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Ujszegi J, Boros Z, Fodor A, Vajna B, Hettyey A. Metabolites of Xenorhabdus bacteria are potent candidates for mitigating amphibian chytridiomycosis. AMB Express 2023; 13:88. [PMID: 37615904 PMCID: PMC10449739 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-023-01585-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chytridiomycosis, caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has caused extreme losses in amphibian biodiversity. Finding bacteria that produce metabolites with antifungal properties may turn out to be invaluable in the fight against this devastating disease. The entomopathogenic bacteria, Xenorhabdus szentirmaii and X. budapestensis produce secondary metabolites that are effective against a wide range of fungal plant pathogens. To assess whether they may also be effective against Bd, we extracted cell-free culture media (CFCM) from liquid cultures of X. szentirmaii and X. budapestensis and tested their ability to inhibit Bd growth in vitro. As a second step, using juvenile common toads (Bufo bufo) experimentally infected with Bd we also tested the in vivo antifungal efficacy of X. szentirmaii CFCM diluted to 2 and 10% (v/v), while also assessing possible malign side effects on amphibians. Results of the in vitro experiment documented highly effective growth inhibition by CFCMs of both Xenorhabdus species. The in vivo experiment showed that treatment with CFCM of X. szentirmaii applied at a dilution of 10% resulted in infection intensities reduced by ca. 73% compared to controls and to juvenile toads treated with CFCM applied at a dilution of 2%. At the same time, we detected no negative side effects of treatment with CFCM on toad survival and development. Our results clearly support the idea that metabolites of X. szentirmaii, and perhaps of several other Xenorhabdus species as well, may prove highly useful for the treatment of Bd infected amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- János Ujszegi
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Zsófia Boros
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Microbiology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Fodor
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Vajna
- Department of Microbiology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Hettyey
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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Amaral M, Asiki H, Sear CE, Singh S, Pieper P, Haugland MM, Anderson EA, Tempone AG. Biological activity and structure-activity relationship of dehydrodieugenol B analogues against visceral leishmaniasis. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:1344-1350. [PMID: 37484568 PMCID: PMC10357944 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00081h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected protozoan disease with high mortality. Existing treatments exhibit a number of limitations, resulting in a significant challenge for public health, especially in developing countries in which the disease is endemic. With a limited pipeline of potential drugs in clinical trials, natural products could offer an attractive source of new pharmaceutical prototypes, not least due to their high chemodiversity. In the present work, a study of anti-L. (L.) infantum potential was carried out for a series of 39 synthetic compounds based on the core scaffold of the neolignan dehydrodieugenol B. Of these, 14 compounds exhibited activity against intracellular amastigotes, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values between 3.0 and 32.7 μM. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis demonstrated a requirement for polar functionalities to improve activity. Lacking mammalian cytotoxicity and presenting the highest potency against the clinically relevant form of the parasite, compound 24 emerged as the most promising, fulfilling the hit criteria for visceral leishmaniasis defined by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). This study emphasizes the potential of dehydrodieugenol B analogues as new candidates for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis and suggests 24 to be a suitable compound for future optimization, including mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiara Amaral
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo Sao Paulo - 05403-000 Brazil
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz São Paulo - 01246-000 Brazil
| | - Hannah Asiki
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Claire E Sear
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Snigdha Singh
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Pauline Pieper
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Marius M Haugland
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Edward A Anderson
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, 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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O'Donohoe MA, Rosset SD, Regueira E, Haddad CF, Basso NG, Hermida GN. Comparative skin histology of neotropical odontophrynid frogs. ZOOL ANZ 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Chemistry and the Potential Antiviral, Anticancer, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Cardiotonic Steroids Derived from Toads. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27196586. [PMID: 36235123 PMCID: PMC9571018 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Cardiotonic steroids (CTS) were first documented by ancient Egyptians more than 3000 years ago. Cardiotonic steroids are a group of steroid hormones that circulate in the blood of amphibians and toads and can also be extracted from natural products such as plants, herbs, and marines. It is well known that cardiotonic steroids reveal effects against congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation; therefore, the term "cardiotonic" has been coined. Cardiotonic steroids are divided into two distinct groups: cardenolides (plant-derived) and bufadienolides (mainly of animal origin). Cardenolides have an unsaturated five-membered lactone ring attached to the steroid nucleus at position 17; bufadienolides have a doubly unsaturated six-membered lactone ring. Cancer is a leading cause of mortality in humans all over the world. In 2040, the global cancer load is expected to be 28.4 million cases, which would be a 47% increase from 2020. Moreover, viruses and inflammations also have a very nebative impact on human health and lead to mortality. In the current review, we focus on the chemistry, antiviral and anti-cancer activities of cardiotonic steroids from the naturally derived (toads) venom to combat these chronic devastating health problems. The databases of different research engines (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Sci-Finder) were screened using different combinations of the following terms: “cardiotonic steroids”, “anti-inflammatory”, “antiviral”, “anticancer”, “toad venom”, “bufadienolides”, and “poison chemical composition”. Various cardiotonic steroids were isolated from diverse toad species and exhibited superior anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral activities in in vivo and in vitro models such as marinobufagenin, gammabufotalin, resibufogenin, and bufalin. These steroids are especially difficult to identify. However, several compounds and their bioactivities were identified by using different molecular and biotechnological techniques. Biotechnology is a new tool to fully or partially generate upscaled quantities of natural products, which are otherwise only available at trace amounts in organisms.
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Kásler A, Ujszegi J, Holly D, Üveges B, Móricz ÁM, Herczeg D, Hettyey A. Metamorphic common toads keep chytrid infection under control, but at a cost. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Kásler
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group Centre for Agricultural Research Plant Protection Institute Eötvös Loránd Research Network Budapest Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology Institute of Biology ELTE Eötvös Loránd University Budapest Hungary
| | - J. Ujszegi
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group Centre for Agricultural Research Plant Protection Institute Eötvös Loránd Research Network Budapest Hungary
- Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology Institute of Biology ELTE Eötvös Loránd University Budapest Hungary
| | - D. Holly
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group Centre for Agricultural Research Plant Protection Institute Eötvös Loránd Research Network Budapest Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology Institute of Biology ELTE Eötvös Loránd University Budapest Hungary
| | - B. Üveges
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group Centre for Agricultural Research Plant Protection Institute Eötvös Loránd Research Network Budapest Hungary
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor School of Natural Sciences Bangor University Bangor UK
| | - Á. M. Móricz
- Department of Pathophysiology Centre for Agricultural Research Plant Protection Institute Eötvös Loránd Research Network Budapest Hungary
| | - D. Herczeg
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group Centre for Agricultural Research Plant Protection Institute Eötvös Loránd Research Network Budapest Hungary
| | - A. Hettyey
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group Centre for Agricultural Research Plant Protection Institute Eötvös Loránd Research Network Budapest Hungary
- Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology Institute of Biology ELTE Eötvös Loránd University Budapest Hungary
- Department of Ecology University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest Hungary
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Ujszegi J, Ludányi K, Móricz ÁM, Krüzselyi D, Drahos L, Drexler T, Németh MZ, Vörös J, Garner TWJ, Hettyey A. Exposure to Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis affects chemical defences in two anuran amphibians, Rana dalmatina and Bufo bufo. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:135. [PMID: 34217227 PMCID: PMC8254444 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01867-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, one of the major causes of worldwide amphibian biodiversity loss. Many amphibians exhibit skin-based chemical defences, which may play an important role against invading pathogens, but whether the synthesis of these chemical compounds is enhanced or suppressed in the presence of pathogens is largely unknown. Here we investigated direct and indirect effects of larval exposure to the globally distributed and highly virulent Bd-GPL strain on skin secreted chemical defences and life history traits during early ontogeny of agile frogs (Rana dalmatina) and common toads (Bufo bufo). Results Exposure to Bd during the larval stage did not result in enhanced synthesis of the antimicrobial peptide Brevinin-1 Da in R. dalmatina tadpoles or in increased production of bufadienolides in B. bufo tadpoles. However, exposure to Bd during the larval stage had a carry-over effect reaching beyond metamorphosis: both R. dalmatina and B. bufo froglets contained smaller quantities of defensive chemicals than their Bd-naïve conspecifics in the control treatment. Prevalence of Bd and infection intensities were very low in both larvae and metamorphs of R. dalmatina, while in B. bufo we observed high Bd prevalence and infection intensities, especially in metamorphs. At the same time, we did not find a significant effect of Bd-exposure on body mass or development rate in larvae or metamorphs in either species. Conclusions The lack of detrimental effect of Bd-exposure on life history traits, even parallel with high infection intensities in the case of B. bufo individuals, is surprising and suggests high tolerance of local populations of these two species against Bd. However, the lowered quantity of defensive chemicals may compromise antimicrobial and antipredatory defences of froglets, which may ultimately contribute to population declines also in the absence of conspicuous mass-mortality events.
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Affiliation(s)
- János Ujszegi
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary.
| | - Krisztina Ludányi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre utca 7, Budapest, 1092, Hungary
| | - Ágnes M Móricz
- Department of Pathophysiology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary
| | - Dániel Krüzselyi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary
| | - László Drahos
- MS Proteomics Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Tamás Drexler
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary.,Department of Ecology, Institute for Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Rottenbiller utca 50, Budapest, 1077, Hungary
| | - Márk Z Németh
- Department of Plant Pathology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary
| | - Judit Vörös
- Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Baross street 13, Budapest, 1088, Hungary
| | - Trenton W J Garner
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.,Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Attila Hettyey
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary.,Department of Ecology, Institute for Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Rottenbiller utca 50, Budapest, 1077, Hungary
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Mayer M, Schlippe Justicia L, Shine R, Brown GP. Host defense or parasite cue: Skin secretions mediate interactions between amphibians and their parasites. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:1955-1965. [PMID: 34176205 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Amphibian skin secretions (substances produced by the amphibian plus microbiota) plausibly act as a first line of defense against parasite/pathogen attack, but may also provide chemical cues for pathogens. To clarify the role of skin secretions in host-parasite interactions, we conducted experiments using cane toads (Rhinella marina) and their lungworms (Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala) from the range-core and invasion-front of the introduced anurans' range in Australia. Depending on the geographical area, toad skin secretions can reduce the longevity and infection success of parasite larvae, or attract lungworm larvae and enhance their infection success. These striking differences between the two regions were due both to differential responses of the larvae, and differential effects of the skin secretions. Our data suggest that skin secretions play an important role in host-parasite interactions in anurans, and that the arms race between a host and parasite can rapidly generate spatial variation in critical features of that interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Mayer
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lia Schlippe Justicia
- Department of Animal Biology, University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Richard Shine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gregory P Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Herczeg D, Ujszegi J, Kásler A, Holly D, Hettyey A. Host-multiparasite interactions in amphibians: a review. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:296. [PMID: 34082796 PMCID: PMC8173923 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04796-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists, helminths, and arthropods, are ubiquitous in the animal kingdom. Consequently, hosts are frequently infected with more than one parasite species simultaneously. The assessment of such co-infections is of fundamental importance for disease ecology, but relevant studies involving non-domesticated animals have remained scarce. Many amphibians are in decline, and they generally have a highly diverse parasitic fauna. Here we review the literature reporting on field surveys, veterinary case studies, and laboratory experiments on co-infections in amphibians, and we summarize what is known about within-host interactions among parasites, which environmental and intrinsic factors influence the outcomes of these interactions, and what effects co-infections have on hosts. The available literature is piecemeal, and patterns are highly diverse, so that identifying general trends that would fit most host–multiparasite systems in amphibians is difficult. Several examples of additive, antagonistic, neutral, and synergistic effects among different parasites are known, but whether members of some higher taxa usually outcompete and override the effects of others remains unclear. The arrival order of different parasites and the time lag between exposures appear in many cases to fundamentally shape competition and disease progression. The first parasite to arrive can gain a marked reproductive advantage or induce cross-reaction immunity, but by disrupting the skin and associated defences (i.e., skin secretions, skin microbiome) and by immunosuppression, it can also pave the way for subsequent infections. Although there are exceptions, detrimental effects to the host are generally aggravated with increasing numbers of co-infecting parasite species. Finally, because amphibians are ectothermic animals, temperature appears to be the most critical environmental factor that affects co-infections, partly via its influence on amphibian immune function, partly due to its direct effect on the survival and growth of parasites. Besides their importance for our understanding of ecological patterns and processes, detailed knowledge about co-infections is also crucial for the design and implementation of effective wildlife disease management, so that studies concentrating on the identified gaps in our understanding represent rewarding research avenues. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Herczeg
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary.
| | - János Ujszegi
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary
| | - Andrea Kásler
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary.,Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Dóra Holly
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary.,Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Attila Hettyey
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Herman Ottó út 15, Budapest, 1022, Hungary.,Department of Ecology, Institute for Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Rottenbiller utca 50, Budapest, 1077, Hungary
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Chhetri DR, Chhetri A, Shahi N, Tiwari S, Karna SKL, Lama D, Pokharel YR. Isaria tenuipes Peck, an entomopathogenic fungus from Darjeeling Himalaya: Evaluation of in-vitro antiproliferative and antioxidant potential of its mycelium extract. BMC Complement Med Ther 2020; 20:185. [PMID: 32527241 PMCID: PMC7291650 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-02973-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Isaria tenuipes is one of the potent species in the members of the genus Isaria, which is well reported to possess multiple bioactive substances of therapeutic importance. Therefore, an in vitro experimental study was carried to evaluate the bioactivities of the crude methanolic extract from the mycelium of this fungus. METHODS The fungus was authenticated through morphological characters and the species discrepancy was resolved using the nuclear rDNA ITS sequence. The methanolic extract was fingerprinted by FTIR. The antioxidant components in terms of total phenols and flavonoids were determined as gallic acid and quercetin equivalents respectively. Antioxidant activities of the methanolic extract was assessed using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2/-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical cation (ABTS0+), Fe2+chelating activity, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. Cytotoxicity of the extract was determined by [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay on three cancer cell lines: HeLa, HepG2, and PC3. Apoptosis was further studied by propidium iodide (PI) and Annexin-V/PI staining flow cytometric analysis. Anti-proliferation capacity was studied by colony-forming assay. RESULTS In the present study total phenol content of the dried methanol extract was 148.09 ± 3.51μg gallic acid equivalent/mg and flavonoid was 9.02±0.95 μg quercetin/mg. The antioxidant activities of methanol-water extract (8:2 v/v) from cultured mycelia of I. tenuipes investigated and evaluated with 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay revealed IC50 value of 5.04mg/ml with an inhibition rate of 74.77% at 10mg/ml and with an iron-chelating assay the chelating ability was recorded to be 86.76% where the IC50 value was 4.43 mg/ml. In comparison among the antioxidant assays, 2,2/-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical cation (ABTS0+) and hydroxyl assay exhibited radical scavenging rate of 44.42% and 49.82% respectively at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. The IC50 value of the extract in MTT assay was 43.45μg/ml with HeLa cells, 119.33μg/ml with PC3 cells, and 125.55μg/ml with HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION In this study, it can be concluded that the crude methanolic extract exhibited potent antioxidant and antiproliferative activities suggesting natural antioxidative and antiproliferative agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhani Raj Chhetri
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Botany, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, 737102, India
| | - Abhijit Chhetri
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Botany, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, 737102, India
| | - Nerina Shahi
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, South Asian University, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Snigdha Tiwari
- National Fungal Culture Collection of India, Biodiversity and Palaeobiology Group, MACS' Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune, 411004, India
| | - Shibendra Kumar Lal Karna
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, South Asian University, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Dorjay Lama
- Department of Microbiology, St. Joseph's College, North Point, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734104, India
| | - Yuba Raj Pokharel
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, South Asian University, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021, India.
- Centre for Health and Disease Studies Nepal, P.O. Box No. 9503, Sankhmul, Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal.
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In vitro therapeutic effect of Hemiscorpius lepturus venom on tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii. J Parasit Dis 2019; 43:472-478. [PMID: 31406413 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-019-01113-7] [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: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrimethamine which is a main anti-Toxoplasma gondii drug has a serious side and toxic effects on the host. Accordingly, the development of new treatment options for toxoplasmosis with less toxic effects, low teratogenicity and parasiticidal effect against the various stage of T. gondii are dramatically crucial. Currently, natural molecules from scorpion and snake venoms are widely used as an alternative treatment against human disease, these compounds considered to be safe and to have low toxicity in comparison with synthetic drugs. Therefore, the goal of our study was to investigate the anti-Toxoplasma gondii activities of Hemiscorpius lepturus venom. We measured cytotoxicity of H. lepturus whole venom on Vero cells as well as effectiveness of this compound on viability of T. gondii applying colorimetric assay, according to mitochondrial oxidation of the MTT reagent (Methylthiazol tetrazolium 98%). The results of this study indicated that the H. lepturus whole venom has an anti-Toxoplasma effects with less toxic effect on Vero cells. Also, the T. gondii tachyzoites were treated with H. lepturus venom reached better results in comparison with Pyrimethamine-treated group. This research will serve as a base for future studies on toxoplasmosis and suggest a role for scorpion venom in promoting natural drugs.
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Anti-parasitic effect on Toxoplasma gondii induced by a spider peptide lycosin-I. Exp Parasitol 2019; 198:17-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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12
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Mendes VA, Barbaro KC, Sciani JM, Vassão RC, Pimenta DC, Jared C, Antoniazzi MM. The cutaneous secretion of the casque-headed tree frog Corythomantis greeningi: Biochemical characterization and some biological effects. Toxicon 2016; 122:133-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Souza ALA, Faria RX, Calabrese KS, Hardoim DJ, Taniwaki N, Alves LA, De Simone SG. Temporizin and Temporizin-1 Peptides as Novel Candidates for Eliminating Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157673. [PMID: 27384541 PMCID: PMC4934777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropical diseases caused by parasitic infections continue to cause socioeconomic distress worldwide. Among these, Chagas disease has become a great concern because of globalization. Caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, there is an increasing need to discover new, more effective methods to manage infections that minimize disease onset. Antimicrobial peptides represent a possible solution to this challenge. As effector molecules of the innate immune response against pathogens, they are the first line of defense found in all multi-cellular organisms. In amphibians, temporins are a large family of antimicrobial peptides found in skin secretions. Their functional roles and modes of action present unique properties that indicate possible candidates for therapeutic applications. Here, we investigated the trypanocide activity of temporizin and temporizin-1. Temporizin is an artificial, hybrid peptide containing the N-terminal region of temporin A, the pore-forming region of gramicidin and a C-terminus consisting of alternating leucine and lysine. Temporizin-1 is a modification of temporizin with a reduction in the region responsible for insertion into membranes. Their activities were evaluated in a cell permeabilization assay by flow cytometry, an LDH release assay, electron microscopy, an MTT assay and patch clamp experiments. Both temporizin and temporizin-1 demonstrated toxicity against T. cruzi with temporizin displaying slightly more potency. At concentrations up to 100 μg/ ml, both peptides exhibited low toxicity in J774 cells, a macrophage lineage cell line, and no toxicity was observed in mouse primary peritoneal macrophages. In contrast, the peptides showed some toxicity in rat adenoma GH3 cells and Jurkat human lymphoma cells with temporizin-1 displaying lower toxicity. In summary, a shortened form of the hybrid temporizin peptide, temporizin-1, was efficient at killing T. cruzi and it has low toxicity in wild-type mammalian cells. These data suggest that temporizin-1 might be a candidate for Chagas disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- André L. A. Souza
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS)/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Pharmaceuticals, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Robson X. Faria
- FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Laboratory of Toxoplasmosis and other Protozoosis, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Kátia S. Calabrese
- FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Laboratory of Imunomodulation and Protozoology, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Daiane J. Hardoim
- FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Laboratory of Imunomodulation and Protozoology, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Noemi Taniwaki
- FIOCRUZ, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Electronic Microscopy section, Araçatuba, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz A. Alves
- FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Laboratory of Cellular Communication, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Salvatore G. De Simone
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS)/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Federal Fluminense University, Biology Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
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Jared SGS, Jared C, Egami MI, Mailho-Fontana PL, Rodrigues MT, Antoniazzi MM. Functional assessment of toad parotoid macroglands: a study based on poison replacement after mechanical compression. Toxicon 2014; 87:92-103. [PMID: 24911375 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Revised: 05/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Toads have a pair of parotoid macroglands behind the eyes that secrete poison used in passive defence against predators. These macroglands are composed of juxtaposed alveoli, each one bearing a syncytial gland, all connected to the exterior by ducts. When the parotoids are bitten, the poison is expelled on the predator oral mucosa in the form of jets, causing several pharmacological actions. After poison release, the empty secretory syncytia immediately collapse in the interior of their respective alveoli and gradually start refilling. After parotoid manual compression, simulating a predator's bite, we studied, by means of morphological methods, the replacement of the poison inside the alveoli. The results showed that after compression, a considerable number of alveoli remained intact. In the alveoli that were effectively affected the recovery occurs in different levels, from total to punctual and often restrict to some areas of the syncytia. The severely affected alveoli seem not recover their original functional state. The fact that only a part of the parotoid alveoli is compressed during an attack seems to be crucial for toad survival, since the amphibian, after being bitten by a predator, do not lose all its poison stock, remaining protected in case of new attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone G S Jared
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Jared
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mizue I Egami
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, EPM, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Miguel T Rodrigues
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
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15
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Phaopongthai J, Wiyakrutta S, Meksuriyen D, Sriubolmas N, Suwanborirux K. Azole-synergistic anti-candidal activity of altenusin, a biphenyl metabolite of the endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata isolated from Terminalia chebula Retz. J Microbiol 2013; 51:821-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s12275-013-3189-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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16
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Senegalin: a novel antimicrobial/myotropic hexadecapeptide from the skin secretion of the African running frog, Kassina senegalensis. Amino Acids 2013; 44:1347-55. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-013-1470-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2012] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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17
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Bastos LM, Júnior RJO, Silva DAO, Mineo JR, Vieira CU, Teixeira DNS, Homsi-Brandeburgo MI, Rodrigues VM, Hamaguchi A. Toxoplasma gondii: Effects of neuwiedase, a metalloproteinase from Bothrops neuwiedi snake venom, on the invasion and replication of human fibroblasts in vitro. Exp Parasitol 2008; 120:391-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2008.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2008] [Revised: 09/04/2008] [Accepted: 09/09/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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18
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Tempone AG, Pimenta DC, Lebrun I, Sartorelli P, Taniwaki NN, de Andrade HF, Antoniazzi MM, Jared C. Antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activity of bufadienolides isolated from the toad Rhinella jimi parotoid macrogland secretion. Toxicon 2008; 52:13-21. [PMID: 18588907 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2008.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2008] [Revised: 05/19/2008] [Accepted: 05/20/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Amphibian skin secretions are considered a rich source of biologically active compounds and are known to be rich in peptides, bufadienolides and alkaloids. Bufadienolides are cardioactive steroids from animals and plants that have also been reported to possess antimicrobial activities. Leishmaniasis and American Trypanosomiasis are parasitic diseases found in tropical and subtropical regions. The efforts toward the discovery of new treatments for these diseases have been largely neglected, despite the fact that the only available treatments are highly toxic drugs. In this work, we have isolated, through bioguided assays, the major antileishmanial compounds of the toad Rhinella jimi parotoid macrogland secretion. Mass spectrometry and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic analyses were able to demonstrate that the active molecules are telocinobufagin and hellebrigenin. Both steroids demonstrated activity against Leishmania (L.) chagasi promastigotes, but only hellebrigenin was active against Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes. These steroids were active against the intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania, with no activation of nitric oxide production by macrophages. Neither cytotoxicity against mouse macrophages nor hemolytic activities were observed. The ultrastructural studies with promastigotes revealed the induction of mitochondrial damage and plasma membrane disturbances by telocinobufagin, resulting in cellular death. This novel biological effect of R. jimi steroids could be used as a template for the design of new therapeutics against Leishmaniasis and American Trypanosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Gustavo Tempone
- Laboratório de Toxinologia Aplicada, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 355, 8 degrees andar CEP 01246-000, São Paulo, Brazil.
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