR were also impaired by LQB303 treatment, correlating the trypanocidal activity of LQB303 with the impairment of mitochondrial redox metabolism of amastigotes. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated a significant reduction of the ΔΨm of treated amastigotes. LQB303 had no significant influence on the OCR of treated mammalian cells, evidencing its specificity against T. cruzi mitochondrial metabolism. Our results suggest a promising trypanocidal activity of LQB303, associated with parasite bioenergetic inefficiency, with no influence on the host energy metabolism, a fact that may point to an attractive alternative therapy for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Machado Macedo
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Francis Monique de Souza Saraiva
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Isis Oliveira Paula
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Suelen de Brito Nascimento
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Hematologia, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ayres Guimarães Dias
- Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcia Cristina Paes
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Natália Pereira Nogueira
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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28
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Freitas CS, Lage DP, Oliveira-da-Silva JA, Costa RR, Mendonça DVC, Martins VT, Reis TAR, Antinarelli LMR, Machado AS, Tavares GSV, Ramos FF, Brito RCF, Ludolf F, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Roatt BM, Ramos GS, Munkert J, Ottoni FM, Campana PRV, Duarte MC, Gonçalves DU, Coimbra ES, Braga FC, Pádua RM, Coelho EAF. In vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity of β-acetyl-digitoxin, a cardenolide of Digitalis lanata potentially useful to treat visceral leishmaniasis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:38. [PMID: 33851916 PMCID: PMC8045677 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Current treatments of visceral leishmaniasis face limitations due to drug side effects and/or high cost, along with the emergence of parasite resistance. Novel and low-cost antileishmanial agents are therefore required. We report herein the antileishmanial activity of β-acetyl-digitoxin (b-AD), a cardenolide isolated from Digitalis lanata leaves, assayed in vitro and in vivo against Leishmania infantum. Results showed direct action of b-AD against parasites, as well as efficacy for the treatment of Leishmania-infected macrophages. In vivo experiments using b-AD-containing Pluronic® F127 polymeric micelles (b-AD/Mic) to treat L. infantum-infected mice showed that this composition reduced the parasite load in distinct organs in more significant levels. It also induced the development of anti-parasite Th1-type immunity, attested by high levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, TNF-α, GM-CSF, nitrite and specific IgG2a antibodies, in addition to low IL-4 and IL-10 contents, along with higher IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell frequency. Furthermore, low toxicity was found in the organs of the treated animals. Comparing the therapeutic effect between the treatments, b-AD/Mic was the most effective in protecting animals against infection, when compared to the other groups including miltefosine used as a drug control. Data found 15 days after treatment were similar to those obtained one day post-therapy. In conclusion, the results obtained suggest that b-AD/Mic is a promising antileishmanial agent and deserves further studies to investigate its potential to treat visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila S Freitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela P Lage
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João A Oliveira-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rafaella R Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Débora V C Mendonça
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vívian T Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago A R Reis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luciana M R Antinarelli
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, 36036-900 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Amanda S Machado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Grasiele S V Tavares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rory C F Brito
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Insituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, 35400-000 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Ludolf
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno M Roatt
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Insituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, 35400-000 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gabriela S Ramos
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jennifer Munkert
- Departament Biologie, LS Pharmazeutische Biologie, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Flaviano M Ottoni
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Priscilla R V Campana
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariana C Duarte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil - Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Denise U Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elaine S Coimbra
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, 36036-900 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernão C Braga
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo M Pádua
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil - Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
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29
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Boniface PK, Sano CM, Elizabeth FI. Unveiling the Targets Involved in the Quest of Antileishmanial Leads Using In silico Methods. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 21:681-712. [PMID: 32003668 DOI: 10.2174/1389450121666200128112948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease associated with several clinical manifestations, including cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral forms. As currently available drugs have some limitations (toxicity, resistance, among others), the target-based identification has been an important approach to develop new leads against leishmaniasis. The present study aims to identify targets involved in the pharmacological action of potent antileishmanial compounds. METHODS The literature information regarding molecular interactions of antileishmanial compounds studied over the past half-decade is discussed. The information was obtained from databases such as Wiley, SciFinder, Science Direct, National Library of Medicine, American Chemical Society, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Scopus, Springer, Google Scholar, Web of Science, etc. Results: Numerous in vitro antileishmanial compounds showed affinity and selective interactions with enzymes such as arginase, pteridine reductase 1, trypanothione reductase, pyruvate kinase, among others, which are crucial for the survival and virulence of the Leishmania parasite. CONCLUSION The in-silico activity of small molecules (enzymes, proteins, among others) might be used as pharmacological tools to develop candidate compounds for the treatment of leishmaniasis. As some pharmacologically active compounds may act on more than one target, additional studies of the mechanism (s) of action of potent antileishmanial compounds might help to better understand their pharmacological action. Also, the optimization of promising antileishmanial compounds might improve their biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pone K Boniface
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cinthya M Sano
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ferreira I Elizabeth
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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30
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The ubiquinone synthesis pathway is a promising drug target for Chagas disease. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0243855. [PMID: 33539347 PMCID: PMC7861437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). It was originally a Latin American endemic health problem, but now is expanding worldwide as a result of increasing migration. The currently available drugs for Chagas disease, benznidazole and nifurtimox, provoke severe adverse effects, and thus the development of new drugs is urgently required. Ubiquinone (UQ) is essential for respiratory chain and redox balance in trypanosomatid protozoans, therefore we aimed to provide evidence that inhibitors of the UQ biosynthesis have trypanocidal activities. In this study, inhibitors of the human COQ7, a key enzyme of the UQ synthesis, were tested for their trypanocidal activities because they were expected to cross-react and inhibit trypanosomal COQ7 due to their genetic homology. We show the trypanocidal activity of a newly found human COQ7 inhibitor, an oxazinoquinoline derivative. The structurally similar compounds were selected from the commercially available compounds by 2D and 3D ligand-based similarity searches. Among 38 compounds selected, 12 compounds with the oxazinoquinoline structure inhibited significantly the growth of epimastigotes of T. cruzi. The most effective 3 compounds also showed the significant antitrypanosomal activity against the mammalian stage of T. cruzi at lower concentrations than benznidazole, a commonly used drug today. We found that epimastigotes treated with the inhibitor contained reduced levels of UQ9. Further, the growth of epimastigotes treated with the inhibitors was partially rescued by UQ10 supplementation to the culture medium. These results suggest that the antitrypanosomal mechanism of the oxazinoquinoline derivatives results from inhibition of the trypanosomal UQ synthesis leading to a shortage of the UQ pool. Our data indicate that the UQ synthesis pathway of T. cruzi is a promising drug target for Chagas disease.
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31
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Correa ITS, da Costa-Silva TA, Tempone AG. Bioenergetics impairment of Trypanosoma cruzi by the antihypertensive manidipine: A drug repurposing strategy. Acta Trop 2021; 214:105768. [PMID: 33245907 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105768] [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: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Considering the lack of effective and safe therapy for the treatment of Chagas disease, the antihypertensive drug manidipine (MDP) was in vitro evaluated against Trypanosoma cruzi. The bioenergetics of trypomastigotes was studied in the presence of the drug using fluorimetric and luminescent assays. Manidipine showed a potent antiparasitic activity, with IC50 values of 0.1 μM (intracellular amastigotes) and 3 μM (trypomastigotes), resulting in a promising selectivity index against the amastigotes (>1459). Using fluorimetric analysis, the drug showed depolarisation of the electric potential of the plasma membrane with no alteration of the permeability. A decrease in ATP levels suggested a bioenergetic alteration of the mitochondria, which was confirmed by the depolarisation of the mitochondrial membrane potential and a slight increase of the ROS levels. This is the first study to show the promising in vitro effectiveness of the antihypertensive MDP against T. cruzi, which may represent a candidate for future investigations in animal models.
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Rani R, Narasimhan B, Varma RS, Kumar R. Naphthoquinone derivatives exhibit apoptosis-like effect and anti-trypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma evansi. Vet Parasitol 2021; 290:109367. [PMID: 33516118 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma evansi is an extracellular flagellate blood protozoan parasite and an etiological agent of animal trypanosomosis. Presently, only a few drugs are registered and have been used for the treatment of animal trypanosomosis, but they show severe toxic effects and also face the problem of drug resistance. Naphthoquinones (NTQ) are considered as fortunate structures in the field of medicinal chemistry as they have been reported for their antitrypanosomal potential against other trypanosomes-T. brucei and T. cruzi. In the present study, six naphthoquinones (NTQ1-NTQ6) derivatives were evaluated for anti-trypanosomal activity by demonstrating their growth inhibitory effect against T. evansi. All NTQs significantly (p < 0.001) exhibited activity against parasite growth and multiplication with IC50 values of 11.48 μM, 373.6 μM, 12.97 μM, 21.97 μM, 18.19 μM and 5.758 μM but NTQ1, NTQ3 and NTQ6 were selected based on their IC50 value for further studies. The dose-and time-dependent morphological effect on parasite was evaluated including the measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by spectrofluorometery and measurement of apoptosis by flow cytometry. The selected NTQs exhibited a significant production of ROS and displayed a significant AV+ and PI+ labelled cells in the axenic culture of T. evansi than quinapyramine methyl sulphate (QPS), as reference control. NTQs also showed more cytotoxic effect on horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells as compare to QPS. Therefore, we confirmed the antitrypanosomal activity and apoptotic-like mechanism of NTQs in an axenic culture of T. evansi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruma Rani
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Equine, Hisar, 125001, Haryana, India
| | | | - Rajender S Varma
- Regional Center of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacky University, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - Rajender Kumar
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Equine, Hisar, 125001, Haryana, India.
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Bombaça ACS, Silva LA, Chaves OA, da Silva LS, Barbosa JMC, da Silva AM, Ferreira ABB, Menna-Barreto RFS. Novel N,N-di-alkylnaphthoimidazolium derivative of β-lapachone impaired Trypanosoma cruzi mitochondrial electron transport system. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 135:111186. [PMID: 33395606 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease that is endemic in Latin America and spreading worldwide due to globalization. The current treatments are based on benznidazole and nifurtimox; however, these drugs have important limitations and limited efficacy during the chronic phase, reinforcing the necessity of an alternative chemotherapy. For the last 30 years, our group has been evaluating the biological activity of naphthoquinones and derivatives on T. cruzi, and of the compounds tested, N1, N2 and N3 were found to be the most active in vitro. Here, we show the synthesis of a novel β-lapachone-derived naphthoimidazolium named N4 and assess its activity on T. cruzi stages and the mechanism of action. The new compound was very active on all parasite stages (IC50/24 h in the range of 0.8-7.9 μM) and had a selectivity index of 5.4. Mechanistic analyses reveal that mitochondrial ROS production begins after short treatment starts and primarily affects the activity of complexes II-III. After 24 h treatment, a partial restoration of mitochondrial physiology (normal complexes II-III and IV activities and controlled H2O2 release) was observed; however, an extensive injury in its morphology was still detected. During treatment with N4, we also observed that trypanothione reductase activity increased in a time-dependent manner and concomitant with increased oxidative stress. Molecular docking calculations indicated the ubiquinone binding site of succinate dehydrogenase as an important interaction point with N4, as with the FMN binding site of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. The results presented here may be a good starting point for the development of alternative treatments for Chagas disease and for understanding the mechanism of naphthoimidazoles in T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina S Bombaça
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo A Silva
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otávio Augusto Chaves
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lorrainy S da Silva
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana M C Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ari M da Silva
- Instituto de Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aurélio B B Ferreira
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rubem F S Menna-Barreto
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Ivermectin presents effective and selective antileishmanial activity in vitro and in vivo against Leishmania infantum and is therapeutic against visceral leishmaniasis. Exp Parasitol 2020; 221:108059. [PMID: 33338468 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Treatment for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is hindered mainly by the toxicity and/or high cost of therapeutic drugs. In addition, parasite resistance has been registered. Thus, there is an urgent need for the identification of novel, effective and low-cost antileishmanial agents. Since drug discovery is a long and expensive process, drug repositioning for treatment of leishmaniasis should be considered. In the present study, Ivermectin (IVE), a broad-spectrum drug used for treatment of parasitic diseases, was evaluated in vitro and in vivo against Leishmania infantum species. Results in vitro showed that IVE presented 50% Leishmania and macrophage inhibitory concentrations (IC50 and CC50, respectively) of 3.64 ± 0.48 μM and 427.50 ± 17.60 μM, respectively, with a selectivity index (SI) of 117.45; whereas Amphotericin B (AmpB), which was used as control, showed IC50 and CC50 values of 0.12 ± 0.05 μM and 1.06 ± 0.23 μM, respectively, with a corresponding SI of 8.90. Treatment with IVE effectively reduced the infection percentage and parasite burden in infected and treated macrophages and displayed a prophylactic activity by inhibiting macrophage infection with pre-treated parasites. Furthermore, preliminary studies suggested that IVE targets the parasite's mitochondria. Activity of IVE in its free format or incorporated into Pluronic® F127-based polymeric micelles (IVE/Mic) was also evaluated in vivo as a treating drug for L. infantum-infected BALB/c mice. Miltefosine was used as a control. Results showed that Miltefosine, IVE and IVE/Mic-treated animals presented significant reductions in the parasite load in their spleens, livers, bone marrows and draining lymph nodes, as well as development of an antileishmanial Th1-type immune response one and 15 days after treatment. Notably, IVE/Mic showed a better parasitological and immunological response in comparison to other alternative treatments. In conclusion, results suggest that IVE/Mic could be considered in future studies as a therapeutic alternative to treat VL.
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Pedra-Rezende Y, Fernandes MC, Mesquita-Rodrigues C, Stiebler R, Bombaça ACS, Pinho N, Cuervo P, De Castro SL, Menna-Barreto RFS. Starvation and pH stress conditions induced mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS production and autophagy in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1867:166028. [PMID: 33248274 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.166028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected illness endemic in Latin America that mainly affects rural populations. The etiological agent of Chagas disease is the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which has three different parasite stages and a dixenous life cycle that includes colonization of the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. During its life cycle, T. cruzi is subjected to stress conditions, including variations in nutrient availability and pH, which impact parasite survival and differentiation. The plasticity of mitochondrial function in trypanosomatids has been defined as mitochondrial activity related to substrate availability. Thus, mitochondrial remodeling and autophagy, which is a constitutive cellular process of turnover and recycling of cellular components, may constitute a response to the nutritional and pH stress in the host. To assess these processes, epimastigotes were subjected to acidic, alkaline, and nutritional stress conditions, and mitochondrial function and its influence on the autophagic process were evaluated. Our data demonstrated that the three stress conditions affected the mitochondrial structure, inducing organelle swelling and impaired oxidative phosphorylation. Stressed epimastigotes produced increased ROS levels and overexpressed antioxidant enzymes. The stress conditions resulted in an increase in the number of autophagosomes and exacerbated the expression of different autophagy-related genes (Atgs). A correlation between mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagic phenotypes was also observed. After 24 h, acid stress and nutritional deprivation induced metacyclogenesis phenotypes (mitochondrial remodeling and autophagy). On the other hand, alkaline stress was transient due to insect blood feeding and culminated in an increase in autophagic flux as a survival mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Pedra-Rezende
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michelle C Fernandes
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Diretoria de Extensão, Fundação Centro de Educação a Distância do Cecierj Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Camila Mesquita-Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratório de Neurofisiologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renata Stiebler
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina S Bombaça
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathalia Pinho
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Solange L De Castro
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rubem F S Menna-Barreto
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Morais LS, Dusi RG, Demarque DP, Silva RL, Albernaz LC, Báo SN, Merten C, Antinarelli LMR, Coimbra ES, Espindola LS. Antileishmanial compounds from Connarus suberosus: Metabolomics, isolation and mechanism of action. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241855. [PMID: 33156835 PMCID: PMC7647111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease impacting public health worldwide due to its high incidence, morbidity and mortality. Available treatments are costly, lengthy and toxic, not to mention the problem of parasite resistance. The development of alternative treatments is warranted and natural products demonstrate promising activity. This study investigated the activity of Connarus suberosus extracts and compounds against Leishmania species. Several C. suberosus extracts were tested against L. amazonensis promastigotes. Active and inactive extracts were analyzed by UHPLC-MS and data evaluated using a metabolomics platform, revealing an unknown neoflavonoid (connarin, 3), isolated together with the pterocarpans: hemileiocarpin (1) and leiocarpin (2). The aforementioned compounds (1-3), together with the benzoquinones: rapanone (4), embelin (5) and suberonone (6) previously isolated by our group from the same species, were tested against: (i) L. amazonensis and L. infantum promastigotes, and (ii) L. amazonensis intracellular amastigotes, with the most active compound (3) also tested against L. infantum amastigotes. Cytotoxicity against murine peritoneal macrophages was also investigated. Compounds 2 and 3 presented an IC50 33.8 μM and 11.4 μM for L. amazonensis promastigotes; and 44.3 μM and 13.3 μM for L. infantum promastigotes, respectively. For L. amazonensis amastigotes, the IC50 of 2 was 20.4 μM with a selectivity index (SI) of 5.7, while the IC50 of 3 was 2.9 μM with an SI of 6.3. For L. infantum amastigotes, the IC50 of 3 was 7.7 μM. Compounds 2 and 3 presented activity comparable with the miltefosine positive control, with compound 3 found to be 2-4 times more active than the positive control, depending on the Leishmania species and form. The extracts and isolated compounds showed moderate toxicity against macrophages. Compounds 2 and 3 altered the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and neutral lipid body accumulation, while 2 also impacted plasma membrane permeabilization, culminating in cellular disorder and parasite death. Transmission electron microscopy of L. amazonensis promastigotes treated with compound 3 confirmed the presence of lipid bodies. Leiocarpin (2) and connarin (3) demonstrated antileishmanial activity. This study provides knowledge of natural products with antileishmanial activity, paving the way for prototype development to fight this neglected tropical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lais S. Morais
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Renata G. Dusi
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Daniel P. Demarque
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Fakultät für Chemie und Biochemie, Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Raquel L. Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Lorena C. Albernaz
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Sônia N. Báo
- Laboratório de Microscopia e Microanálise, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Christian Merten
- Fakultät für Chemie und Biochemie, Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Luciana M. R. Antinarelli
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, I.C.B., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elaine S. Coimbra
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, I.C.B., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Laila S. Espindola
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
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Holanda VN, Silva WVD, Nascimento PHD, Silva SRB, Cabral Filho PE, Assis SPDO, Silva CAD, Oliveira RND, Figueiredo RCBQD, Lima VLDM. Antileishmanial activity of 4-phenyl-1-[2-(phthalimido-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazole (PT4) derivative on Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis: In silico ADMET, in vitro activity, docking and molecular dynamic simulations. Bioorg Chem 2020; 105:104437. [PMID: 33339081 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Organic compounds obtained by click chemistry reactions have demonstrated a broad spectrum of biological activities being widely applied for the development of molecules against pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), caused by intracellular protozoa parasite of genus Leishmania, comprises a complex of clinical manifestations that affect the skin and mucous membranes. The available drugs for the treatment are toxic and costly, with long periods of treatment, and the emergence of resistant strains has been reported. In this study we investigated the in vitro effects of a phthalimide-1,2,3-triazole derivative, the 4-Phenyl-1-[2-(phthalimido-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazole (PT4) obtained by click chemistry, on mammalian cells and on L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis, the causative agents of CL in Brazil. In silico ADMET evaluation of PT4 showed that this molecule has good pharmacokinetic properties with no violation of Lipinski's rules. The in vitro assays showed that PT4 was more selective for both Leishmania species than to mammalian cells. This compound also presented low cytotoxicity to mammalian cells with CC50 > 500 μM. Treatment of promastigote forms with different concentrations of PT4 resulted in ultrastructural alterations, such as plasma membrane wrinkling, shortening of cell body, increased cell volume and cell rupture. The molecular dynamic simulations showed that PT4 interacts with Lanosterol 14 α-demethylase from Leishmania, an essential enzyme of lipid synthesis pathway in this parasite. Our results demonstrated PT4 was effective against both species of Leishmania. PT4 caused a decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential and increased production of reactive oxygen species, which may lead to parasite death. Taken together, our results pointed PT4 as promissing therapeutic agent against CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanderlan Nogueira Holanda
- Laboratório de Lipídios e Aplicação de Biomoléculas em Doenças Prevalentes e Negligenciadas. Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil; Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Welson Vicente da Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Ruschi Bergamachi Silva
- Instituto do Cérebro, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Nascimento de Castro, 2155 - Morro Branco, 59056-450 Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Paulo Euzébio Cabral Filho
- Departamento de Biofísica e Radiobiologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Shalom Porto de Oliveira Assis
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Ambientais e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Pernambuco, Rua do Príncipe, 526, 50050-900 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - César Augusto da Silva
- Colegiado de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Avenida José de Sá Maniçoba, s/n - Campus Universitário, 56304-205 Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Nascimento de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Síntese de Compostos Bioativos, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n - Dois Irmãos, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Regina Celia Bressan Queiroz de Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Vera Lucia de Menezes Lima
- Laboratório de Lipídios e Aplicação de Biomoléculas em Doenças Prevalentes e Negligenciadas. Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil.
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Umehara E, Costa Silva TA, Mendes VM, Guadagnin RC, Sartorelli P, Tempone AG, Lago JHG. Differential lethal action of C17:2 and C17:0 anacardic acid derivatives in Trypanosoma cruzi – A mechanistic study. Bioorg Chem 2020; 102:104068. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Assolini JP, Tomiotto-Pellissier F, da Silva Bortoleti BT, Gonçalves MD, Sahd CS, Carloto ACM, Feuser PE, Cordeiro AP, Borghi SM, Verri WA, Sayer C, Hermes de Araújo PH, Costa IN, Conchon-Costa I, Miranda-Sapla MM, Pavanelli WR. Diethyldithiocarbamate encapsulation reduces toxicity and promotes leishmanicidal effect through apoptosis-like mechanism in promastigote and ROS production by macrophage. J Drug Target 2020; 28:1110-1123. [DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2020.1783669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- João Paulo Assolini
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Manoela Daiele Gonçalves
- Department of Chemical, Center of Exact Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Claudia Stoeglehner Sahd
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Emilio Feuser
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Arthur Poester Cordeiro
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Sergio Marques Borghi
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Waldiceu Aparecido Verri
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Claudia Sayer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Idessania Nazareth Costa
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Ivete Conchon-Costa
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Wander Rogério Pavanelli
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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Upegui Zapata YA, Echeverri F, Quiñones W, Torres F, Nacher M, Rivas LI, Meira CDS, Gedamu L, Escobar G, Archbold R, Vélez ID, Robledo SM. Mode of action of a formulation containing hydrazones and saponins against leishmania spp. Role in mitochondria, proteases and reinfection process. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2020; 13:94-106. [PMID: 32734890 PMCID: PMC7334304 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Toxicity and poor adherence to treatment that favors the generation of resistance in the Leishmania parasites highlight the need to develop better alternatives. Here, we evaluated the in vitro effectiveness of hydrazone derived from chromanes 2-(2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzothiopyran-4-ylidene) hydrazide (TC1) and 2-(2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzopyran-4-ylidene) hydrazide (TC2) and the mixture of triterpene saponin hederagenin-3-O-(3,4-O-diacetyl-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1à3)-a-L- rhamnopyranosyl-(1à2)-a-L-arabinofuranoside, hederagenin-3-O-(3,4-O-diacetyl-a-L- arabinopyranosyl-(1à3)-a-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1à2)-a-L-arabinofuranoside and, hederagenin-3-O-(4-O-acetyl-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1à3)-a-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1à2)-a-L-arabinofuranoside from Sapindus saponaria (SS) on L. braziliensis and L. pifanoi. Mixtures of TC1 or TC2 with saponin were formulated for topical application and the therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated in the model for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in golden hamster. The mode of action of these compounds was tested on various parasite processes and ultrastructural parasite modifications. TC1, TC2 and SS showed moderate cytotoxicity when tested independently but toxicity was improved when tested in combination. The compounds were more active against intracellular Leishmania amastigotes. In vivo studies showed that combinations of TC1 or TC2 with SS in 1:1 ratio (w/w) cured 100% of hamsters with no signs associated with toxicity. The compounds did cause changes in the mitochondrial activity of the parasite with a decrease in ATP levels and depolarization of membrane potential and overproduction of reactive oxygen species; nevertheless, these effects were not related to alterations in membrane permeability. The phagolysosome ultrastructure was also affected impacting the survival of Leishmania but the function of the lysosome nor the pH inside the phagolysosome did not change. Lastly, there was a protease inhibition which was directly related to the decrease in the ability of Leishmania to infect and multiply inside the macrophage. The results suggest that the combination of TC1 and TC2 with SS in a 1:1 ratio is capable of curing CL in hamsters. This effect may be due to the ability of these compounds to affect parasite survival and the ability to infect new cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulieth A Upegui Zapata
- PECET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia; Grupo de Química Orgánica de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Fernando Echeverri
- Grupo de Química Orgánica de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia.
| | - Winston Quiñones
- Grupo de Química Orgánica de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Fernando Torres
- Grupo de Química Orgánica de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Montserrat Nacher
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (C.S.I.C) Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28007, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis I Rivas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (C.S.I.C) Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28007, Madrid, Spain
| | - Camila Dos Santos Meira
- Department of Biological Sciences. University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Lashitew Gedamu
- Department of Biological Sciences. University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Gustavo Escobar
- Grupo de Química Orgánica de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Rosendo Archbold
- Grupo de Química Orgánica de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Iván D Vélez
- PECET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Sara M Robledo
- PECET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia.
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41
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Rose E, Carvalho JL, Hecht M. Mechanisms of DNA repair in Trypanosoma cruzi: What do we know so far? DNA Repair (Amst) 2020; 91-92:102873. [PMID: 32505694 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2020.102873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas Disease, which affects 6-7 million people worldwide. Since the early stages of infection and throughout its life cycle, the parasite is exposed to several genotoxic agents. Furthermore, DNA damage is also part of the mechanism of action of at least a few trypanocidal drugs, including Benznidazole. Thus, it is paramount for the parasite to count on an efficient DNA repair machinery to guarantee genome integrity and survival. The present work provides an up-to-date review of both the conserved and peculiar DNA repair mechanisms described in T. cruzi against oxidative stress, ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, DNA adduct-inducing agents, and Benznidazole. The comprehension of the DNA repair mechanisms of the parasite may shed light on the parasite evolution and possibly pave the way for the development of novel and more effective trypanocidal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Rose
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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42
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Sangenito LS, Menna-Barreto RFS, d'Avila-Levy CM, Branquinha MH, Santos ALS. Repositioning of HIV Aspartyl Peptidase Inhibitors for Combating the Neglected Human Pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:6590-6613. [PMID: 31187704 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190610152934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 08/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the flagellate parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a wellknown neglected tropical disease. This parasitic illness affects 6-7 million people and can lead to severe myocarditis and/or complications of the digestive tract. The changes in its epidemiology facilitate co-infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), making even more difficult the diagnosis and prognosis. The parasitic infection is reactivated in T. cruzi/HIV co-infection, with the appearance of unusual manifestations in the chronic phase and the exacerbation of classical clinical signs. The therapeutic arsenal to treat Chagas disease, in all its clinical forms, is restricted basically to two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox. Both drugs are extremely toxic and the therapeutic efficacy is still unclear, making the clinical treatment a huge issue to be solved. Therefore, it seems obvious the necessity of new tangible approaches to combat this illness. In this sense, the repositioning of approved drugs appears as an interesting and viable strategy. The discovery of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Aspartyl Peptidase Inhibitors (HIV-PIs) represented a milestone in the treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and, concomitantly, a marked reduction in both the incidence and prevalence of important bacterial, fungal and parasitic co-infections was clearly observed. Taking all these findings into consideration, the present review summarizes the promising and beneficial data concerning the effects of HIV-PIs on all the evolutionary forms of T. cruzi and in important steps of the parasite's life cycle, which highlight their possible application as alternative drugs to treat Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro S Sangenito
- Laboratorio de Estudos Avancados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rubem F S Menna-Barreto
- Laboratorio de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cláudia M d'Avila-Levy
- Laboratorio de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marta H Branquinha
- Laboratorio de Estudos Avancados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André L S Santos
- Laboratorio de Estudos Avancados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Saavedra E, González-Chávez Z, Moreno-Sánchez R, Michels PA. Drug Target Selection for Trypanosoma cruzi Metabolism by Metabolic Control Analysis and Kinetic Modeling. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:6652-6671. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180917104242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the search for therapeutic targets in the intermediary metabolism of trypanosomatids
the gene essentiality criterion as determined by using knock-out and knock-down genetic
strategies is commonly applied. As most of the evaluated enzymes/transporters have
turned out to be essential for parasite survival, additional criteria and approaches are clearly
required for suitable drug target prioritization. The fundamentals of Metabolic Control
Analysis (MCA; an approach in the study of control and regulation of metabolism) and kinetic
modeling of metabolic pathways (a bottom-up systems biology approach) allow quantification
of the degree of control that each enzyme exerts on the pathway flux (flux control coefficient)
and metabolic intermediate concentrations (concentration control coefficient). MCA
studies have demonstrated that metabolic pathways usually have two or three enzymes with
the highest control of flux; their inhibition has more negative effects on the pathway function
than inhibition of enzymes exerting low flux control. Therefore, the enzymes with the highest
pathway control are the most convenient targets for therapeutic intervention. In this review,
the fundamentals of MCA as well as experimental strategies to determine the flux control coefficients
and metabolic modeling are analyzed. MCA and kinetic modeling have been applied
to trypanothione metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi and the model predictions subsequently
validated in vivo. The results showed that three out of ten enzyme reactions analyzed
in the T. cruzi anti-oxidant metabolism were the most controlling enzymes. Hence, MCA and
metabolic modeling allow a further step in target prioritization for drug development against
trypanosomatids and other parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chavez. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Zabdi González-Chávez
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chavez. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rafael Moreno-Sánchez
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chavez. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paul A.M. Michels
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution (CIIE) and Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology (CTCB), School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
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Chandrakar P, Gunaganti N, Parmar N, Kumar A, Singh SK, Rashid M, Wahajuddin M, Mitra K, Narender T, Kar S. β-Amino acid derivatives as mitochondrial complex III inhibitors of L. donovani: A promising chemotype targeting visceral leishmaniasis. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111632. [PMID: 31499363 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
β-amino acids and their analogues are gathering increased attention not only because of their antibacterial and antifungal activity, but also for their use in designing peptidomimetics with increased oral bioavailability and resistance to metabolic degradation. In this study, a series of α-phenyl substituted chalcones, α-phenyl, β-amino substituted dihydrochalcones and β-amino acid derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antileishmanial efficacy against experimental visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Among all synthesized derivatives, 10c showed promising antileishmanial efficacy against both extracellular promastigote and intracellular amastigote (IC50 8.2 μM and 20.5 μM respectively) of L. donovani with negligible cytotoxic effect towards J774 macrophages and Vero cells. 10c effectively reduced spleen and liver parasite burden (>90%) in both hamster and Balb/c model of VL without any hepatotoxicity. In vitro pharmacokinetic analysis showed that 10c was stable in gastric fluid and plasma of Balb/c mice at 10 μg/ml. Further analysis of the molecular mechanism revealed that 10c entered into the parasite by depolarizing the plasma membrane rather than forming nonspecific pores and induced molecular events like loss in mitochondrial membrane potential with a gradual decline in ATP production. This, in turn, did not induce programmed cell death of the parasite; rather 10c induced bioenergetic collapse of the parasite by decreasing ATP synthesis through specific inhibition of mitochondrial complex III activity. Altogether, our results allude to the therapeutic potential of β-amino acid derivatives as novel antileishmanials, identifying them as lead compounds for further exploration in the design of potent candidates for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Chandrakar
- Parasitology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India
| | - Naresh Gunaganti
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Naveen Parmar
- Parasitology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Sandeep Kumar Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India; Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Mamunur Rashid
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India; Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - M Wahajuddin
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India; Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Kalyan Mitra
- Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India
| | - Tadigopula Narender
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India.
| | - Susanta Kar
- Parasitology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India.
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45
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Mitochondrial proteome profiling of Leishmania tropica. Microb Pathog 2019; 133:103542. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Brito JR, da Costa-Silva TA, Tempone AG, Ferreira EA, Lago JHG. Dibenzylbutane neolignans from Saururus cernuus L. (Saururaceae) displayed anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity via alterations in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Fitoterapia 2019; 137:104251. [PMID: 31271783 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The MeOH extract from leaves of Saururus cernuus L. (Saururaceae) displayed in vitro activity against trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi (100% of parasite death at 200 μg/mL), suggesting the presence of bioactive compounds. Thus, the bioactivity-guided fractionation was carried out, leading to the isolation of three related neolignan derivatives, identified as threo-austrobailignan-5 (1), threo-austrobailignan-6 (2), and threo-dihydroguaiaretic acid (3). Anti-T. cruzi activity of compounds 1-3 was performed against cell-derived trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. Additionally, the mammalian cytotoxicity was investigated using NCTC cells. Compound 2 was the most effective against extracellular trypomastigotes with IC50 of 3.7 μM, while compound 3 showed activity in both clinically relevant forms of the parasite, trypomastigotes and amastigotes, with IC50 values of 7.0 and 16.2 μM, respectively. However, the structurally related compound 1 was inactive. Based on these results, compounds 2 and 3 were selected to evaluate the mechanism of cellular death. Compound 2 induced alteration in the plasma membrane permeability and consequently in the ROS levels after 120 min of incubation. By using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, compound 3 showed alterations in the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) of trypomastigotes. Considering the promising chemical and biological properties of neolignans 2 and 3, these compounds could be used as starting points to develop new lead compounds for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana R Brito
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Diadema, SP 09972-270, Brazil
| | - Thais A da Costa-Silva
- Center of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre, SP 09210-180, Brazil
| | - Andre G Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, SP 01246-902, Brazil
| | - Edgard A Ferreira
- School of Engineering, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, SP 01302-907, Brazil.
| | - João Henrique G Lago
- Center of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre, SP 09210-180, Brazil.
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47
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Chiurillo MA, Lander N, Bertolini MS, Vercesi AE, Docampo R. Functional analysis and importance for host cell infection of the Ca 2+-conducting subunits of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter of Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Biol Cell 2019; 30:1676-1690. [PMID: 31091170 PMCID: PMC6727756 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e19-03-0152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We report here that Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, possesses two unique paralogues of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex TcMCU subunit that we named TcMCUc and TcMCUd. The predicted structure of the proteins indicates that, as predicted for the TcMCU and TcMCUb paralogues, they are composed of two helical membrane-spanning domains and contain a WDXXEPXXY motif. Overexpression of each gene led to a significant increase in mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, while knockout (KO) of either TcMCUc or TcMCUd led to a loss of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, without affecting the mitochondrial membrane potential. TcMCUc-KO and TcMCUd-KO epimastigotes exhibited reduced growth rate in low-glucose medium and alterations in their respiratory rate, citrate synthase activity, and AMP/ATP ratio, while trypomastigotes had reduced ability to efficiently infect host cells and replicate intracellularly as amastigotes. By gene complementation of KO cell lines or by a newly developed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in approach, we also studied the importance of critical amino acid residues of the four paralogues on mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. In conclusion, the results predict a hetero-oligomeric structure for the T. cruzi MCU complex, with structural and functional differences, as compared with those in the mammalian complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Chiurillo
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083, Brazil
| | - Noelia Lander
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083, Brazil
| | - Mayara S Bertolini
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083, Brazil
| | - Anibal E Vercesi
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083, Brazil
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083, Brazil.,Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
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48
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Dehydrodieugenol B derivatives as antiparasitic agents: Synthesis and biological activity against Trypanosoma cruzi. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 176:162-174. [PMID: 31103897 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected protozoan disease that affects more than eight million people in developing countries. Due to the limited number and toxicity profiles of therapies in current use, new drugs are urgently needed. In previous studies, we reported the isolation of two related antitrypanosomal neolignans from Nectandra leucantha (Lauraceae). In this work, a semi-synthetic library of twenty-three neolignan derivatives was prepared to explore synthetically accessible structure activity relationships (SAR) against Trypanosoma cruzi. Five compounds demonstrated activity against trypomastigotes (IC50 values from 8 to 64 μM) and eight showed activity against intracellular amastigotes (IC50 values from 7 to 16 μM). Eighteen derivatives demonstrated no mammalian cytotoxicity up to 200 μM. The phenolic acetate derivative of natural dehydrodieugenol B was effective against both parasite forms and eliminated 100% of amastigotes inside macrophages. This compound caused rapid and intense depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, with decreased levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species being observed. Fluorescence assays demonstrated that this derivative affected neither the permeability nor the electric potential of the parasitic plasma membrane, an effect also corroborated by scanning electron microscopy studies. Structure-activity relationship studies (SARs) demonstrated that the presence of at least one allyl side chain on the biaryl ether core was important for antitrypanosomal activity, and that the free phenol is not essential. This set of neolignan derivatives represents a promising starting point for future Chagas disease drug discovery studies.
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Amaral M, de Sousa FS, Silva TAC, Junior AJG, Taniwaki NN, Johns DM, Lago JHG, Anderson EA, Tempone AG. A semi-synthetic neolignan derivative from dihydrodieugenol B selectively affects the bioenergetic system of Leishmania infantum and inhibits cell division. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6114. [PMID: 30992481 PMCID: PMC6467890 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42273-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that affects more than 12 million people, with a limited therapy. Plant-derived natural products represent a useful source of anti-protozoan prototypes. In this work, four derivatives were prepared from neolignans isolated from the Brazilian plant Nectandra leucantha, and their effects against intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania (L.) infantum evaluated in vitro. IC50 values between 6 and 35 µM were observed and in silico predictions suggested good oral bioavailability, no PAINS similarities, and ADMET risks typical of lipophilic compounds. The most selective (SI > 32) compound was chosen for lethal action and immunomodulatory studies. This compound caused a transient depolarization of the plasma membrane potential and induced an imbalance of intracellular Ca2+, possibly resulting in a mitochondrial impairment and leading to a strong depolarization of the membrane potential and decrease of ATP levels. The derivative also interfered with the cell cycle of Leishmania, inducing a programmed cell death-like mechanism and affecting DNA replication. Further immunomodulatory studies demonstrated that the compound eliminates amastigotes via an independent activation of the host cell, with decrease levels of IL-10, TNF and MCP-1. Additionally, this derivative caused no hemolytic effects in murine erythrocytes and could be considered promising for future lead studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiara Amaral
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Fernanda S de Sousa
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 09972-270, Brazil
| | - Thais A Costa Silva
- Centre of Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Andrés Jimenez G Junior
- Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Noemi N Taniwaki
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Deidre M Johns
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - João Henrique G Lago
- Centre of Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Edward A Anderson
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK.
| | - Andre G Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, 01246-000, Brazil.
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50
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The antidepressant clomipramine induces programmed cell death in Leishmania amazonensis through a mitochondrial pathway. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:977-989. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-06200-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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