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Siqueira-Neto JL, Wicht KJ, Chibale K, Burrows JN, Fidock DA, Winzeler EA. Antimalarial drug discovery: progress and approaches. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:807-826. [PMID: 37652975 PMCID: PMC10543600 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00772-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Recent antimalarial drug discovery has been a race to produce new medicines that overcome emerging drug resistance, whilst considering safety and improving dosing convenience. Discovery efforts have yielded a variety of new molecules, many with novel modes of action, and the most advanced are in late-stage clinical development. These discoveries have led to a deeper understanding of how antimalarial drugs act, the identification of a new generation of drug targets, and multiple structure-based chemistry initiatives. The limited pool of funding means it is vital to prioritize new drug candidates. They should exhibit high potency, a low propensity for resistance, a pharmacokinetic profile that favours infrequent dosing, low cost, preclinical results that demonstrate safety and tolerability in women and infants, and preferably the ability to block Plasmodium transmission to Anopheles mosquito vectors. In this Review, we describe the approaches that have been successful, progress in preclinical and clinical development, and existing challenges. We illustrate how antimalarial drug discovery can serve as a model for drug discovery in diseases of poverty.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn J Wicht
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | | | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Alves FDM, Bellei JCB, Barbosa CDS, Duarte CL, da Fonseca AL, Pinto ACDS, Raimundo FO, Carpinter BA, Lemos ASDO, Coimbra ES, Taranto AG, Rocha VN, de Pilla Varotti F, Ribeiro Viana GH, Scopel KKG. Rational-Based Discovery of Novel β-Carboline Derivatives as Potential Antimalarials: From In Silico Identification of Novel Targets to Inhibition of Experimental Cerebral Malaria. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121529. [PMID: 36558863 PMCID: PMC9781199 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is an infectious disease widespread in underdeveloped tropical regions. The most severe form of infection is caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which can lead to development of cerebral malaria (CM) and is responsible for deaths and significant neurocognitive sequelae throughout life. In this context and considering the emergence and spread of drug-resistant P. falciparum isolates, the search for new antimalarial candidates becomes urgent. β-carbolines alkaloids are good candidates since a wide range of biological activity for these compounds has been reported. Herein, we designed 20 chemical entities and performed an in silico virtual screening against a pool of P. falciparum molecular targets, the Brazilian Malaria Molecular Targets (BRAMMT). Seven structures showed potential to interact with PfFNR, PfPK7, PfGrx1, and PfATP6, being synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Among them, compounds 3−6 and 10 inhibited the growth of the W2 strain at µM concentrations, with low cytotoxicity against the human cell line. In silico physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties were found to be favorable for oral administration. The compound 10 provided the best results against CM, with important values of parasite growth inhibition on the 5th day post-infection for both curative (67.9%) and suppressive (82%) assays. Furthermore, this compound was able to elongate mice survival and protect them against the development of the experimental model of CM (>65%). Compound 10 also induced reduction of the NO level, possibly by interaction with iNOS. Therefore, this alkaloid showed promising activity for the treatment of malaria and was able to prevent the development of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), probably by reducing NO synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda de Moura Alves
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Jessica Correa Bezerra Bellei
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Camila de Souza Barbosa
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Caíque Lopes Duarte
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Amanda Luisa da Fonseca
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia de Souza Pinto
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Felipe Oliveira Raimundo
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Albuquerque Carpinter
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Ari Sérgio de Oliveira Lemos
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Elaine Soares Coimbra
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Alex Gutterres Taranto
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Novaes Rocha
- Research Center of Pathology and Veterinary Histology, Departament of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando de Pilla Varotti
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.d.P.V.); (K.K.G.S.)
| | | | - Kézia K. G. Scopel
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.d.P.V.); (K.K.G.S.)
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Almolhim H, Ding S, Butler JH, Bremers EK, Butschek GJ, Slebodnick C, Merino EF, Rizopoulos Z, Totrov M, Cassera MB, Carlier PR. Enantiopure Benzofuran-2-carboxamides of 1-Aryltetrahydro-β-carbolines Are Potent Antimalarials In Vitro. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:371-376. [PMID: 35300082 PMCID: PMC8919387 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00697] [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: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The tetrahydro-β-carboline scaffold has proven fertile ground for the discovery of antimalarial agents (e.g., MMV008138 (1) and cipargamin (2)). Similarity searching of a publicly disclosed collection of antimalarial hits for molecules resembling 1 drew our attention to N2-acyl tetrahydro-β-carboline GNF-Pf-5009 ((±)-3b). Compound purchase, "analog by catalog", and independent synthesis of hits indicated the benzofuran-2-yl amide portion was required for in vitro efficacy against P. falciparum. Preparation of pure enantiomers demonstrated the pharmacological superiority of (R)-3b. Synthesis and evaluation of D- and F-ring substitution variants and benzofuran isosteres indicated a clear structure-activity relationship. Ultimately (R)-3b was tested in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice; unfavorable physicochemical properties may be responsible for the lack of oral efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Almolhim
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Sha Ding
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Joshua H Butler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Emily K Bremers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Grant J Butschek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Carla Slebodnick
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Emilio F Merino
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | | | - Maxim Totrov
- Molsoft LLC, 11999 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Maria B Cassera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Paul R Carlier
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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Mathew J, Ding S, Kunz KA, Stacy EE, Butler JH, Haney RS, Merino EF, Butschek GJ, Rizopoulos Z, Totrov M, Cassera MB, Carlier PR. Malaria Box-Inspired Discovery of N-Aminoalkyl-β-carboline-3-carboxamides, a Novel Orally Active Class of Antimalarials. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:365-370. [PMID: 35300096 PMCID: PMC8919280 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Virtual ligand screening of a publicly available database of antimalarial hits using a pharmacophore derived from antimalarial MMV008138 identified TCMDC-140230, a tetrahydro-β-carboline amide, as worthy of exploration. All four stereoisomers of this structure were synthesized, but none potently inhibited growth of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Interestingly, 7e, a minor byproduct of these syntheses, proved to be potent in vitro against P. falciparum and was orally efficacious (40 mg/kg) in an in vivo mouse model of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jopaul Mathew
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Sha Ding
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Kevin A Kunz
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Emily E Stacy
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Joshua H Butler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Reagan S Haney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Emilio F Merino
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Grant J Butschek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | | | - Maxim Totrov
- Molsoft LLC, 11999 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Maria B Cassera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Paul R Carlier
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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Zhu S, Chen X, Chen W, Ma Q, Li M, Fan W, Zhang J, Guo L. Multicomponent synthesis of novel β-carboline-fused imidazolium derivatives via the Mannich reaction: cytotoxicity, molecular docking, and mechanistic studies as angiogenesis inhibitors. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj05471f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Herein we report novel multicomponent reactions for the synthesis of β-carboline-fused imidazolium derivatives via the Mannich-type reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Zhu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Chemical Engineering of XinJiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Xiaofei Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Chemical Engineering of XinJiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Wei Chen
- XinJiang Huashidan Pharmaceutical Research Co. Ltd., Urumqi, China
| | - Qin Ma
- XinJiang Huashidan Pharmaceutical Research Co. Ltd., Urumqi, China
| | - Meng Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Chemical Engineering of XinJiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Wenxi Fan
- XinJiang Huashidan Pharmaceutical Research Co. Ltd., Urumqi, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Chemical Engineering of XinJiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Liang Guo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Chemical Engineering of XinJiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
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Qiu X, Zhu L, Wang H, Tan Y, Yang Z, Yang L, Wan L. From natural products to HDAC inhibitors: An overview of drug discovery and design strategy. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 52:116510. [PMID: 34826681 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a key role in the homeostasis of protein acetylation in histones and have recently emerged as a therapeutic target for numerous diseases. The inhibition of HDACs may block angiogenesis, arrest cell growth, and lead to differentiation and apoptosis in tumour cells. Thus, HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) have received increasing attention and many of which are developed from natural sources. In the past few decades, naturally occurring HDACi have been identified to have potent anticancer activities, some of which have demonstrated promising therapeutic effects on haematological malignancies. In this review, we summarized the discovery and modification of HDAC inhibitors from natural sources, novel drug design that uses natural products as parent nuclei, and dual target design strategies that combine HDAC with non-HDAC targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Lv Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Huan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhuang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center; West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Linyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center; West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Wan
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
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