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Silva LMN, França WWM, Santos VHB, Souza RAF, Silva AM, Diniz EGM, Aguiar TWA, Rocha JVR, Souza MAA, Nascimento WRC, Lima Neto RG, Cruz Filho IJ, Ximenes ECPA, Araújo HDA, Aires AL, Albuquerque MCPA. Plumbagin: A Promising In Vivo Antiparasitic Candidate against Schistosoma mansoni and In Silico Pharmacokinetic Properties (ADMET). Biomedicines 2023; 11:2340. [PMID: 37760782 PMCID: PMC10525874 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092340] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a potentially fatal chronic disease whose etiological agents are blood trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma spp., is one of the most prevalent and debilitating neglected diseases. The treatment of schistosomiasis depends exclusively on praziquantel (PZQ), a drug that has been used since the 1970s and that already has reports of reduced therapeutic efficacy, related with the development of Schistosoma-resistant or -tolerant strains. Therefore, the search for new therapeutic alternatives is an urgent need. Plumbagin (PLUM), a naphthoquinone isolated from the roots of plants of the genus Plumbago, has aroused interest in research due to its antiparasitic properties against protozoa and helminths. Here, we evaluated the in vivo schistosomicidal potential of PLUM against Schistosoma mansoni and the in silico pharmacokinetic parameters. ADMET parameters and oral bioavailability were evaluated using the PkCSM and SwissADME platforms, respectively. The study was carried out with five groups of infected mice and divided as follows: an untreated control group, a control group treated with PZQ, and three groups treated orally with 8, 16, or 32 mg/kg of PLUM. After treatment, the Kato-Katz technique was performed to evaluate a quantity of eggs in the feces (EPG). The animals were euthanized for worm recovery, intestine samples were collected to evaluate the oviposition pattern, the load of eggs was determined on the hepatic and intestinal tissues and for the histopathological and histomorphometric evaluation of tissue and hepatic granulomas. PLUM reduced EPG by 65.27, 70.52, and 82.49%, reduced the total worm load by 46.7, 55.25, and 72.4%, and the female worm load by 44.01, 52.76, and 71.16%, for doses of 8, 16, and 32 mg/kg, respectively. PLUM also significantly reduced the number of immature eggs and increased the number of dead eggs in the oogram. A reduction of 36.11, 46.46, and 64.14% in eggs in the hepatic tissue, and 57.22, 65.18, and 80.5% in the intestinal tissue were also observed at doses of 8, 16, and 32 mg/kg, respectively. At all doses, PLUM demonstrated an effect on the histopathological and histomorphometric parameters of the hepatic granuloma, with a reduction of 41.11, 48.47, and 70.55% in the numerical density of the granulomas and 49.56, 57.63, and 71.21% in the volume, respectively. PLUM presented itself as a promising in vivo antiparasitic candidate against S. mansoni, acting not only on parasitological parameters but also on hepatic granuloma. Furthermore, in silico, PLUM showed good predictive pharmacokinetic profiles by ADMET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas M. N. Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-520, PE, Brazil; (L.M.N.S.); (V.H.B.S.); (R.A.F.S.); (E.C.P.A.X.); (M.C.P.A.A.)
| | - Wilza W. M. França
- Instituto Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (W.W.M.F.); (A.M.S.); (E.G.M.D.); (T.W.A.A.); (J.V.R.R.); (W.R.C.N.); (H.D.A.A.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Medicina Tropical Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
| | - Victor H. B. Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-520, PE, Brazil; (L.M.N.S.); (V.H.B.S.); (R.A.F.S.); (E.C.P.A.X.); (M.C.P.A.A.)
- Instituto Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (W.W.M.F.); (A.M.S.); (E.G.M.D.); (T.W.A.A.); (J.V.R.R.); (W.R.C.N.); (H.D.A.A.)
| | - Renan A. F. Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-520, PE, Brazil; (L.M.N.S.); (V.H.B.S.); (R.A.F.S.); (E.C.P.A.X.); (M.C.P.A.A.)
- Instituto Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (W.W.M.F.); (A.M.S.); (E.G.M.D.); (T.W.A.A.); (J.V.R.R.); (W.R.C.N.); (H.D.A.A.)
| | - Adriana M. Silva
- Instituto Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (W.W.M.F.); (A.M.S.); (E.G.M.D.); (T.W.A.A.); (J.V.R.R.); (W.R.C.N.); (H.D.A.A.)
| | - Emily G. M. Diniz
- Instituto Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (W.W.M.F.); (A.M.S.); (E.G.M.D.); (T.W.A.A.); (J.V.R.R.); (W.R.C.N.); (H.D.A.A.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Medicina Tropical Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
| | - Thierry W. A. Aguiar
- Instituto Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (W.W.M.F.); (A.M.S.); (E.G.M.D.); (T.W.A.A.); (J.V.R.R.); (W.R.C.N.); (H.D.A.A.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil
| | - João V. R. Rocha
- Instituto Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (W.W.M.F.); (A.M.S.); (E.G.M.D.); (T.W.A.A.); (J.V.R.R.); (W.R.C.N.); (H.D.A.A.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Medicina Tropical Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
| | - Mary A. A. Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Morfotecnologia, Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil; (M.A.A.S.); (I.J.C.F.)
| | - Wheverton R. C. Nascimento
- Instituto Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (W.W.M.F.); (A.M.S.); (E.G.M.D.); (T.W.A.A.); (J.V.R.R.); (W.R.C.N.); (H.D.A.A.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Morfotecnologia, Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil; (M.A.A.S.); (I.J.C.F.)
- Centro de Ciências Médicas—Área Acadêmica de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil
| | - Reginaldo G. Lima Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Medicina Tropical Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
- Centro de Ciências Médicas—Área Acadêmica de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil
| | - Iranildo J. Cruz Filho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Morfotecnologia, Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil; (M.A.A.S.); (I.J.C.F.)
- Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil
| | - Eulália C. P. A. Ximenes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-520, PE, Brazil; (L.M.N.S.); (V.H.B.S.); (R.A.F.S.); (E.C.P.A.X.); (M.C.P.A.A.)
- Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil
| | - Hallysson D. A. Araújo
- Instituto Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (W.W.M.F.); (A.M.S.); (E.G.M.D.); (T.W.A.A.); (J.V.R.R.); (W.R.C.N.); (H.D.A.A.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil
| | - André L. Aires
- Instituto Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (W.W.M.F.); (A.M.S.); (E.G.M.D.); (T.W.A.A.); (J.V.R.R.); (W.R.C.N.); (H.D.A.A.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Medicina Tropical Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Morfotecnologia, Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil; (M.A.A.S.); (I.J.C.F.)
- Centro de Ciências Médicas—Área Acadêmica de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil
| | - Mônica C. P. A. Albuquerque
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-520, PE, Brazil; (L.M.N.S.); (V.H.B.S.); (R.A.F.S.); (E.C.P.A.X.); (M.C.P.A.A.)
- Instituto Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (W.W.M.F.); (A.M.S.); (E.G.M.D.); (T.W.A.A.); (J.V.R.R.); (W.R.C.N.); (H.D.A.A.)
- Centro de Ciências Médicas—Área Acadêmica de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil
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Risch F, Scheunemann JF, Reichwald JJ, Lenz B, Ehrens A, Gal J, Fercoq F, Koschel M, Fendler M, Hoerauf A, Martin C, Hübner MP. The efficacy of the benzimidazoles oxfendazole and flubendazole against Litomosoides sigmodontis is dependent on the adaptive and innate immune system. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1213143. [PMID: 37440891 PMCID: PMC10335397 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1213143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Filarial nematodes can cause debilitating diseases such as lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. Oxfendazole (OXF) is one promising macrofilaricidal candidate with improved oral availability compared to flubendazole (FBZ), and OXF is currently under preparation for phase 2 clinical trials in filariasis patients. This study aimed to investigate the immune system's role during treatment with OXF and FBZ and explore the potential to boost the treatment efficacy via stimulation of the immune system. Wild type (WT) BALB/c, eosinophil-deficient ΔdblGata1, IL-4r/IL-5-/-, antibody-deficient μMT and B-, T-, NK-cell and ILC-deficient Rag2/IL-2rγ-/- mice were infected with the rodent filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis and treated with an optimal and suboptimal regimen of OXF and FBZ for up to 5 days. In the second part, WT mice were treated for 2-3 days with a combination of OXF and IL-4, IL-5, or IL-33. Treatment of WT mice reduced the adult worm burden by up to 94% (OXF) and 100% (FBZ) compared to vehicle controls. In contrast, treatment efficacy was lower in all immunodeficient strains with a reduction of up to 90% (OXF) and 75% (FBZ) for ΔdblGata1, 50 and 92% for IL-4r/IL-5-/-, 64 and 78% for μMT or 0% for Rag2/IL-2rγ-/- mice. The effect of OXF on microfilariae and embryogenesis displayed a similar pattern, while FBZ's ability to prevent microfilaremia was independent of the host's immune status. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis revealed strain-and treatment-specific immunological changes. The efficacy of a shortened 3-day treatment of OXF (-33% adult worms vs. vehicle) could be boosted to a 91% worm burden reduction via combination with IL-5, but not IL-4 or IL-33. Our results suggest that various components of the immune system support the filaricidal effect of benzimidazoles in vivo and present an opportunity to boost treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Risch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Johanna F. Scheunemann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia J. Reichwald
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin Lenz
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Ehrens
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joséphine Gal
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes, Sorbonne Université, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Fercoq
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes, Sorbonne Université, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Marianne Koschel
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martina Fendler
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Coralie Martin
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes, Sorbonne Université, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Marc P. Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
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