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das Neves MA, do Nascimento JR, Maciel-Silva VL, Dos Santos AM, Junior JDJGV, Coelho AJS, Lima MIS, Pereira SRF, da Rocha CQ. Anti-Leishmania activity and molecular docking of unusual flavonoids-rich fraction from Arrabidaea brachypoda (Bignoniaceae). Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 259:111629. [PMID: 38750697 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111629] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniases comprise a group of infectious parasitic diseases caused by various species of Leishmania and are considered a significant public health problem worldwide. Only a few medications, including miltefosine, amphotericin B, and meglumine antimonate, are used in current therapy. These medications are associated with severe side effects, low efficacy, high cost, and the need for hospital support. Additionally, there have been occurrences of drug resistance. Additionally, only a limited number of drugs, such as meglumine antimonate, amphotericin B, and miltefosine, are available, all of which are associated with severe side effects. In this context, the need for new effective drugs with fewer adverse effects is evident. Therefore, this study investigated the anti-Leishmania activity of a dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) extracted from Arrabidaea brachypoda roots. This fraction inhibited the viability of L. infantum, L. braziliensis, and L. Mexicana promastigotes, with IC50 values of 10.13, 11.44, and 11.16 µg/mL, respectively, and against L. infantum amastigotes (IC50 = 4.81 µg/mL). Moreover, the DCMF exhibited moderate cytotoxicity (CC50 = 25.15) towards RAW264.7 macrophages, with a selectivity index (SI) of 5.2. Notably, the DCMF caused damage to the macrophage genome only at 40 µg/mL, which is greater than the IC50 found for all Leishmania species. The results suggest that DCMF demonstrates similar antileishmanial effectiveness to isolated brachydin B, without causing genotoxic effects on mammalian cells. This finding is crucial because the isolation of the compounds relies on several steps and is very costly while obtaining the DCMF fraction is a simple and cost-effective process. Furthermore, In addition, the potential mechanisms of action of brachydins were also investigated. The computational analysis indicates that brachydin compounds bind to the Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) enzyme via two main mechanisms: destabilizing the interface between the homodimers and interacting with catalytic residues situated at the site of binding. Based on all the results, DCMF exhibits promise as a therapeutic agent for leishmaniasis due to its significantly reduced toxicity in comparison to the adverse effects associated with current reference treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica A das Neves
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Center for Exact Sciences and Technology (CCET), Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Jessyane R do Nascimento
- UNESP, São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Institute of Chemistry, Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, Araraquara CEP 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Vera Lucia Maciel-Silva
- UEMA, Maranhão State University, Center for Education, Exact and Natural Sciences (CECEN), Department of Biology, CEP: 65055-310, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Alberto M Dos Santos
- UNICAMP - University of Campinas, Institute of Chemistry and Center for Computer in Engineering and Sciences, Campinas CEP 13084-862, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Jessica S Coelho
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Mayara Ingrid S Lima
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Silma Regina F Pereira
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Q da Rocha
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Center for Exact Sciences and Technology (CCET), Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil.
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Graepp-Fontoura I, Barbosa DS, Fontoura VM, Guerra RNM, Melo SDA, Fernandes MNDF, Costa PDSS, Maciel SM, Goiabeira YA, Santos FS, Santos-Neto M, Hunaldo Dos Santos L, Serra MAADO, Abreu-Silva AL. Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV coinfection in Brazil: epidemiological profile and spatial patterns. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2023; 117:260-270. [PMID: 36219448 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trac093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Geographical overlap of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) and HIV infection favors occurrences of HVL/HIV coinfection. The increasing numbers of cases of HVL/HIV coinfection are a worldwide concern and knowledge of the factors involved can help in developing preventive measures. METHODS We aimed to identify spatial patterns and describe the epidemiological profile of HVL/HIV coinfection in Brazil from 2007 to 2015. This was an ecological study, in which thematic maps were created through geoprocessing tools, based on secondary data obtained from open-access platforms, to identify priority areas for interventions for controlling HLV/HIV coinfection, using the TerraView 4.2.2 software. RESULTS We found spatial autocorrelations between the HVL/HIV rates of neighboring municipalities according to the global Moran index (0.10; p<0.01). The highest HVL/HIV rate was in the central-western region. Among the epidemiological characteristics according to the regions, an increasing trend in the annual variation rate was observed, with positive values over the years and statistical significance (p<0.05) in the North with 1.62 (95% CI 0.57 to 2.69; p=0.02) and Northeast with 6.41 (95% CI 2.60 to 10.37; p=0.006). Similarly, increasing trends were observed in the states of Maranhão with 21.34 (95% CI 13.99 to 9.16; p<0.001) and Sergipe with 5.44 (95% CI 0.61 to 10.50; p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS Our results showed spatial overlap between occurrences of HVL and HIV with spatial patterns of HVL/HIV coinfection, thus revealing that the numbers of cases reported are increasing. Identifying areas with higher coinfection indices contributes to applying interventions and control measures among targeted populations, to prevent new cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iolanda Graepp-Fontoura
- Postgraduate Program on Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Bacanga, 65080-805, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
- Department of Nursing, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, 65915-240, Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - David Soeiro Barbosa
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Volmar Morais Fontoura
- Department of Nursing, Universidade Estadual do Tocantins, 77960-000, Augustinópolis, Tocantins, Brazil
| | - Rosane Nassar Meireles Guerra
- Postgraduate Program on Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Bacanga, 65080-805, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Solange de Araújo Melo
- Department of Pathology, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Cidade Universitária, 65080-805, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | | | | | - Sergiane Maia Maciel
- Department of Nursing, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, 65915-240, Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Yara Andrade Goiabeira
- Department of Nursing, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, 65915-240, Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program on Public Health, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Center, 65020-070, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Floriacy Stabnow Santos
- Department of Nursing, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, 65915-240, Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program on Health and Technology, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, 65915-240, Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Marcelino Santos-Neto
- Department of Nursing, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, 65915-240, Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program on Health and Technology, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, 65915-240, Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Aparecida Alves de Oliveira Serra
- Department of Nursing, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, 65915-240, Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program on Health and Technology, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, 65915-240, Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia Abreu-Silva
- Postgraduate Program on Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Bacanga, 65080-805, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Cidade Universitária, 65080-805, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
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Abstract
Human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) cases are important public health problems due to their zoonotic aspect, with high rates of morbidity and mortality in Brazil. The aim of this this study was to identify spatial patterns in both rates of HVL cases in Brazilian states during the period from 2006 to 2015. This is an ecological study, using geoprocessing tools to create choropleth maps, based on secondary data from open access platforms, to identify priority areas for control actions of the disease. Data were collected in 2017 and analysed according to the global and local Moran's I, using TerraView 4.2.2 software. Similar clusters were observed in neighbouring municipalities in thematic maps of HVL, suggesting spatial similarity in the distribution of the disease in humans mainly in the North and Northeast Regions, which concentrate the states with the highest rates of HVL. Heterogeneous spatial patterns were observed in the distribution of HVL, which show municipalities that need higher priority in the intensification of disease surveillance and control strategies.
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da Silva JC, Nunes JB, Gontijo VS, Malaquias LCC, de Freitas RP, Alves RB, Colombo FA, Laurenti MD, Marques MJ. LEISHMANICIDAL ACTIVITY in vivo OF A MILTEFOSINE DERIVATIVE IN Mesocricetus auratus. Acta Trop 2020; 209:105539. [PMID: 32461110 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic and systemic disease; if untreated, it can cause death in a large number of cases. The therapy is based on the use of antimonials, which have been used for over 50 years. However, cases of resistance have been reported in some countries. In this context, miltefosine (MIL) was introduced to treat antimonial unresponsive cases. Nonetheless, in recent years MIL unresponsive and relapse cases of VL have increasingly been reported. In the current study, the therapeutic potential of compound 5-(4-(3-methanesulfonatepropyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)dodecyl methanesulfonate (C11), an MIL derivative, was assessed in an experimental VL hamster model. For this purpose, golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were infected with Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi and treated daily for 10 days with C11 and MIL administered orally; in addition, Glucantime (GLU), peritoneal route, were administered at 15, 10, 50 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively. Twenty four hours after the end of treatment the animals were euthanatized; and the specimens were collected to evaluate the relative mRNA expression of cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17, TGF-β, IL-4 and IL-10 in fragments of the spleen and liver; moreover, the parasitism in these organs was evaluated as well as the main histopathological alterations. The C11-treated animals showed greater expression of IL-17 and TNF-α cytokines and reduced expression of IL-10 in the spleen in comparison to the infected untreated group (UTG) (p <0.05). The C11 and GLU groups showed a significant reduction in the IgG levels in comparison to the UTG group (p <0.05). Moreover, the C11-treated animals had fewer parasites in the spleen than the UTG animals (reduction of 95.9%), as well as a greater preservation of white pulp architecture in the spleen than the UTG, GLU and MIL groups (p <0.05). For the liver, the animals from the C11 and MIL groups showed a significant increase in TNF-α relative expression in comparison to the UTG animals, which would explain the increase in the number of granulomas and the reduction in the parasitic load (p <0.05). Combined, these findings indicate that C11 is an interesting compound that should be considered for the development of new drugs against VL, mainly due to its leishmanicidal effect and immunostimulating action.
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Castelo-Branco PV, Alves HJ, Pontes RL, Maciel-Silva VL, Ferreira Pereira SR. Ascorbic acid reduces the genetic damage caused by miltefosine (hexadecylphosphocholine) in animals infected by Leishmania (Leishamnia) infantum without decreasing its antileishmanial activity. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2019; 9:8-15. [PMID: 30578864 PMCID: PMC6304451 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leishamaniasis is a neglected disease caused by over 20 Leishmania species, occurring in more than a hundred countries. Miltefosine (hexadecylphosphocholine) is the single oral drug used in treatment for leshmaniases, including cases of infections resistant to pentavalent antimony. Our group has recently demonstrated the ability of miltefosine to cause genomic lesions by DNA oxidation. Acknowledging that antioxidant compounds can potentially modulate Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), our study verified whether ascorbic acid reduces the genotoxic and mutagenic effects caused by miltefosine, and whether it interferes with drug efficacy. For this purpose, uninfected Swiss mice received simultaneous (single dose treatment) miltefosine and ascorbic acid (gavage and intraperitoneally), besides pre and post treatments (ascorbic acid 24 h before and after drug administration); furthermore, Balb/c mice infected with Leishmania infantum received miltefosine plus ascorbic acid (repeated doses treatment). We conducted comet assays, micronucleus tests, dosages of superoxide dismutase enzyme and parasitic burden by the limiting dilution assay. We observed that ascorbic acid administered intraperitoneally displayed a protective effect over damage caused by miltefosine. However, this effect was not not observed when the same doses were administered via gavage, possibly due to low serum levels of this antioxidant. Ascorbic acid's protective effect reinforces that miltefosine damages DNA by oxidizing its nitrogenous bases, which is reduced by ascorbic acid due to its ability of protecting genetic material from the action of ROS. Therefore, our results show that this drug is efficient in reducing parasitic burden of L. infantum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Valéria Castelo-Branco
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, Cidade Universitária do Bacanga, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Hugo José Alves
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, Cidade Universitária do Bacanga, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Raissa Lacerda Pontes
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, Cidade Universitária do Bacanga, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Vera Lucia Maciel-Silva
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, Cidade Universitária do Bacanga, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil; Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of State of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Silma Regina Ferreira Pereira
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, Cidade Universitária do Bacanga, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
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Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory aspects of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection: a systematic review. Parasitology 2018; 145:1801-1818. [PMID: 29806575 DOI: 10.1017/s003118201800080x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Coinfection with human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become an emerging public health problem in several parts of the world, with high morbidity and mortality rates. A systematic review was carried out in the literature available in PubMed, Scielo and Lilacs related to HVL associated with HIV coinfection, seeking to analyze epidemiological, clinical and laboratory aspects. Of the 265 articles found, 15 articles were included in the qualitative analysis, which referred to the results of HVL treatment in patients coinfected with HIV. In the published articles between 2007 and 2015, 1171 cases of HVL/HIV coinfection were identified, 86% males, average age 34 years, liposomal amphotericin B was the most commonly used drug, cure rates 68 and 20% relapses and 19% deaths, five different countries, bone marrow was used in 10/15 manuscripts. HVL/HIV coinfection is a major challenge for public health, mainly due to the difficulty in establishing an accurate diagnosis, low response to treatment with high relapse rates and evolution to death. In addition, these two pathogens act concomitantly for the depletion of the immune system, contributing to worsening the clinical picture of these diseases, which requires effective surveillance and epidemiological control measures.
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Abstract
AbstractThe protozoan parasiteLeishmaniais endemic in large parts of the world which causes leishmaniasis. Its visceral form is fatal if not treated and is caused mostly byLeishmania donovani,Leishmania infantumandLeishmania chagasi. Given the difficulties linked to vector (sandfly) control and the lack of an effective vaccine, the control of leishmaniasis relies mostly on chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the prevalence of parasites becoming resistant to the first-line drug pentavalent antimony (SbV) is increasing worldwide. Few alternative drugs are available that includes amphotericin B, pentamidine and miltefosine (oral). Already, decreases in efficacy, resistance and toxicity have been noted against these drugs. Dry antileishmanial pipeline further indicates the slow pace of drug discovery in this field where resistance as a major barrier. Full understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of the parasite is lagging. Since leishmaniasis is a neglected disease and occurs predominantly in the developing world largely, therefore, it is unaddressed. The pharma industry argues that development of the new drug is too costly and risky to invest in low return neglected diseases is very high. Research is also needed to identify new and effective drug targets. The lack of drug research and development for neglected diseases will require some new strategies. We have discussed the various cause of slow pace of antileishmanial drug discovery in this review to pay attention of researchers and also take the public and private initiative to make the process fast for new antileishmanial drug development.
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Stroppa PH, Antinarelli LM, Carmo AM, Gameiro J, Coimbra ES, da Silva AD. Effect of 1,2,3-triazole salts, non-classical bioisosteres of miltefosine, on Leishmania amazonensis. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:3034-3045. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.03.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Library of Seleno-Compounds as Novel Agents against Leishmania Species. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02546-16. [PMID: 28320721 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02546-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro leishmanicidal activities of a series of 48 recently synthesized selenium derivatives against Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis parasites were tested using promastigotes and intracellular amastigote forms. The cytotoxicity of the tested compounds for J774.2 macrophage cells was also measured in order to establish their selectivity. Six of the tested compounds (compounds 8, 10, 11, 15, 45, and 48) showed selectivity indexes higher than those of the reference drug, meglumine antimonate (Glucantime), for both Leishmania species; in the case of L. braziliensis, compound 20 was also remarkably selective. Moreover, data on infection rates and amastigote numbers per macrophage showed that compounds 8, 10, 11, 15, 45, and 48 were the most active against both Leishmania species studied. The observed changes in the excretion product profile of parasites treated with these six compounds were also consistent with substantial cytoplasmic alterations. On the other hand, the most active compounds were potent inhibitors of Fe superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD) in the two parasite species considered, whereas their impact on human CuZn-SOD was low. The high activity, low toxicity, stability, low cost of the starting materials, and straightforward synthesis make these compounds appropriate molecules for the development of affordable antileishmanicidal agents.
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