1
|
Rahman SU, Weng TN, Qadeer A, Nawaz S, Ullah H, Chen CC. Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and their potential therapeutic role in protozoan infections. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1339470. [PMID: 38633251 PMCID: PMC11022163 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1339470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Protozoa exert a serious global threat of growing concern to human, and animal, and there is a need for the advancement of novel therapeutic strategies to effectively treat or mitigate the impact of associated diseases. Omega polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-PUFAs), including Omega-3 (ω-3) and omega-6 (ω-6), are constituents derived from various natural sources, have gained significant attention for their therapeutic role in parasitic infections and a variety of essential structural and regulatory functions in animals and humans. Both ω-3 and ω-6 decrease the growth and survival rate of parasites through metabolized anti-inflammatory mediators, such as lipoxins, resolvins, and protectins, and have both in vivo and in vitro protective effects against various protozoan infections. The ω-PUFAs have been shown to modulate the host immune response by a commonly known mechanism such as (inhibition of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolic process, production of anti-inflammatory mediators, modification of intracellular lipids, and activation of the nuclear receptor), and promotion of a shift towards a more effective immune defense against parasitic invaders by regulation the inflammation like prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxane, are involved in controlling the inflammatory reaction. The immune modulation may involve reducing inflammation, enhancing phagocytosis, and suppressing parasitic virulence factors. The unique properties of ω-PUFAs could prevent protozoan infections, representing an important area of study. This review explores the clinical impact of ω-PUFAs against some protozoan infections, elucidating possible mechanisms of action and supportive therapy for preventing various parasitic infections in humans and animals, such as toxoplasmosis, malaria, coccidiosis, and chagas disease. ω-PUFAs show promise as a therapeutic approach for parasitic infections due to their direct anti-parasitic effects and their ability to modulate the host immune response. Additionally, we discuss current treatment options and suggest perspectives for future studies. This could potentially provide an alternative or supplementary treatment option for these complex global health problems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sajid Ur Rahman
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Tzu-Nin Weng
- Department of Stomatology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Abdul Qadeer
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Saqib Nawaz
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanif Ullah
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- West China Hospital, School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chien-Chin Chen
- Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Doctoral Program in Translational Medicine, Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kumar V, Bhargava G. Editorial: Protozoal infections: Treatment and challenges. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1002602. [PMID: 36118046 PMCID: PMC9471550 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1002602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vipan Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India
- *Correspondence: Vipan Kumar,
| | - Gaurav Bhargava
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Inder Kumar Gujral (IKG) Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tempone AG, Pieper P, Borborema SET, Thevenard F, Lago JHG, Croft SL, Anderson EA. Marine alkaloids as bioactive agents against protozoal neglected tropical diseases and malaria. Nat Prod Rep 2021; 38:2214-2235. [PMID: 34913053 PMCID: PMC8672869 DOI: 10.1039/d0np00078g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Covering: 2000 up to 2021Natural products are an important resource in drug discovery, directly or indirectly delivering numerous small molecules for potential development as human medicines. Among the many classes of natural products, alkaloids have a rich history of therapeutic applications. The extensive chemodiversity of alkaloids found in the marine environment has attracted considerable attention for such uses, while the scarcity of these natural materials has stimulated efforts towards their total synthesis. This review focuses on the biological activity of marine alkaloids (covering 2000 to up to 2021) towards Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) caused by protozoan parasites, and malaria. Chemotherapy represents the only form of treatment for Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and malaria, but there is currently a restricted arsenal of drugs, which often elicit severe adverse effects, show variable efficacy or resistance, or are costly. Natural product scaffolds have re-emerged as a focus of academic drug discovery programmes, offering a different resource to discover new chemical entities with new modes of action. In this review, the potential of a range of marine alkaloids is analyzed, accompanied by coverage of synthetic efforts that enable further studies of key antiprotozoal natural product scaffolds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andre G Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Pauline Pieper
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK.
| | - Samanta E T Borborema
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Thevenard
- Centre of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, Sao Paulo, 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Joao Henrique G Lago
- Centre of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, Sao Paulo, 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Simon L Croft
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | - Edward A Anderson
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lima LFD, Oliveira JOD, Carneiro JNP, Lima CNF, Coutinho HDM, Morais-Braga MFB. Ethnobotanical and antimicrobial activities of the Gossypium (Cotton) genus: A review. J Ethnopharmacol 2021; 279:114363. [PMID: 34216726 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Malvaceae family, an important group of plants that have the Gossypium (cotton) genus has been used in folk medicine to treat microbial diseases and symptoms. AIMS OF THE STUDY This article aims to understand its ethnobotany expression in communities and scientific elucidation of antimicrobial activities of this genus through literature review. MATERIALS AND METHODS The bibliographic survey was carried out from 1999 to 2019 with keywords combinations such as "Gossypium + ethnobotanical", " Gossypium + medicinal ", "Gossypium + the biological activity" in scientific databases as Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, DOAJ, Scielo, Bireme. RESULTS After data analysis, we found that the Gossypium genus, specifically Gossypium hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. herbaceum, G. arboreum are the species most cited in the treatment of microbial diseases and symptoms in communities all over the world. In light of scientific elucidation of biological activities, the Gossypium genus has been used to treat protozoal, bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases. CONCLUSIONS The review demonstrated that the Gossypium genus is a promising source of biological activities against microbial diseases, especially in the treatment of protozoal diseases like malaria.
Collapse
|
5
|
Achasova KM, Kozhevnikova EN, Borisova MA, Litvinova EA. Fucose Ameliorates Tritrichomonas sp.-Associated Illness in Antibiotic-Treated Muc2-/- Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910699. [PMID: 34639039 PMCID: PMC8509520 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The mucus layer in the intestine plays a critical role in regulation of host–microbe interactions and maintaining homeostasis. Disruptions of the mucus layer due to genetic, environmental, or immune factors may lead to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). IBD frequently are accompanied with infections, and therefore are treated with antibiotics. Hence, it is important to evaluate risks of antibiotic treatment in individuals with vulnerable gut barrier and chronic inflammation. Mice with a knockout of the Muc2 gene, encoding the main glycoprotein component of the mucus, demonstrate a close contact of the microbes with the gut epithelium which leads to chronic inflammation resembling IBD. Here we demonstrate that the Muc2−/− mice harboring a gut protozoan infection Tritrichomonas sp. are susceptible to an antibiotic-induced depletion of the bacterial microbiota. Suppression of the protozoan infection with efficient metronidazole dosage or L-fucose administration resulted in amelioration of an illness observed in antibiotic-treated Muc2−/− mice. Fucose is a monosaccharide presented abundantly in gut glycoproteins, including Mucin2, and is known to be involved in host–microbe interactions, in particular in microbe adhesion. We suppose that further investigation of the role of fucose in protozoan adhesion to host cells may be of great value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kseniya M. Achasova
- Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630501 Krasnoobsk, Russia; (K.M.A.); (E.N.K.)
- Scientific Research Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elena N. Kozhevnikova
- Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630501 Krasnoobsk, Russia; (K.M.A.); (E.N.K.)
- Scientific Research Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- The Laboratory of Biotechnology, Novosibirsk State Agrarian University, 630039 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Mariya A. Borisova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Ekaterina A. Litvinova
- Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630501 Krasnoobsk, Russia; (K.M.A.); (E.N.K.)
- Scientific Research Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-923-147-94-64
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Feng L, Pomel S, Latre de Late P, Taravaud A, Loiseau PM, Maes L, Cho-Ngwa F, Bulman CA, Fischer C, Sakanari JA, Ziniel PD, Williams DL, Davioud-Charvet E. Repurposing Auranofin and Evaluation of a New Gold(I) Compound for the Search of Treatment of Human and Cattle Parasitic Diseases: From Protozoa to Helminth Infections. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215075. [PMID: 33139647 PMCID: PMC7663263 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neglected parasitic diseases remain a major public health issue worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Human parasite diversity is very large, ranging from protozoa to worms. In most cases, more effective and new drugs are urgently needed. Previous studies indicated that the gold(I) drug auranofin (Ridaura®) is effective against several parasites. Among new gold(I) complexes, the phosphole-containing gold(I) complex {1-phenyl-2,5-di(2-pyridyl)phosphole}AuCl (abbreviated as GoPI) is an irreversible inhibitor of both purified human glutathione and thioredoxin reductases. GoPI-sugar is a novel 1-thio-β-d-glucopyranose 2,3,4,6-tetraacetato-S-derivative that is a chimera of the structures of GoPI and auranofin, designed to improve stability and bioavailability of GoPI. These metal-ligand complexes are of particular interest because of their combined abilities to irreversibly target the essential dithiol/selenol catalytic pair of selenium-dependent thioredoxin reductase activity, and to kill cells from breast and brain tumors. In this work, screening of various parasites—protozoans, trematodes, and nematodes—was undertaken to determine the in vitro killing activity of GoPI-sugar compared to auranofin. GoPI-sugar was found to efficiently kill intramacrophagic Leishmania donovani amastigotes and adult filarial and trematode worms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Feng
- UMR 7042 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg-Université Haute-Alsace, Laboratoire d’Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Team, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25, rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Sébastien Pomel
- BioCIS, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (S.P.); (A.T.); (P.M.L.)
| | - Perle Latre de Late
- INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire Comparative des Apicomplexes, Cochin Institute, Faculté de Medecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France;
| | - Alexandre Taravaud
- BioCIS, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (S.P.); (A.T.); (P.M.L.)
| | - Philippe M. Loiseau
- BioCIS, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (S.P.); (A.T.); (P.M.L.)
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Fidelis Cho-Ngwa
- Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 63, Cameroon;
| | - Christina A. Bulman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (C.A.B.); (C.F.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Chelsea Fischer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (C.A.B.); (C.F.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Judy A. Sakanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (C.A.B.); (C.F.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Peter D. Ziniel
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - David L. Williams
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
- Correspondence: (D.L.W.); (E.D.-C.)
| | - Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet
- UMR 7042 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg-Université Haute-Alsace, Laboratoire d’Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Team, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25, rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France;
- Correspondence: (D.L.W.); (E.D.-C.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
O’Connor RM, Nepveux V FJ, Abenoja J, Bowden G, Reis P, Beaushaw J, Bone Relat RM, Driskell I, Gimenez F, Riggs MW, Schaefer DA, Schmidt EW, Lin Z, Distel DL, Clardy J, Ramadhar TR, Allred DR, Fritz HM, Rathod P, Chery L, White J. A symbiotic bacterium of shipworms produces a compound with broad spectrum anti-apicomplexan activity. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008600. [PMID: 32453775 PMCID: PMC7274485 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites cause severe disease in both humans and their domesticated animals. Since these parasites readily develop drug resistance, development of new, effective drugs to treat infection caused by these parasites is an ongoing challenge for the medical and veterinary communities. We hypothesized that invertebrate-bacterial symbioses might be a rich source of anti-apicomplexan compounds because invertebrates are susceptible to infections with gregarines, parasites that are ancestral to all apicomplexans. We chose to explore the therapeutic potential of shipworm symbiotic bacteria as they are bona fide symbionts, are easily grown in axenic culture and have genomes rich in secondary metabolite loci [1,2]. Two strains of the shipworm symbiotic bacterium, Teredinibacter turnerae, were screened for activity against Toxoplasma gondii and one strain, T7901, exhibited activity against intracellular stages of the parasite. Bioassay-guided fractionation identified tartrolon E (trtE) as the source of the activity. TrtE has an EC50 of 3 nM against T. gondii, acts directly on the parasite itself and kills the parasites after two hours of treatment. TrtE exhibits nanomolar to picomolar level activity against Cryptosporidium, Plasmodium, Babesia, Theileria, and Sarcocystis; parasites representing all branches of the apicomplexan phylogenetic tree. The compound also proved effective against Cryptosporidium parvum infection in neonatal mice, indicating that trtE may be a potential lead compound for preclinical development. Identification of a promising new compound after such limited screening strongly encourages further mining of invertebrate symbionts for new anti-parasitic therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta M. O’Connor
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Felix J. Nepveux V
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jaypee Abenoja
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Gregory Bowden
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Patricia Reis
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Josiah Beaushaw
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Rachel M. Bone Relat
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Iwona Driskell
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Fernanda Gimenez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Michael W. Riggs
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Deborah A. Schaefer
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Eric W. Schmidt
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Zhenjian Lin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Daniel L. Distel
- Ocean Genome Legacy Center, Northeastern University, Nahant, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jon Clardy
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Timothy R. Ramadhar
- Department of Chemistry, Howard University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - David R. Allred
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Heather M. Fritz
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Lab, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Pradipsinh Rathod
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Laura Chery
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - John White
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zininga T, Shonhai A. Small Molecule Inhibitors Targeting the Heat Shock Protein System of Human Obligate Protozoan Parasites. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5930. [PMID: 31775392 PMCID: PMC6929125 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obligate protozoan parasites of the kinetoplastids and apicomplexa infect human cells to complete their life cycles. Some of the members of these groups of parasites develop in at least two systems, the human host and the insect vector. Survival under the varied physiological conditions associated with the human host and in the arthropod vectors requires the parasites to modulate their metabolic complement in order to meet the prevailing conditions. One of the key features of these parasites essential for their survival and host infectivity is timely expression of various proteins. Even more importantly is the need to keep their proteome functional by maintaining its functional capabilities in the wake of physiological changes and host immune responses. For this reason, molecular chaperones (also called heat shock proteins)-whose role is to facilitate proteostasis-play an important role in the survival of these parasites. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and Hsp70 are prominent molecular chaperones that are generally induced in response to physiological stress. Both Hsp90 and Hsp70 members are functionally regulated by nucleotides. In addition, Hsp70 and Hsp90 cooperate to facilitate folding of some key proteins implicated in cellular development. In addition, Hsp90 and Hsp70 individually interact with other accessory proteins (co-chaperones) that regulate their functions. The dependency of these proteins on nucleotide for their chaperone function presents an Achille's heel, as inhibitors that mimic ATP are amongst potential therapeutic agents targeting their function in obligate intracellular human parasites. Most of the promising small molecule inhibitors of parasitic heat shock proteins are either antibiotics or anticancer agents, whose repurposing against parasitic infections holds prospects. Both cancer cells and obligate human parasites depend upon a robust protein quality control system to ensure their survival, and hence, both employ a competent heat shock machinery to this end. Furthermore, some inhibitors that target chaperone and co-chaperone networks also offer promising prospects as antiparasitic agents. The current review highlights the progress made so far in design and application of small molecule inhibitors against obligate intracellular human parasites of the kinetoplastida and apicomplexan kingdoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Addmore Shonhai
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Protozoan diseases continue to be a worldwide social and economic health problem. Increased drug resistance, emerging cross resistance, and lack of new drugs with novel mechanisms of action significantly reduce the effectiveness of current antiprotozoal therapies. While drug resistance associated to anti-infective agents is a reality, society seems to remain unaware of its proportions and consequences. Parasites usually develops ingenious and innovative mechanisms to achieve drug resistance, which requires more research and investment to fight it. In this review, drug resistance developed by protozoan parasites Plasmodium, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Capela
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.M.); (F.L.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
García Díaz J, Tuenter E, Escalona Arranz JC, Llauradó Maury G, Cos P, Pieters L. Antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts and isolated constituents of Croton linearis. J Ethnopharmacol 2019; 236:250-257. [PMID: 30849504 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.01.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Leaves of Croton linearis, known as "rosemary", are widely used in folk medicine in Caribbean countries to treat fever and colds (associated to infections). AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts and fractions derived from C. linearis leaves. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation of compounds from an ethanolic extract of C. linearis, using flash chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC-DAD-MS (High Performance Liquid Chromatography - Diode Array Detection - Mass Spectrometry). Isolated compounds were characterized by MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy. The microdilution method with resazurin, as well as direct counting with an optical microscope, were used to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi and parasites. Moreover, the cytotoxicity on human fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) was evaluated. RESULTS The total extract and chloroform fraction (ClF) showed high activity against protozoa with IC50 values ranging from 1 to 26 μg/mL, but also cytotoxicity on MRC-5 and PMM (Peritoneal Murine Macrophages). Seven compounds were isolated and characterized for first time in this species: the alkaloids laudanidine, laudanosine, reticuline, corydine, glaucine and cularine and the flavonoid glycoside isorhamnetin-3-O-(6″O-p-trans-coumaroyl)-β-glucopyranoside. Reticuline showed a weak activity against L. infantum (IC50 148.0 ± 1.2 μM), while the flavonoid was active against T. cruzi (IC50 35.6 ± 2.3 μM). CONCLUSIONS The results show the antiprotozoal potential of the extract and some isolated constituents, which supports the use of this species in Caribbean folk medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús García Díaz
- Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Oriente, Ave. Patricio Lumumba s/n, Reparto Jiménez, Santiago de Cuba 5, CP 90 500, Cuba.
| | - Emmy Tuenter
- Natural Products & Food Research and Analysis (NatuRA), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Julio Cesar Escalona Arranz
- Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Oriente, Ave. Patricio Lumumba s/n, Reparto Jiménez, Santiago de Cuba 5, CP 90 500, Cuba.
| | - Gabriel Llauradó Maury
- Centre of Studies for Industrial Biotechnology, University of Oriente, Ave. Patricio Lumumba s/n, Reparto Jiménez, Santiago de Cuba 5, CP 90 500, Cuba.
| | - Paul Cos
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Luc Pieters
- Natural Products & Food Research and Analysis (NatuRA), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lenzi J, Costa TM, Alberton MD, Goulart JAG, Tavares LBB. Medicinal fungi: a source of antiparasitic secondary metabolites. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:5791-5810. [PMID: 29749562 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9048-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Regions with a tropical climate are frequently affected by endemic diseases caused by pathogenic parasites. More than one billion people worldwide are exposed directly to tropical parasites. The literature cites several antiparasitic metabolites obtained from medicinal plants or via synthetic pathways. However, fungi produce a diversity of metabolites that play important biological roles in human well-being. Thus, they are considered a potential source of novel natural agents for exploitation in the pharmaceutical industry. In this brief review article, we will provide an overview of the current situation regarding antiparasitic molecules derived from filamentous fungi, in particular, those which are effective against protozoan parasites, such as Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, and Leishmania, vectors of some neglected tropical diseases. Diseases and parasitic agents are described and classified, and the antiparasitic properties of natural compounds produced by the fungi of the phyla Basidiomycota and Ascomycota are reviewed herein, in order to explore a topic only sparsely addressed in the scientific literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Lenzi
- Environmental Engineering Postgraduate, Regional University of Blumenau, Itoupava Seca,, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, CEP 89030-080, Brazil
| | - Tania Maria Costa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade,, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, CEP 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Michele Debiasi Alberton
- Environmental Engineering Postgraduate, Regional University of Blumenau, Itoupava Seca,, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, CEP 89030-080, Brazil
| | - Juliane Araújo Greinert Goulart
- Environmental Engineering Postgraduate, Regional University of Blumenau, Itoupava Seca,, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, CEP 89030-080, Brazil
| | - Lorena Benathar Ballod Tavares
- Environmental Engineering Postgraduate, Regional University of Blumenau, Itoupava Seca,, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, CEP 89030-080, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Vásquez-Ocmín P, Cojean S, Rengifo E, Suyyagh-Albouz S, Amasifuen Guerra CA, Pomel S, Cabanillas B, Mejía K, Loiseau PM, Figadère B, Maciuk A. Antiprotozoal activity of medicinal plants used by Iquitos-Nauta road communities in Loreto (Peru). J Ethnopharmacol 2018; 210:372-385. [PMID: 28887215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In the Peruvian Amazon, the use of medicinal plants is a common practice. However, there is few documented information about the practical aspects of their use and few scientific validation. The starting point for this work was a set of interviews of people living in rural communities from the Peruvian Amazon about their uses of plants. Protozoan diseases are a public health issue in the Amazonian communities, who partly cope with it by using traditional remedies. Validation of these traditional practices contributes to public health care efficiency and may help identify new antiprotozoal compounds. AIMS OF STUDY to inventory and validate the use of medicinal plants by rural people of Loreto region. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rural mestizos were interviewed about traditional medication of parasite infections with medicinal plants. Ethnopharmacological surveys were undertaken in two villages along Iquitos-Nauta road (Loreto region, Peru), namely 13 de Febrero and El Dorado communities. Forty-six plants were collected according to their traditional use for the treatment of parasitic diseases, 50 ethanolic extracts (different parts for some of the plants) were tested in vitro on Plasmodium falciparum (3D7 sensitive strain and W2 chloroquine resistant strain), Leishmania donovani LV9 strain and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. Cytotoxic assessment (HUVEC cells) of the active extracts was performed. Two of the most active plants were submitted to preliminary bioguided fractionation to ascertain and explore their activities. RESULTS From the initial plants list, 10 were found to be active on P. falciparum, 15 on L. donovani and 2 on the three parasites. The ethanolic extract from Costus curvibracteatus (Costaceae) leaves and Grias neuberthii (Lecythidaceae) bark showed strong in vitro activity on P. falciparum (sensitive and resistant strain) and L. donovani and moderate activity on T. brucei gambiense. CONCLUSIONS The Amazonian forest communities in Peru represents a source of knowledge on the use of medicinal plants. In this work, several extracts with antiprotozoal activity were identified. This work contributes to validate some traditional uses and opens subsequent investigations on active compounds isolation and identification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Vásquez-Ocmín
- Equipe "Chimie des substances naturelles" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
| | - Sandrine Cojean
- Equipe "Chimiothérapie antiparasitaire" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Elsa Rengifo
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Avenida Abelardo Quiñonez Km. 4.5, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Soulaf Suyyagh-Albouz
- Equipe "Chimiothérapie antiparasitaire" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Carlos A Amasifuen Guerra
- Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Calle Pevas 5ta cuadra, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Sébastien Pomel
- Equipe "Chimiothérapie antiparasitaire" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Billy Cabanillas
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Avenida Abelardo Quiñonez Km. 4.5, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Kember Mejía
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Avenida Abelardo Quiñonez Km. 4.5, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Philippe M Loiseau
- Equipe "Chimiothérapie antiparasitaire" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Bruno Figadère
- Equipe "Chimie des substances naturelles" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Alexandre Maciuk
- Equipe "Chimie des substances naturelles" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Loaëc N, Attanasio E, Villiers B, Durieu E, Tahtouh T, Cam M, Davis RA, Alencar A, Roué M, Bourguet-Kondracki ML, Proksch P, Limanton E, Guiheneuf S, Carreaux F, Bazureau JP, Klautau M, Meijer L. Marine-Derived 2-Aminoimidazolone Alkaloids. Leucettamine B-Related Polyandrocarpamines Inhibit Mammalian and Protozoan DYRK & CLK Kinases. Mar Drugs 2017; 15:E316. [PMID: 29039762 PMCID: PMC5666424 DOI: 10.3390/md15100316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A large diversity of 2-aminoimidazolone alkaloids is produced by various marine invertebrates, especially by the marine Calcareous sponges Leucetta and Clathrina. The phylogeny of these sponges and the wide scope of 2-aminoimidazolone alkaloids they produce are reviewed in this article. The origin (invertebrate cells, associated microorganisms, or filtered plankton), physiological functions, and natural molecular targets of these alkaloids are largely unknown. Following the identification of leucettamine B as an inhibitor of selected protein kinases, we synthesized a family of analogues, collectively named leucettines, as potent inhibitors of DYRKs (dual-specificity, tyrosine phosphorylation regulated kinases) and CLKs (cdc2-like kinases) and potential pharmacological leads for the treatment of several diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. We assembled a small library of marine sponge- and ascidian-derived 2-aminoimidazolone alkaloids, along with several synthetic analogues, and tested them on a panel of mammalian and protozoan kinases. Polyandrocarpamines A and B were found to be potent and selective inhibitors of DYRKs and CLKs. They inhibited cyclin D1 phosphorylation on a DYRK1A phosphosite in cultured cells. 2-Aminoimidazolones thus represent a promising chemical scaffold for the design of potential therapeutic drug candidates acting as specific inhibitors of disease-relevant kinases, and possibly other disease-relevant targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadège Loaëc
- ManRos Therapeutics, Perharidy Research Center, 29680 Roscoff, Bretagne, France.
- Station Biologique de Roscoff, CNRS, 'Protein Phosphorylation and Human Disease' Group, Place G. Teissier, 29680 Roscoff, Bretagne, France.
| | - Eletta Attanasio
- ManRos Therapeutics, Perharidy Research Center, 29680 Roscoff, Bretagne, France.
| | - Benoît Villiers
- ManRos Therapeutics, Perharidy Research Center, 29680 Roscoff, Bretagne, France.
| | - Emilie Durieu
- ManRos Therapeutics, Perharidy Research Center, 29680 Roscoff, Bretagne, France.
| | - Tania Tahtouh
- ManRos Therapeutics, Perharidy Research Center, 29680 Roscoff, Bretagne, France.
| | - Morgane Cam
- ManRos Therapeutics, Perharidy Research Center, 29680 Roscoff, Bretagne, France.
| | - Rohan A Davis
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia.
| | - Aline Alencar
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia-Departamento de Zoologia, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373-CCS-Bloco A-Sala A0-100, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| | - Mélanie Roué
- Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Micro-Organismes, UMR 7245 CNRS, Muséum National d' Histoire Naturelle, 57 rue Cuvier (C.P. 54), 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Marie-Lise Bourguet-Kondracki
- Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Micro-Organismes, UMR 7245 CNRS, Muséum National d' Histoire Naturelle, 57 rue Cuvier (C.P. 54), 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Peter Proksch
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie und Biotechnologie, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Emmanuelle Limanton
- Université de Rennes 1, Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, ISCR UMR CNRS 6226, Groupe Chimie Organique et Interfaces (CORINT), Bât. 10A, Campus de Beaulieu, Avenue du Général Leclerc, CS 74205, 35042 Rennes CEDEX, Bretagne, France.
| | - Solène Guiheneuf
- Université de Rennes 1, Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, ISCR UMR CNRS 6226, Groupe Chimie Organique et Interfaces (CORINT), Bât. 10A, Campus de Beaulieu, Avenue du Général Leclerc, CS 74205, 35042 Rennes CEDEX, Bretagne, France.
| | - François Carreaux
- Université de Rennes 1, Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, ISCR UMR CNRS 6226, Groupe Chimie Organique et Interfaces (CORINT), Bât. 10A, Campus de Beaulieu, Avenue du Général Leclerc, CS 74205, 35042 Rennes CEDEX, Bretagne, France.
| | - Jean-Pierre Bazureau
- Université de Rennes 1, Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, ISCR UMR CNRS 6226, Groupe Chimie Organique et Interfaces (CORINT), Bât. 10A, Campus de Beaulieu, Avenue du Général Leclerc, CS 74205, 35042 Rennes CEDEX, Bretagne, France.
| | - Michelle Klautau
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia-Departamento de Zoologia, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373-CCS-Bloco A-Sala A0-100, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| | - Laurent Meijer
- ManRos Therapeutics, Perharidy Research Center, 29680 Roscoff, Bretagne, France.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ogungbe IV, Setzer WN. The Potential of Secondary Metabolites from Plants as Drugs or Leads against Protozoan Neglected Diseases-Part III: In-Silico Molecular Docking Investigations. Molecules 2016; 21:E1389. [PMID: 27775577 PMCID: PMC6274513 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21101389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and human African trypanosomiasis continue to cause considerable suffering and death in developing countries. Current treatment options for these parasitic protozoal diseases generally have severe side effects, may be ineffective or unavailable, and resistance is emerging. There is a constant need to discover new chemotherapeutic agents for these parasitic infections, and natural products continue to serve as a potential source. This review presents molecular docking studies of potential phytochemicals that target key protein targets in Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., and Plasmodium spp.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ifedayo Victor Ogungbe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
| | - William N Setzer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Karagouni E, Athanassopoulou F, Tsagozis P, Ralli E, Moustakareas T, Lytra K, Dotsika E. The Impact of a Successful Anti-Myxosporean Treatment on the Phagocyte Functions of Juvenile and Adult Sparus Aurata L. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2016; 18:121-32. [PMID: 15698517 DOI: 10.1177/039463200501800113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of a successful anti-myxosporean medication on the innate immune system of fish intensively cultured in the Mediterranean basin. For this purpose, juvenile and adult gilthead seabream ( S. aurata L.) naturally infected with Polysporoplasma sparis in the kidney were used in a small-scale field trial. The infected fish were treated orally with the combination of salinomycin and amprolium, two drugs well known for their anti-coccidial effect in other animals. Drug efficacy and safety was evaluated in terms of changes observed in histopathology, mortality and P. sparis intensity and prevalence rate. Phagocytic functions of head-kidney leucocytes were also investigated at the end as well as one month post the medication. Salinomycin with amprolium exhibited a significant reduction in intensity and prevalence rate in both juvenile and adult fish, and no histopathological evidence for toxic side effects was observed. In addition, the successful treatment was closely correlated with a complete restoration of the diminished phagocytic ability and capacity as well as NO, and lysozyme secretion in a time dependent manner. This data suggests that salilomycin with amprolium can be an alternative treatment for myxosporean infections in warm-water fish, possibly exhibiting their action through the enhancement of host innate functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Karagouni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute Pasteur Hellenique, Athens, Greece.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hol WGJ. Three-dimensional structures in the design of therapeutics targeting parasitic protozoa: reflections on the past, present and future. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2015; 71:485-99. [PMID: 25945701 PMCID: PMC4427157 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x15004987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic protozoa cause a range of diseases which threaten billions of human beings. They are responsible for tremendous mortality and morbidity in the least-developed areas of the world. Presented here is an overview of the evolution over the last three to four decades of structure-guided design of inhibitors, leads and drug candidates aiming at targets from parasitic protozoa. Target selection is a crucial and multi-faceted aspect of structure-guided drug design. The major impact of advances in molecular biology, genome sequencing and high-throughput screening is touched upon. The most advanced crystallographic techniques, including XFEL, have already been applied to structure determinations of drug targets from parasitic protozoa. Even cryo-electron microscopy is contributing to our understanding of the mode of binding of inhibitors to parasite ribosomes. A number of projects have been selected to illustrate how structural information has assisted in arriving at promising compounds that are currently being evaluated by pharmacological, pharmacodynamic and safety tests to assess their suitability as pharmaceutical agents. Structure-guided approaches are also applied to incorporate properties into compounds such that they are less likely to become the victim of resistance mechanisms. A great increase in the number of novel antiparasitic compounds will be needed in the future. These should then be combined into various multi-compound therapeutics to circumvent the diverse resistance mechanisms that render single-compound, or even multi-compound, drugs ineffective. The future should also see (i) an increase in the number of projects with a tight integration of structural biology, medicinal chemistry, parasitology and pharmaceutical sciences; (ii) the education of more `medicinal structural biologists' who are familiar with the properties that compounds need to have for a high probability of success in the later steps of the drug-development process; and (iii) the expansion of drug-development capabilities in middle- and low-income countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wim G. J. Hol
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomolecular Structure Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
|
18
|
|
19
|
Abstract
Protozoa infections are an important cause of chronic diarrhea in patients infected with HIV. The introduction of highly active antiretroviral treatment to the management of HIV in the mid 1990s has led to a dramatic reduction in the incidence of these opportunistic infections in Europe and America. In contrast, in the developing world where such treatments are not readily affordable, protozoa-related diarrhea remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals. In this review, the optimum investigations required to diagnose these pathogens in HIV-related diarrhea, as well as current treatment options, will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lean
- Department of Adult and Paediatric Gastroenterology, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Turner Street London E1 2AD, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Malebo HM, Wenzler T, Cal M, Swaleh SM, Omolo MO, Hassanali A, Séquin U, Häussinger D, Dalsgaard P, Hamburger M, Brun R, Ndiege IO. Anti-protozoal activity of aporphine and protoberberine alkaloids from Annickia kummeriae (Engl. & Diels) Setten & Maas (Annonaceae). BMC Complement Altern Med 2013; 13:48. [PMID: 23445637 PMCID: PMC3599822 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis have an overwhelming impact in the poorest countries in the world due to their prevalence, virulence and drug resistance ability. Currently, there is inadequate armory of drugs for the treatment of malaria, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. This underscores the continuing need for the discovery and development of new anti-protozoal drugs. Consequently, there is an urgent need for research aimed at the discovery and development of new effective and safe anti-plasmodial, anti-trypanosomal and anti-leishmanial drugs. METHODS Bioassay-guided chromatographic fractionation was employed for the isolation and purification of antiprotozoal alkaloids. RESULTS The methanol extract from the leaves of Annickia kummeriae from Tanzania exhibited a strong anti-plasmodial activity against the multi-drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum K1 strain (IC50 0.12 ± 0.01 μg/ml, selectivity index (SI) of 250, moderate activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense STIB 900 strain (IC50 2.50 ± 0.19 μg/ml, SI 12) and mild activity against Leishmania donovani axenic MHOM-ET-67/82 strain (IC50 9.25 ± 0.54 μg/ml, SI 3.2). Bioassay-guided chromatographic fractionation led to the isolation of four pure alkaloids, lysicamine (1), trivalvone (2), palmatine (3), jatrorrhizine (4) and two sets of mixtures of jatrorrhizine (4) with columbamine (5) and palmatine (3) with (-)-tetrahydropalmatine (6). The alkaloids showed low cytotoxicity activity (CC50 30 - >90 μg/ml), strong to moderate anti-plasmodial activity (IC50 0.08 ± 0.001 - 2.4 ± 0.642 μg/ml, SI 1.5-1,154), moderate to weak anti-trypanosomal (IC50 2.80 ± 0.001 - 14.3 ± 0.001 μg/ml, SI 2.3-28.1) and anti-leishmanial activity IC50 2.7 ± 0.001 - 20.4 ± 0.003 μg/ml, SI 1.7-15.6). CONCLUSION The strong anti-plasmodial activity makes these alkaloids good lead structures for drug development programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamisi M Malebo
- Department of Traditional Medicine Research, National Institute for Medical Research, P.O. Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Tanja Wenzler
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical Institute, University of Basel, Socinstrasse 57, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland
| | - Monical Cal
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical Institute, University of Basel, Socinstrasse 57, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland
| | - Sauda M Swaleh
- Department of Chemistry, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maurice O Omolo
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology, P. O. Box 190, Kakamega, Kenya
| | - Ahmed Hassanali
- International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Urs Séquin
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Basel, St Johanns Ring 19, Basel, CH-4052, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Häussinger
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Basel, St Johanns Ring 19, Basel, CH-4052, Switzerland
| | - Petur Dalsgaard
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, Basel, CH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Hamburger
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, Basel, CH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Reto Brun
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical Institute, University of Basel, Socinstrasse 57, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland
| | - Isaiah O Ndiege
- Department of Chemistry, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li JY, Li ZY, Wang Y, Zhu XQ, Xu MJ. [Research advances of interleukin-15 in anti-parasitic infection]. Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi 2012; 30:196-200. [PMID: 23072135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine and also a chemotactic factor for a variety of immune cells, which participates in and regulates the inflammatory response and immune response to organisms. Up to now, the molecular structure and receptor of IL-15 have been widely researched, with important advances in its signal transduction way. However, its application in parasitology is still a relatively new topic. This article summarizes the latest research development of IL-15 in anti-parasitic infection, prospects its mechanism and application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
|
23
|
Schmidt TJ, Khalid SA, Romanha AJ, Alves TM, Biavatti MW, Brun R, Da Costa FB, de Castro SL, Ferreira VF, de Lacerda MVG, Lago JHG, Leon LL, Lopes NP, das Neves Amorim RC, Niehues M, Ogungbe IV, Pohlit AM, Scotti MT, Setzer WN, de N C Soeiro M, Steindel M, Tempone AG. The potential of secondary metabolites from plants as drugs or leads against protozoan neglected diseases - part II. Curr Med Chem 2012; 19:2176-2228. [PMID: 22414104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Revised: 01/15/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Infections with protozoan parasites are a major cause of disease and mortality in many tropical countries of the world. Diseases caused by species of the genera Trypanosoma (Human African Trypanosomiasis and Chagas Disease) and Leishmania (various forms of Leishmaniasis) are among the seventeen "Neglected Tropical Diseases" (NTDs) defined by the WHO. Furthermore, malaria (caused by various Plasmodium species) can be considered a neglected disease in certain countries and with regard to availability and affordability of the antimalarials. Living organisms, especially plants, provide an innumerable number of molecules with potential for the treatment of many serious diseases. The current review attempts to give an overview on the potential of such plant-derived natural products as antiprotozoal leads and/or drugs in the fight against NTDs. In part I, a general description of the diseases, the current state of therapy and need for new therapeuticals, assay methods and strategies applied in the search for new plant derived natural products against these diseases and an overview on natural products of terpenoid origin with antiprotozoal potential were given. The present part II compiles the current knowledge on natural products with antiprotozoal activity that are derived from the shikimate pathway (lignans, coumarins, caffeic acid derivatives), quinones of various structural classes, compounds formed via the polyketide pathways (flavonoids and related compounds, chromenes and related benzopyrans and benzofurans, xanthones, acetogenins from Annonaceae and polyacetylenes) as well as the diverse classes of alkaloids. In total, both parts compile the literature on almost 900 different plant-derived natural products and their activity data, taken from over 800 references. These data, as the result of enormous efforts of numerous research groups world-wide, illustrate that plant secondary metabolites represent an immensely rich source of chemical diversity with an extremely high potential to yield a wealth of lead structures towards new therapies for NTDs. Only a small percentage, however, of the roughly 200,000 plant species on earth have been studied chemically and only a small percentage of these plants or their constituents has been investigated for antiprotozoal activity. The repository of plant-derived natural products hence deserves to be investigated even more intensely than it has been up to present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T J Schmidt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
After 30 years of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, parasites have been one of the most common opportunistic infections (OIs) and one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality associated with HIV-infected patients. Due to severe immunosuppression, enteric parasitic pathogens in general are emerging and are OIs capable of causing diarrhoeal disease associated with HIV. Of these, Cryptosporidium parvum and Isospora belli are the two most common intestinal protozoan parasites and pose a public health problem in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. These are the only two enteric protozoan parasites that remain in the case definition of AIDS till today. Leishmaniasis, strongyloidiasis and toxoplasmosis are the three main opportunistic causes of systemic involvements reported in HIV-infected patients. Of these, toxoplasmosis is the most important parasitic infection associated with the central nervous system. Due to its complexity in nature, toxoplasmosis is the only parasitic disease capable of not only causing focal but also disseminated forms and it has been included in AIDS-defining illnesses (ADI) ever since. With the introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), cryptosporidiosis, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and toxoplasmosis are among parasitic diseases reported in association with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). This review addresses various aspects of parasitic infections in term of clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with HIV-infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veeranoot Nissapatorn
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Kappes B, Tews I, Binter A, Macheroux P. PLP-dependent enzymes as potential drug targets for protozoan diseases. Biochim Biophys Acta 2011; 1814:1567-76. [PMID: 21884827 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2011] [Revised: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The chemical properties of the B(6) vitamers are uniquely suited for wide use as cofactors in essential reactions, such as decarboxylations and transaminations. This review addresses current efforts to explore vitamin B(6) dependent enzymatic reactions as drug targets. Several current targets are described that are found amongst these enzymes. The focus is set on diseases caused by protozoan parasites. Comparison across a range of these organisms allows insight into the distribution of potential targets, many of which may be of interest in the development of broad range anti-protozoan drugs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pyridoxal Phosphate Enzymology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Kappes
- University Hospital Heidelberg, Department of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Munro JB, Silva JC. Ribonucleotide reductase as a target to control apicomplexan diseases. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2011; 14:9-26. [PMID: 21791713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is caused by species in the apicomplexan genus Plasmodium, which infect hundreds of millions of people each year and kill close to one million. While malaria is the most notorious of the apicomplexan-caused diseases, other members of eukaryotic phylum Apicomplexa are responsible for additional, albeit less well-known, diseases in humans, economically important livestock, and a variety of other vertebrates. Diseases such as babesiosis (hemolytic anemia), theileriosis and East Coast Fever, cryptosporidiosis, and toxoplasmosis are caused by the apicomplexans Babesia, Theileria, Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasma, respectively. In addition to the loss of human life, these diseases are responsible for losses of billions of dollars annually. Hence, the research into new drug targets remains a high priority. Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is an essential enzyme found in all domains of life. It is the only means by which de novo synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides occurs, without which DNA replication and repair cannot proceed. RNR has long been the target of antiviral, antibacterial and anti-cancer therapeutics. Herein, we review the chemotherapeutic methods used to inhibit RNR, with particular emphasis on the role of RNR inhibition in Apicomplexa, and in light of the novel RNR R2_e2 subunit recently identified in apicomplexan parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James B Munro
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, 21201, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
Parasitic diseases affect more than 2 billion people globally and cause substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly among the world's poorest people. This overview focuses on the treatment of the major protozoan and helminth infections in humans. Recent developments in antiparasitic therapy include the expansion of artemisinin-based therapies for malaria, new drugs for soil-transmitted helminths and intestinal protozoa, expansion of the indications for antiparasitic drug treatment in patients with Chagas disease, and the use of combination therapy for leishmaniasis and human African trypanosomiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brian G. Blackburn
- Address correspondence to Brian G. Blackburn, MD, Stanford University School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, 300 Pasteur Dr, Grant Bldg, Room S-101, Stanford, CA 94305-5107 (). Individual reprints of this article and a bound reprint of the entire Symposium on Antimicrobial Therapy will be available for purchase from our Web site www.mayoclinicproceedings.com
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bahar M, Deng Y, Zhu X, He S, Pandharkar T, Drew ME, Navarro-Vázquez A, Anklin C, Gil RR, Doskotch RW, Werbovetz KA, Kinghorn AD. Potent antiprotozoal activity of a novel semi-synthetic berberine derivative. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2011; 21:2606-10. [PMID: 21474310 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2011.01.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2010] [Revised: 01/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of diseases such as African sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis often depends on relatively expensive or toxic drugs, and resistance to current chemotherapeutics is an issue in treating these diseases and malaria. In this study, a new semi-synthetic berberine analogue, 5,6-didehydro-8,8-diethyl-13-oxodihydroberberine chloride (1), showed nanomolar level potency against in vitro models of leishmaniasis, malaria, and trypanosomiasis as well as activity in an in vivo visceral leishmaniasis model. Since the synthetic starting material, berberine hemisulfate, is inexpensive, 8,8-dialkyl-substituted analogues of berberine may lead to a new class of affordable antiprotozoal compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Bahar
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
Lophomonas blattarum, a rare protozoa, was involved in pulmonary infections of transplant recipients. We report 2 cases of late onset pulmonary L. blattarum infection in renal transplant recipients with normal graft function and relative normal immune function. The diagnosis in both cases was confirmed by bronchoscopy and broncho alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid examination. Both cases were sensitive to metronidazole treatment, but one case did not completely recover during the follow-up. The diagnosis and treatment were discussed to facilitate improvement in the recognition of this rare infection, especially in transplant recipients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang He
- Kidney Disease Center, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Luckhart
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, California, United States of America.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Orhan I, Şener B, Kaiser M, Brun R, Tasdemir D. Inhibitory activity of marine sponge-derived natural products against parasitic protozoa. Mar Drugs 2010; 8:47-58. [PMID: 20161970 PMCID: PMC2817922 DOI: 10.3390/md8010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2009] [Revised: 01/05/2010] [Accepted: 01/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, thirteen sponge-derived terpenoids, including five linear furanoterpenes: furospinulosin-1 (1), furospinulosin-2 (2), furospongin-1 (3), furospongin-4 (4), and demethylfurospongin-4 (5); four linear meroterpenes: 2-(hexaprenylmethyl)-2-methylchromenol (6), 4-hydroxy-3-octaprenylbenzoic acid (7), 4-hydroxy-3-tetraprenyl-phenylacetic acid (8), and heptaprenyl-p-quinol (9); a linear triterpene, squalene (10); two spongian-type diterpenes dorisenone D (11) and 11 beta-acetoxyspongi-12-en-16-one (12); a scalarane-type sesterterpene; 12-epi-deoxoscalarin (13), as well as an indole alkaloid, tryptophol (14) were screened for their in vitro activity against four parasitic protozoa; Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani and Plasmodium falciparum. Cytotoxic potential of the compounds on mammalian cells was also assessed. All compounds were active against T. brucei rhodesiense, with compound 8 being the most potent (IC(50) 0.60 microg/mL), whereas 9 and 12 were the most active compounds against T. cruzi, with IC(50) values around 4 microg/mL. Compound 12 showed the strongest leishmanicidal activity (IC(50) 0.75 microg/mL), which was comparable to that of miltefosine (IC(50) 0.20 microg/mL). The best antiplasmodial effect was exerted by compound 11 (IC(50) 0.43 microg/mL), followed by compounds 7, 10, and 12 with IC(50) values around 1 microg/mL. Compounds 9, 11 and 12 exhibited, besides their antiprotozoal activity, also some cytotoxicity, whereas all other compounds had low or no cytotoxicity towards the mammalian cell line. This is the first report of antiprotozoal activity of marine metabolites 1-14, and points out the potential of marine sponges in discovery of new antiprotozoal lead compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilkay Orhan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, TR-06330 Ankara, Turkey; E-Mails:
(I.O.);
(B. Ş.)
| | - Bilge Şener
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, TR-06330 Ankara, Turkey; E-Mails:
(I.O.);
(B. Ş.)
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical Institute, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; E-Mails:
(M.K.);
(R.B.)
| | - Reto Brun
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical Institute, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; E-Mails:
(M.K.);
(R.B.)
| | - Deniz Tasdemir
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of London, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Bojar H, Knap JP. [Nitazoxanide ("Alinia")--a promising antiparasitic drug]. Wiad Parazytol 2010; 56:11-18. [PMID: 20450003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In present-day world intestinal parasitic infections are gaining importance as a cause of morbidity and mortality. One of the reasons behind it is the globalization and increased number of people travelling to endemic areas of parasitic diseases. Consequently, we need to treat increasing number of patients showing symptoms of such diseases. Unfortunately, the array of available and efficient antiparasitic drugs has been shrinking. Their efficacy decreases and quite often the side effects are serious. In this paper we would like to focus on a new promising "nitazoxanide" (active substance). "Nitazoxanide" proved its efficacy in the treatment of nematode-, cestode-, trematode- and protozoan infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Bojar
- Zakład Higieny i Parazytologii Srodowiska, Instytut Medycyny Wsi im. Witolda Chodźki, ul. Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090 Lublin.
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Schlitzer M, Ortmann R, Form I. [Medicinal Chemistry of some "exotics". Agents against worm and protozoal diseases, and the antiviral ribavirin]. Pharm Unserer Zeit 2010; 39:18-26. [PMID: 20033938 DOI: 10.1002/pauz.201000348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Schlitzer
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Stark D, Barratt JLN, van Hal S, Marriott D, Harkness J, Ellis JT. Clinical significance of enteric protozoa in the immunosuppressed human population. Clin Microbiol Rev 2009; 22:634-50. [PMID: 19822892 PMCID: PMC2772358 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00017-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, the number of immunosuppressed people increases each year, with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic continuing to spread unabated in many parts of the world. Immunosuppression may also occur in malnourished persons, patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignancy, and those receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Components of the immune system can be functionally or genetically abnormal as a result of acquired (e.g., caused by HIV infection, lymphoma, or high-dose steroids or other immunosuppressive medications) or congenital illnesses, with more than 120 congenital immunodeficiencies described to date that either affect humoral immunity or compromise T-cell function. All individuals affected by immunosuppression are at risk of infection by opportunistic parasites (such as the microsporidia) as well as those more commonly associated with gastrointestinal disease (such as Giardia). The outcome of infection by enteric protozoan parasites is dependent on absolute CD4(+) cell counts, with lower counts being associated with more severe disease, more atypical disease, and a greater risk of disseminated disease. This review summarizes our current state of knowledge on the significance of enteric parasitic protozoa as a cause of disease in immunosuppressed persons and also provides guidance on recent advances in diagnosis and therapy for the control of these important parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Stark
- Department of Microbiology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst 2010, NSW, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hepatitis temporally associated with an herbal supplement containing artemisinin - Washington, 2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009; 58:854-6. [PMID: 19680221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinins are a class of compounds that include artesunate, artemether, and artemisinin and have potent antimalarial activity. In combination with other drugs (artemisinin combination therapy), these compounds are the first-line treatment recommended by the World Health Organization for Plasmodium falciparum infections. Artemisinins have been available in the United States without a prescription as herbal supplements for at least 10 years; these supplements are marketed for general health maintenance and for treatment of parasitic infections and cancers. On August 27, 2008, CDC was notified of a patient who developed hepatitis after a 1-week course of an herbal supplement containing artemisinin. The patient had abdominal pain, dark urine, and laboratory results consistent with hepatitis (e.g., serum alanine aminotransferase of 898 IU/L [normal: 10-55 IU/L]). Samples of the supplement were sent to CDC and the Georgia Institute of Technology for analysis to determine the amount of artemisinin and to identify any contaminants. Analysis indicated that the supplement contained 94%-97% of the 100 mg of artemisinin stated on the packaging and the supplement contained no other common pharmaceutical active ingredients. Given the patient's clinical course and laboratory evaluation, CDC investigators concluded that the hepatitis might have been associated with ingestion of the herbal supplement containing artemisinin. More data are needed to establish any causal connection between artemisinin and hepatitis. Health-care providers should be aware of the possibility of hepatic toxicity in patients taking herbal supplements containing artemisinin.
Collapse
|
36
|
Pham D. Chronic intermittent diarrhea in a 14-month-old Abyssinian cat. Can Vet J 2009; 50:85-87. [PMID: 19337620 PMCID: PMC2603660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A 14-month-old intact, female Abyssinian cat was presented for chronic intermittent diarrhea and bilateral enlargement of the mammary glands. Gastrointestinal coccidiosis was diagnosed; therapy with sulfadi-methoxine was unsuccessful in the elimination of Isospora felis and clinical signs. Infection with Tritrichomonas foetus was diagnosed by fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and successfully treated with ronidazole and dietary modification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy Pham
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To highlight the promise of parasite proteases as targets for development of new antiparasitic chemotherapy. Proteolytic enzymes play key roles in the life cycle of protozoan parasites or the pathogenesis of diseases they produce. These roles include processing of host or parasite surface proteins for invasion of host cells, digestion of host proteins for nutrition, and inactivation of host immune defense mediators. RECENT FINDINGS Drug development for other markets has shown that proteases are druggable targets, and protease inhibitors are now licensed or in clinical development to treat hypertension, diabetes, thrombosis, osteoporosis, infectious diseases, and cancer. Several protease targets have been validated by genetic or chemical knockout in protozoan parasites. Many other parasite proteases appear promising as targets, but require more work for validation, or to identify viable drug leads. Because homologous proteases function as key enzymes in several parasites, targeting these proteases may allow development of a single compound, or a set of similar compounds, that target multiple diseases including malaria, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, and amebiasis. SUMMARY Proteases have been validated as targets in a number of parasitic infections. Proteases are druggable targets as evidenced by effective antiprotease drugs for the treatment of many human diseases including hypertension and AIDS. Future drug development targeting parasite proteases will be aided by the strong foundation of biochemical, structural, and computational databases already published or available online.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James H McKerrow
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, 1700 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158-2330, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Burch D, Young S, Watson E. Treatment of histomonosis in turkeys with tiamulin. Vet Rec 2007; 161:864. [PMID: 18156600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
|
39
|
Kolaczinski JH, Kabatereine NB, Onapa AW, Ndyomugyenyi R, Kakembo ASL, Brooker S. Neglected tropical diseases in Uganda: the prospect and challenge of integrated control. Trends Parasitol 2007; 23:485-93. [PMID: 17826335 PMCID: PMC2682772 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2007.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2006] [Revised: 07/09/2007] [Accepted: 08/29/2007] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
So-called ‘neglected tropical diseases’ (NTDs) are becoming less neglected, with increasing political and financial commitments to their control. These recent developments were preceded by substantial advocacy for integrated control of different NTDs, on the premise that integration is both feasible and cost-effective. Although the approach is intuitively attractive, there are few countrywide experiences to confirm or refute this assertion. Using the example of Uganda, this article reviews the geographical and epidemiological bases for integration and assesses the potential opportunities for, and operational challenges of, integrating existing control activities for several of these diseases under an umbrella vertical programme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan H Kolaczinski
- Malaria Consortium Africa, Sturrock Road, PO Box 8045, Kampala, Uganda.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Ribas A, Martínez-Girón R, Ponte-Mittelbrum C, Alonso-Cuervo R, Iglesias-Llaca F. Immunosupression, flagellated protozoa in the human airways and metronidazole: observations on the state of the art. Transpl Int 2007; 20:811-2. [PMID: 17617178 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2007.00521.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
41
|
Affiliation(s)
- Terri W Rosado
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Moreno SNJ. Drugs Against Protozoan Parasites - a Keystone Symposium. IDrugs 2007; 10:240-2. [PMID: 17390243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia N J Moreno
- University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Drive, Paul Coverdell Center, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
A recent resurgence in the use of compounds to study essential biological processes raises important questions concerning the link between fundamental research and drug development. This article discusses many of the issues involved, in the context of host cell invasion and egress by parasites of the Phylum Apicomplexa. In addition, an overview of the key steps in invasion and egress is provided with a particular emphasis on potential parasite protein drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R E Morgan
- School of Chemistry and Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9ST, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Clement B, Bürenheide A, Rieckert W, Schwarz J. Diacetyldiamidoximeester of pentamidine, a prodrug for treatment of protozoal diseases: synthesis, in vitro and in vivo biotransformation. ChemMedChem 2007; 1:1260-7. [PMID: 17001612 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.200600079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Pentamidine is an effective antimicrobial agent. To increase its poor oral bioavailability due to the strong basic amidine functionality, the less basic O-acetylamidoxime prodrug, the diacetyldiamidoximeester, was used, which has greatly improved lipophilicity. The objectives of this investigation were the synthesis of all potential metabolites of the double prodrug, the conformational analysis of its structure, and to study the in vitro and in vivo biotransformation by ester cleavage and N-reduction to pentamidine via four intermediate metabolites. The biotransformation of diacetyldiamidoximeester to pentamidine involving the reduction of the amidoxime function and the ester cleavage could be demonstrated. The kinetic parameters were determined. Amidoximes were efficiently metabolized by several enzyme systems located in microsomes and mitochondria of different organs including the final formation of the active metabolite pentamidine. The formation of pentamidine after oral administration of the diacetyldiamidoximeester to rats could be demonstrated as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Clement
- Pharmazeutisches Institut, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Silva RG, Nunes JES, Canduri F, Borges JC, Gava LM, Moreno FB, Basso LA, Santos DS. Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase: A Potential Target for the Development of Drugs to Treat T-Cell- and Apicomplexan Parasite-Mediated Diseases. Curr Drug Targets 2007; 8:413-22. [PMID: 17348834 DOI: 10.2174/138945007780058997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) catalyzes the reversible phosphorolysis of nucleosides and deoxynucleosides, generating ribose 1-phosphate and the purine base, which is an important step of purine catabolism pathway. The lack of such an activity in humans, owing to a genetic disorder, causes T-cell impairment, and thus drugs that inhibit human PNP activity have the potential of being utilized as modulators of the immunological system to treat leukemia, autoimmune diseases, and rejection in organ transplantation. Besides, the purine salvage pathway is the only possible way for apicomplexan parasites to obtain the building blocks for RNA and DNA synthesis, which makes PNP from these parasites an attractive target for drug development against diseases such as malaria. Hence, a number of research groups have made efforts to elucidate the mechanism of action of PNP based on structural and kinetic studies. It is conceivable that the mechanism may be different for PNPs from diverse sources, and influenced by the oligomeric state of the enzyme in solution. Furthermore, distinct transition state structures can make possible the rational design of specific inhibitors for human and apicomplexan enzymes. Here, we review the current status of these research efforts to elucidate the mechanism of PNP-catalyzed chemical reaction, focusing on the mammalian and Plamodium falciparum enzymes, targets for drug development against, respectively, T-Cell- and Apicomplexan parasites-mediated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R G Silva
- Centro de Pesquisas em Biologia Molecular e Funcional, Instituto de Pesquisas Biomédicas, Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ohta N. [Drugs for protozoan diseases]. Nihon Rinsho 2007; 65 Suppl 2 Pt. 1:380-3. [PMID: 17455649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nobuo Ohta
- Section of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
Cellular redox metabolism is considered to be involved in the pathophysiology of diseases caused by protozoal parasites such as Toxoplasma, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, and Plasmodia. Redox reactions furthermore are thought to play a major role in the action of and the resistance to some clinically used antiparasitic drugs. Interestingly, in malarial parasites, the antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase are absent which indicates a crucial role of the thioredoxin system in redox control. Besides a glutathione peroxidase-like thioredoxin peroxidase and a glutathione S-transferase with slight peroxidase activity, Plasmodium falciparum (the causative agent of tropical malaria) possesses four classical peroxiredoxins: Two peroxiredoxins of the typical 2-Cys Prx class, one 1-Cys peroxiredoxin with homology to the atypical 2-Cys Prx class, and a peroxiredoxin of the 1-Cys Prx class have been identified and partially characterized In our article we give an introduction to redox-based drug development strategies against protozoal parasites and summarize the present knowledge on peroxiredoxin systems in Plasmodium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Deponte
- Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ali V, Nozaki T. Current therapeutics, their problems, and sulfur-containing-amino-acid metabolism as a novel target against infections by "amitochondriate" protozoan parasites. Clin Microbiol Rev 2007; 20:164-87. [PMID: 17223627 PMCID: PMC1797636 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00019-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The "amitochondriate" protozoan parasites of humans Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, and Trichomonas vaginalis share many biochemical features, e.g., energy and amino acid metabolism, a spectrum of drugs for their treatment, and the occurrence of drug resistance. These parasites possess metabolic pathways that are divergent from those of their mammalian hosts and are often considered to be good targets for drug development. Sulfur-containing-amino-acid metabolism represents one such divergent metabolic pathway, namely, the cysteine biosynthetic pathway and methionine gamma-lyase-mediated catabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids, which are present in T. vaginalis and E. histolytica but absent in G. intestinalis. These pathways are potentially exploitable for development of drugs against amoebiasis and trichomoniasis. For instance, L-trifluoromethionine, which is catalyzed by methionine gamma-lyase and produces a toxic product, is effective against T. vaginalis and E. histolytica parasites in vitro and in vivo and may represent a good lead compound. In this review, we summarize the biology of these microaerophilic parasites, their clinical manifestation and epidemiology of disease, chemotherapeutics, the modes of action of representative drugs, and problems related to these drugs, including drug resistance. We further discuss our approach to exploit unique sulfur-containing-amino-acid metabolism, focusing on development of drugs against E. histolytica.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vahab Ali
- Department of Parasitology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Peacock CS. The practical implications of comparative kinetoplastid genomics. SEB Exp Biol Ser 2007; 58:25-45. [PMID: 17608236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
|
50
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review focuses on recent developments on evaluation of 8-aminoquinoline analogs with broader efficacy and reduced toxicity, which would provide better drugs for treatment of protozoal infections. RECENT FINDINGS The earlier efforts towards development of 8-aminoquinoline analogs have been directed to extensive derivatization programs. This has led to discovery of tafenoquine for prophylaxis against malaria infections and sitamaquine with utility for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. Bulaquine, a primaquine pro-drug, has shown reduced methemoglobin toxicity and better malaria-transmission-blocking activity than primaquine. Stereoselective pharmacologic and toxicologic characteristics of chiral 8-aminoquinolines provided the lead for enantiomeric separation of an 8-aminoquinoline analog NPC1161B, with greatly reduced toxicity and potent antimalarial action against blood as well as tissue stages of the parasite. NPC1161B has also shown promising use as an antileishmanial agent. Better understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity and efficacy may help in development of 8-aminoquinoline analogs with superior therapeutic actions, reduced toxicity and broader utility. SUMMARY Extensive derivatization approaches followed by better understanding of structure-activity relationships and biotransformation mechanisms of toxicity have provided 8-aminoquinoline analogs with better pharmacologic and reduced toxicologic profiles. The novel 8-aminoquinoline analogs may have broader utility in public health as future antiprotozoals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Babu L Tekwani
- National Center for Natural Products Research and Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|