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Dos Santos Nascimento IJ, Albino SL, da Silva Menezes KJ, de Azevedo Teotônio Cavalcanti M, de Oliveira MS, Mali SN, de Moura RO. Targeting SmCB1: Perspectives and Insights to Design Antischistosomal Drugs. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2264-2284. [PMID: 37921174 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673255826231011114249] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, and schistosomiasis is among the most relevant diseases worldwide. In addition, one of the two biggest problems in developing drugs against this disease is related to drug resistance, which promotes the demand to develop new drug candidates for this purpose. Thus, one of the drug targets most explored, Schistosoma mansoni Cathepsin B1 (SmCB1 or Sm31), provides new opportunities in drug development due to its essential functions for the parasite's survival. In this way, here, the latest developments in drug design studies targeting SmCB1 were approached, focusing on the most promising analogs of nitrile, vinyl sulphones, and peptidomimetics. Thus, it was shown that despite being a disease known since ancient times, it remains prevalent throughout the world, with high mortality rates. The therapeutic arsenal of antischistosomal drugs (ASD) consists only of praziquantel, which is widely used for this purpose and has several advantages, such as efficacy and safety. However, it has limitations, such as the impossibility of acting on the immature worm and exploring new targets to overcome these limitations. SmCB1 shows its potential as a cysteine protease with a catalytic triad consisting of Cys100, His270, and Asn290. Thus, design studies of new inhibitors focus on their catalytic mechanism for designing new analogs. In fact, nitrile and sulfonamide analogs show the most significant potential in drug development, showing that these chemical groups can be better exploited in drug discovery against schistosomiasis. We hope this manuscript guides the authors in searching for promising new antischistosomal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor José Dos Santos Nascimento
- Pharmacy Department, Cesmac University Center, Maceió, 57051-160, Brazil
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Síntese de Fármacos, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande 58429-500, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil
| | - Sonaly Lima Albino
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Síntese de Fármacos, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande 58429-500, Brazil
| | - Karla Joane da Silva Menezes
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Síntese de Fármacos, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande 58429-500, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil
| | - Misael de Azevedo Teotônio Cavalcanti
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Síntese de Fármacos, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande 58429-500, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil
| | - Mozaniel Santana de Oliveira
- Coordination of Botany-Laboratory Adolpho Ducke, Avenida Perimetral, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, 1901, Belém, 66077-530, PA Brazil
| | - Suraj N Mali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga East, Mumbai, 400019, India
| | - Ricardo Olimpio de Moura
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Síntese de Fármacos, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande 58429-500, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil
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Azevedo CM, Meira CS, da Silva JW, Moura DMN, de Oliveira SA, da Costa CJ, Santos EDS, Soares MBP. Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in the Treatment of Schistosomiasis. Molecules 2023; 28:6807. [PMID: 37836650 PMCID: PMC10574020 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196807] [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: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that 250 million people worldwide are affected by schistosomiasis. Disease transmission is related to the poor sanitation and hygiene habits that affect residents of impoverished regions in tropical and subtropical countries. The main species responsible for causing disease in humans are Schistosoma Mansoni, S. japonicum, and S. haematobium, each with different geographic distributions. Praziquantel is the drug predominantly used to treat this disease, which offers low effectiveness against immature and juvenile parasite forms. In addition, reports of drug resistance prompt the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Natural products represent an important source of new compounds, especially those obtained from plant sources. This review compiles data from several in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating various compounds and essential oils derived from plants with cercaricidal and molluscicidal activities against both juvenile and adult forms of the parasite. Finally, this review provides an important discussion on recent advances in molecular and computational tools deemed fundamental for more rapid and effective screening of new compounds, allowing for the optimization of time and resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carine Machado Azevedo
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, Brazil; (C.M.A.); (C.S.M.)
| | - Cássio Santana Meira
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, Brazil; (C.M.A.); (C.S.M.)
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (J.W.d.S.); (E.d.S.S.)
| | - Jaqueline Wang da Silva
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (J.W.d.S.); (E.d.S.S.)
| | - Danielle Maria Nascimento Moura
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IAM-FIOCRUZ/PE), Recife 50740-465, Brazil; (D.M.N.M.); (S.A.d.O.); (C.J.d.C.)
| | - Sheilla Andrade de Oliveira
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IAM-FIOCRUZ/PE), Recife 50740-465, Brazil; (D.M.N.M.); (S.A.d.O.); (C.J.d.C.)
| | - Cícero Jádson da Costa
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IAM-FIOCRUZ/PE), Recife 50740-465, Brazil; (D.M.N.M.); (S.A.d.O.); (C.J.d.C.)
| | - Emanuelle de Souza Santos
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (J.W.d.S.); (E.d.S.S.)
| | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, Brazil; (C.M.A.); (C.S.M.)
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (J.W.d.S.); (E.d.S.S.)
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Otarigho B, Falade MO. Natural Perylenequinone Compounds as Potent Inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni Glutathione S-Transferase. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1957. [PMID: 37895339 PMCID: PMC10608284 DOI: 10.3390/life13101957] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The existing treatment strategy for Schistosomiasis centers on praziquantel, a single drug, but its effectiveness is limited due to resistance and lack of preventive benefits. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel antischistosomal agents. Schistosoma glutathione S-transferase (GST) is an essential parasite enzyme, with a high potential for targeted drug discovery. In this study, we conducted a screening of compounds possessing antihelminth properties, focusing on their interaction with the Schistosoma mansoni glutathione S-transferase (SmGST) protein. We demonstrated the unique nature of SmGST in comparison to human GST. Evolutionary analysis indicated its close relationship with other parasitic worms, setting it apart from free-living worms such as C. elegans. Through an assessment of binding pockets and subsequent protein-ligand docking, we identified Scutiaquinone A and Scutiaquinone B, both naturally derived Perylenequinones, as robust binders to SmGST. These compounds have exhibited effectiveness against similar parasites and offer promising potential as antischistosomal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benson Otarigho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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Synthetic hydrazones: In silico studies and in vitro evaluation of the antileishmania potential. Toxicol In Vitro 2023; 88:105560. [PMID: 36681287 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105560] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Bioprospecting and synthesis of strategically designed molecules have been used in the search for drugs that can be in leishmaniasis. Hydrazones (HDZ) are promising compounds with extensive biological activities. The objective of this work was to perform in silico studies of hydrazones 1-5 and to evaluate their antileishmanial, cytotoxic and macrophage immunomodulatory potential in vitro. Hydrazones were subjected to prediction and molecular docking studies. Antileishmanial protocols on promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis, cytotoxicity and macrophage immunomodulatory activity were performed. Hydrazones showed a good pharmacokinetic profile and hydrazone 3 and hydrazone 5 were classified as non-carcinogenic. Hydrazone 5 obtained the best conformation with trypanothione reductase. Hydrazone 1 and hydrazone 3 obtained the best mean inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for promastigotes, 4.4-61.96 μM and 8.0-58.75 μM, respectively. It also showed good activity on intramacrophagic amastigotes, with hydrazone 1 being the most active (IC50 = 6.79 μM) with selectivity index of 56. In cytotoxicity to macrophages hydrazone 3 was the most cytotoxic (CC50 = 256.3 ± 0,04 μM), while hydrazone 4 the least (CC50 = 1055.9 ± 0.03 μM). It can be concluded that the hydrazones revealed important pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties, in addition to antileishmania potential in reducing infection and infectivity in parasitized macrophages.
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Padalino G, Celatka CA, Rienhoff Jr. HY, Kalin JH, Cole PA, Lassalle D, Forde-Thomas J, Chalmers IW, Brancale A, Grunau C, Hoffmann KF. Chemical modulation of Schistosoma mansoni lysine specific demethylase 1 (SmLSD1) induces wide-scale biological and epigenomic changes. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 8:146. [PMID: 37520936 PMCID: PMC10375057 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18826.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic worm species responsible for the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis, undergoes strict developmental regulation of gene expression that is carefully controlled by both genetic and epigenetic processes. As inhibition of S. mansoni epigenetic machinery components impairs key transitions throughout the parasite's digenetic lifecycle, a greater understanding of how epi-drugs affect molecular processes in schistosomes could lead to the development of new anthelmintics. Methods: In vitro whole organism assays were used to assess the anti-schistosomal activity of 39 Homo sapiens Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 (HsLSD1) inhibitors on different parasite life cycle stages. Moreover, tissue-specific stains and genomic analysis shed light on the effect of these small molecules on the parasite biology. Results: Amongst this collection of small molecules, compound 33 was the most potent in reducing ex vivo viabilities of schistosomula, juveniles, miracidia and adults. At its sub-lethal concentration to adults (3.13 µM), compound 33 also significantly impacted oviposition, ovarian as well as vitellarian architecture and gonadal/neoblast stem cell proliferation. ATAC-seq analysis of adults demonstrated that compound 33 significantly affected chromatin structure (intragenic regions > intergenic regions), especially in genes differentially expressed in cell populations (e.g., germinal stem cells, hes2 + stem cell progeny, S1 cells and late female germinal cells) associated with these ex vivo phenotypes. KEGG analyses further highlighted that chromatin structure of genes associated with sugar metabolism as well as TGF-beta and Wnt signalling were also significantly perturbed by compound 33 treatment. Conclusions: This work confirms the importance of histone methylation in S. mansoni lifecycle transitions, suggesting that evaluation of LSD1 - targeting epi-drugs may facilitate the search for next-generation anti-schistosomal drugs. The ability of compound 33 to modulate chromatin structure as well as inhibit parasite survival, oviposition and stem cell proliferation warrants further investigations of this compound and its epigenetic target SmLSD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Padalino
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, UK
| | | | | | - Jay H. Kalin
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Philip A. Cole
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Josephine Forde-Thomas
- Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Iain W. Chalmers
- Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Andrea Brancale
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, UK
| | | | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
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Mengarda AC, Silva TC, Silva AS, Roquini DB, Fernandes JPS, de Moraes J. Toward anthelmintic drug candidates for toxocariasis: Challenges and recent developments. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 251:115268. [PMID: 36921525 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115268] [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: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Infections caused by parasitic helminths rank among the most prevalent infections of humans and animals. Toxocariasis, caused by nematodes of the genus Toxocara, is one of the most widespread and economically important zoonotic parasitic infections that humans share with dogs and cats. Despite the completion of the Toxocara canis draft genome project, which has been an important step towards advancing the understanding of this parasite and the search for drug targets, the treatment of toxocariasis has been dependent on a limited set of drugs, necessitating the search for novel anthelmintic agents, specially against Toxocara larvae in tissues. Given that research, development, and innovation are crucial to finding appropriate solutions in the fight against helminthiasis, this paper reviews the progress made in the discovery of anthelmintic drug candidates for toxocariasis. The main compounds reported in the recent years regards on analogues of albendazole, reactive quinone derivatives and natural produts and its analogues. Nanoparticles and formulations were also reviewed. The in vitro and/or in vivo anthelmintic properties of such alternatives are herein discussed as well as the opportunities and challenges for treatment of human toxocariasis. The performed review clarify that the scarcity of validated molecular targets and limited chemical space explored are the main bottlenecks for advancing in the field of anti-Toxocara agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Mengarda
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina 229, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Tais C Silva
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina 229, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Aline S Silva
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina 229, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Daniel B Roquini
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina 229, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil.
| | - João Paulo S Fernandes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus Diadema, Rua São Nicolau 210, 09913-030, Diadema, SP, Brazil.
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina 229, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil.
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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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Padalino G, El-Sakkary N, Liu LJ, Liu C, Harte DSG, Barnes RE, Sayers E, Forde-Thomas J, Whiteland H, Bassetto M, Ferla S, Johnson G, Jones AT, Caffrey CR, Chalmers I, Brancale A, Hoffmann KF. Anti-schistosomal activities of quinoxaline-containing compounds: From hit identification to lead optimisation. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113823. [PMID: 34536671 PMCID: PMC8626775 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease of poverty that is caused by infection with blood fluke species contained within the genus Schistosoma. For the last 40 years, control of schistosomiasis in endemic regions has predominantly been facilitated by administration of a single drug, praziquantel. Due to limitations in this mono-chemotherapeutic approach for sustaining schistosomiasis control into the future, alternative anti-schistosomal compounds are increasingly being sought by the drug discovery community. Herein, we describe a multi-pronged, integrated strategy that led to the identification and further exploration of the quinoxaline core as a promising anti-schistosomal scaffold. Firstly, phenotypic screening of commercially available small molecules resulted in the identification of a moderately active hit compound against Schistosoma mansoni (1, EC50 = 4.59 μM on schistosomula). Secondary exploration of the chemical space around compound 1 led to the identification of a quinoxaline-core containing, non-genotoxic lead (compound 22). Compound 22 demonstrated substantially improved activities on both intra-mammalian (EC50 = 0.44 μM, 0.20 μM and 84.7 nM, on schistosomula, juvenile and adult worms, respectively) and intra-molluscan (sporocyst) S. mansoni lifecycle stages. Further medicinal chemistry optimisation of compound 22, resulting in the generation of 20 additional analogues, improved our understanding of the structure-activity relationship and resulted in considerable improvements in both anti-schistosome potency and selectivity (e.g. compound 30; EC50 = 2.59 nM on adult worms; selectivity index compared to the HepG2 cell line = 348). Some derivatives of compound 22 (e.g. 31 and 33) also demonstrated significant activity against the two other medically important species, Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma japonicum. Further optimisation of this class of anti-schistosomal is ongoing and could lead to the development of an urgently needed alternative to praziquantel for assisting in schistosomiasis elimination strategies. Lead compound 22 was identified with EC50 of 0.44 µM and 84.7 nM for schistosomula and adult worms. 20 analogues of the lead compound 22 were synthesised. Compounds 25, 30 and 32 showed the best selectivity profile. Compounds 31 and 33 are the most active on three medically important schistosome species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Padalino
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, United Kingdom
| | - Nelly El-Sakkary
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), 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 (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Chenxi Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Danielle S G Harte
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel E Barnes
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Edward Sayers
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Josephine Forde-Thomas
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Whiteland
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, United Kingdom
| | - Marcella Bassetto
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Salvatore Ferla
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - George Johnson
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Arwyn T Jones
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Iain Chalmers
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Brancale
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Karl F Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, United Kingdom.
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Morais CS, Mengarda AC, Miguel FB, Enes KB, Rodrigues VC, Espírito-Santo MCC, Siyadatpanah A, Wilairatana P, Couri MRC, de Moraes J. Pyrazoline derivatives as promising novel antischistosomal agents. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23437. [PMID: 34873205 PMCID: PMC8648852 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02792-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Praziquantel is the only available drug to treat schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that currently infects more than 240 million people globally. Due to increasing concerns about resistance and inadequate efficacy there is a need for new therapeutics. In this study, a series of 17 pyrazolines (15–31) and three pyrazoles (32–34) were synthesized and evaluated for their antiparasitic properties against ex vivo adult Schistosoma mansoni worms. Of the 20 compounds tested, six had a 50% effective concentration (EC50) below 30 μM. Our best hit, pyrazoline 22, showed promising activity against adult schistosomes, with an EC50 < 10 µM. Additionally, compound 22 had low cytotoxicity, with selectivity index of 21.6 and 32.2 for monkey and human cell lines, respectively. All active pyrazolines demonstrated a negative effect on schistosome fecundity, with a marked reduction in the number of eggs. Structure–activity relationship analysis showed that the presence of the non-aromatic heterocycle and N-substitution are fundamental to the antischistosomal properties. Pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness and medicinal chemistry friendliness studies were performed, and predicted values demonstrated an excellent drug-likeness profile for pyrazolines as well as an adherence to major pharmaceutical companies’ filters. Collectively, this study demonstrates that pyrazoline derivatives are promising scaffolds in the discovery of novel antischistosomal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane S Morais
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Ana C Mengarda
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Fábio B Miguel
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Karine B Enes
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Vinícius C Rodrigues
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina C Espírito-Santo
- Laboratory of Immunopathology of Schistosomiasis (LIM-06), Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Laboratory of Helminthology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Abolghasem Siyadatpanah
- Ferdows School of Paramedical and Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, 9717853577, Birjand, Iran
| | - Polrat Wilairatana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
| | - Mara R C Couri
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil.
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10
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Silva BC, Mengarda AC, Rodrigues VC, Cajas RA, Carnaúba PU, Espírito-Santo MCC, Bezerra-Filho CSM, de Sousa DP, de Moraes J. Efficacy of carvacryl acetate in vitro and following oral administration to mice harboring either prepatent or patent Schistosoma mansoni infections. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3837-3844. [PMID: 34604934 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07333-2] [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: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major public health problem that afflicts more than 240 million individuals globally, particularly in poor communities. Treatment of schistosomiasis relies heavily on a single oral drug, praziquantel, and there is interest in the search for new antischistosomal drugs. This study reports the anthelmintic evaluation of carvacryl acetate, a derivative of the terpene carvacrol, against Schistosoma mansoni ex vivo and in a schistosomiasis animal model harboring either adult (patent infection) or juvenile (prepatent infection) parasites. For comparison, data obtained with gold standard antischistosomal drug praziquantel are also presented. Initially in vitro effective concentrations of 50% (EC50) and 90% (EC90) were determined against larval and adult stages of S. mansoni. In an animal with patent infection, a single oral dose of carvacryl acetate (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction in worm burden (30-40%). S. mansoni egg production, a process responsible for both life cycle and pathogenesis, was also markedly reduced (70-80%). Similar to praziquantel, carvacryl acetate 400 mg/kg had low efficacy in pre-patent infection. In tandem, although carvacryl acetate had interesting in vitro schistosomicidal activity, the compound exhibited low efficacy in terms of reduction of worm load in S. mansoni-infected mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca C Silva
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, R. Eng. Prestes Maia, 88, Centro, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Ana C Mengarda
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, R. Eng. Prestes Maia, 88, Centro, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Vinícius C Rodrigues
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, R. Eng. Prestes Maia, 88, Centro, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Rayssa A Cajas
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, R. Eng. Prestes Maia, 88, Centro, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Paulo U Carnaúba
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, R. Eng. Prestes Maia, 88, Centro, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina C Espírito-Santo
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia da Esquistossomose (LIM-06), Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas E Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Laboratório de Helmintologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos S M Bezerra-Filho
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Damião P de Sousa
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, R. Eng. Prestes Maia, 88, Centro, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil.
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11
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Prediction of antischistosomal small molecules using machine learning in the era of big data. Mol Divers 2021; 26:1597-1607. [PMID: 34351547 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10288-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by helminths of the Schistosoma genus. Despite its high morbidity and socio-economic burden, therapeutics are just a handful with praziquantel being the main drug. Praziquantel is an old drug registered for human use in 1982 and has since been administered en masse for chemotherapy, risking the development of resistance, thus the need for new drugs with different mechanisms of action. This review examines the use of machine learning (ML) in this era of big data to aid in the prediction of novel antischistosomal molecules. It first discusses the challenges of drug discovery in schistosomiasis. Explanations are then offered for big data, its characteristics and then, some open databases where large biochemical data on schistosomiasis can be obtained for ML model development are examined. The concepts of artificial intelligence, ML, and deep learning and their drug applications are explored in schistosomiasis. The use of binary classification in predicting antischistosomal compounds and some algorithms that have been applied including random forest and naive Bayesian are discussed. For this review, some deep learning algorithms (deep neural networks) are proposed as novel algorithms for predicting antischistosomal molecules via binary classification. Databases specifically designed for housing bioactivity data on antischistosomal molecules enriched with functional genomic datasets and ontologies are thus urgently needed for developing predictive ML models. This shows the application of machine learning techniques for the discovery of novel antischistosomal small molecules via binary classification in the era of big data.
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12
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Porto R, Mengarda AC, Cajas RA, Salvadori MC, Teixeira FS, Arcanjo DDR, Siyadatpanah A, Pereira MDL, Wilairatana P, de Moraes J. Antiparasitic Properties of Cardiovascular Agents against Human Intravascular Parasite Schistosoma mansoni. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070686. [PMID: 34358112 PMCID: PMC8308662 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The intravascular parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni is a causative agent of schistosomiasis, a disease of great global public health significance. Praziquantel is the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis and there is an urgent demand for new anthelmintic agents. Adopting a phenotypic drug screening strategy, here, we evaluated the antiparasitic properties of 46 commercially available cardiovascular drugs against S. mansoni. From these screenings, we found that amiodarone, telmisartan, propafenone, methyldopa, and doxazosin affected the viability of schistosomes in vitro, with effective concentrations of 50% (EC50) and 90% (EC90) values ranging from 8 to 50 µM. These results were further supported by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Subsequently, the most effective drug (amiodarone) was further tested in a murine model of schistosomiasis for both early and chronic S. mansoni infections using a single oral dose of 400 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg daily for five consecutive days. Amiodarone had a low efficacy in chronic infection, with the worm and egg burden reduction ranging from 10 to 30%. In contrast, amiodarone caused a significant reduction in worm and egg burden in early infection (>50%). Comparatively, treatment with amiodarone is more effective in early infection than praziquantel, demonstrating the potential role of this cardiovascular drug as an antischistosomal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Porto
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina 229, São Paulo 07023-070, SP, Brazil; (R.P.); (A.C.M.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Ana C. Mengarda
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina 229, São Paulo 07023-070, SP, Brazil; (R.P.); (A.C.M.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Rayssa A. Cajas
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina 229, São Paulo 07023-070, SP, Brazil; (R.P.); (A.C.M.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Maria C. Salvadori
- Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-060, SP, Brazil; (M.C.S.); (F.S.T.)
| | - Fernanda S. Teixeira
- Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-060, SP, Brazil; (M.C.S.); (F.S.T.)
| | - Daniel D. R. Arcanjo
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piaui, Teresina 64049-550, PI, Brazil;
| | - Abolghasem Siyadatpanah
- Ferdows School of Paramedical and Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand 9717853577, Iran;
| | - Maria de Lourdes Pereira
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials & Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Polrat Wilairatana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Correspondence: (P.W.); (J.d.M.)
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Praça Tereza Cristina 229, São Paulo 07023-070, SP, Brazil; (R.P.); (A.C.M.); (R.A.C.)
- Correspondence: (P.W.); (J.d.M.)
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13
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Mengarda AC, Silva MP, Cirino ME, Morais TR, Conserva GAA, Lago JHG, de Moraes J. Licarin A, a neolignan isolated from Nectandra oppositifolia Nees & Mart. (Lauraceae), exhibited moderate preclinical efficacy against Schistosoma mansoni infection. Phytother Res 2021; 35:5154-5162. [PMID: 34089558 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a widespread human parasitic disease currently affecting over 200 million people, particularly in poor communities. Chemotherapy for schistosomiasis relies exclusively on praziquantel (PZQ). Previous studies have shown that licarin A (LIC-A), a dihydrobenzofuran neolignan, exhibited in vitro antiparasitic activity against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. This study aimed to investigate the potential of LIC-A, isolated as main metabolite from leaves of Nectandra oppositifolia Nees & Mart. (Lauraceae), as an antischistosomal agent orally active in schistosomiasis animal model. PZQ was used as a reference compound. As result, LIC-A showed, at a single dose of 400 mg/kg, to be able to partially cure infected mice (worm burden reductions of ~50%). Parasite eggs, that are responsible for a variety of pathologies and transmission of schistosomiasis, were also moderately inhibited by LIC-A (egg burden reductions of ~50%-60%). Furthermore, it was observed that LIC-A achieved a slight reduction of hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Collectively, although LIC-A was partially active when administered orally, these results give support for the antiparasitic potential LIC-A as lead compound for novel antischistosomal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Mengarda
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos P Silva
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria E Cirino
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago R Morais
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Geanne A A Conserva
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Henrique G Lago
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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New evidence for tamoxifen as an antischistosomal agent: in vitro, in vivo and target fishing studies. Future Med Chem 2021; 13:945-957. [PMID: 33896196 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2020-0311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Praziquantel is the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, and there is an urgent demand for new anthelmintic agents. Methodology & results: We conducted in-depth in vitro and in vivo studies and report a target fishing investigation. In vitro, tamoxifen was active against adult and immature worms at low concentrations (<5 μM). Tamoxifen at a single dose (400 mg/kg) or once daily for five consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day) in mice harboring either adult (patent infection) or juvenile (prepatent infection) significantly reduced worm burden (30-70%) and egg production (70-90%). Target fishing studies revealed propionyl-CoA carboxylase as a potential target for tamoxifen in Schistosoma mansoni and glucose uptake by S. mansoni was also significantly reduced. Conclusion: Our results provide news evidence of antiparasitic effect of tamoxifen and reveal propionyl-CoA carboxylase as a potential target.
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15
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Adekiya TA, Kumar P, Kondiah PPD, Pillay V, Choonara YE. Synthesis and therapeutic delivery approaches for praziquantel: a patent review (2010-present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2021; 31:851-865. [PMID: 33832392 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2021.1915292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Among all the anti-schistosomal drugs, praziquantel has been the most widely used. However, some major challenges have been faced using the drug in the treatment of schistosome infections. AREAS COVERED : Several approaches used in the synthesis of praziquantel aimed at reducing the time and cost of production, the toxicity and experimental harsh conditions are discussed. Also, patented methods involved in the pharmaceutical reformulation of praziquantel in the treatment of diverse endoparasitic infestations are reported. Additionally, future perspectives in terms of nanomedicine approach in the formulation of praziquantel are highlighted. EXPERT OPINION : Lipid-based nanosystems (LBNSs) formulations can be used to overcome the shortcomings associated with the use of praziquantel in the schistosomiasis treatment due to their amphipathic nature. This could be a promising vehicle for the delivery of praziquantel, which could in turn improve the bioavailability, as well as reduce the frequent dose of the drug and improve patient compliance. This may sustain the release of the drug and improve the rapid conversion of the drug into inactive metabolite due to rapid metabolism. Additionally, LBNSs approach could increase and improve the lipophilicity of the drug, which could make it easier to interact with the hydrophobic cores of the worm tegument.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayo A Adekiya
- Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Pierre P D Kondiah
- Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Viness Pillay
- Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Yahya E Choonara
- Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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16
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Sessa DP, Mengarda AC, Simplicio PE, Antar GM, Lago JHG, de Moraes J. 15β-Senecioyl-oxy- ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic Acid, a Diterpene Isolated from Baccharis lateralis, as Promising Oral Compound for the Treatment of Schistosomiasis. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2020; 83:3744-3750. [PMID: 33236902 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c01050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Praziquantel is the only available drug to treat schistosomiasis, and therefore, urgent studies must be performed to identify new anthelmintic agents. This study reports the anthelmintic evaluation of two related ent-kaurane diterpenes isolated from aerial parts of Baccharis lateralis (Asteraceae), ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (1) and 15β-senecioyl-oxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (2) against Schistosoma mansoni in vitro and in a murine model of schistosomiasis. Both compounds exhibited in vitro activity with lethal concentration 50% (LC50) values of 26.1 μM (1) and 11.6 μM (2) as well as reduced toxicity against human cell lines, revealing a good selectivity profile, mainly with compound 2 (selectivity index > 10). Compound 2 also decreased egg production and caused morphological alterations in the parasite reproductive system. In mice infected with S. mansoni, oral treatment with compound 2 at 400 mg/kg, the standard dose used in this model of schistosomiasis, caused a significant reduction in a total worm burden of 61.9% (P < 0.01). S. mansoni egg production, a key mechanism for both transmission and pathogenesis, was also markedly reduced. In addition, compound 2 achieved a significant reduction in hepatosplenomegaly. Therefore, the diterpene 15β-senecioyl-oxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (2) has an acceptable cytotoxicity profile and is orally active in a murine schistosomiasis model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah P Sessa
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo 09210-180, Brazil
| | - Ana C Mengarda
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, São Paulo 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Paula E Simplicio
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, São Paulo 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Guilherme M Antar
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - João Henrique G Lago
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo 09210-180, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, São Paulo 07023-070, Brazil
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17
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Padalino G, Chalmers IW, Brancale A, Hoffmann KF. Identification of 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine as a chemical scaffold with broad anti-schistosomal activities. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:169. [PMID: 32904763 PMCID: PMC7459852 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16069.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Schistosomiasis, caused by infection with blood fluke schistosomes, is a neglected tropical disease of considerable importance in resource-poor communities throughout the developing world. In the absence of an immunoprophylactic vaccine and due to over-reliance on a single chemotherapy (praziquantel), schistosomiasis control is at risk should drug insensitive schistosomes develop. In this context, application of in silico virtual screening on validated schistosome targets has proven successful in the identification of novel small molecules with anti-schistosomal activity. Methods: Focusing on the Schistosoma mansoni histone methylation machinery, we herein have used RNA interference (RNAi), ELISA-mediated detection of H3K4 methylation, homology modelling and in silico virtual screening to identify a small collection of small molecules for anti-schistosomal testing. A combination of low to high-throughput whole organism assays were subsequently used to assess these compounds' activities on miracidia to sporocyst transformation, schistosomula phenotype/motility metrics and adult worm motility/oviposition readouts. Results: RNAi-mediated knockdown of smp_138030/smmll-1 (encoding a histone methyltransferase, HMT) in adult worms (~60%) reduced parasite motility and egg production. Moreover, in silico docking of compounds into Smp_138030/SmMLL-1's homology model highlighted competitive substrate pocket inhibitors, some of which demonstrated significant activity on miracidia, schistosomula and adult worm lifecycle stages together with variable effects on HepG2 cells. Particularly, the effect of compounds containing a 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine core on adult schistosomes recapitulated the results of the smp_138030/smmll-1 RNAi screens. Conclusions: The biological data and the structure-activity relationship presented in this study define the 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine core as a promising starting point in ongoing efforts to develop new urgently needed schistosomicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Padalino
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Iain W. Chalmers
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Andrea Brancale
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
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18
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Therapeutic Effect of Diminazene Aceturate on Parasitic Blood Fluke Schistosoma mansoni Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01372-20. [PMID: 32816737 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01372-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Praziquantel is currently the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, a disease of enormous public health significance caused by a blood fluke of the genus Schistosoma Diminazene, a drug approved by the FDA, has been successfully used to treat diseases caused by blood protozoan parasites. In this study, we evaluated the antiparasitic properties of diminazene against Schistosoma mansoni ex vivo and in mice harboring either chronic or early S. mansoni infections. In vitro, we monitored phenotypic and tegumental changes as well as the effects of the drug on pairing and egg production. In mice infected with either adult (chronic infection) or immature (early infection) worms, diminazene was administered intraperitoneally (10 to 100 mg/kg of body weight) or by oral gavage (100 to 400 mg/kg), and we studied the influence of the drug on worm burden and egg production. Liver and spleen pathologies and serum aminotransferase levels were also analyzed. In vitro, 50% effective concentrations (EC50) and EC90 revealed that diminazene is able to kill both immature and adult parasites, and its effect was time and concentration dependent. In addition, confocal laser scanning microscopy showed morphological alterations in the teguments of schistosomes. In an animal model, the influence of the drug on worm burden, egg production, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly depended on the dosing regimen applied and the route of administration. Diminazene also caused a significant reduction in aminotransferase levels. Comparatively, diminazene treatment was more effective in chronic infection than in early infection. In tandem, our study revealed that diminazene possesses anthelmintic properties and inhibits liver injury caused by Schistosoma eggs.
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19
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Padalino G, Chalmers IW, Brancale A, Hoffmann KF. Identification of 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine as a chemical scaffold with broad anti-schistosomal activities. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:169. [PMID: 32904763 PMCID: PMC7459852 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16069.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Schistosomiasis, caused by infection with blood fluke schistosomes, is a neglected tropical disease of considerable importance in resource-poor communities throughout the developing world. In the absence of an immunoprophylactic vaccine and due to over-reliance on a single chemotherapy (praziquantel), schistosomiasis control is at risk should drug insensitive schistosomes develop. In this context, application of in silico virtual screening on validated schistosome targets has proven successful in the identification of novel small molecules with anti-schistosomal activity. Methods: Focusing on the Schistosoma mansoni histone methylation machinery, we herein have used RNA interference (RNAi), ELISA-mediated detection of H3K4 methylation, homology modelling and in silico virtual screening to identify a small collection of small molecules for anti-schistosomal testing. A combination of low to high-throughput whole organism assays were subsequently used to assess these compounds' activities on miracidia to sporocyst transformation, schistosomula phenotype/motility metrics and adult worm motility/oviposition readouts. Results: RNAi-mediated knockdown of smp_138030/smmll-1 (encoding a histone methyltransferase, HMT) in adult worms (~60%) reduced parasite motility and egg production. Moreover, in silico docking of compounds into Smp_138030/SmMLL-1's homology model highlighted competitive substrate pocket inhibitors, some of which demonstrated significant activity on miracidia, schistosomula and adult worm lifecycle stages together with variable effects on HepG2 cells. Particularly, the effect of compounds containing a 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine core on adult schistosomes recapitulated the results of the smp_138030/smmll-1 RNAi screens. Conclusions: The biological data and the structure-activity relationship presented in this study define the 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine core as a promising starting point in ongoing efforts to develop new urgently needed schistosomicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Padalino
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Iain W. Chalmers
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Andrea Brancale
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
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20
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Abou-El-Naga IF. Schistosoma mansoni sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPases (SERCA): role in reduced sensitivity to praziquantel. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2020; 52:397-408. [DOI: 10.1007/s10863-020-09843-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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21
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Xavier RP, Mengarda AC, Silva MP, Roquini DB, Salvadori MC, Teixeira FS, Pinto PL, Morais TR, Ferreira LLG, Andricopulo AD, de Moraes J. H1-antihistamines as antischistosomal drugs: in vitro and in vivo studies. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:278. [PMID: 32487175 PMCID: PMC7268501 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04140-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is a socioeconomically devastating parasitic infection afflicting hundreds of millions of people and animals worldwide. It is the most important helminth infection, and its treatment relies solely on the drug praziquantel. Oral H1-antihistamines are available worldwide, and these agents are among the most widely used of all medications in children and adults. Given the importance of the drug repositioning strategy, we evaluated the antischistosomal properties of the H1-antihistamine drugs commonly used in clinical practices. Methods Twenty-one antihistamine drugs were initially screened against adult schistosomes ex vivo. Subsequently, we investigated the anthelmintic properties of these antihistamines in a murine model of schistosomiasis for both early and chronic S. mansoni infections at oral dosages of 400 mg/kg single dose or 100 mg/kg daily for five consecutive days. We also demonstrated and described the ability of three antihistamines to induce tegumental damage in schistosomes through the use of scanning electron microscopy. Results From phenotypic screening, we found that desloratadine, rupatadine, promethazine, and cinnarizine kill adult S. mansoni in vitro at low concentrations (5–15 µM). These results were further supported by scanning electron microscopy analysis. In an animal model, rupatadine and cinnarizine revealed moderate worm burden reductions in mice harboring either early or chronic S. mansoni infection. Egg production, a key mechanism for both transmission and pathogenesis, was also markedly inhibited by rupatadine and cinnarizine, and a significant reduction in hepatomegaly and splenomegaly was recorded. Although less effective, desloratadine also revealed significant activity against the adult and juvenile parasites. Conclusions Although the worm burden reductions achieved are all only moderate, comparatively, treatment with any of the three antihistamines is more effective in early infection than praziquantel. On the other hand, the clinical use of H1-antihistamines for the treatment of schistosomiasis is highly unlikely.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogério P Xavier
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana C Mengarda
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos P Silva
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel B Roquini
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria C Salvadori
- Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Pedro L Pinto
- Núcleo de Enteroparasitas, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago R Morais
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo L G Ferreira
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal e Computacional, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano D Andricopulo
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal e Computacional, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil.
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Mengarda AC, Mendonça PS, Morais CS, Cogo RM, Mazloum SF, Salvadori MC, Teixeira FS, Morais TR, Antar GM, Lago JHG, Moraes J. Antiparasitic activity of piplartine (piperlongumine) in a mouse model of schistosomiasis. Acta Trop 2020; 205:105350. [PMID: 31962096 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the most important parasitic infections in terms of its negative effects on public health and economics. Since praziquantel is currently the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, there is an urgent need to identify new anthelmintic agents. Piplartine, also known as piperlongumine, is a biologically active alkaloid/amide from peppers that can be detected in high amounts in the roots of Piper tuberculatum. Previously, it has been shown to have in vitro schistosomicidal effects. However, its anthelmintic activity in an animal host has not been reported. In the present work, in vivo antischistosomal properties of isolated piplartine were evaluated in a mouse model of schistosomiasis infected with either adult (patent infection) or juvenile (pre-patent infection) stages of Schistosoma mansoni. A single dose of piplartine (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) or daily doses for five consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day) administered orally to mice infected with schistosomes resulted in a reduction in worm burden and egg production. Treatment with the highest piplartine dose (400 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction in a total worm burden of 60.4% (P < 0.001) in mice harbouring adult parasites. S. mansoni egg production, a process responsible for pathology in schistosomiasis, was also significantly inhibited by piplartine. Studies using scanning electron microscopy revealed substantial tegumental alterations in parasites recovered from mice. Since piplartine has well-characterized mechanisms of toxicity, is easily available, and is cost-effective, our results indicate that this bioactive molecule derived from medicinal plants could be a potential lead compound for novel antischistosomal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Mengarda
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Poliana S Mendonça
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, 09210-180, Brazil
| | - Cristiane S Morais
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Ramon M Cogo
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Susana F Mazloum
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria C Salvadori
- Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Thiago R Morais
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme M Antar
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Henrique G Lago
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, 09210-180, Brazil
| | - Josué Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil.
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Promethazine exhibits antiparasitic properties in vitro and reduces worm burden, egg production, hepato-, and splenomegaly in a schistosomiasis animal model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019:AAC.01208-19. [PMID: 31527034 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01208-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment and control of schistosomiasis, a neglected disease that affects more than 200 million people worldwide, rely on the use of a single drug, praziquantel. A vaccine has yet to be developed and since new drug design and development is a lengthy and costly process, drug repurposing is a promising strategy. In this study, the efficacy of promethazine, a first-generation antihistamine, was evaluated against Schistosoma mansoni ex vivo and in a murine model of schistosomiasis. In vitro assays demonstrated that promethazine affected parasite motility, viability, and it induced severe tegumental damage in schistosomes. The LC50 of the drug was 5.84 μM. Similar to promethazine, schistosomes incubated with atropine, a classical anticholinergic drug, displayed reduced motor activity. In an animal model, promethazine treatment was introduced at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg for five successive days at different intervals from the time of infection, for the evaluation of the stage-specific susceptibility (pre-patent and patent infections). Various parasitological criteria indicated the in vivo antischistosomal effects of promethazine: there were significant reductions in worm burden, egg production, and hepato- and splenomegaly. The highest worm burden reduction was achieved with promethazine in patent infections (> 90%). Taken together, considering the importance of the repositioning of drugs in infectious diseases, especially those related to poverty, our data revealed the possibility of promethazine repositioning as an antischistosomal agent.
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24
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Rando DG, da Costa MO, Pavani TF, Oliveira T, dos Santos PF, Amorim CR, Pinto PL, de Brito MG, Silva MP, Roquini DB, de Moraes J. Vanillin-Related N-Acylhydrazones: Synthesis, Antischistosomal Properties and Target Fishing Studies. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:1241-1251. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190620163237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease, which affects millions of people in developing
countries. Its treatment relies on a single therapeutic alternative, the praziquantel. This situation
may lead to drug resistance which, in turn, made urgent the need for new antischistosomal agents. Nacylhydrazones
are usually explored as good antimicrobial agents, but the vanillin-related N-acylhydrazones
have never been tested by their antiparasitic potential.
Objective:
Herein, we report the synthesis of seven analogues, three of them unpublished, their biological
investigation against Schistosoma mansoni and Target Fishing studies.
Methods:
The compounds were synthesized following classical synthetical approaches. The anthelmintic
potential was assessed as well as their cytotoxicity profile. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and target
fishing study were performed to better understand the observed antischistosomal activity.
Results:
Compound GPQF-407 exhibited good antischistosomal activity (47.91 µM) with suitable selectivity
index (4.14). Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that it triggered severe tegumental destruction
and tubercle disintegration. Target fishing studies pointed out some probable targets, such as the
serine-threonine kinases, dihydroorotate dehydrogenases and carbonic anhydrase II.
Conclusion:
The GPQF-407 was revealed to be a promising antischistosomal agent which, besides presenting
the N-acylhydrazone privileged scaffold, also could be easily synthesized on large scales from
commercially available materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela G.G. Rando
- Grupo de Pesquisas Quimico-Farmaceuticas, Instituto de Ciencias Ambientais, Quimicas e Farmaceuticas, Departamento de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcela O.L. da Costa
- Grupo de Pesquisas Quimico-Farmaceuticas, Instituto de Ciencias Ambientais, Quimicas e Farmaceuticas, Departamento de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Thais F.A. Pavani
- Grupo de Pesquisas Quimico-Farmaceuticas, Instituto de Ciencias Ambientais, Quimicas e Farmaceuticas, Departamento de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago Oliveira
- Grupo de Pesquisas Quimico-Farmaceuticas, Instituto de Ciencias Ambientais, Quimicas e Farmaceuticas, Departamento de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Paloma F. dos Santos
- Grupo de Pesquisas Quimico-Farmaceuticas, Instituto de Ciencias Ambientais, Quimicas e Farmaceuticas, Departamento de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Carina R. Amorim
- Grupo de Pesquisas Quimico-Farmaceuticas, Instituto de Ciencias Ambientais, Quimicas e Farmaceuticas, Departamento de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro L.S. Pinto
- Nucleo de Enteroparasitas, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana G. de Brito
- Nucleo de Pesquisa em Doencas Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Praca Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos P.N. Silva
- Nucleo de Pesquisa em Doencas Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Praca Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel B. Roquini
- Nucleo de Pesquisa em Doencas Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Praca Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Nucleo de Pesquisa em Doencas Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Praca Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
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25
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Discovery of novel Schistosoma mansoni PDE4A inhibitors as potential agents against schistosomiasis. Future Med Chem 2019; 11:1703-1720. [PMID: 31370708 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Due to the urgent need for effective drugs to treat schistosomiasis that act through a known molecular mechanism of action, we focused on a target-based approach with the aim to discover inhibitors of a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from Schistosoma mansoni (SmPDE4A). Materials & methods: To discover new inhibitors of SmPDE4A homology models of the enzyme structure were constructed based on known human and protozoan homologs. The best two models were selected for subsequent virtual screening of our in-house chemical library. Results & conclusion: A total of 25 library compounds were selected for experimental confirmation as SmPDE4A inhibitors and after dose-response experiments, three top hits were identified. The results presented validate the virtual screening approach to identify new inhibitors for clinically relevant phosphodiesterases.
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26
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Caffrey CR, El‐Sakkary N, Mäder P, Krieg R, Becker K, Schlitzer M, Drewry DH, Vennerstrom JL, Grevelding CG. Drug Discovery and Development for Schistosomiasis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527808656.ch8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Wagner JR, Churas CP, Liu S, Swift RV, Chiu M, Shao C, Feher VA, Burley SK, Gilson MK, Amaro RE. Continuous Evaluation of Ligand Protein Predictions: A Weekly Community Challenge for Drug Docking. Structure 2019; 27:1326-1335.e4. [PMID: 31257108 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Docking calculations can accelerate drug discovery by predicting the bound poses of ligands for a targeted protein. However, it is not clear which docking methods work best. Furthermore, predicting poses requires steps outside the docking algorithm itself, such as preparation of the protein and ligand, and it is not known which components are most in need of improvement. The Continuous Evaluation of Ligand Protein Predictions (CELPP) is a blinded prediction challenge designed to address these issues. Participants create a workflow to predict protein-ligand binding poses, which is then tasked with predicting 10-100 new protein-ligand crystal structures each week. CELPP evaluates the accuracy of each workflow's predictions and posts the scores online. The results can be used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current approaches, help map docking problems to the algorithms most likely to overcome them, and illuminate areas of unmet need in structure-guided drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Wagner
- Drug Design Data Resource, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Christopher P Churas
- Drug Design Data Resource, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Shuai Liu
- Drug Design Data Resource, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Robert V Swift
- Drug Design Data Resource, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Michael Chiu
- Drug Design Data Resource, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Chenghua Shao
- RCSB Protein Data Bank, Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Victoria A Feher
- Drug Design Data Resource, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Stephen K Burley
- RCSB Protein Data Bank, Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Michael K Gilson
- Drug Design Data Resource, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Rommie E Amaro
- Drug Design Data Resource, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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28
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Lago EM, Silva MP, Queiroz TG, Mazloum SF, Rodrigues VC, Carnaúba PU, Pinto PL, Rocha JA, Ferreira LLG, Andricopulo AD, de Moraes J. Phenotypic screening of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs identified mefenamic acid as a drug for the treatment of schistosomiasis. EBioMedicine 2019; 43:370-379. [PMID: 31027918 PMCID: PMC6557910 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment and control of schistosomiasis, one of the most insidious and serious parasitic diseases, depend almost entirely on a single drug, praziquantel. Since the funding for drug development for poverty-associated diseases is very limited, drug repurposing is a promising strategy. In this study, 73 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) commonly used in medical and veterinary fields were evaluated for their anti-schistosomal properties. Methods The efficacy of NSAIDs was first tested against adult Schistosoma mansoni ex vivo using phenotypic screening strategy, effective drugs were further tested in a murine model of schistosomiasis. The disease parameters measured were worm and egg burden, hepato- and splenomegaly. Findings From 73 NSAIDs, five (mefenamic acid, tolfenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, celecoxib, and diclofenac) were identified to effectively kill schistosomes. These results were further supported by scanning electron microscopy analysis. In addition, the octanol-water partition coefficient, both for neutral and ionized species, revealed to be a critical property for the ex vivo activity profile. Compounds were then tested in vivo using both patent and a prepatent S. mansoni infection in a mouse model. The most effective NSAID was mefenamic acid, which highly reduced worm burden, egg production, and hepato- and splenomegaly. Interpretation The treatment regimen used in this study is within the range for which mefenamic acid has been used in clinical practice, thus, it is demonstrated the capacity of mefenamic acid to act as a potent anti-schistosomal agent suitable for clinical repurposing in the treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloi M Lago
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, University of Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos P Silva
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, University of Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Talita G Queiroz
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, University of Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Susana F Mazloum
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, University of Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Vinícius C Rodrigues
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, University of Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo U Carnaúba
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, University of Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro L Pinto
- Center for Research in Parasitology, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jefferson A Rocha
- Research Group of Natural Science and Biotechnology, Federal University of Maranhão, Grajaú, MA, Brazil
| | - Leonardo L G Ferreira
- Laboratory of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Center for Research and Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery, Physics Institute of Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano D Andricopulo
- Laboratory of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Center for Research and Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery, Physics Institute of Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, University of Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil.
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In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Spironolactone as an Antischistosomal Drug Capable of Clinical Repurposing. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.01722-18. [PMID: 30559137 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01722-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic flatworm disease that infects over 200 million people worldwide, especially in poor communities. Treatment and control of the disease rely on just one drug, praziquantel. Since funding for drug development for poverty-associated diseases is very limited, drug repurposing is a promising strategy. In this study, from a screening of 13 marketed diuretics, we identified that spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, had potent antischistosomal effects on Schistosoma mansoni in vitro and in vivo in a murine model of schistosomiasis. In vitro, spironolactone at low concentrations (<10 µM) is able to alter worm motor activity and the morphology of adult schistosomes, leading to parasitic death. In vivo, oral treatment with spironolactone at a single dose (400 mg/kg) or daily for five consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day) in mice harboring either patent or prepatent infections significantly reduced worm burden, egg production, and hepato- and splenomegaly (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Taken together, with the safety profile of spironolactone, supported by its potential to affect schistosomes, these results indicate that spironolactone could be a potential treatment for schistosomiasis and make it promising for repurposing.
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30
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Eweas AF, Allam G. Targeting thioredoxin glutathione reductase as a potential antischistosomal drug target. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2018; 225:94-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Identification of (4-(9H-fluoren-9-yl) piperazin-1-yl) methanone derivatives as falcipain 2 inhibitors active against Plasmodium falciparum cultures. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:2911-2923. [PMID: 30253205 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Falcipain 2 (FP-2) is the hemoglobin-degrading cysteine protease of Plasmodium falciparum most extensively targeted to develop novel antimalarials. However, no commercial antimalarial drugs based on FP-2 inhibition are available yet due to the low selectivity of most FP-2 inhibitors against the human cysteine proteases. METHODS A structure-based virtual screening (SVBS) using Maybridge HitFinder™ compound database was conducted to identify potential FP-2 inhibitors. In vitro enzymatic and cell-growth inhibition assays were performed for the top-scoring compounds. Docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and free energy calculations were employed to study the interaction of the best hits with FP-2 and other related enzymes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Two hits based on 4-(9H-fluoren-9-yl) piperazin-1-yl) methanone scaffold, HTS07940 and HTS08262, were identified as inhibitors of FP-2 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 64 μM and 14.7 μM, respectively) without a detectable inhibition against the human off-target cathepsin K (hCatK). HTS07940 and HTS08262 inhibited the growth of the multidrug-resistant P. falciparum strain FCR3 in culture (half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) = 2.91 μM and 34 μM, respectively) and exhibited only moderate cytotoxicity against HeLa cells (Half-maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC50) = 133 μM and 350 μM, respectively). Free energy calculations reproduced the experimental affinities of the hits for FP-2 and explained the selectivity with respect to hCatK. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE To the best of our knowledge, HTS07940 stands among the most selective FP-2 inhibitors identified by SBVS reported so far, displaying moderate antiplasmodial activity and low cytotoxicity against human cells. Hence, this compound constitutes a promising lead for the design of more potent and selective FP-2 inhibitors.
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Silvestri I, Lyu H, Fata F, Boumis G, Miele AE, Ardini M, Ippoliti R, Bellelli A, Jadhav A, Lea WA, Simeonov A, Cheng Q, Arnér ESJ, Thatcher GR, Petukhov PA, Williams DL, Angelucci F. Fragment-Based Discovery of a Regulatory Site in Thioredoxin Glutathione Reductase Acting as "Doorstop" for NADPH Entry. ACS Chem Biol 2018; 13:2190-2202. [PMID: 29800515 PMCID: PMC6905387 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.8b00349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Members of the FAD/NAD-linked reductase family are recognized as crucial targets in drug development for cancers, inflammatory disorders, and infectious diseases. However, individual FAD/NAD reductases are difficult to inhibit in a selective manner with off-target inhibition reducing usefulness of identified compounds. Thioredoxin glutathione reductase (TGR), a high molecular weight thioredoxin reductase-like enzyme, has emerged as a promising drug target for the treatment of schistosomiasis, a parasitosis afflicting more than 200 million people. Taking advantage of small molecules selected from a high-throughput screen and using X-ray crystallography, functional assays, and docking studies, we identify a critical secondary site of the enzyme. Compounds binding at this site interfere with well-known and conserved conformational changes associated with NADPH reduction, acting as a doorstop for cofactor entry. They selectively inhibit TGR from Schistosoma mansoni and are active against parasites in culture. Since many members of the FAD/NAD-linked reductase family have similar catalytic mechanisms, the unique mechanism of inhibition identified in this study for TGR broadly opens new routes to selectively inhibit homologous enzymes of central importance in numerous diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Silvestri
- Dept. of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Italy,These authors contributed equally
| | - Haining Lyu
- Dept. of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Francesca Fata
- Dept. of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanna Boumis
- Dept. of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana E. Miele
- Dept. of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy,UMR5246 ICBMS – CNRS – UCBL, Université de Lyon, France
| | - Matteo Ardini
- Dept. of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Ippoliti
- Dept. of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Bellelli
- Dept. of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Ajit Jadhav
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wendy A. Lea
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA,Current address: The Jared Grantham Kidney Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Anton Simeonov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Qing Cheng
- Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elias S. J. Arnér
- Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gregory R. Thatcher
- Dept. of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Pavel A. Petukhov
- Dept. of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - David L. Williams
- Dept. of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA,Senior authors,To whom correspondence should be addressed: David L. Williams (), Francesco Angelucci ()
| | - Francesco Angelucci
- Dept. of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Italy,Senior authors,To whom correspondence should be addressed: David L. Williams (), Francesco Angelucci ()
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Abstract
Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic flatworms (blood flukes) of the genus Schistosoma, with considerable morbidity in parts of the Middle East, South America, Southeast Asia and, particularly, in sub-Saharan Africa. Infective larvae grow in an intermediate host (fresh-water snails) before penetrating the skin of the definitive human host. Mature adult worms reside in the mesenteric (Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum) or pelvic (Schistosoma haematobium) veins, where female worms lay eggs, which are secreted in stool or urine. Eggs trapped in the surrounding tissues and organs, such as the liver and bladder, cause inflammatory immune responses (including granulomas) that result in intestinal, hepato-splenic or urogenital disease. Diagnosis requires the detection of eggs in excreta or worm antigens in the serum, and sensitive, rapid, point-of-care tests for populations living in endemic areas are needed. The anti-schistosomal drug praziquantel is safe and efficacious against adult worms of all the six Schistosoma spp. infecting humans; however, it does not prevent reinfection and the emergence of drug resistance is a concern. Schistosomiasis elimination will require a multifaceted approach, including: treatment; snail control; information, education and communication; improved water, sanitation and hygiene; accurate diagnostics; and surveillance-response systems that are readily tailored to social-ecological settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald P McManus
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - David W Dunne
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Moussa Sacko
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Research, Institut National de Recherche en Santé Publique, Bamako, Mali
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Birgitte J Vennervald
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Mafud AC, Silva MP, Nunes GB, de Oliveira MA, Batista LF, Rubio TI, Mengarda AC, Lago EM, Xavier RP, Gutierrez SJ, Pinto PL, da Silva Filho AA, Mascarenhas YP, de Moraes J. Antiparasitic, structural, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological properties of riparin derivatives. Toxicol In Vitro 2018; 50:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2018.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Rocha JA, Rego NCS, Carvalho BTS, Silva FI, Sousa JA, Ramos RM, Passos ING, de Moraes J, Leite JRSA, Lima FCA. Computational quantum chemistry, molecular docking, and ADMET predictions of imidazole alkaloids of Pilocarpus microphyllus with schistosomicidal properties. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198476. [PMID: 29944674 PMCID: PMC6019389 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis affects million people and its control is widely dependent on a single drug, praziquantel. Computational chemistry has led to the development of new tools that predict molecular properties related to pharmacological potential. We conducted a theoretical study of the imizadole alkaloids of Pilocarpus microphyllus (Rutaceae) with schistosomicidal properties. The molecules of epiisopiloturine, epiisopilosine, isopilosine, pilosine, and macaubine were evaluated using theory models (B3lyp/SDD, B3lyp/6-31+G(d,p), B3lyp/6-311++G(d,p)). Absorption, distribution, metabolization, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) predictions were used to determine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the alkaloids. After optimization, the molecules were submitted to molecular docking calculations with the purine nucleoside phosphorylase, thioredoxin glutathione reductase, methylthioadenosine phosphorylase, arginase, uridine phosphorylase, Cathepsin B1 and histone deacetylase 8 enzymes, which are possible targets of Schistosoma mansoni. The results showed that B3lyp/6-311++G(d,p) was the optimal model to describe the properties studied. Thermodynamic analysis showed that epiisopiloturine and epiisopilosine were the most stable isomers; however, the epiisopilosine ligand achieved a superior interaction with the enzymes studied in the molecular docking experiments, which corroborated the results of previous experimental studies on schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jefferson A. Rocha
- The Postgraduate Program of the Northeast Network of Biotechnology, RENORBIO, Focal Point UFPI, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
- Research Group in Natural Sciences and Biotechnology, Federal University of Maranhão, CIENATEC / UFMA, Grajaú, MA, Brazil
- Research Group in Computational Quantum Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Planning, State University of Piauí, GPQQ&PF / UESPI, Teresina, PI, Brazil
| | - Nayra C. S. Rego
- The Postgraduate Program of the Northeast Network of Biotechnology, RENORBIO, Focal Point UFPI, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
- Research Group in Computational Quantum Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Planning, State University of Piauí, GPQQ&PF / UESPI, Teresina, PI, Brazil
| | - Bruna T. S. Carvalho
- Research Group in Computational Quantum Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Planning, State University of Piauí, GPQQ&PF / UESPI, Teresina, PI, Brazil
| | - Francisco I. Silva
- Research Group in Computational Quantum Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Planning, State University of Piauí, GPQQ&PF / UESPI, Teresina, PI, Brazil
| | - Jose A. Sousa
- Research Group in Computational Quantum Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Planning, State University of Piauí, GPQQ&PF / UESPI, Teresina, PI, Brazil
| | - Ricardo M. Ramos
- Research Laboratory in Information Systems, Department of Information, Environment, Health and Food Production, Federal Institute of Piauí, LAPESI / IFPI, Teresina, PI, Brazil
| | - Ionara N. G. Passos
- Research Group in Natural Sciences and Biotechnology, Federal University of Maranhão, CIENATEC / UFMA, Grajaú, MA, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, NPDN / UNG, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Jose R. S. A. Leite
- Area Morphology, Faculty of Medicine, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, UnB, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Francisco C. A. Lima
- The Postgraduate Program of the Northeast Network of Biotechnology, RENORBIO, Focal Point UFPI, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
- Research Group in Computational Quantum Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Planning, State University of Piauí, GPQQ&PF / UESPI, Teresina, PI, Brazil
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Campelo Y, Ombredane A, Vasconcelos AG, Albuquerque L, Moreira DC, Plácido A, Rocha J, Hilarion Fokoue H, Yamaguchi L, Mafud A, Mascarenhas YP, Delerue-Matos C, Borges T, Joanitti GA, Arcanjo D, Kato MJ, Kuckelhaus SAS, Silva MPN, Moraes JD, Leite JRSA. Structure⁻Activity Relationship of Piplartine and Synthetic Analogues against Schistosoma mansoni and Cytotoxicity to Mammalian Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1802. [PMID: 29921756 PMCID: PMC6032158 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused by helminth flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, is an infectious disease mainly associated with poverty that affects millions of people worldwide. Since treatment for this disease relies only on the use of praziquantel, there is an urgent need to identify new antischistosomal drugs. Piplartine is an amide alkaloid found in several Piper species (Piperaceae) that exhibits antischistosomal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the structure–function relationship between piplartine and its five synthetic analogues (19A, 1G, 1M, 14B and 6B) against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms, as well as its cytotoxicity to mammalian cells using murine fibroblast (NIH-3T3) and BALB/cN macrophage (J774A.1) cell lines. In addition, density functional theory calculations and in silico analysis were used to predict physicochemical and toxicity parameters. Bioassays revealed that piplartine is active against S. mansoni at low concentrations (5⁻10 µM), but its analogues did not. In contrast, based on 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry assays, piplartine exhibited toxicity in mammalian cells at 785 µM, while its analogues 19A and 6B did not reduce cell viability at the same concentrations. This study demonstrated that piplartine analogues showed less activity against S. mansoni but presented lower toxicity than piplartine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Campelo
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia, Biotec, Universidade Federal do Piauí, UFPI, Parnaíba-PI, 64202-020 Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, RENORBIO, Ponto focal Universidade Federal do Piauí, UFPI, Teresina, PI, 64049-550, Brazil.
- Instituto de Educação Superior do Vale do Parnaíba, FAHESP/IESVAP, Parnaíba-PI, 64212-790, Brazil.
| | - Alicia Ombredane
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília-DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Andreanne G Vasconcelos
- Área de Morfologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília-DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Lucas Albuquerque
- Laboratorio de Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília-DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Daniel C Moreira
- Área de Morfologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília-DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Alexandra Plácido
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, GRAQ, Instituto Superior de Engenha do Porto, ISEP, Porto 4200-072, Portugal.
| | - Jefferson Rocha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, RENORBIO, Ponto focal Universidade Federal do Piauí, UFPI, Teresina, PI, 64049-550, Brazil.
| | - Harold Hilarion Fokoue
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CCS, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro-RJ 21941-902, Brasil.
| | - Lydia Yamaguchi
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo-SP 01005-010, Brazil.
| | - Ana Mafud
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo-SP 01005-010, Brazil.
| | - Yvonne P Mascarenhas
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo-SP 01005-010, Brazil.
| | - Cristina Delerue-Matos
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, GRAQ, Instituto Superior de Engenha do Porto, ISEP, Porto 4200-072, Portugal.
| | - Tatiana Borges
- Laboratorio de Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília-DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Graziella A Joanitti
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília-DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Daniel Arcanjo
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Plantas Medicinais, NPPM, Universidade Federal do Piauí, UFPI, Parnaíba-PI 64202-020, Brazil.
| | - Massuo J Kato
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo-SP 01005-010, Brazil.
| | - Selma A S Kuckelhaus
- Área de Morfologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília-DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Marcos P N Silva
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade de Guarulhos, Guarulhos-SP 07023-070, Brazil.
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade de Guarulhos, Guarulhos-SP 07023-070, Brazil.
| | - José Roberto S A Leite
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia, Biotec, Universidade Federal do Piauí, UFPI, Parnaíba-PI, 64202-020 Brazil.
- Área de Morfologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília-DF 70910-900, Brazil.
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de Lima LI, Py-Daniel KR, Guimarães MA, Muehlmann LA, Mafud AC, Mascarenhas YP, Moraes JD, de Souza de Almeida Leite JR, Jiang CS, Azevedo RB, Figueiró Longo JP. Self-nanoemulsifying drug-delivery systems improve oral absorption and antischistosomal activity of epiisopiloturine. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2018; 13:689-702. [DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To develop a self-nanoemulsifying drug-delivery system (SNEDDS) able to improve oral absorption of epiisopiloturine (EPI), and test the antischistosomal activity in a mice model. Results: SNEDDS had a nanoscopic size and was able to enhance EPI bioavailability after oral administration, and SNEDDS-EPI (40 mg.kg-1) improved the in vivo antischistosomal activity of EPI, demonstrating that SNEDDS was able to improve the pharmacokinetics of EPI, and to maintain the pharmacodynamic activity against Schistosoma mansoni in vivo. Conclusion: Taken together, these results indicate that SNEDDS-EPI is efficient in reducing worm burden in comparison to treatment with the free version of EPI. [Formula: see text]
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Ianny de Lima
- Genetics & Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Karen Rapp Py-Daniel
- Genetics & Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Maria Adelaide Guimarães
- Phytobios Pesquisa Desenvolvimento e Inovação LTDA, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia, BIOTEC, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil
- Programa de pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, RENORBIO, Ponto Focal Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brasil
| | - Luís Alexandre Muehlmann
- Genetics & Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
- Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Mafud
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Departamento de Física e Ciência Interdisciplinar, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos – SP, 13566-590, Brazil
- Department Medical Parasitology & Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Basel, 4051, Switzerland
| | - Yvonne Primerano Mascarenhas
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Departamento de Física e Ciência Interdisciplinar, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos – SP, 13566-590, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Praça Tereza Cristina, 88, 07023-070, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Cheng-Shi Jiang
- School of Biological Science & Technology, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China
| | - Ricardo Bentes Azevedo
- Genetics & Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Figueiró Longo
- Genetics & Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
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FERREIRA LEONARDOG, OLIVA GLAUCIUS, ANDRICOPULO ADRIANOD. From Medicinal Chemistry to Human Health: Current Approaches to Drug Discovery for Cancer and Neglected Tropical Diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 90:645-661. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201820170505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Abstract
Praziquantel has remained the drug of choice for schistosomiasis chemotherapy for almost 40 years. The pressing need to develop a new antischistosomal drug may necessitate exploring and filtering chemotherapeutic history to search for the most promising ones. In this context, this review attempts to summarize all progress made in schistosomiasis chemotherapy from the early 20th century (mid-1910s) to 2016. We gathered almost 100 compounds providing information on therapeutic action, specifically covering at least first in vivo studies in animal model and in vitro. Pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles of antischistosomal agents were also described. Preclinical studies indicate a handful of promising future candidates.
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Cyclohexene-fused 1,3-oxazines with selective antibacterial and antiparasitic action and low cytotoxic effects. Toxicol In Vitro 2017; 44:273-279. [PMID: 28755871 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Oxazine derivatives, a class of heterocyclic compounds, exhibit a variety of biological properties, such as anticonvulsant and antitumor activities. In this study, we evaluated the effect of two cyclohexene-fused 1,3-oxazines (cis‑1-benzyl-N-phenyl-1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-3,1-benzoxazin-2-imine (1) and trans‑N-phenyl-1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-3,1-benzoxazin-2-imine (2)) in cultures of Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, Serratia marcescens, Shigella flexneri and Staphylococcus aureus by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). Additionally, the ex vivo antiparasitic activity of oxazines was assessed against Schistosoma mansoni, a helminth that is one of the major agents of the disease schistosomiasis Also, oxazines were evaluated on three tumor cell lines, NCI-H292 (human lung carcinoma), MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) and HEp-2 (human cervix carcinoma), and two normal cell lines (Vero and red blood cells). Bioassays revealed that oxazine 2 is more effective against bacteria than oxazine 1, with the lowest MIC and MBC values of 3.91 and 32.5μg/mL, respectively. Similarly, compound 2 demonstrated higher antiparasitic activity than 1, and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed several morphological alterations in the tegument of worms in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, both oxazines exhibited low cytotoxic effects on cancer and normal cell lines. These results indicated that oxazines exerted direct effects on bacteria and parasite schistosomes. More importantly, since schistosomiasis control programs rely on one drug, praziquantel, oxazines may have the potential to become new antischistosomal agents.
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Campelo YDM, Mafud AC, Véras LMC, Guimarães MA, Yamaguchi LF, Lima DF, Arcanjo DDR, Kato MJ, Mendonça RZ, Pinto PLS, Mascarenhas YP, Silva MPN, de Moraes J, Eaton P, de Souza de Almeida Leite JR. Synergistic effects of in vitro combinations of piplartine, epiisopiloturine and praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 88:488-499. [PMID: 28126674 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a world health problem, and praziquantel is the only drug currently used for the treatment. There is some evidence that extensive monotherapy of praziquantel may be leading to drug resistance in the parasite. In order to find alternative treatments, the effects of the combination of epiisopiloturine (EPI), piplartine (PPT) and praziquantel (PZQ) were evaluated. Similarity analysis of these compounds was performed using optimized molecular structures to compare the shape and the charge modeling of combinations between PZQ and EPI or PPT. Supported by this data, in vitro association of PZQ-PPT, PZQ-EPI, and EPI-PPT was carried out, and the activity of these combinations against Schistosoma mansoni was assessed. The results showed synergistic activity with a combination index (CI) of 0.42 for the treatment with PZQ-PPT. Both PZQ-EPI and EPI-PPT combinations also showed synergistic effects, with CI values of 0.86 and 0.61, respectively. Surface alterations in the tegument of adult schistosomes after the treatments were observed using laser confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the association of EPI-PPT decreased the cytotoxicity when compared with both isolated compounds in three different lines of mammalian cells. Thus, synergistic combinations of PZQ-PPT, PZQ-EPI, and EPI-PPT create the possibility of reduced doses to be used against Schistosoma mansoni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Dias Macedo Campelo
- Biodiversity and Biotechnology Research Center, Biotec, Federal University of Piauí, UFPI, Parnaíba, PI, 64202020, Brazil; Institute of Higher Education of Vale do Parnaíba, FAHESP/IESVAP, Parnaíba, PI, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Mafud
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Leiz Maria Costa Véras
- Biodiversity and Biotechnology Research Center, Biotec, Federal University of Piauí, UFPI, Parnaíba, PI, 64202020, Brazil
| | - Maria Adelaide Guimarães
- Biodiversity and Biotechnology Research Center, Biotec, Federal University of Piauí, UFPI, Parnaíba, PI, 64202020, Brazil; Phytobios Nordeste LTDA, Centroflora Group, Parnaíba, PI, Brazil
| | - Lydia F Yamaguchi
- Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - David Fernandes Lima
- Biodiversity and Biotechnology Research Center, Biotec, Federal University of Piauí, UFPI, Parnaíba, PI, 64202020, Brazil; Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Paulo Afonso, BA, Brazil
| | - Daniel Dias Rufino Arcanjo
- Biodiversity and Biotechnology Research Center, Biotec, Federal University of Piauí, UFPI, Parnaíba, PI, 64202020, Brazil
| | - Massuo J Kato
- Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Marcos P N Silva
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Peter Eaton
- Biodiversity and Biotechnology Research Center, Biotec, Federal University of Piauí, UFPI, Parnaíba, PI, 64202020, Brazil; UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - José Roberto de Souza de Almeida Leite
- Biodiversity and Biotechnology Research Center, Biotec, Federal University of Piauí, UFPI, Parnaíba, PI, 64202020, Brazil; Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, UnB, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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