Novel drug designing rationale against Brugia malayi microfilariae using herbal extracts

Programmed cell death pathways as targets for developing antifilarial drugs: Lessons from the recent findings

More than half a century has passed since the introduction of the National Filariasis Control Program; however, as of 2023, lymphatic filariasis (LF) still prevails globally, particularly in the tropical and subtropical regions, posing a substantial challenge to the objective of worldwide elimination. LF is affecting human beings and its economically important livestock leading to a crucial contributor to morbidities and disabilities. The current scenario has been blowing up alarms of attention to develop potent therapeutics and strategies having efficiency against the adult stage of filarial nematodes. In this context, the exploration of a suitable drug target that ensures lethality to macro and microfilariae is now our first goal to achieve. Apoptosis has been the potential target across all three stages of filarial nematodes viz. oocytes, microfilariae (mf) and adults resulting in filarial death after receiving the signal from the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and executed through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Hence, it is considered a leading target for developing antifilarial drugs. Herein, we have shown the efficacy of several natural and synthetic compounds/nanoformulations in triggering the apoptotic death of filarial parasites with little or no toxicity to the host body system.

The Role of Natural Products in Drug Discovery and Development against Neglected Tropical Diseases

Endemic in 149 tropical and subtropical countries, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect more than 1 billion people annually, including 875 million children in developing economies. These diseases are also responsible for over 500,000 deaths per year and are characterized by long-term disability and severe pain. The impact of the combined NTDs closely rivals that of malaria and tuberculosis. Current treatment options are associated with various limitations including widespread drug resistance, severe adverse effects, lengthy treatment duration, unfavorable toxicity profiles, and complicated drug administration procedures. Natural products have been a valuable source of drug regimens that form the cornerstone of modern pharmaceutical care. In this review, we highlight the potential that remains untapped in natural products as drug leads for NTDs. We cover natural products from plant, marine, and microbial sources including natural-product-inspired semi-synthetic derivatives which have been evaluated against the various causative agents of NTDs. Our coverage is limited to four major NTDs which include human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis.