Synthesis of Novel Artemisinin, Ciprofloxacin, and Norfloxacin Hybrids with Potent Antiplasmodial Activity

The synthesis and antiplasmodial evaluation of new hybrids combining the pharmacophore structures of artemisinin, ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin, and 7-chloroquinoline are reported in this study. The first step for all of the syntheses is the obtainment of key piperazine esters intermediates bearing the drugs ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. Using these platforms, 18 final compounds were synthesized through a multistep procedure with overall yields ranging between 8 and 20%. All compounds were screened for their antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum FcB1 strain. Compounds 20, 21, 22, and 28, bearing an artesunate fragment with ciprofloxacin, exhibited IC50 values in the range of 3.5-5.4 nM and excellent selectivity indices. Among the compounds bearing the artesunate moiety on the norfloxacin, two of them, 23 and 24, afforded IC50 values of 1.5 nM and 1.9 nM, respectively. They also showed excellent selectivity indices. The most potent compounds were also evaluated against the CQ-resistant Dd2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum, demonstrating that those compounds incorporating the artesunate fragment were the most potent. Finally, the combination of artesunate with either ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin moieties in a single molecular entity proved to substantially enhance the activity and selectivity when compared to the administration of the unconjugated counterparts artesunate/ciprofloxacin and artesunate/norfloxacin.

Radial spoke protein 9 is necessary for axoneme assembly in Plasmodium but not in trypanosomatid parasites

Flagella are important for eukaryote cell motility, including in sperm, and are vital for life cycle progression of many unicellular eukaryotic pathogens. The "9+2" axoneme in most motile flagella comprises nine outer doublet and two central-pair singlet microtubules. T-shaped radial spokes protrude from the outer doublets towards the central pair and are necessary for effective beating. We asked if there were radial spoke adaptations associated with parasite lineage-specific properties in apicomplexans and trypanosomatids. Following an orthologue search for experimentally uncharacterised radial spoke proteins (RSPs), we identified and analysed RSP9. Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania mexicana, have an extensive RSP complement including two divergent RSP9 orthologs, necessary for flagellar beating and swimming. Detailed structural analysis showed that neither ortholog is needed for axoneme assembly in Leishmania. In contrast, Plasmodium has a reduced set of RSPs including a single RSP9 ortholog. deletion of which in Plasmodium berghei leads to failure of axoneme formation, failed male gamete release, greatly reduced fertilisation and inefficient life cycle progression in the mosquito. This indicates contrasting selection pressures on axoneme complexity, likely linked with the different mode of assembly of trypanosomatid versus Plasmodium flagella.

From the Spectroscopic Reassessment of Authentic Alkaloid Samples to the Molecular Networking-Guided Discovery of Criophylline-Related Analogues from Callichilia inaequalis

The molecular network-guided exploration of the alkaloid extract of Callichilia inaequalis stems revealed a cluster attributed tentatively to dimeric monoterpene indole alkaloids of the rare criophylline subtype, initiating the dual study reported herein. A patrimonial-themed portion of this work was aimed at performing a spectroscopic reassessment of criophylline (1), a monoterpene bisindole alkaloid for which the nature of the inter-monomeric connectivity and configurational assignments have remained dubious. A targeted isolation of the entity annotated as criophylline (1) was undertaken to strengthen the available analytical evidence. An extensive set of spectroscopic data was acquired from the authentic sample of criophylline (1a) isolated earlier by Cavé and Bruneton. These spectroscopic studies proved the samples to be identical, and the complete structure of criophylline could be assigned, half a century after it was first isolated. The absolute configuration of andrangine (2) was also ascertained based on a TDDFT-ECD approach from the authentic sample. The forward-looking aspect of this investigation resulted in the characterization of two new criophylline derivatives from C. inaequalis stems, namely, 14'-hydroxycriophylline (3) and 14'-O-sulfocriophylline (4). Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by analysis of NMR and MS spectroscopic data and by ECD analysis. Notably, 14'-O-sulfocriophylline (4) is the first sulfated monoterpene indole alkaloid to have been reported. The antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum FcB1 was determined for criophylline and its two new analogues.

Structure-activity relationship and molecular modelling studies of quinazolinedione derivatives MMV665916 as potential antimalarial agent

A series of new quinazolinedione derivatives have been readily synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antiplasmodial growth inhibition activity. Most of the compounds inhibited P. falciparum FcB1 strain in the low to medium micromolar concentration. The 2-ethoxy 8ag', 2-trifluoromethoxy 8ai' and 4-fluoro-2-methoxy 8ak' showed the best inhibitory activity with EC₅₀ values around 5 µM and were non-toxic to the primary human fibroblast cell line AB943. However, these compounds were less potent than the original hit MMV665916, which showed remarkable growth inhibition with EC₅₀ value of 0.4 µM and presented the highest selectivity index (SI > 250). In addition, a novel approach for determining the docking poses of these quinazolinedione derivatives with their potential protein target, the P. falciparum farnesyltransferase PfFT, was investigated.

Programmed Multiple C-H Bond Functionalization of the Privileged 4-hydroxyquinoline Template

The introduction of substituents on bare heterocyclic scaffolds can selectively be achieved by directed C-H functionalization. However, such methods have only occasionally been used, in an iterative manner, to decorate various positions of a medicinal scaffold to build chemical libraries. We herein report the multiple, site selective, metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization of a "programmed" 4-hydroxyquinoline. This medicinally privileged template indeed possesses multiple reactive sites for diversity-oriented functionalization, of which four were targeted. The C-2 and C-8 decorations were directed by an N-oxide, before taking benefit of an O-carbamoyl protection at C-4 to perform a Fries rearrangement and install a carboxamide at C-3. This also released the carbonyl group of 4-quinolones, the ultimate directing group to functionalize position 5. Our study highlights the power of multiple C-H functionalization to generate diversity in a biologically relevant library, after showing its strong antimalarial potential.

Targeted Isolation of Hemitheion from Mostuea brunonis, a Proposed Biosynthetic Intermediate of Theionbrunonines

Hemitheion (1), a new sulfur-containing vobasane-type indole alkaloid, was isolated, together with three known compounds, vobasine (2), gelsedine (3), and gelsemicine (4), from the alkaloid extract of the stems of Mostuea brunonis Didr. (Gelsemiaceae). Compound 1 could be straightforwardly isolated. Its structure was elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic methods. Besides corresponding to a formerly postulated biosynthetic intermediate toward theionbrunonines, hemitheion (1) stands among the few monomeric vobasanes lacking an oxygen at C-3. Hemitheion (1) showed moderate antiplasmodial activity in the micromolar range against the strain FcB1 of Plasmodium falciparum and no cytotoxic activity against the MRC-5 cell line at 20 μM.

Streamlined targeting of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids from the bulbs of Crinum scillifolium using spectrometric and taxonomically-informed scoring metabolite annotations

Four undescribed alkaloids have been isolated from the bulbs of the previously unstudied Crinum scillifolium. These compounds were targeted following a state-of-the-art molecular networking strategy comprising a dereplication against in silico databases and re-ranking of the candidate structures based on taxonomically informed scoring. The unreported structures span across a variety of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids appendages. Their structures were unambiguously elucidated by thorough interpretation of their HRESIMS and 1D and 2D NMR data, and comparison to literature data. DFT-NMR calculations were performed to support the determined relative configurations of scillitazettine and scilli-N-desmethylpretazettine and their absolute configurations were mitigated by comparison between experimental and theoretically calculated ECD spectra. The lack of a methyl group on the nitrogen atom in the structure of scilli-N-desmethylpretazettine series is highly unusual in the pretazettine/tazettine series but the most original structural feature in it lies in its 11α disposed hydrogen, which is new to pretazettines. The antiplasmodial as well as the cytotoxic activities against the human colon cancer cell line HCT116 were evaluated, revealing mild to null activities.

Corynanthean-Epicatechin Flavoalkaloids from Corynanthe pachyceras

Epicatechocorynantheines A and B, and epicatechocorynantheidine were isolated from the stem bark of Corynanthe pachyceras. These molecules were pinpointed, and their isolation streamlined, by a molecular networking strategy. The structural elucidation was unambiguously accomplished from HRMS and 1D/2D NMR data. These compounds represent the first examples of corynanthean-type alkaloids tethered with a flavonoid. Epicatechocorynantheidine notably instigated two connections between the monoterpene indole alkaloid and the flavonoid, yielding an unprecedented octacyclic appendage. These flavoalkaloids exerted moderate antiplasmodial activities.

Synthesis of Novel G Factor or Chloroquine-Artemisinin Hybrids and Conjugates with Potent Antiplasmodial Activity

A series of novel hybrids of artemisinin (ART) with either a phytormone endoperoxide G factor analogue (GMeP) or chloroquine (CQ) and conjugates of the same compounds with the polyamines (PAs), spermidine (Spd), and homospermidine (Hsd) were synthesized and their antiplasmodial activity was evaluated using the CQ-resistant P. falciparum FcB1/Colombia strain. The ART-GMeP hybrid 5 and compounds 9 and 10 which are conjugates of Spd and Hsd with two molecules of ART and one molecule of GMeP, were the most potent with IC₅₀ values of 2.6, 8.4, and 10.6 nM, respectively. The same compounds also presented the highest selectivity indexes against the primary human fibroblast cell line AB943 ranging from 16 372 for the hybrid 5 to 983 for the conjugate 10 of Hsd.

Molecular Networking Reveals Serpentinine-Related Bisindole Alkaloids from Picralima nitida, a Previously Well-Investigated Species

Five new monoterpene indole alkaloids (1-5), including four serpentinine-related bisindoles and one alstonine derivative monomer, have been isolated from the aerial parts of Picralima nitida. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of their HRMS and NMR spectroscopic data, and their absolute configurations were deduced from the comparison of experimental and simulated ECD spectra. In addition, two known compounds (6 and 7), previously undescribed from P. nitida, have also been purified. The compound isolation workflow was guided by a molecular networking-based dereplication strategy. Twenty-three compounds were dereplicated from the EtOH extract of P. nitida and fractions network and were assigned various levels of identification confidence. The antiparasitic activities against Plasmodium falciparum as well as the cytotoxic activity against the MRC-5 cell line were determined for compounds 1-7.

Selective inhibition of PfA-M1, over PfA-M17, by an amino-benzosuberone derivative blocks malaria parasites development in vitro and in vivo

Background

Plasmodium falciparum M1 family aminopeptidase is currently considered as a promising target for anti-malarial chemotherapy. Several series of inhibitors developed by various research groups display IC50/Ki values down to nM range on native PfA-M1 or recombinant forms and block the parasite development in culture at µM to sub-µM concentrations. A handful of these inhibitors has been tested on murine models of malaria and has shown anti plasmodial in vivo activity. However, most of these inhibitors do also target the other neutral malarial aminopeptidase, PfA-M17, often with lower Ki values, which questions the relative involvement and importance of each enzyme in the parasite biology.

Results

An amino-benzosuberone derivative from a previously published collection of chemicals targeting specifically the M1-aminopeptidases has been identified; it is highly potent on PfA-M1 (Ki = 50 nM) and devoid of inhibitory activity on PfA-M17 (no inhibition up to 100 µM). This amino-benzosuberone derivative (T5) inhibits, in the µM range, the in vitro growth of two P. falciparum strains, 3D7 and FcB1, respectively chloroquino-sensitive and resistant. Evaluated in vivo, on the murine non-lethal model of malaria Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi, this amino-benzosuberone derivative was able to reduce the parasite burden by 44 and 40% in a typical 4-day Peters assay at a daily dose of 12 and 24 mg/kg by intraperitoneal route of administration.

Conclusions

The evaluation of a highly selective inhibitor of PfA-M1, over PfA-M17, active on Plasmodium parasites in vitro and in vivo, highlights the relevance of PfA-M1 in the biological development of the parasite as well as in the list of promising anti-malarial targets to be considered in combination with current or future anti-malarial drugs.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-017-2032-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Revisiting Previously Investigated Plants: A Molecular Networking-Based Study of Geissospermum laeve

Three new monoterpene indole alkaloids (1-3) have been isolated from the bark of Geissospermum laeve, together with the known alkaloids (-)-leuconolam (4), geissolosimine (5), and geissospermine (6). The structures of 1-3 were elucidated by analysis of their HRMS and NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of geissolaevine (1) was deduced from the comparison of experimental and theoretically calculated ECD spectra. The isolation workflow was guided by a molecular networking-based dereplication strategy using an in-house database of monoterpene indole alkaloids. In addition, five known compounds previously undescribed in the Geissospermum genus were dereplicated from the G. laeve alkaloid extract network and were assigned with various levels of identification confidence. The antiparasitic activities against Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania donovani as well as the cytotoxic activity against the MRC-5 cell line were determined for compounds 1-5.

Unexpected talaroenamine derivatives and an undescribed polyester from the fungus Talaromyces stipitatus ATCC10500

Chemical investigation of the fungus Talaromyces stipitatus ATCC 10500, whose genome has been sequenced, led to the isolation of four undescribed talaroenamines B-E along with the known talaroenamine A. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies including mass spectrometry, extensive 2D NMR and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Interestingly, talaroenamine A had previously been isolated from the strain of T. stipitatus Δtrop C, a strain knocked out for the gene encoding a non-heme Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenase catalyzing the oxidative ring expansion leading to the tropolone, but never from a wild-type strain. All talaroenamines were evaluated for their antiplasmodial activity and Talaroenamine D exhibited the best inhibition against the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum (FcB1 strain) without noticeable toxicity on HeLa and preadipose cell lines. In the course of the chemical investigation of T. stipitatus, an undescribed polyester was also isolated and its absolute configuration was determined by hydrolysis and transesterification followed by gas chromatography on chiral column.

Access to new endoperoxide derivatives by electrochemical oxidation of substituted 3-azabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-enes

A series of substituted 3-azabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-ene derivatives were prepared and analysed by cyclic voltammetry. Preparative aerobic electrochemical oxidation reactions were then carried out. Three original endoperoxides were isolated, characterised and subjected to antimalarial and cytotoxicity activity assays.

Activity of Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum canum, and Cymbopogon citratus essential oils against Plasmodium falciparum and mature-stage larvae of Anopheles funestus s.s

The biological activities of essential oils from three plants grown in Cameroon: Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum canum, and Cymbopogon citratus were tested against Plasmodium falciparum and mature-stage larvae of Anopheles funestus. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry analyses showed that the main compounds are geranial, 1,8-cineole and linalool in C. citratus, O. canum and O. basilicum, respectively. Larvicidal tests carried out according to the protocol recommended by the World Health Organization showed that the essential oil of leaves of C. citratus is the most active against larvae of An. funestus (LC50 values = 35.5 ppm and 34.6 ppm, respectively, for larval stages III and IV after 6 h of exposure). Besides, the in vitro anti-plasmodial activity evaluated by the radioisotopic method showed that the C. citratus oil is the most active against P. falciparum, with an IC50 value of 4.2 ± 0.5 μg/mL compared with O. canum (20.6 ± 3.4 μg/mL) and O. basilicum (21 ± 4.6 μg/mL). These essential oils can be recommended for the development of natural biocides for fighting the larvae of malaria vectors and for the isolation of natural products with anti-malarial activity.

Diversity and biological activities of the bacterial community associated with the marine sponge Phorbas tenacior (Porifera, Demospongiae)

The diversity of the cultivable microbiota of the marine sponge Phorbas tenacior frequently found in the Mediterranean Sea was investigated, and its potential as a source of antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiplasmodial compounds was evaluated. The cultivable bacterial community was studied by isolation, cultivation and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Twenty-three bacterial strains were isolated and identified in the Proteobacteria (α or γ classes) and Actinobacteria phyla. Furthermore, three different bacterial morphotypes localized extracellularly within the sponge tissues were revealed by microscopic observations. Bacterial strains were assigned to seven different genera, namely Vibrio, Photobacterium, Shewanella, Pseudomonas, Ruegeria, Pseudovibrio and Citricoccus. The strains affiliated to the same genus were differentiated according to their genetic dissimilarities using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses. Eleven bacterial strains were selected for evaluation of their bioactivities. Three isolates Pseudovibrio P1Ma4, Vibrio P1MaNal1 and Citricoccus P1S7 revealed antimicrobial activity; Citricoccus P1S7 and Vibrio P1MaNal1 isolates also exhibited antiplasmodial activity, while two Vibrio isolates P1Ma8 and P1Ma5 displayed antioxidant activity. These data confirmed the importance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria associated with marine sponges as a reservoir of bioactive compounds.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study presents the first report on the diversity of the cultivable bacteria associated with the marine sponge Phorbas tenacior, frequently found in the Mediterranean Sea. Evaluation of the antiplasmodial, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the isolates has been investigated and allowed to select bacterial strains, confirming the importance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria as sources of bioactive compounds.

The traditional medicine Spilanthes acmella, and the alkylamides spilanthol and undeca-2E-ene-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide, demonstrate in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity

Spilanthes spp. are used as traditional herbal medicines in Africa and India to treat malaria. Yet, to date, there are no data on the active constituents or the most effective extraction methods for this indication. The isolated alkylamides, spilanthol and undeca-2E-ene-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide, found in S. acmella Murr., were shown to have IC₅₀s of 16.5 μg/mL and 41.4 μg/mL on Plasmodium falciparum strain PFB and IC₅₀s of 5.8 μg/mL and 16.3 μg/mL for the chloroquine resistant P. falciparum K1 strain, respectively. Further investigations revealed that at relatively low concentrations, spilanthol and the water extract of S. acmella reduced the parasitemia 59% and 53% in mice infected with P. yoelii yoelii 17XNL at 5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Unexpectedly, the 95% ethanol extract of S. acmella was less effective (36% reduction in parasitemia) at 50 mg/kg. These results provide the first evidence supporting S. acmella against malaria and demonstrating active constituents in S. acmella against P. falciparum.

Detection, characterization, and screening of heme-binding molecules by mass spectrometry for malaria drug discovery

Drug screening for antimalarials uses heme biocrystallization inhibition methods as an alternative to parasite cultures, but they involve complex processes and cannot detect artemisinin-like molecules. The described method detects heme-binding compounds by mass spectrometry, using dissociation of the drug-heme adducts to evaluate putative antiplasmodial activity. Applied to a chemical library, it showed a good hit-to-lead ratio and is an efficient early stage screening for complex mixtures like natural extracts.

New ferrocenic pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives: synthesis, and in vitro antimalarial activity--Part II

Following our search for antimalarial compounds, novel series of ferrocenyl-substituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines 1-2 were synthesized from ferrocene-carboxaldehyde and tested for their in vitro activity upon the erythrocytic development of Plasmodium falciparum strains with different chloroquine-resistance status. The ferrocenic pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines 1-2 were prepared in 6 or 9 steps through a Barton-Zard reaction. Promising pharmacological results against FcB1, K1 and F32 strains were obtained with ferrocenyl pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines 1j-l linked by a bis-(3-aminopropyl)piperazine linker substituted by a nitrobenzyl moiety.

Antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of medicinal plants traditionally used in the village of Kiohima, Uganda

AIM OF THE STUDY

In Uganda, malaria is the most common disease and Ugandan people largely rely on traditional medicine. In this context, we carried out an ethnobotanical study on the Kiohima village, located close to the Kibale National Park in South-Western Uganda and investigated in vitro the antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of selected medicinal plants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-five plants-using adults (men and women) were interviewed to find out their plant use. From these information, 48 plants used in traditional medicine were identified and according to their reported uses and to bibliographic data, several parts of 28 plants (leaves, barks, roots), were selected and collected for biological evaluations. These samples were dried, extracted with ethyl acetate and the crude extracts were assayed for in vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities at 10 μg/mL.

RESULTS

One third of the screened plants showed a significant antiplasmodial activity with inhibition greater than 50% at 10 μg/mL.

CONCLUSION

These results may indicate a possible explanation of the use of some medicinal plant against malaria in the village of Kiohima and have also allowed to highlight a plant with potent antimalarial activity: Citropsis articulata root barks.

Hydroperoxy-cycloartane triterpenoids from the leaves of Markhamia lutea, a plant ingested by wild chimpanzees

In the framework of the phytochemical investigation of plant species eaten by wild chimpanzees in their natural environment in Uganda, leaf samples of Markhamia lutea were selected and collected. The crude ethyl acetate extract of M. lutea leaves exhibited significant in vitro anti-parasitic activity and low cytotoxicity against MRC5 and KB cells. Fractionation of this extract led to six cycloartane triterpenoids, musambins A-C and their 3-O-xyloside derivatives musambiosides A-C. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral studies including mass spectroscopy and extensive 2D NMR. Most of the compounds exhibited mild anti-leishmanial and anti-trypanosomal activities.

Replacement of the 4'-hydroxy group of amodiaquine and amopyroquine by aromatic and aliphatic substituents: synthesis and antimalarial activity

The prophylactic administration of amodiaquine (AQ), a 4-aminoquinoline antimalarial drug, has been associated with side effects such as agranulocytosis and liver damage. The toxicity of this drug is mediated by amodiaquine quinone-imine, an electrophilic metabolite. Replacement of the 4'-hydroxy function of AQ with various alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl substituents would provide analogues that avoid metabolism to potentially toxic derivatives. Following a multistep procedure, 33 compounds containing hydrophobic groups at the 4'-position were synthesized using Csp(2)-Csp(2) and Csp(2)-Csp(3) Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions as the key step. The new derivatives were found to be active against both chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive and CQ-resistant strains of P. falciparum, with IC(50) values in the range of 7-200 nM. Alkyl analogues are more efficient than aryl or heteroaryl derivatives. All compounds were also assessed for their cytotoxicity and ability to inhibit beta-hematin formation in vitro. A detailed investigation of the structure-activity relationships for these new compounds was carried out; the 4'-methyl compound showed interesting in vivo antimalarial activity.

Plasmodium telomeric sequences: structure, stability and quadruplex targeting by small compounds

The increasing resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to the most commonly used antimalarial drugs makes it necessary to identify new therapeutic targets. The telomeres of the parasite could constitute an attractive target. They are composed of repetitions of a degenerate motif ((5')GGGTTYA(3'), where Y is T or C), different from the human one ((5')GGGTTA(3')). In this report we investigate the possibility of targeting Plasmodium telomeres with G-quadruplex ligands. Through solution hybridisation assays we provide evidence of the existence of a telomeric 3' G-overhang in P. falciparum genomic DNA. Through UV spectroscopy studies we demonstrate that stable G-quadruplex structures are formed at physiological temperature by sequences composed of the degenerate Plasmodium telomeric motif. Through a FRET melting assay we show stabilisation of Plasmodium telomeric G-quadruplexes by a variety of ligands. Many of the tested ligands display strong quadruplex versus duplex selectivity, but show little discrimination between human and Plasmodium telomeric quadruplexes.

Sesquiterpene lactones from the endemic Cape Verdean Artemisia gorgonum

Leaves and flowers of Artemisia gorgonum (Asteraceae) collected in Fogo, Cape Verde islands, were phytochemically investigated and resulted in isolation and characterization of three guaianolides 1, 2, 5, and a secoguainolide 4, in addition to eight known guaianolides 6-11 and two known germacranolides 12, 13. Structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Careful examination of the (13)C NMR spectrum led to revision of the structure of a previously described guaianolide from 2 to 3. Most compounds exhibited mild antiplasmodial activities, ridentin (13) being the most interesting with an IC(50) of 3.8+/-0.7microgml(-1) against Plasmodium falciparum FcB1 and weak cytotoxicity in a vero cell line (IC(50) 71.0+/-3.9microgml(-1)).

Synthesis and antimalarial activity of new amino analogues of amodiaquine

Amodiaquine remains one of the most prescribed antimalarial 4-aminoquinoline. To assess the importance of the 4'-hydroxyl group and subsequent hydrogen bond in the antimalarial activity of amodiaquine (AQ), a series of new analogues in which this functionality was replaced by various amino groups was synthesized. The incorporation of a 3'-pyrrolidinamino group instead of the 3'-diethylamino function of AQ allowed the development of a parallel series of amopyroquine derivatives. The compounds were screened against both chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive and -resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum and their cytotoxicity evaluated upon the MRC5 cell line. Antimalarial activity in a low nanomolar range was recorded showing that the 4'-hydroxy function can be successfully replaced by various amino substituents in terms of activity without any influence of the level of CQ-resistance of the strains. Furthermore the ability of the compounds to inhibit beta-hematin formation was measured in order to discuss the mechanism of action of these new compounds. Compounds 7d and 8d exhibit a high selectivity index and may be considered as promising leads for further development.

New ferrocenic pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives: synthesis, and in vitro antimalarial activity

Following our search for antimalarial compounds, novel series of ferrocenic pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives 1-2 were synthesized from various substituted nitroanilines and tested for in vitro activity upon the erythrocytic development of Plasmodiumfalciparum strains with different chloroquine-resistance status. The pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines 1 were prepared in 6-8 steps through a regioselective palladium-catalyzed monoamination by coupling 4-chloropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines with 1,3-bis(aminopropyl)piperazine or -methylamine using Xantphos as the ligand. The ferrocenic bispyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines 2 were prepared by reductive amination of previously described bispyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines 9 with ferrocene-carboxaldehyde, by treatment with NaHB(OAc)(3). The best results were observed with ferrocenic pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines linked by a bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine. Moreover, it was observed that a methoxy group on the pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline nucleus and no substitution on the terminal N-ferrocenylmethylamine function enhanced the pharmacological activity. Selected compounds 1b, 1f-h, 1l and 2a were tested for their ability to inhibit beta-haematin formation, the synthetic equivalent of hemozoin, by using the HPIA (heme polymerization inhibitory activity) assay. Of the tested compounds, only 2a showed a beta-haematin formation inhibition, but no inhibition of haem polymerization was observed with the other selected ferrocenic monopyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives 1b, 1f-h and 1l, as the IC(50) values were superior to 10 equivalents.

Antiplasmodial phenolic compounds from Piptadenia pervillei

Piptadenia pervillei Vatke (Fabaceae) was selected from a screening programme devoted to the search of naturally-occuring antimalarial compounds from plants of Madagascar. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract of the leaves led to the isolation of four phenolic compounds, (+)-catechin ( 1), (+)-catechin 5-gallate ( 2), (+)-catechin 3-gallate ( 3) and ethyl gallate ( 4). Structures were determined by NMR and mass spectroscopy. Compounds 2 and 3 displayed the highest in vitro activity against the chloroquine-resistant strain FcB1 of Plasmodium falciparum with IC (50) values of 1.2 microM and 1.0 microM, respectively, and no significant cytotoxicity against the human embryonic lung cells MRC-5 was measured (IC (50) values > 75 microM). Five analogues ( 5 - 9) of (+)-catechin 5-gallate ( 2) were synthesized and evaluated for their antiplasmodial activity.

Synthesis and antimalarial activity of new analogues of amodiaquine

In order to determine the real significance of the 4'-phenolic group in the antimalarial activity and/or cytotoxicity of amodiaquine (AQ), analogues for which this functionality was shifted or modified were synthesized. Good in vitro antimalarial activity was obtained for compounds unable to form intramolecular hydrogen bond. Among the compounds synthesized, new amino derivative 5 displayed the greatest selectivity index towards the most CQ-resistant strain tested and was active in mice infected by Plasmodium berghei.

Characterization of PfDYN2, a dynamin-like protein of Plasmodium falciparum expressed in schizonts

Dynamin superfamily members are large GTPases conserved through evolution mainly described as mechanochemical enzymes involved in membrane scission events. The Plasmodium falciparum dynamin-2 (Pfdyn2) gene was cloned from the FcB1 strain. PfDYN2 belongs to the dynamin-like protein subgroup of the dynamin superfamily since it possesses a large GTPase domain together with the conserved dynamin_M and GED domains. Recombinant PfDYN2 was able to bind GTP, to hydrolyze GTP into GDP and to self-associate in low-salt conditions. PfDYN2 expression was restricted to schizonts where it localized in punctuate structures within the parasite cytoplasm. PfDYN2 partly co-localized with markers of the parasite endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and apicoplast, suggesting it could be implicated in vesicular trafficking and/or organelle fission events known to occur during the last hours of the parasite development in erythrocytes. PfDYN2 and the previously described PfDYN1 are the only two dynamin superfamily members identified in the P. falciparum genome and the available data suggest that this situation is conserved in the Apicomplexa phylum.

Biochemical properties and cellular localization of Plasmodium falciparum protein disulfide isomerase

We have previously reported the isolation of a 52,000 M(r) protein (Pf52) displaying consensus sequences for thiol:disulfide oxidoreductases. Pf52 therefore represents the plasmodial protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). It has been renamed PfPDI and correlates to MAL8P1.17 in the annotated genome of P. falciparum (3D7 strain). Antibodies were raised against recombinant (His)(6)-tagged forms of PfPDI devoid of its signal peptide sequence, demonstrating a major co-localization of PfPDI with endoplasmic reticulum-resident proteins, PfBIP and PfERC, but not with the Golgi marker PfERD2. Recombinant PfPDI displayed typical biochemical functions of PDIs: oxidase/isomerase and reductase activities, as well as a chaperone-like behavior on the denaturated protein rhodanese. These activities were comparable to those measured for the purified native bovine PDI and the human recombinant PDI. The antiplasmodial compound DS61 does inhibit the recombinant PfPDI oxidase/isomerase activity but not that of the human recombinant PDI, suggesting structural differences between both enzymes. However, a discrepancy between the inhibitory activity of DS61 on the recombinant PfPDI (IC(50) of 430 microM) and its in vitro antiplasmodial activity (IC(50) of 0.1 microM) was observed, suggesting that PfPDI is not the only target of DS61. Taking into account its biochemical properties and its intracellular localization, the involvement of PfPDI in the parasite protein folding is discussed, as well as its potential for the development of alternative antimalarial chemotherapy strategies.

Synthesis and antimalarial evaluation of new N1-(7-chloro-4-quinolyl)-1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine derivatives

Synthesis and evaluation of the activity of new N(1)-(7-chloro-4-quinolyl)-1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine derivatives against a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum are described. Selectivity indices were improved for two compounds versus the lead 1, the bis-cyclopropylmethyl derivative, thus increasing the therapeutic interest of our family. As our previous studies conducted on the mode of action of our compounds made us hypothesize the existence of original mechanisms and/or original targets, terminal amino derivatives can be considered as promising tools further mechanistical studies, as probes for affinity chromatography.

Design, synthesis and antimalarial activity of a glyoxylylhydrazone library

Synthesis of a new family of quinolylhydrazone derivatives and evaluation of their activity against a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum are described. The best compound displayed an activity 6-fold higher than chloroquine. None of the active compounds were found to inhibit beta-hematin formation in vitro in the same range as chloroquine and five among them displayed lower calculated vacuolar accumulation ratios, suggesting the implication of a different mechanism of action.

Synthesis and antimalarial evaluation of new 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine derivatives

Synthesis and evaluation of the activity of a new family of 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine derivatives against a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum, and as inhibitors of beta-hematin formation, are described. The highest antimalarial activities were obtained for compounds displaying the highest predicted vacuolar accumulation ratios and the best potencies as inhibitors of beta-hematin formation. The most potent compound displayed an activity 3-fold better than chloroquine for a comparable selectivity index upon MRC-5 cells. Therefore, in this series, the replacement of the 7-chloroquinoline group can constitute a strong rationale for further investigation.

Synthesis and in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of N1-(7-chloro-4-quinolyl)-1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine derivatives

Three series of monoquinolines consisting of a 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine linker and a large variety of terminal groups were synthesized. Our aim was to prove that in related bisquinoline, it is the second quinoline moiety that is responsible for cytotoxicity and that it is not an absolute requirement for overcoming resistance to chloroquine (CQ). Eleven compounds displayed a higher selectivity index (ratio CC50/IC50 activity) than CQ, and one of them cured mice infected by Plasmodium berghei.

Parallel synthesis and anti-malarial activity of a sulfonamide library

Solution-phase synthesis and evaluation of a library of 31 sulfonamides as inhibitors of a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum are described. The most potent compound displayed an activity 100-fold better than chloroquine. Experiments using a fluorescent sulfonamide derivative suggest that their site of action inside the parasite is different to that of chloroquine.

Antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of bis-, tris-, and tetraquinolines with linear or cyclic amino linkers

Bisquinoline heteroalkanediamines were structurally modified in order to study the effects of enhanced bulkiness and rigidity on both their activity on strains of Plasmodium falciparum expressing different degrees of chloroquine (CQ) resistance and their cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells. While cyclization yielded molecules of greater rigidity that were not more active than their linear counterparts, they were characterized by an absence of cytotoxicity. Alternatively, dimerization of these compounds led to tetraquinolines that are very potent for CQ-resistant strains and noncytotoxic.