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Nicoliche T, Bartolomeo CS, Lemes RMR, Pereira GC, Nunes TA, Oliveira RB, Nicastro ALM, Soares ÉN, da Cunha Lima BF, Rodrigues BM, Maricato JT, Okuda LH, de Sairre MI, Prado CM, Ureshino RP, Stilhano RS. Antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of curcumin and curcuminoids in SH-SY5Y cells infected by SARS-CoV-2. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10696. [PMID: 38730068 PMCID: PMC11087556 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61662-7] [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: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, affects neuronal cells, causing several symptoms such as memory loss, anosmia and brain inflammation. Curcuminoids (Me08 e Me23) and curcumin (CUR) are derived from Curcuma Longa extract (EXT). Many therapeutic actions have been linked to these compounds, including antiviral action. Given the severe implications of COVID-19, especially within the central nervous system, our study aims to shed light on the therapeutic potential of curcuminoids against SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in neuronal cells. Here, we investigated the effects of CUR, EXT, Me08 and Me23 in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y. We observed that Me23 significantly decreased the expression of plasma membrane-associated transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and TMPRSS11D, consequently mitigating the elevated ROS levels induced by SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, Me23 exhibited antioxidative properties by increasing NRF2 gene expression and restoring NQO1 activity following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Both Me08 and Me23 effectively reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication in SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing ACE2 (SH-ACE2). Additionally, all of these compounds demonstrated the ability to decrease proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17, while Me08 specifically reduced INF-γ levels. Our findings suggest that curcuminoid Me23 could serve as a potential agent for mitigating the impact of COVID-19, particularly within the context of central nervous system involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Nicoliche
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences (FCMSCSP), 61 Dr. Cesário Mota Junior Street, São Paulo, SP, 01221-020, Brazil
| | - Cynthia Silva Bartolomeo
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences (FCMSCSP), 61 Dr. Cesário Mota Junior Street, São Paulo, SP, 01221-020, Brazil
| | - Robertha Mariana Rodrigues Lemes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Chemistry-Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Cruz Pereira
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tamires Alves Nunes
- Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Brito Oliveira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arthur Luiz Miranda Nicastro
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences (FCMSCSP), 61 Dr. Cesário Mota Junior Street, São Paulo, SP, 01221-020, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Chemistry-Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema, Brazil
| | | | | | - Beatriz Moreira Rodrigues
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Terzi Maricato
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Liria Hiromi Okuda
- Biological Institute, Agriculture and Supply Department, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mirela Inês de Sairre
- Human and Natural Sciences Center, Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Máximo Prado
- Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Portes Ureshino
- Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Chemistry-Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema, Brazil
| | - Roberta Sessa Stilhano
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences (FCMSCSP), 61 Dr. Cesário Mota Junior Street, São Paulo, SP, 01221-020, Brazil.
- Post-Graduation Program in Chemistry-Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema, Brazil.
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2
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Jiang Z, Silva EB, Liu C, Fajtová P, Liu LJ, El-Sakkary N, Skinner DE, Syed A, Wang SC, Caffrey CR, O’Donoghue AJ. Development of subunit selective proteasome substrates for Schistosoma species. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.13.580161. [PMID: 38405969 PMCID: PMC10888821 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.13.580161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, or bilharzia, is a neglected tropical disease caused by Schistosoma spp. blood flukes that infects over 200 million people worldwide. Just one partially effective drug is available, and new drugs and drug targets would be welcome. The 20S proteasome is a validated drug target for many parasitic infections, including those caused by Plasmodium and Leishmania. We previously showed that anticancer proteasome inhibitors that act through the Schistosoma mansoni 20S proteasome (Sm20S) kill the parasite in vitro. To advance these initial findings, we employed Multiplex Substrate Profiling by Mass Spectrometry (MSP-MS) to define the substrate cleavage specificities of the three catalytic β subunits of purified Sm20S. The profiles in turn were used to design and synthesize subunit-specific optimized substrates that performed two to eight fold better than the equivalent substrates used to measure the activity of the constitutive human proteasome (c20S). These specific substrates also eliminated the need to purify Sm20S from parasite extracts - a single step enrichment was sufficient to accurately measure substrate hydrolysis and its inhibition with proteasome inhibitors. Finally, we show that the substrate and inhibition profiles for the 20S proteasome from the three medically important schistosome species are similar, suggesting that data arising from an inhibitor development campaign that focuses on Sm20S can be extrapolated to the other two targets with consequent time and cost savings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenze Jiang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | | | - Chenxi Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Pavla Fajtová
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Lawrence J. Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Nelly El-Sakkary
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Danielle E. Skinner
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Ali Syed
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Steven C Wang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Anthony J. O’Donoghue
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
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3
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Zhang L, Cheng L, Chen Z, Fang Y, Li C, Chen M, He P, Wu H, Wu J, Chen J. Chemical modification of curcumin increases its potency against hypopharyngeal carcinoma. J Drug Target 2023; 31:867-877. [PMID: 37577780 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2023.2247581] [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] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Hypopharyngeal carcinoma is notorious for its poor prognosis among all head and neck cancers, posing a persistent challenge in clinical settings. The continuous hyperactivation of the NFκB signalling pathway has been noted in various cancer types, including hypopharyngeal carcinoma. In our quest to develop a novel drug that targets hypopharyngeal cancer via the NFκB pathway, we employed curcumin, a well-known lead compound, and performed chemical modifications to create a mono-carbonyl analogue called L42H17. This compound exhibited exceptional stability and displayed an enhanced binding affinity to myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2). Consistent with expectations, L42H17 demonstrated the ability to inhibit TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of inhibitor of κB (IκB) kinase (IKK), prevent IκB degradation, and subsequently impede NFκB-p65 nuclear translocation in hypopharyngeal cancer cells. Additionally, L42H17 exhibited a remarkable capacity to induce cell cycle arrest at the G2-M phase by inactivating the cdc2-cyclin B1 complex. Moreover, it facilitated cell apoptosis by reducing Bcl-2 levels and augmenting the expression of cle-PARP and cle-caspase3. Importantly, we observed a significant enhancement in the anti-cancer efficacy of L42H17 in a patient-derived tumour xenograft (PDTX) model of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. In conclusion, our findings strongly suggest that L42H17 holds promise as a potential candidate drug for the treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinoma in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhang
- Shanghai Minhang District Dental Clinic, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhemeng Chen
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Fang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changjiang Li
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Chen
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peijie He
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haitao Wu
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianzhang Wu
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, China
| | - Jian Chen
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Caldwell N, Afshar R, Baragaña B, Bustinduy AL, Caffrey CR, Collins JJ, Fusco D, Garba A, Gardner M, Gomes M, Hoffmann KF, Hsieh M, Lo NC, McNamara CW, Nono JK, Padalino G, Read KD, Roestenberg M, Spangenberg T, Specht S, Gilbert IH. Perspective on Schistosomiasis Drug Discovery: Highlights from a Schistosomiasis Drug Discovery Workshop at Wellcome Collection, London, September 2022. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1046-1055. [PMID: 37083395 PMCID: PMC10186373 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00081] [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: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
In September 2022, the Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee, UK, organised an international meeting at the Wellcome Collection in London to explore the current clinical situation and challenges associated with treating schistosomiasis. The aim of this meeting was to discuss the need for new treatments in view of the clinical situation and to ascertain what the key requirements would be for any potential new anti-schistosomals. This information will be essential to inform ongoing drug discovery efforts for schistosomiasis. We also discussed the potential drug discovery pathway and associated criteria for progressing compounds to the clinic. To date, praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug available to treat all species causing schistosomiasis, but it is often unable to completely clear parasites from an infected patient, partially due to its inactivity against juvenile worms. PZQ-mediated mass drug administration campaigns conducted in endemic areas (e.g., sub-Saharan Africa, where schistosomiasis is primarily prevalent) have contributed to reducing the burden of disease but will not eliminate the disease as a public health problem. The potential for Schistosoma to develop resistance towards PZQ, as the sole treatment available, could become a concern. Consequently, new anthelmintic medications are urgently needed, and this Perspective aims to capture some of the learnings from our discussions on the key criteria for new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Caldwell
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Drug Discovery Unit, Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Rana Afshar
- Global
Health Institute of Merck, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany, Ares Trading
S.A., Route de Crassier 1, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Beatriz Baragaña
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Drug Discovery Unit, Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Amaya L. Bustinduy
- Department
of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene
& Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0657, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - James J. Collins
- Department
of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical
Center, Forest Park Road, Dallas, Texas 75235, United States
| | - Daniela Fusco
- Department
of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard
Nocht Institute of Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- German
Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
| | - Amadou Garba
- Department
of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mark Gardner
- Salvensis
Ltd., 27 New Dover Rd., Canterbury, Kent CT1 3DN, United Kingdom
| | - Mireille Gomes
- Global
Health Institute of Merck, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany, Ares Trading
S.A., Route de Crassier 1, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Department
of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Hsieh
- Division
of Urology, Children’s National Hospital, and Department of
Urology, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20010, United States
| | - Nathan C. Lo
- Division
of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94110, United States
| | - Case W. McNamara
- Calibr,
a division of Scripps Research, North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Justin Komguep Nono
- Unit
of Immunobiology and Helminth Infections, Institute of Medical Research
and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), Ministry
of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaoundé 13033, Cameroon
| | - Gilda Padalino
- School
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3NB, United
Kingdom
| | - Kevin D. Read
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Drug Discovery Unit, Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department
of Parasitology and Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Spangenberg
- Global
Health Institute of Merck, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany, Ares Trading
S.A., Route de Crassier 1, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Specht
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Drug Discovery Unit, Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
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5
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Costa DDS, Leal CM, Cajas RA, Gazolla MC, Silva LM, Carvalho LSAD, Lemes BL, Moura ROD, Almeida JD, de Moraes J, da Silva Filho AA. Antiparasitic properties of 4-nerolidylcatechol from Pothomorphe umbellata (L.) Miq. (Piperaceae) in vitro and in mice models with either prepatent or patent Schistosoma mansoni infections. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 313:116607. [PMID: 37149066 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Roots of Pothomorphe umbellata (L.) Miq. are used in traditional medicine of Africa and South America for the treatment of malaria and helminthiasis. However, neither P. umbellata nor its isolated compounds have been evaluated against Schistosoma species. AIMS OF THIS STUDY To investigate the antischistosomal effects of P. umbellata root extracts and the isolated compound 4-nerolidylcatechol (4-NC) against Schistosoma mansoni ex vivo and in murine models of schistosomiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The crude hydroalcoholic (PuE) and hexane (PuH) extracts of P. umbellata roots were prepared and initially submitted to an ex vivo phenotypic screening against adult S. mansoni. PuH was analyzed by HPLC-DAD, characterized by UHPLC-HRMS/MS, and submitted to chromatographic fractionation, leading to the isolation of 4-NC. The anthelmintic properties of 4-NC were assayed ex vivo against adult schistosomes and in murine models of schistosomiasis for both patent and prepatent S. mansoni infections. Praziquantel (PZQ) was used as a reference compound. RESULTS PuE (EC50: 18.7 μg/mL) and PuH (EC50: 9.2 μg/mL) kill adult schistosomes ex vivo. The UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis of PuH, the most active extract, revealed the presence of 4-NC, peltatol A, and peltatol B or C. After isolation from PuH, 4-NC presented remarkable in vitro schistosomicidal activity with EC50 of 2.9 μM (0.91 μg/mL) and a selectivity index higher than 68 against Vero mammalian cells, without affecting viability of nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In patent S. mansoni infection, the oral treatment with 4-NC decreased worm burden and egg production in 52.1% and 52.3%, respectively, also reducing splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. 4-NC, unlike PZQ, showed in vivo efficacy against juvenile S. mansoni, decreasing worm burden in 52.4%. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that P. umbellata roots possess antischistosomal activity, giving support for the medicinal use of this plant against parasites. 4-NC was identified from P. umbellata roots as one of the effective in vitro and in vivo antischistosomal compound and as a potential lead for the development of novel anthelmintics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo de Souza Costa
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, R. José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Carla Monteiro Leal
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, R. José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Rayssa A Cajas
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil.
| | - Matheus Coutinho Gazolla
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, R. José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Lívia Mara Silva
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, R. José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Lara Soares Aleixo de Carvalho
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, R. José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Bruna L Lemes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil.
| | - Renato Oliveira de Moura
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, R. José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Juliana de Almeida
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, R. José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil.
| | - Ademar A da Silva Filho
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, R. José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil.
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6
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Francisco KR, Monti L, Yang W, Park H, Liu LJ, Watkins K, Amarasinghe DK, Nalli M, Roberto Polaquini C, Regasini LO, Eduardo Miller Crotti A, Silvestri R, Guidi Magalhães L, Caffrey CR. Structure-activity relationship of dibenzylideneacetone analogs against the neglected disease pathogen, Trypanosoma brucei. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 81:129123. [PMID: 36608774 PMCID: PMC10072319 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei is a protozoan parasite that causes Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that is endemic in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Only a handful drugs are available for treatment, and these have limitations, including toxicity and drug resistance. Using the natural product, curcumin, as a starting point, several curcuminoids and related analogs were evaluated against bloodstream forms of T. b. brucei. A particular subset of dibenzylideneacetone (DBA) compounds exhibited potent in vitro antitrypanosomal activity with sub-micromolar EC50 values. A structure-activity relationship study including 26 DBA analogs was initiated, and several compounds exhibited EC50 values as low as 200 nM. Cytotoxicity counter screens in HEK293 cells identified several compounds having selectivity indices above 10. These data suggest that DBAs offer starting points for a new small molecule therapy of HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol R Francisco
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Ludovica Monti
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Wenqian Yang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hayoung Park
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Lawrence J Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Watkins
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dilini K Amarasinghe
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Marianna Nalli
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlos Roberto Polaquini
- Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, SP 15054-000, Brazil
| | - Luis O Regasini
- Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, SP 15054-000, Brazil
| | - Antônio Eduardo Miller Crotti
- Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences, and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Lizandra Guidi Magalhães
- Research Group on Natural Products, Center for Research in Sciences and Technology, University of Franca, Franca, SP 14404-600, Brazil
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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7
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Neolignans isolated from Saururus cernuus L. (Saururaceae) exhibit efficacy against Schistosoma mansoni. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19320. [PMID: 36369516 PMCID: PMC9652300 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23110-2] [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: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by the blood fluke of the genus Schistosoma, affects over 230 million people, especially in developing countries. Despite the significant economic and public health consequences, only one drug is currently available for treatment of schistosomiasis, praziquantel. Thus, there is an urgent demand for new anthelmintic agents. Based on our continuous studies involving the chemical prospection of floristic biodiversity aiming to discover new bioactive compounds, this work reports the in vitro antiparasitic activity against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms of neolignans threo-austrobailignan-6 and verrucosin, both isolated from Saururus cernuus L. (Saururaceae). These neolignans showed a significant in vitro schistosomicidal activity, with EC50 values of 12.6-28.1 µM. Further analysis revealed a pronounced reduction in the number of S. mansoni eggs. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed morphological alterations when schistosomes were exposed to either threo-austrobailignan-6 or verrucosin. These relevant antischistosomal properties were accompanied by low cytotoxicity potential against the animal (Vero) and human (HaCaT) cell lines, resulting in a high selectivity index. Considering the promising chemical and biological properties of threo-austrobailignan-6 and verrucosin, this research should be of interest to those in the area of neglected diseases and in particular antischistosomal drug discovery.
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