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Solano-Gálvez SG, Gutiérrez-Kobeh L, Wilkins-Rodríguez AA, Vázquez-López R. Artemisinin: An Anti-Leishmania Drug that Targets the Leishmania Parasite and Activates Apoptosis of Infected Cells. Arch Med Res 2024; 55:103041. [PMID: 38996535 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a relevant disease worldwide due to its presence in many countries and an estimated prevalence of 10 million people. The causative agent of this disease is the obligate intracellular parasite Leishmania which can infect different cell types. Part of its success depends on its ability to evade host defense mechanisms such as apoptosis. Apoptosis is a finely programmed process of cell death in which cells silently dismantle and actively participate in several processes such as immune response, differentiation, and cell growth. Leishmania has the ability to delay its initiation to persist in the cell. It has been well documented that different Leishmania species target different pathways that lead to apoptosis of cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. In many cases, the observed anti-apoptotic effect has been associated with a significant reduction in caspase-3 activity. Leishmania has also been shown to target several pathways involved in apoptosis such as MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL. Understanding the strategies used by Leishmania to subvert the defense mechanisms of host cells, particularly apoptosis, is very relevant for the development of therapies and vaccines. In recent years, the drug artemisinin has been shown to be effective against several parasitic diseases. Its role against Leishmania may be promising. In this review, we provide important aspects of the disease, the strategies used by the parasite to suppress apoptosis, and the role of artemisinin in Leishmania infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Georgina Solano-Gálvez
- Unidad de Investigación, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laila Gutiérrez-Kobeh
- Unidad de Investigación, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Arturo A Wilkins-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigación, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosalino Vázquez-López
- Departamento de Microbiología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Universidad Anáhuac México Norte, Huixquilucan, Estado de México, Mexico.
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Tambe S, Nag S, Pandya SR, Kumar R, Balakrishnan K, Kumar R, Kumar S, Amin P, Gupta PK. Revolutionizing Leishmaniasis Treatment with Cutting Edge Drug Delivery Systems and Nanovaccines: An Updated Review. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1871-1889. [PMID: 38829047 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, one of the most overlooked tropical diseases, is a life-threatening illness caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani that is prevalent in underdeveloped nations. Over 350 million individuals in more than 90 different nations worldwide are at risk of contracting the disease, which has a current fatality rate of 50 000 mortalities each year. The administration of liposomal Amp B, pentavalent antimonials, and miltefosine are still considered integral components of the chemotherapy regimen. Antileishmanial medications fail to treat leishmaniasis because of their numerous drawbacks. These include inadequate effectiveness, toxicity, undesired side effects, drug resistance, treatment duration, and cost. Consequently, there is a need to overcome the limitations of conventional therapeutics. Nanotechnology has demonstrated promising outcomes in addressing these issues because of its small size and distinctive characteristics, such as enhanced bioavailability, lower toxicity, biodegradability, and targeted drug delivery. This review is an effort to highlight the recent progress in various nanodrug delivery systems (nDDSs) over the past five years for treating leishmaniasis. Although the preclinical outcomes of nDDSs have shown promising treatment for leishmaniasis, further research is needed for their clinical translation. Advancement in three primary priority domains─molecular diagnostics, clinical investigation, and knowledge dissemination and standardization─is imperative to propel the leishmaniasis field toward translational outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srushti Tambe
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400019, India
| | - Sagnik Nag
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Shivani R Pandya
- Research and Development Cell & Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat 391760, India
| | - Rohit Kumar
- Centre for Development of Biomaterials and Department of Life Sciences, Sharda School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310, India
| | - Kalpana Balakrishnan
- Department of Biotechnology, K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu 637215, India
| | - Ranvijay Kumar
- University Centre for Research and Development and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab 140413, India
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab 140401, India
| | - Purnima Amin
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400019, India
| | - Piyush Kumar Gupta
- Centre for Development of Biomaterials and Department of Life Sciences, Sharda School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to Be University), Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248002, India
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Niroumand U, Motazedian MH, Ahmadi F, Asgari Q, Bahreini MS, Ghasemiyeh P, Mohammadi-Samani S. Preparation and characterization of artemether-loaded niosomes in Leishmania major-induced cutaneous leishmaniasis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10073. [PMID: 38698123 PMCID: PMC11065877 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most prevalent form of leishmaniasis worldwide. Although various anti-leishmanial regimens have been considered, due to the lack of efficacy or occurrence of adverse reactions, design and development of novel topical delivery systems would be essential. This study aimed to prepare artemether (ART)-loaded niosomes and evaluate their anti-leishmanial effects against Leishmania major. ART-loaded niosomes were prepared through the thin-film hydration technique and characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential, morphology, differential scanning calorimetry, drug loading, and drug release. Furthermore, anti-leishmanial effect of the preparation was assessed in vitro and in vivo. The prepared ART-loaded niosomes were spherical with an average diameter of about 100 and 300 nm with high encapsulation efficiencies of > 99%. The results of in vitro cytotoxicity revealed that ART-loaded niosomes had significantly higher anti-leishmanial activity, lower general toxicity, and higher selectivity index (SI). Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of ART, ART-loaded niosomes, and liposomal amphotericin B were 39.09, 15.12, and 20 µg/mL, respectively. Also, according to the in vivo study results, ART-loaded niosomes with an average size of 300 nm showed the highest anti-leishmanial effects in animal studies. ART-loaded niosomes would be promising topical drug delivery system for the management of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uranous Niroumand
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz-Marvdasht Hwy, Karafarin St, Shiraz, 71468 64685, Fars, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Motazedian
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ahmadi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Qasem Asgari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saleh Bahreini
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Parisa Ghasemiyeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Soliman Mohammadi-Samani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz-Marvdasht Hwy, Karafarin St, Shiraz, 71468 64685, Fars, Iran.
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Dourado D, Silva Medeiros T, do Nascimento Alencar É, Matos Sales E, Formiga FR. Curcumin-loaded nanostructured systems for treatment of leishmaniasis: a review. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 15:37-50. [PMID: 38213574 PMCID: PMC10777206 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.15.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that has affected more than 350 million people worldwide and can manifest itself in three different forms: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or visceral. Furthermore, the current treatment options have drawbacks which compromise efficacy and patient compliance. To face this global health concern, new alternatives for the treatment of leishmaniasis have been explored. Curcumin, a polyphenol obtained from the rhizome of turmeric, exhibits leishmanicidal activity against different species of Leishmania spp. Although its mechanism of action has not yet been fully elucidated, its leishmanicidal potential may be associated with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it has limitations that compromise its clinical use. Conversely, nanotechnology has been used as a tool for solving biopharmaceutical challenges associated with drugs, such as curcumin. From a drug delivery standpoint, nanocarriers (1-1000 nm) can improve stability, increase solubility, promote intracellular delivery, and increase biological activity. Thus, this review offers a deep look into curcumin-loaded nanocarriers intended for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Dourado
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), 50670-420 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Thayse Silva Medeiros
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), 59010180, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Éverton do Nascimento Alencar
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition. Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), 79070-900, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Fábio Rocha Formiga
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), 50670-420 Recife, PE, Brazil
- Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM), University of Pernambuco (UPE), 50100-130, Recife, PE, Brazil
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Dalir Ghaffari A, Barati M, Ghaffarifar F, Pirestani M, Ebrahimi M, KarimiPourSaryazdi A. Investigation of antileishmanial activities of CaO nanoparticles on L. tropica and L. infantum parasites, in vitro. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:73-81. [PMID: 36910320 PMCID: PMC9998763 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01539-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Stibogluconate sodium and meglumine antimoniate are the main antimonials utilised as the primary treatment option for leishmaniasis. However, have a number of side effects that limit their use. Development of nanoparticles (NPs) use in biological research and remarkable antimicrobial effects and unique optical and structural properties of CaO NPs have motivated this study to evaluated the effect of different times/dilutions of CaO NPs on Leishmania tropica and Leishmania infantum. To evaluate the antileishmanial activity of CaO NPs, the cytotoxic effect of CaO NPs against L. tropica and L. infantum amastigotes, promastigotes, as well as macrophages, was evaluated using counting and MTT assay after adding different concentrations of CaO nanoparticles (800-6.25 μg/ml) to the parasite culture. The possible apoptosis by CaO NPs were evaluated via flow cytometry assay. The XRD-pattern related to CaO nanoparticles indicating the cubic phase structures. According the effects of nanoparticle on promastigotes the IC50 values of CaO nanoparticles within 72 h were 19.81 μg/ml for L. tropica and 22.57 μg/ml for L. infantum. The percentage of the normal, apoptotic, and necrotic cells was estimated to be 82.6%, 14.81%, and 2.69% for L. tropica, and 73.6%, 23.89%, and 2.58% for L. infantum, respectively. Our results showed acceptable in vitro activity level of CaO NPs against L. tropica and L. infantum promastigotes as well as intracellular amastigotes. CaO NPs were more effective against L. infantum compared to L. tropica in vitro study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Dalir Ghaffari
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Barati
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghaffarifar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Pirestani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Ebrahimi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir KarimiPourSaryazdi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Bahreini MS, Yazdi AR, Jowkar F, Motamedi M, Mikaeili F. Cytotoxic screening and in vitro effect of sodium chlorite against Leishmania major promastigotes. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:945-951. [PMID: 36457781 PMCID: PMC9606154 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01511-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world. Despite the existence of many therapeutic strategies, the treatment of this infection still faces problems. Sodium chlorite as an antimicrobial agent has been shown to have acceptable tissue regenerative and wound healing properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the in vitro effects of different concentrations of sodium chlorite on Leishmania major promastigotes and macrophage cells. The inhibitory and toxicity effect of various concentrations (0.0035, - 1.8 mg/ml) of sodium chlorite on the standard Iranian strain of L. major promastigotes were evaluated via counting the cells and flow cytometry. Furthermore, cytotoxicity on promastigotes and J774 macrophage cell line were performed by MTT assay. The results of the inhibitory test demonstrated that sodium chlorite had dose-dependent, anti-leishmanial activities. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for promastigotes and J774 cells by cytotoxicity test was detected at 0.17 mg/ml and 0.08 mg/ml after 48 h respectively. Flow cytometry results showed that 27.34% death of promastigotes was observed in 0.0035 mg/ml of sodium chlorite and 78.12% in 1.8 mg/ml. The results of the present study showed that sodium chlorite could be used as an effective treatment for CL, especially in cases resistant to treatment with pentavalent compounds. However, the toxicity of this substance in high concentrations should be considered in clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Saleh Bahreini
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Reza Yazdi
- Dermatology Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farideh Jowkar
- Dermatology Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Molecular Dermatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Marjan Motamedi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fattaneh Mikaeili
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Cohen A, Azas N. Challenges and Tools for In Vitro Leishmania Exploratory Screening in the Drug Development Process: An Updated Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:1608. [PMID: 34959563 PMCID: PMC8703296 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne diseases caused by infection with the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. Some of them, such as Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis, are zoonotic diseases transmitted from vertebrate to vertebrate by a hematophagous insect, the sand fly. As there is an endemic in more than 90 countries worldwide, this complex and major health problem has different clinical forms depending on the parasite species involved, with the visceral form being the most worrying since it is fatal when left untreated. Nevertheless, currently available antileishmanial therapies are significantly limited (low efficacy, toxicity, adverse side effects, drug-resistance, length of treatment, and cost), so there is an urgent need to discover new compounds with antileishmanial activity, which are ideally inexpensive and orally administrable with few side effects and a novel mechanism of action. Therefore, various powerful approaches were recently applied in many interesting antileishmanial drug development programs. The objective of this review is to focus on the very first step in developing a potential drug and to identify the exploratory methods currently used to screen in vitro hit compounds and the challenges involved, particularly in terms of harmonizing the results of work carried out by different research teams. This review also aims to identify innovative screening tools and methods for more extensive use in the drug development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Cohen
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Aix Marseille University, IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), AP-HM (Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Marseille), SSA (Service de Santé des Armées), VITROME (Vecteurs—Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes), 13005 Marseille, France;
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