151
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Starkl Renar K, Pečar S, Iskra J. Activation of aqueous hydrogen peroxide for non-catalyzed dihydroperoxidation of ketones by azeotropic removal of water. Org Biomol Chem 2015; 13:9369-72. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ob01503k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic and acyclic ketones were selectively converted to gem-dihydroperoxides in 72–99% yield with 30% aq. hydrogen peroxide by azeotropic distillation of water from the reaction mixture without any catalyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Starkl Renar
- Laboratory of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry
- Department of Physical and Organic Chemistry
- Jožef Stefan Institute
- Ljubljana
- Slovenia
| | - S. Pečar
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- University of Ljubljana
- Slovenia
| | - J. Iskra
- Laboratory of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry
- Department of Physical and Organic Chemistry
- Jožef Stefan Institute
- Ljubljana
- Slovenia
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152
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Ivanescu B, Miron A, Corciova A. Sesquiterpene Lactones from Artemisia Genus: Biological Activities and Methods of Analysis. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL METHODS IN CHEMISTRY 2015; 2015:247685. [PMID: 26495156 PMCID: PMC4606394 DOI: 10.1155/2015/247685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Revised: 08/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Sesquiterpene lactones are a large group of natural compounds, found primarily in plants of Asteraceae family, with over 5000 structures reported to date. Within this family, genus Artemisia is very well represented, having approximately 500 species characterized by the presence of eudesmanolides and guaianolides, especially highly oxygenated ones, and rarely of germacranolides. Sesquiterpene lactones exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiulcer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, and insect deterrent. Many of the biological activities are attributed to the α-methylene-γ-lactone group in their molecule which reacts through a Michael-addition with free sulfhydryl or amino groups in proteins and alkylates them. Due to the fact that most sesquiterpene lactones are thermolabile, less volatile compounds, they present no specific chromophores in the molecule and are sensitive to acidic and basic mediums, and their identification and quantification represent a difficult task for the analyst. Another problematic aspect is represented by the complexity of vegetal samples, which may contain compounds that can interfere with the analysis. Therefore, this paper proposes an overview of the methods used for the identification and quantification of sesquiterpene lactones found in Artemisia genus, as well as the optimal conditions for their extraction and separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Ivanescu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 16 Universitatii Street, 700150 Iasi, Romania
- *Bianca Ivanescu:
| | - Anca Miron
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 16 Universitatii Street, 700150 Iasi, Romania
| | - Andreia Corciova
- Department of Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 16 Universitatii Street, 700150 Iasi, Romania
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153
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A Randomised, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Oral Artesunate Therapy for Colorectal Cancer. EBioMedicine 2014; 2:82-90. [PMID: 26137537 PMCID: PMC4484515 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2014.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artesunate is an antimalarial agent with broad anti-cancer activity in in vitro and animal experiments and case reports. Artesunate has not been studied in rigorous clinical trials for anticancer effects. AIM To determine the anticancer effect and tolerability of oral artesunate in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS This was a single centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients planned for curative resection of biopsy confirmed single primary site CRC were randomised (n = 23) by computer-generated code supplied in opaque envelopes to receive preoperatively either 14 daily doses of oral artesunate (200 mg; n = 12) or placebo (n = 11). The primary outcome measure was the proportion of tumour cells undergoing apoptosis (significant if > 7% showed Tunel staining). Secondary immunohistochemical outcomes assessed these tumour markers: VEGF, EGFR, c-MYC, CD31, Ki67 and p53, and clinical responses. FINDINGS 20 patients (artesunate = 9, placebo = 11) completed the trial per protocol. Randomization groups were comparable clinically and for tumour characteristics. Apoptosis in > 7% of cells was seen in 67% and 55% of patients in artesunate and placebo groups, respectively. Using Bayesian analysis, the probabilities of an artesunate treatment effect reducing Ki67 and increasing CD31 expression were 0.89 and 0.79, respectively. During a median follow up of 42 months 1 patient in the artesunate and 6 patients in the placebo group developed recurrent CRC. INTERPRETATION Artesunate has anti-proliferative properties in CRC and is generally well tolerated.
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154
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Ng DSW, Liao W, Tan WSD, Chan TK, Loh XY, Wong WSF. Anti-malarial drug artesunate protects against cigarette smoke-induced lung injury in mice. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2014; 21:1638-44. [PMID: 25442271 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2014.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is mediated by lung infiltration with inflammatory cells, enhanced oxidative stress, and tissue destruction. Anti-malarial drug artesunate has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative actions in mouse asthma models. We hypothesized that artesunate can protect against cigarette smoke-induced acute lung injury via its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Artesunate was given by oral gavage to BALB/c mice daily 2h before 4% cigarette smoke exposure for 1h over five consecutive days. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lungs were collected for analyses of cytokines, oxidative damage and antioxidant activities. Bronchial epithelial cell BEAS-2B was exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and used to study the mechanisms of action of artesunate. Artesunate suppressed cigarette smoke-induced increases in BAL fluid total and differential cell counts; levels of IL-1β, MCP-1, IP-10 and KC; and levels of oxidative biomarkers 8-isoprostane, 8-OHdG and 3-nitrotyrosine in a dose-dependent manner. Artesunate promoted anti-oxidant catalase activity and reduced NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) protein level in the lungs from cigarette smoke-exposed mice. In BEAS-2B cells, artesunate suppressed pro-inflammatory PI3K/Akt and p44/42 MAPK signaling pathways, and increased nuclear Nrf2 accumulation in response to CSE. Artesunate possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties against cigarette smoke-induced lung injury, probably via inhibition of PI3K and p42/22 MAPK signaling pathways, augmentation of Nrf2 and catalase activities, and reduction of NOX2 level. Our data suggest that artesunate may have therapeutic potential for treating COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S W Ng
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wupeng Liao
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - W S Daniel Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tze Khee Chan
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xin Yi Loh
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - W S Fred Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore; Immunology Program, Life Science Institute; National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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155
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In vitro efficacy of ethanolic extract of Artemisia absinthium (Asteraceae) against Leishmania major L. using cell sensitivity and flow cytometry assays. J Parasit Dis 2014; 40:735-40. [PMID: 27605775 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-014-0569-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected human diseases with an estimated global burden ranking second in mortality and fourth in morbidity among the tropical infections. Chemotherapy involving the use of drugs like glucantime is the mainstay treatment in endemic areas of Iran. Drug resistance is increasingly prevalent, so search for alternative therapy is gathering pace. Medicinal herbs, like wormwood Artemisia, have chemical compounds effective against a number of pathogens. In this study, the efficacy of ethanol extract from Artemisia absinthium (Asteraceae) against Leishmania major L. was investigated in vitro. The outcome of different effective doses (1-40 mg/ml) of ethanol extracts from this medicinal herb, A. absinthium, on a standard Iranian parasite strain of L. major was examined. The L. major promastigote cell sensitivity and mortality or viability effects due to the addition of herbal extract were measured using the MTT assay and the flow cytometry technique, respectively. There was complete agreement between the two assays. The lethal concentration (LC50) was measured as 101 mg/ml. Some contrasting relationships between the medicinal herb concentrations and the viability of parasites were observed; so that there was an increased multiplication of the parasite at low concentrations of the drug, but an anti-parasitic apoptotic effect was seen at high concentrations of A. absinthium. It was concluded that there might be one or more chemical constituents within the herbal extract of wormwood which at high concentration controlled cell division and affected the relevant activity within the only one giant mitochondrion in this flagellate parasite. At low doses, however, it showed the opposite effect of leading to mitotic cell divisions.
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156
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Taman A, Azab M. Present-day anthelmintics and perspectives on future new targets. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:2425-33. [PMID: 24894082 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3969-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In absence of vaccines for the majority of helminths, chemotherapy is still the mainstay for controlling human helminthiases. However, a limited number of drugs are available in the market to combat parasitic helminths in human. Besides, the development and spread of drug resistance have declined the use of most currently available anthelmintics. Clearly, availability of new anthelmintic agents will be essential in the next few years. More research into the mechanisms of drug actions and their targets are eminent for the discovery and development of novel anthelmintic agents. Recent drug discovery techniques mostly rely on mechanism-based screening of compounds on heterologously expressed targets in bacterial, mammalian or yeast cells. Although this is usually a successful approach, it is money- and time-consuming; meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies prefer the tested target that is chosen based on basic research. The nervous system is the site of action of several chemotherapeutics including pesticides and antinematode drugs; accordingly, the nervous system continues to be a promising target. Recent advances in exploring helminths' nervous system, neurotransmitters and receptors have paved the way for the development of potential agents targeting the nervous system and its components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Taman
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt,
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157
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Tan SSL, Ong B, Cheng C, Ho WE, Tam JKC, Stewart AG, Harris T, Wong WSF, Tran T. The antimalarial drug artesunate inhibits primary human cultured airway smooth muscle cell proliferation. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2014; 50:451-8. [PMID: 24066853 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2013-0273oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell hyperplasia contributes to airway wall remodeling (AWR) in asthma. Glucocorticoids, which are used as first-line therapy for the treatment of inflammation in asthma, have limited impact on AWR, and protracted usage of high doses of glucocorticoids is associated with an increased risk of side effects. Moreover, patients with severe asthma often show reduced sensitivity to glucocorticoids. Artesunate, a semisynthetic artemisinin derivative used to treat malaria with minimal toxicity, attenuates allergic airway inflammation in mice, but its impact on AWR is not known. We examined the effects of artesunate on ASM proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Primary human ASM cells derived from nonasthmatic donors were treated with artesunate before mitogen stimulation. Artesunate reduced mitogen-stimulated increases in cell number and cyclin D1 protein abundance but had no significant effect on ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Artesunate, but not dexamethasone, inhibited phospho-Akt and phospho-p70(S6K) protein abundance. Artesunate, but not dexamethasone, inhibited mitogen-stimulated increases in cell number, cyclin D1, and phospho-Akt protein abundance on ASM cells derived from asthmatic donors. In a murine model of allergic asthma, artesunate reduced the area of α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells and decreased cyclin D1 protein abundance. Our study provides a basis for the future development of artesunate as a novel anti-AWR agent that targets ASM hyperplasia via the PI3K/Akt/p70(S6K) pathway and suggests that artesunate may be used as combination therapy with glucocorticoids.
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158
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Yin JY, Wang HM, Wang QJ, Dong YS, Han G, Guan YB, Zhao KY, Qu WS, Yuan Y, Gao XX, Jing SF, Ding RG. Subchronic toxicological study of two artemisinin derivatives in dogs. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94034. [PMID: 24739881 PMCID: PMC3989207 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of our study was to profile and compare the systematic changes between orally administered artesunate and intramuscularly injected artemether at a low dose over a 3-month period (92 consecutive days) in dogs. Intramuscular administration of 6 mg kg-1 artemether induced a decreased red blood cell (RBC) count (anemia), concurrent extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen and inhibition of erythropoiesis in the bone marrow. We also observed a prolonged QT interval and neuropathic changes in the central nervous system, which demonstrated the cortex and motor neuron vulnerability, but no behavioral changes. Following treatment with artesunate, we observed a decreased heart rate, which was most likely due to cardiac conduction system damage, as well as a deceased RBC count, extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen and inhibition of erythropoiesis in the bone marrow. However, in contrast to treatment with artemether, neurotoxicity was not observed following treatment with artesunate. In addition, ultra-structural examination by transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial damage following treatment with artesunate. These findings demonstrated the spectrum of toxic changes that result upon treatment with artesunate and artemether and show that the prolonged administration of low doses of these derivatives result in diverse toxicity profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-ye Yin
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - He-mei Wang
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (RD); (HW)
| | - Quan-jun Wang
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-sheng Dong
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Han
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-biao Guan
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Ke-yong Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-sheng Qu
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Yuan
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-xin Gao
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Shu-fang Jing
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Ri-gao Ding
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (RD); (HW)
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159
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Artemisinins: Pharmacological actions beyond anti-malarial. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 142:126-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 309] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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160
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Andrews KT, Fisher G, Skinner-Adams TS. Drug repurposing and human parasitic protozoan diseases. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2014; 4:95-111. [PMID: 25057459 PMCID: PMC4095053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Revised: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases have an enormous health, social and economic impact and are a particular problem in tropical regions of the world. Diseases caused by protozoa and helminths, such as malaria and schistosomiasis, are the cause of most parasite related morbidity and mortality, with an estimated 1.1 million combined deaths annually. The global burden of these diseases is exacerbated by the lack of licensed vaccines, making safe and effective drugs vital to their prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, where drugs are available, their usefulness is being increasingly threatened by parasite drug resistance. The need for new drugs drives antiparasitic drug discovery research globally and requires a range of innovative strategies to ensure a sustainable pipeline of lead compounds. In this review we discuss one of these approaches, drug repurposing or repositioning, with a focus on major human parasitic protozoan diseases such as malaria, trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis and leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine T Andrews
- Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gillian Fisher
- Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tina S Skinner-Adams
- Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
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161
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Zhu XX, Yang L, Li YJ, Zhang D, Chen Y, Kostecká P, Kmoníčková E, Zídek Z. Effects of sesquiterpene, flavonoid and coumarin types of compounds from Artemisia annua L. on production of mediators of angiogenesis. Pharmacol Rep 2014; 65:410-20. [PMID: 23744425 DOI: 10.1016/s1734-1140(13)71016-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Revised: 11/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In addition to recognized antimalarial effects, Artemisia annua L. (Qinghao) possesses anticancer properties. The underlying mechanisms of this activity are unknown. The aim of our experiments was to investigate the effects of distinct types of compounds isolated from A. annua on the immune-activated production of major mediators of angiogenesis playing a crucial role in growth of tumors and formation of metastasis. METHODS Included in the study were the sesquiterpene lactones artemisinin and its biogenetic precursors arteannuin B and artemisinic acid. The semi-synthetic analogue dihydroartemisinin was used for comparative purposes. The flavonoids were represented by casticin and chrysosplenol D, the coumarin type of compounds by 4-methylesculetin. Their effects on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced in vitro production of nitric oxide (NO) were analyzed in rat peritoneal cells using Griess reagent. The LPS-activated production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cytokines (VEGF, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) was determined in both rat peritoneal cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells using ELISA. RESULTS All sesquiterpenes (artemisinin, dihydroartemisinin, artemisinic acid, arteannuin B) significantly reduced production of PGE2. Arteannuin B also inhibited production of NO and secretion of cytokines. All NO, PGE2 and cytokines were suppressed by flavonoids casticin and chrysosplenol D. The coumarin derivative, 4-methylesculetin, was ineffective to change the production of any of these factors. CONCLUSIONS The inhibition of immune mediators of angiogenesis by sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids may be one of the mechanisms of anticancer activity of Artemisia annua L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxin X Zhu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanxiaojie 16, Dongzhimen Nei Avenue, Beijing 100700, China
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162
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Krishna S, Pulcini S, Moore CM, Teo BHY, Staines HM. Pumped up: reflections on PfATP6 as the target for artemisinins. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2014; 35:4-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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163
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Hooft van Huijsduijnen R, Guy RK, Chibale K, Haynes RK, Peitz I, Kelter G, Phillips MA, Vennerstrom JL, Yuthavong Y, Wells TNC. Anticancer properties of distinct antimalarial drug classes. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82962. [PMID: 24391728 PMCID: PMC3877007 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We have tested five distinct classes of established and experimental antimalarial drugs for their anticancer potential, using a panel of 91 human cancer lines. Three classes of drugs: artemisinins, synthetic peroxides and DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase) inhibitors effected potent inhibition of proliferation with IC50s in the nM- low µM range, whereas a DHODH (dihydroorotate dehydrogenase) and a putative kinase inhibitor displayed no activity. Furthermore, significant synergies were identified with erlotinib, imatinib, cisplatin, dasatinib and vincristine. Cluster analysis of the antimalarials based on their differential inhibition of the various cancer lines clearly segregated the synthetic peroxides OZ277 and OZ439 from the artemisinin cluster that included artesunate, dihydroartemisinin and artemisone, and from the DHFR inhibitors pyrimethamine and P218 (a parasite DHFR inhibitor), emphasizing their shared mode of action. In order to further understand the basis of the selectivity of these compounds against different cancers, microarray-based gene expression data for 85 of the used cell lines were generated. For each compound, distinct sets of genes were identified whose expression significantly correlated with compound sensitivity. Several of the antimalarials tested in this study have well-established and excellent safety profiles with a plasma exposure, when conservatively used in malaria, that is well above the IC50s that we identified in this study. Given their unique mode of action and potential for unique synergies with established anticancer drugs, our results provide a strong basis to further explore the potential application of these compounds in cancer in pre-clinical or and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R. Kiplin Guy
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Richard K. Haynes
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | | | | | - Margaret A. Phillips
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jonathan L. Vennerstrom
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Yongyuth Yuthavong
- BIOTEC, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, Thailand
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164
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Aditya N, Vathsala P, Vieira V, Murthy R, Souto E. Advances in nanomedicines for malaria treatment. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2013; 201-202:1-17. [PMID: 24192063 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2013.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is an infectious disease that mainly affects children and pregnant women from tropical countries. The mortality rate of people infected with malaria per year is enormous and became a public health concern. The main factor that has contributed to the success of malaria proliferation is the increased number of drug resistant parasites. To counteract this trend, research has been done in nanotechnology and nanomedicine, for the development of new biocompatible systems capable of incorporating drugs, lowering the resistance progress, contributing for diagnosis, control and treatment of malaria by target delivery. In this review, we discussed the main problems associated with the spread of malaria and the most recent developments in nanomedicine for anti-malarial drug delivery.
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165
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Li Y, Feng L, Li Y, Jiang W, Shan N, Wang X. Artesunate possesses anti-leukemia properties that can be enhanced by arsenic trioxide. Leuk Lymphoma 2013; 55:1366-72. [PMID: 23906016 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2013.829573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Artesunate (ART), an effective and safe anti-malaria drug, also exhibits anticancer activity. We studied the effects of ART on proliferation and apoptosis of human K562 and U937 leukemia cell lines. MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay demonstrated that ART inhibits cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Based on the findings obtained from light, fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy and propidium iodide staining, the effect of ART was shown to be mediated through apoptosis. In parallel, ART treatment increased Fas expression, while it decreased the c-Fos level in K562 cells. Furthermore, co-treatment with arsenic trioxide (ATO) significantly facilitated ART-induced K562 cell apoptosis. These findings demonstrated that ART had an antitumor activity against K562 and U937 leukemia cells, largely due to inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway; and this tumoricidal function could be enhanced by ATO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Hematology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University , Jinan , P. R. China
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166
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ZHAO FEI, WANG HAN, KUNDA PATRICILIA, CHEN XUEMEI, LIU QIULING, LIU TAO. Artesunate exerts specific cytotoxicity in retinoblastoma cells via CD71. Oncol Rep 2013; 30:1473-82. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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167
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Jin M, Shen X, Zhao C, Qin X, Liu H, Huang L, Qiu Z, Liu Y. In vivo study of effects of artesunate nanoliposomes on human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts in nude mice. Drug Deliv 2013; 20:127-33. [PMID: 23731485 DOI: 10.3109/10717544.2013.801047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the effect of artesunate nanoliposomes on cultured cells in vitro and hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts in BALB/c-nu mice. Fluorescence polarization was applied for measurement of mitochondrial membrane fluidities; inhibition test of tumor cell proliferation in vitro was performed and nude mice xenograft model from human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was established. Cytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated by MTT assay on hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts in nude mice. Anisotropy (r-value) of blank nanoliposomes didn't change, it had no statistically significance between the blank nanoliposomes group and the control group, it indicated that artesunate had no obvious effect on L-O2 human normal liver cells. IC₅₀ values of artesunate nanoliposomes and artesunate API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) against HepG-2 cells were 15.997 and 19.706 μg/ml; IC₅₀ values of the same drugs against L-O2 normal human liver cells were 100.23 and 105.54 μg/ml, respectively. Tumor growth inhibitory effect of artesunate nanoliposomes was 32.7%, and artesunate API was 20.5%, respectively. HepG-2 cells treated with artesunate nanoliposomes showed dose-dependent apoptosis. The antitumor effect of artesunate nanoliposomes on human hepatoma HepG2 cells were stronger than that of artesunate API at the same concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihua Jin
- College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
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168
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Cheng C, Ng DSW, Chan TK, Guan SP, Ho WE, Koh AHM, Bian JS, Lau HYA, Wong WSF. Anti-allergic action of anti-malarial drug artesunate in experimental mast cell-mediated anaphylactic models. Allergy 2013; 68:195-203. [PMID: 23253152 DOI: 10.1111/all.12077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergy is an acquired hypersensitivity reaction of the immune system mediated by cross-linking of allergen-specific IgE-bound high-affinity IgE receptors, leading to immediate mast cell degranulation. Artesunate is a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, an active component of the medicinal plant Artemisia annua. Artesunate is a clinically effective anti-malarial drug and has recently been shown to attenuate allergic asthma in mouse models. This study investigated potential anti-allergic effects of artesunate in animal models of IgE-dependent anaphylaxis. METHODS Anti-allergic actions of artesunate were evaluated in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and passive systemic anaphylaxis mouse models, and in ovalbumin-induced contraction of bronchial rings isolated from sensitized guinea pigs. Direct mast cell-stabilizing effect of artesunate was examined in RBL-2H3 mast cell line and in mature human cultured mast cells. Anti-allergic signaling mechanisms of action of artesunate in mast cells were also investigated. RESULTS Artesunate prevented IgE-mediated cutaneous vascular hyperpermeability, hypothermia, elevation in plasma histamine level, and tracheal tissue mast cell degranulation in mice in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, artesunate suppressed ovalbumin-mediated guinea pig bronchial smooth muscle contraction. Furthermore, artesunate concentration-dependently blocked IgE-mediated degranulation of RBL-2H3 mast cells and human culture mast cells. Artesunate was found to inhibit IgE-induced Syk and PLCγ1 phosphorylation, production of IP(3) , and rise in cytosolic Ca(+2) level in mast cells. CONCLUSIONS We report here for the first time that artesunate possesses anti-allergic activity by blocking IgE-induced mast cell degranulation, providing a foundation for developing artesunate for the treatment of allergic asthma and other mast cell-mediated allergic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; National University Health System; Singapore City; Singapore
| | - D. S. W. Ng
- Department of Pharmacology; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; National University Health System; Singapore City; Singapore
| | - T. K. Chan
- Department of Pharmacology; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; National University Health System; Singapore City; Singapore
| | - S. P. Guan
- Department of Pharmacology; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; National University Health System; Singapore City; Singapore
| | - W. E. Ho
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health; National University Health System; Singapore City; Singapore
| | - A. H. M. Koh
- Department of Pharmacology; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; National University Health System; Singapore City; Singapore
| | - J. S. Bian
- Department of Pharmacology; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; National University Health System; Singapore City; Singapore
| | - H. Y. A. Lau
- Faculty of Medicine; School of Biomedical Sciences; Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong; China
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169
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Eradication of malaria through genetic engineering: the current situation. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2013; 6:85-94. [DOI: 10.1016/s1995-7645(13)60001-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2012] [Revised: 12/15/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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170
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Svennas KL, Macdonald SJF, Willis PA. Small molecule anti-malarial patents: a review (January 2010-June 2011). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2012; 22:607-43. [PMID: 22694759 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2012.691967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Malaria causes a huge humanitarian and economic burden. Parasite resistance to established and recently launched anti-malarials is a major issue which, when combined with a malaria eradication agenda, means there is a considerable need for new small molecule anti-malarials. Catalyzed by a recent surge in funding for malaria drug discovery and development, there is an increasing number of compounds in the malaria pipeline. AREAS COVERED This review covers patents published in English between January 2010 and June 2011, which feature small molecules for the treatment of malaria. Approximately 50 series of compounds are described. Patents covering clinical applications, diagnosis kits or vaccines are not included, nor patents where the principle disease focus is not malaria. EXPERT OPINION There is considerable activity in the field of small molecules for malaria which is likely to continue. The ultimate goal is to identify novel drugs to support the malaria eradication agenda. This requires safe and efficacious compounds, from novel chemotypes, which rapidly kill parasites and which are readily synthesized from cheap starting materials. In addition, compounds which have activity in the liver stages or in transmission blocking may be prioritized for development over analogs related to established anti-malarial series targeting the asexual blood stages of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina L Svennas
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pre-Bois 20, PO Box 1826, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
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171
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Abstract
Malaria chemotherapy is under constant threat from the emergence and spread of multidrug resistance of Plasmodium falciparum. Resistance has been observed to almost all currently used antimalarials. Some drugs are also limited by toxicity. A fundamental component of the strategy for malaria chemotherapy is based on prompt, effective and safe antimalarial drugs. To counter the threat of resistance of P. falciparum to existing monotherapeutic regimens, current malaria treatment is based principally on the artemisinin group of compounds, either as monotherapy or artemisinin-based combination therapies for treatment of both uncomplicated and severe falciparum malaria. Key advantages of artemisinins over the conventional antimalarials include their rapid and potent action, with good tolerability profiles. Their action also covers transmissible gametocytes, resulting in decreased disease transmission. Up to now there has been no prominent report of drug resistance to this group of compounds. Treatment of malaria in pregnant women requires special attention in light of limited treatment options caused by potential teratogenicity coupled with a paucity of safety data for the mother and fetus. Treatment of other malaria species is less problematic and chloroquine is still the drug of choice, although resistance of P. vivax to chloroquine has been reported. Multiple approaches to the identification of new antimalarial targets and promising antimalarial drugs are being pursued in order to cope with drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kesara Na-Bangchang
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Paholyothin Road, Klong Luang District, Pathumtanee 12121, Thailand.
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172
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Finaurini S, Basilico N, Corbett Y, D’Alessandro S, Parapini S, Olliaro P, Haynes RK, Taramelli D. Dihydroartemisinin inhibits the human erythroid cell differentiation by altering the cell cycle. Toxicology 2012; 300:57-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2012.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2012] [Revised: 05/26/2012] [Accepted: 05/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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173
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Njuguna NM, Ongarora DSB, Chibale K. Artemisinin derivatives: a patent review (2006 – present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2012; 22:1179-203. [DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2012.724063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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174
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Artemisinin suppresses sympathetic hyperinnervation following myocardial infarction via anti-inflammatory effects. J Mol Histol 2012; 43:737-43. [DOI: 10.1007/s10735-012-9440-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 08/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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175
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Pillai DR, Lau R, Khairnar K, Lepore R, Via A, Staines HM, Krishna S. Artemether resistance in vitro is linked to mutations in PfATP6 that also interact with mutations in PfMDR1 in travellers returning with Plasmodium falciparum infections. Malar J 2012; 11:131. [PMID: 22540925 PMCID: PMC3422158 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Monitoring resistance phenotypes for Plasmodium falciparum, using in vitro growth assays, and relating findings to parasite genotype has proved particularly challenging for the study of resistance to artemisinins. Methods Plasmodium falciparum isolates cultured from 28 returning travellers diagnosed with malaria were assessed for sensitivity to artemisinin, artemether, dihydroartemisinin and artesunate and findings related to mutations in pfatp6 and pfmdr1. Results Resistance to artemether in vitro was significantly associated with a pfatp6 haplotype encoding two amino acid substitutions (pfatp6 A623E and S769N; (mean IC50 (95% CI) values of 8.2 (5.7 – 10.7) for A623/S769 versus 623E/769 N 13.5 (9.8 – 17.3) nM with a mean increase of 65%; p = 0.012). Increased copy number of pfmdr1 was not itself associated with increased IC50 values for artemether, but when interactions between the pfatp6 haplotype and increased copy number of pfmdr1 were examined together, a highly significant association was noted with IC50 values for artemether (mean IC50 (95% CI) values of 8.7 (5.9 – 11.6) versus 16.3 (10.7 – 21.8) nM with a mean increase of 87%; p = 0.0068). Previously described SNPs in pfmdr1 are also associated with differences in sensitivity to some artemisinins. Conclusions These findings were further explored in molecular modelling experiments that suggest mutations in pfatp6 are unlikely to affect differential binding of artemisinins at their proposed site, whereas there may be differences in such binding associated with mutations in pfmdr1. Implications for a hypothesis that artemisinin resistance may be exacerbated by interactions between PfATP6 and PfMDR1 and for epidemiological studies to monitor emerging resistance are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan R Pillai
- Centre for Infection and Immunity, Division of Clinical Sciences, St, George's, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
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176
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Carbonara T, Pascale R, Argentieri MP, Papadia P, Fanizzi FP, Villanova L, Avato P. Phytochemical analysis of a herbal tea from Artemisia annua L. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2012; 62:79-86. [PMID: 22305080 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2012.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2011] [Revised: 01/10/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Strategies to control diffusion of malaria needs to account for the increase of resistance of the parasite to the conventional antimalarial drugs. It has been proposed that a traditional aqueous preparation from Artemisia annua, with a low content of the active compound, artemisinin, may reduce the risk of resistance of the protozoa and be relatively more effective in the treatment of the disease. The solubility properties of the molecule have been the matter of concern about the therapeutic usefulness of herbal teas from A. annua. The present study aimed at analysing the chemical profile of a tea infusion from A. annua. Tea from A. annua was prepared through infusion of the plant aerial parts in water for 1, 24 and 48 h. Content of artemisinin was determined by HPLC-ELSD. Overall chemical characterization of the extracts was carried out by a combination of metabolomic techniques. The artemisinin content varied only slightly in the three different extracts (about 0.12%). A series of mono-caffeoyl- and mono-feruloyl-quinic acids, di-caffeoyl- and di-feruloyl-quinic acids was identified as main components of the tea infusion, together with some flavonoids. Reconstitution of the same extracts in less polar or apolar solvents resulted in a different composition with no phenolics and a much lower concentration of artemisinin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Carbonara
- Dipartimento Farmaco-Chimico, Università Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, I-70125 Bari, Italy
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177
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Abad Martínez MJ, Del Olmo LMB, Ticona LA, Benito PB. The Artemisia L. Genus. STUDIES IN NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY VOLUME 37 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-59514-0.00002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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178
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Tilley L, Charman SA, Vennerstrom JL. Semisynthetic Artemisinin and Synthetic Peroxide Antimalarials. NEGLECTED DISEASES AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2011. [DOI: 10.1039/9781849733496-00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of the endoperoxide sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin, numerous second-generation semisynthetic artemisinins and synthetic peroxides have been prepared and tested for their antimalarial properties. Using a case-study approach, we describe the discovery of the investigational semisynthetic artemisinins artelinic acid (8) and artemisone (9), and the structurally diverse synthetic peroxides arteflene (10), fenozan B07 (11), arterolane (12), PA1103/SAR116242 (13), and RKA182 (14).
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Affiliation(s)
- Leann Tilley
- Department of Biochemistry and Centre of Excellence for Coherent X-rayScience, La Trobe University Melbourne, Victoria 3086 Australia
| | - Susan A. Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Jonathan L. Vennerstrom
- College of Pharmacy University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986025 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE USA
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179
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Tian N, Li J, Liu S, Huang J, Li X, Liu Z. Simultaneous isolation of artemisinin and its precursors from Artemisia annua L. by preparative RP-HPLC. Biomed Chromatogr 2011; 26:708-13. [DOI: 10.1002/bmc.1719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2011] [Accepted: 08/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Na Tian
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Crop, Natural Products Research Center, College of Horticulture and Hardening; Hunan Agricultural University; Changsha; 410128; China
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Tea Science; Ministry of Education; Changsha; 410128; China
| | - Shuoqian Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Crop, Natural Products Research Center, College of Horticulture and Hardening; Hunan Agricultural University; Changsha; 410128; China
| | - Jianan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tea Science; Ministry of Education; Changsha; 410128; China
| | - Xun Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Crop, Natural Products Research Center, College of Horticulture and Hardening; Hunan Agricultural University; Changsha; 410128; China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Crop, Natural Products Research Center, College of Horticulture and Hardening; Hunan Agricultural University; Changsha; 410128; China
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180
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The Plasmodium falciparum Ca(2+)-ATPase PfATP6: insensitive to artemisinin, but a potential drug target. Biochem Soc Trans 2011; 39:823-31. [PMID: 21599655 DOI: 10.1042/bst0390823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The disease malaria, caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, remains one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. In the absence of an efficient vaccine, the medical treatment of malaria is dependent on the use of drugs. Since artemisinin is a powerful anti-malarial drug which has been proposed to target a particular Ca2+-ATPase (PfATP6) in the parasite, it has been important to characterize the molecular properties of this enzyme. PfATP6 is a 139 kDa protein composed of 1228 amino acids with a 39% overall identity with rabbit SERCA1a (sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 1a). PfATP6 conserves all sequences and motifs that are important for the function and/or structure of a SERCA, such as two high-affinity Ca2+-binding sites, a nucleotide-binding site and a phosphorylation site. We have been successful in isolating PfATP6 after heterologous expression in yeast and affinity chromatography in a pure, active and stable detergent-solubilized form. With this preparation, we have characterized and compared with the eukaryotic SERCA1a isoform the substrate (Ca2+ and ATP) -dependency for PfATP6 activity as well as the specific inhibition/interaction of the protein with drugs. Our data fully confirm that PfATP6 is a SERCA, but with a distinct pharmacological profile: compared with SERCA1a, it has a lower affinity for thapsigargin and much higher affinity for cyclopiazonic acid. On the other hand, we were not able to demonstrate any inhibition by artemisinin and were also not able to monitor any binding of the drug to the isolated enzyme. Thus it is unlikely that PfATP6 plays an important role as a target for artemisinin in the parasite P. falciparum.
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181
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Schistosomicidal and antifecundity effects of oral treatment of synthetic endoperoxide N-89. Parasitol Int 2011; 60:231-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2011.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2010] [Revised: 02/25/2011] [Accepted: 02/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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182
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Utzinger J, N’Goran EK, Caffrey CR, Keiser J. From innovation to application: social-ecological context, diagnostics, drugs and integrated control of schistosomiasis. Acta Trop 2011; 120 Suppl 1:S121-37. [PMID: 20831855 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2010.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2010] [Revised: 08/29/2010] [Accepted: 08/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Compared to malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, schistosomiasis remains a truly neglected tropical disease. Schistosomiasis, perhaps more than any other disease, is entrenched in prevailing social-ecological systems, since transmission is governed by human behaviour (e.g. open defecation and patterns of unprotected surface water contacts) and ecological features (e.g. living in close proximity to suitable freshwater bodies in which intermediate host snails proliferate). Moreover, schistosomiasis is intimately linked with poverty and the disease has spread to previously non-endemic areas as a result of demographic, ecological and engineering transformations. Importantly though, thanks to increased advocacy there is growing awareness, financial and technical support to control and eventually eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem at local, regional and global scales. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent progress made in innovation, validation and application of new tools and strategies for research and integrated control of schistosomiasis. First, we explain that schistosomiasis is deeply embedded in social-ecological systems and explore linkages with poverty. We then summarize and challenge global statistics, risk maps and burden estimates of human schistosomiasis. Discovery and development research pertaining to novel diagnostics and drugs forms the centrepiece of our review. We discuss unresolved issues and emerging opportunities for integrated and sustainable control of schistosomiasis and conclude with a series of research needs.
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183
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D’Alessandro S, Basilico N, Corbett Y, Scaccabarozzi D, Omodeo-Salè F, Saresella M, Marventano I, Vaillant M, Olliaro P, Taramelli D. Hypoxia modulates the effect of dihydroartemisinin on endothelial cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2011; 82:476-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2011.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2011] [Revised: 05/30/2011] [Accepted: 06/02/2011] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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184
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Saller R, Melzer J, Rostock M. [Antiinflammatory herbal drugs and their therapeutic potential in tumor patients]. FORSCHENDE KOMPLEMENTARMEDIZIN (2006) 2011; 18:203-212. [PMID: 21934320 DOI: 10.1159/000333140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Saller
- Institut für Naturheilkunde, Universitätsspital, Zürich, Schweiz.
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185
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Gemma S, Kunjir S, Sanna Coccone S, Brindisi M, Moretti V, Brogi S, Novellino E, Basilico N, Parapini S, Taramelli D, Campiani G, Butini S. Synthesis and Antiplasmodial Activity of Bicyclic Dioxanes as Simplified Dihydroplakortin Analogues. J Med Chem 2011; 54:5949-53. [DOI: 10.1021/jm200686d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Gemma
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- Dipartimento di Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- CIRM Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sulla Malaria, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Sanil Kunjir
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- Dipartimento di Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- CIRM Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sulla Malaria, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sanna Coccone
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- Dipartimento di Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- CIRM Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sulla Malaria, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Margherita Brindisi
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- Dipartimento di Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- CIRM Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sulla Malaria, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Vittoria Moretti
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- Dipartimento di Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- CIRM Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sulla Malaria, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Simone Brogi
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- Dipartimento di Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- CIRM Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sulla Malaria, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- Dipartimento di Chimica Farmaceutica e Tossicologica, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Basilico
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- CIRM Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sulla Malaria, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica-Microbiologia-Virologia, Università di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Parapini
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- CIRM Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sulla Malaria, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica-Microbiologia-Virologia, Università di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Donatella Taramelli
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- CIRM Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sulla Malaria, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica-Microbiologia-Virologia, Università di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- Dipartimento di Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- CIRM Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sulla Malaria, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Stefania Butini
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), 53100 Siena, Italy
- Dipartimento di Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- CIRM Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sulla Malaria, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
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Zeng QP, Xiao N, Wu P, Yang XQ, Zeng LX, Guo XX, Zhang PZ, Qiu F. Artesunate potentiates antibiotics by inactivating heme-harbouring bacterial nitric oxide synthase and catalase. BMC Res Notes 2011; 4:223. [PMID: 21714930 PMCID: PMC3141522 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2011] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A current challenge of coping with bacterial infection is that bacterial pathogens are becoming less susceptible to or more tolerant of commonly used antibiotics. It is urgent to work out a practical solution to combat the multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens. Findings Oxidative stress-acclimatized bacteria thrive in rifampicin by generating antibiotic-detoxifying nitric oxide (NO), which can be repressed by artesunate or an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Suppressed bacterial proliferation correlates with mitigated NO production upon the combined treatment of bacteria by artesunate with antibiotics. Detection of the heme-artesunate conjugate and accordingly declined activities of heme-harbouring bacterial NOS and catalase indicates that artesunate renders bacteria susceptible to antibiotics by alkylating the prosthetic heme group of hemo-enzymes. Conclusions By compromising NO-mediated protection from antibiotics and triggering harmful hydrogen peroxide burst, artesunate may serve as a promising antibiotic synergist for killing the multidrug resistant pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Ping Zeng
- Tropical Medicine Institute, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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187
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Slavic K, Krishna S, Derbyshire ET, Staines HM. Plasmodial sugar transporters as anti-malarial drug targets and comparisons with other protozoa. Malar J 2011; 10:165. [PMID: 21676209 PMCID: PMC3135577 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2011] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucose is the primary source of energy and a key substrate for most cells. Inhibition of cellular glucose uptake (the first step in its utilization) has, therefore, received attention as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat various unrelated diseases including malaria and cancers. For malaria, blood forms of parasites rely almost entirely on glycolysis for energy production and, without energy stores, they are dependent on the constant uptake of glucose. Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous human malarial parasite and its hexose transporter has been identified as being the major glucose transporter. In this review, recent progress regarding the validation and development of the P. falciparum hexose transporter as a drug target is described, highlighting the importance of robust target validation through both chemical and genetic methods. Therapeutic targeting potential of hexose transporters of other protozoan pathogens is also reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenija Slavic
- Centre for Infection, Division of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
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188
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Cheng C, Ho WE, Goh FY, Guan SP, Kong LR, Lai WQ, Leung BP, Wong WSF. Anti-malarial drug artesunate attenuates experimental allergic asthma via inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20932. [PMID: 21695271 PMCID: PMC3111464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2011] [Accepted: 05/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway is linked to the development of asthma. Anti-malarial drug artesunate is a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, the principal active component of a medicinal plant Artemisia annua, and has been shown to inhibit PI3K/Akt activity. We hypothesized that artesunate may attenuate allergic asthma via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Female BALB/c mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) developed airway inflammation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was assessed for total and differential cell counts, and cytokine and chemokine levels. Lung tissues were examined for cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion, and the expression of inflammatory biomarkers. Airway hyperresponsiveness was monitored by direct airway resistance analysis. Artesunate dose-dependently inhibited OVA-induced increases in total and eosinophil counts, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. It attenuated OVA-induced lung tissue eosinophilia and airway mucus production, mRNA expression of E-selectin, IL-17, IL-33 and Muc5ac in lung tissues, and airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. In normal human bronchial epithelial cells, artesunate blocked epidermal growth factor-induced phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream substrates tuberin, p70S6 kinase and 4E-binding protein 1, and transactivation of NF-κB. Similarly, artesunate blocked the phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream substrates in lung tissues from OVA-challenged mice. Anti-inflammatory effect of artesunate was further confirmed in a house dust mite mouse asthma model. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Artesunate ameliorates experimental allergic airway inflammation probably via negative regulation of PI3K/Akt pathway and the downstream NF-κB activity. These findings provide a novel therapeutic value for artesunate in the treatment of allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Cheng
- Departments of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Immunology Program, Life Science Institute; National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - W. Eugene Ho
- Departments of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Immunology Program, Life Science Institute; National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fera Y. Goh
- Departments of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Immunology Program, Life Science Institute; National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shou Ping Guan
- Departments of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Immunology Program, Life Science Institute; National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Li Ren Kong
- Departments of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wen-Qi Lai
- Departments of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bernard P. Leung
- Departments of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - W. S. Fred Wong
- Departments of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Immunology Program, Life Science Institute; National University of Singapore, Singapore
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189
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Durden K, Sellars S, Cowell B, Brown JJ, Pszczolkowski MA. Artemisia annua extracts, artemisinin and 1,8-cineole, prevent fruit infestation by a major, cosmopolitan pest of apples. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2011; 49:563-568. [PMID: 21385092 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2010.528433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Extracts of Artemisia annua (L.) (Asteraceae) and artemisinins are used for treatment of malaria, parasitic infections and have potent anticancer properties in cell lines. Eucalyptus oil and 1,8-cineole have antimicrobial, immune-stimulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and spasmolytic effects. Codling moth, Cydia pomonella, (L.) (Tortricidae), is a major cosmopolitan pest of the apple, potentially causing damage translating to 40 billion US dollars per year, globally. Currently used control measures are either hazardous to agricultural workers and harmful to environment, or ineffective. The potential of plant-derived semiochemicals for codling moth control is heavily understudied. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the potential of A. annua extracts, and two chemicals that this plant contains, artemisinin and 1,8-cineole, for preventing apple feeding and infestation by neonate Cydia pomonella larvae. METHODS We studied effects of A. annua extracts, artemisinin and 1,8-cineole on apple infestation by neonate codling moth larvae using fruit choice assay in laboratory experiments. Preference of fruit treated with test solutions versus fruit treated with solvent was recorded and analyzed. RESULTS Crude A. annua extracts prevented fruit feeding at 1, 3, and 10 mg/ml. Artemisinin had feeding deterrent effects at 10 and 30 mg/ml, and 1,8-cineole at 100 and 300 mg/ml. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS A. annua contains chemicals that prevent apple infestation by codling moth neonates. Artemisinin and 1,8-cineole are among them, but there are other, polar constituents of A. annua, which have similar effects. There is a potential of using our findings in codling moth control and production of codling moth-resistant apples.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Durden
- William H. Darr School of Agriculture, Missouri State University, Mountain Grove, MO, USA
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190
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Artesunate tolerance in transgenic Plasmodium falciparum parasites overexpressing a tryptophan-rich protein. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2011; 55:2576-84. [PMID: 21464256 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01409-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to their rapid, potent action on young and mature intraerythrocytic stages, artemisinin derivatives are central to drug combination therapies for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, the evidence for emerging parasite resistance/tolerance to artemisinins in southeast Asia is of great concern. A better understanding of artemisinin-related drug activity and resistance mechanisms is urgently needed. A recent transcriptome study of parasites exposed to artesunate led us to identify a series of genes with modified levels of expression in the presence of the drug. The gene presenting the largest mRNA level increase, Pf10_0026 (PArt), encoding a hypothetical protein of unknown function, was chosen for further study. Immunodetection with PArt-specific sera showed that artesunate induced a dose-dependent increase of the protein level. Bioinformatic analysis showed that PArt belongs to a Plasmodium-specific gene family characterized by the presence of a tryptophan-rich domain with a novel hidden Markov model (HMM) profile. Gene disruption could not be achieved, suggesting an essential function. Transgenic parasites overexpressing PArt protein were generated and exhibited tolerance to a spike exposure to high doses of artesunate, with increased survival and reduced growth retardation compared to that of wild-type-treated controls. These data indicate the involvement of PArt in parasite defense mechanisms against artesunate. This is the first report of genetically manipulated parasites displaying a stable and reproducible decreased susceptibility to artesunate, providing new possibilities to investigate the parasite response to artemisinins.
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191
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Feng TS, Guantai EM, Nell MJ, van Rensburg CEJ, Hoppe HC, Chibale K. Antiplasmodial and antitumor activity of dihydroartemisinin analogs derived via the aza-Michael addition reaction. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2011; 21:2882-6. [PMID: 21489789 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2011.03.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2011] [Revised: 03/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A series of dihydroartemisinin derivatives were synthesized via an aza-Michael addition reaction to a dihydroartemisinin-based acrylate and were evaluated for antiplasmodial and antitumor activity. The target compounds showed excellent antiplasmodial activity, with dihydroartemisinin derivatives 5, 7, 9 and 13 exhibiting IC(50) values of ≤10 nM against both D10 and Dd2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Derivative 4d was the most active against the HeLa cancer cell line, with an IC(50) of 0.37 μM and the highest tumor specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Shean Feng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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192
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Lin X, Zhou Y, Zhang J, Lu X, Zhang F, Shen Q, Wu S, Chen Y, Wang T, Tang K. Enhancement of artemisinin content in tetraploid Artemisia annua plants by modulating the expression of genes in artemisinin biosynthetic pathway. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2011; 58:50-7. [DOI: 10.1002/bab.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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193
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194
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Haynes RK, Cheu KW, Tang MMK, Chen MJ, Guo ZF, Guo ZH, Coghi P, Monti D. Reactions of Antimalarial Peroxides with Each of Leucomethylene Blue and Dihydroflavins: Flavin Reductase and the Cofactor Model Exemplified. ChemMedChem 2010; 6:279-91. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201000508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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195
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Zeng QP, Zhang PZ. Artesunate mitigates proliferation of tumor cells by alkylating heme-harboring nitric oxide synthase. Nitric Oxide 2010; 24:110-2. [PMID: 21168521 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2010.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2010] [Revised: 11/19/2010] [Accepted: 12/14/2010] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Artesunate (ART), a semi-synthetic derivative of antimalarial artemisinin, kills cancer cells with uncertain mechanisms. Here, we report for the first time that ART may exert the anti-tumor activity by conjugating the prosthetic heme of hemoproteins in a hepatoma cell line, HepG2, which was evident by monitoring the shift of absorbance from heme (A₄₁₅) to the ART-heme adduct (A₄₇₆). Accordingly, a transient elevation of A₄₁₅ was observed with a synchronous burst of nitric oxide (NO) and a high rate of survival following incubation of HepG2 with 50 μM ART. In contrast, ART at above 100 μM led to an abrogation of NO generation and a decline of the survival rate in HepG2. These data implied that heme-containing nitric oxide synthase (NOS) may represent a major cellular target of ART in killing tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Ping Zeng
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Tropical Medicine Institute, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 510405 Guangzhou, China.
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196
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Artemisone uptake in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2010; 55:550-6. [PMID: 21135191 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01216-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisone is one of the most promising artemisinin derivatives in clinical trials. Previous studies with radiolabeled artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin have measured uptake in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Uptake is much greater in infected than in uninfected erythrocytes, but the relative contributions of transport, binding, and metabolism to this process still await definition. In this study, we characterized mechanisms by which [(14)C]artemisone is taken up into uninfected and P. falciparum-infected human erythrocytes in vitro. Radiolabeled artemisone rapidly enters uninfected erythrocytes without much exceeding extracellular concentrations. Unlabeled artemisone does not compete in this process. Radiolabeled artemisone is concentrated greatly by a time- and temperature-dependent mechanism in infected erythrocytes. This uptake is abrogated by unlabeled artemisone. In addition, the uptake of artemisone into three subcellular fractions, and its distribution into these fractions, is examined as a function of parasite maturation. These data are relevant to an understanding of the mechanisms of action of this important class of drugs.
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197
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Liu WM, Gravett AM, Dalgleish AG. The antimalarial agent artesunate possesses anticancer properties that can be enhanced by combination strategies. Int J Cancer 2010; 128:1471-80. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2010] [Accepted: 09/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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198
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Haynes RK, Chan WC, Wong HN, Li KY, Wu WK, Fan KM, Sung HHY, Williams ID, Prosperi D, Melato S, Coghi P, Monti D. Facile oxidation of leucomethylene blue and dihydroflavins by artemisinins: relationship with flavoenzyme function and antimalarial mechanism of action. ChemMedChem 2010; 5:1282-99. [PMID: 20629071 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201000225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The antimalarial drug methylene blue (MB) affects the redox behaviour of parasite flavin-dependent disulfide reductases such as glutathione reductase (GR) that control oxidative stress in the malaria parasite. The reduced flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor FADH(2) initiates reduction to leucomethylene blue (LMB), which is oxidised by oxygen to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MB. MB then acts as a subversive substrate for NADPH normally required to regenerate FADH(2) for enzyme function. The synergism between MB and the peroxidic antimalarial artemisinin derivative artesunate suggests that artemisinins have a complementary mode of action. We find that artemisinins are transformed by LMB generated from MB and ascorbic acid (AA) or N-benzyldihydronicotinamide (BNAH) in situ in aqueous buffer at physiological pH into single electron transfer (SET) rearrangement products or two-electron reduction products, the latter of which dominates with BNAH. Neither AA nor BNAH alone affects the artemisinins. The AA-MB SET reactions are enhanced under aerobic conditions, and the major products obtained here are structurally closely related to one such product already reported to form in an intracellular medium. A ketyl arising via SET with the artemisinin is invoked to explain their formation. Dihydroflavins generated from riboflavin (RF) and FAD by pretreatment with sodium dithionite are rapidly oxidised by artemisinin to the parent flavins. When catalytic amounts of RF, FAD, and other flavins are reduced in situ by excess BNAH or NAD(P)H in the presence of the artemisinins in the aqueous buffer, they are rapidly oxidised to the parent flavins with concomitant formation of two-electron reduction products from the artemisinins; regeneration of the reduced flavin by excess reductant maintains a catalytic cycle until the artemisinin is consumed. In preliminary experiments, we show that NADPH consumption in yeast GR with redox behaviour similar to that of parasite GR is enhanced by artemisinins, especially under aerobic conditions. Recombinant human GR is not affected. Artemisinins thus may act as antimalarial drugs by perturbing the redox balance within the malaria parasite, both by oxidising FADH(2) in parasite GR or other parasite flavoenzymes, and by initiating autoxidation of the dihydroflavin by oxygen with generation of ROS. Reduction of the artemisinin is proposed to occur via hydride transfer from LMB or the dihydroflavin to O1 of the peroxide. This hitherto unrecorded reactivity profile conforms with known structure-activity relationships of artemisinins, is consistent with their known ability to generate ROS in vivo, and explains the synergism between artemisinins and redox-active antimalarial drugs such as MB and doxorubicin. As the artemisinins appear to be relatively inert towards human GR, a putative model that accounts for the selective potency of artemisinins towards the malaria parasite also becomes apparent. Decisively, ferrous iron or carbon-centered free radicals cannot be involved, and the reactivity described herein reconciles disparate observations that are incompatible with the ferrous iron-carbon radical hypothesis for antimalarial mechanism of action. Finally, the urgent enquiry into the emerging resistance of the malaria parasite to artemisinins may now in one part address the possibilities either of structural changes taking place in parasite flavoenzymes that render the flavin cofactor less accessible to artemisinins or of an enhancement in the ability to use intra-erythrocytic human disulfide reductases required for maintenance of parasite redox balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard K Haynes
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Technology for Drug Discovery and Synthesis, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P.R. China.
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199
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Krishna S, Pulcini S, Fatih F, Staines H. Artemisinins and the biological basis for the PfATP6/SERCA hypothesis. Trends Parasitol 2010; 26:517-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2010] [Revised: 06/21/2010] [Accepted: 06/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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200
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Valderramos SG, Scanfeld D, Uhlemann AC, Fidock DA, Krishna S. Investigations into the role of the Plasmodium falciparum SERCA (PfATP6) L263E mutation in artemisinin action and resistance. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2010; 54:3842-52. [PMID: 20566762 PMCID: PMC2935017 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00121-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2010] [Revised: 02/17/2010] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are highly effective for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, yet their sustained efficacy is threatened by the potential spread of parasite resistance. Recent studies have provided evidence that artemisinins can inhibit the function of PfATP6, the P. falciparum ortholog of the ER calcium pump SERCA, when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Inhibition was significantly reduced in an L263E variant, which introduced the mammalian residue into a putative drug-binding pocket. To test the hypothesis that this single mutation could decrease P. falciparum susceptibility to artemisinins, we implemented an allelic-exchange strategy to replace the wild-type pfatp6 allele by a variant allele encoding L263E. Transfected P. falciparum clones were screened by PCR analysis for disruption of the endogenous locus and introduction of the mutant L263E allele under the transcriptional control of a calmodulin promoter. Expression of the mutant allele was demonstrated by reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR and verified by sequence analysis. Parasite clones expressing wild-type or L263E variant PfATP6 showed no significant difference in 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)s) for artemisinin or its derivatives dihydroartemisinin and artesunate. Nonetheless, hierarchical clustering analysis revealed a trend toward reduced susceptibility that neared significance (artemisinin, P approximately = 0.1; dihydroartemisinin, P = 0.053 and P = 0.085; and artesunate, P = 0.082 and P = 0.162 for the D10 and 7G8 lines, respectively). Notable differences in the distribution of normalized IC(50)s provided evidence of decreased responsiveness to artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin (P = 0.02 for the D10 and 7G8 lines), but not to artesunate in parasites expressing mutant PfATP6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Gaw Valderramos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, Division of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Centre for Infection, St. George's University of London, London, SW17 ORE, United Kingdom, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
| | - Daniel Scanfeld
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, Division of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Centre for Infection, St. George's University of London, London, SW17 ORE, United Kingdom, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
| | - Anne-Catrin Uhlemann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, Division of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Centre for Infection, St. George's University of London, London, SW17 ORE, United Kingdom, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
| | - David A. Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, Division of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Centre for Infection, St. George's University of London, London, SW17 ORE, United Kingdom, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
| | - Sanjeev Krishna
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, Division of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Centre for Infection, St. George's University of London, London, SW17 ORE, United Kingdom, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
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