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Rodriguez JB, Szajnman SH. An updated review of chemical compounds with anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115885. [PMID: 37871407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115885] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The opportunistic apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the etiologic agent for toxoplasmosis, which can infect a widespread range of hosts, particularly humans and warm-blooded animals. The present chemotherapy to treat or prevent toxoplasmosis is deficient and is based on diverse drugs such as atovaquone, trimethoprim, spiramycine, which are effective in acute toxoplasmosis. Therefore, a safe chemotherapy is required for toxoplasmosis considering that its responsible agent, T. gondii, provokes severe illness and death in pregnant women and immunodeficient patients. A certain disadvantage of the available treatments is the lack of effectiveness against the tissue cyst of the parasite. A safe chemotherapy to combat toxoplasmosis should be based on the metabolic differences between the parasite and the mammalian host. This article covers different relevant molecular targets to combat this disease including the isoprenoid pathway (farnesyl diphosphate synthase, squalene synthase), dihydrofolate reductase, calcium-dependent protein kinases, histone deacetylase, mitochondrial electron transport chain, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan B Rodriguez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica (UMYMFOR), C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Sergio H Szajnman
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica (UMYMFOR), C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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2
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Anacleto-Santos J, Calzada F, López-Camacho PY, López-Pérez TDJ, Carrasco-Ramírez E, Casarrubias-Tabarez B, Fortoul TI, Rojas-Lemus M, López-Valdés N, Rivera-Fernández N. Evaluation of the Anti- Toxoplasma gondii Efficacy, Cytotoxicity, and GC/MS Profile of Pleopeltis crassinervata Active Subfractions. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12050889. [PMID: 37237792 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12050889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pleopeltis crassinervata (Pc) is a fern that, according to ethnobotanical records, is used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal ailments. Recent reports indicate that the hexane fraction (Hf) obtained from Pc methanolic frond extract affects Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite viability in vitro; therefore, in the present study, the activity of different Pc hexane subfractions (Hsf) obtained by chromatographic methods was evaluated in the same biological model. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was carried out for hexane subfraction number one (Hsf1), as it showed the highest anti-Toxoplasma activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 23.6 µg/mL, a 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of 398.7 µg/mL in Vero cells, and a selective index (SI) of 16.89. Eighteen compounds were identified by Hsf1 GC/MS analysis, with the majority being fatty acids and terpenes. Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester was the most commonly found compound (18.05%) followed by olean-13(18)-ene, 2,2,4a,8a,9,12b,14a-octamethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,8a,9,12,12a,12b,13,14,14a,14b-eicosahydropicene, and 8-octadecenoid acid, methyl ester, which were detected at 16.19%, 12.53%, and 12.99%, respectively. Based on the mechanisms of action reported for these molecules, Hsf1 could exert its anti-Toxoplasma activity mainly on T. gondii lipidomes and membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhony Anacleto-Santos
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Fernando Calzada
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Farmacología, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Especialidades Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Col. Doctores, Cuauhtémoc 06725, Mexico
| | - Perla Yolanda López-Camacho
- Unidad Cuajimalpa, Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Cuajimalpa 05348, Mexico
| | - Teresa de Jesús López-Pérez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Elba Carrasco-Ramírez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Brenda Casarrubias-Tabarez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Teresa I Fortoul
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Marcela Rojas-Lemus
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Nelly López-Valdés
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Norma Rivera-Fernández
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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Gharibi Z, Shahbazi B, Gouklani H, Nassira H, Rezaei Z, Ahmadi K. Computational screening of FDA-approved drugs to identify potential TgDHFR, TgPRS, and TgCDPK1 proteins inhibitors against Toxoplasma gondii. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5396. [PMID: 37012275 PMCID: PMC10070243 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32388-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most successful parasites in the world, because about a third of the world's population is seropositive for toxoplasmosis. Treatment regimens for toxoplasmosis have remained unchanged for the past 20 years, and no new drugs have been introduced to the market recently. This study, performed molecular docking to identify interactions of FDA-approved drugs with essential residues in the active site of proteins of T. gondii Dihydrofolate Reductase (TgDHFR), Prolyl-tRNA Synthetase (TgPRS), and Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 1 (TgCDPK1). Each protein was docked with 2100 FDA-approved drugs using AutoDock Vina. Also, the Pharmit software was used to generate pharmacophore models based on the TgDHFR complexed with TRC-2533, TgPRS in complex with halofuginone, and TgCDPK1 in complex with a bumped kinase inhibitor, RM-1-132. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was also performed for 100 ns to verify the stability of interaction in drug-protein complexes. Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MMPBSA) analysis evaluated the binding energy of selected complexes. Ezetimibe, Raloxifene, Sulfasalazine, Triamterene, and Zafirlukast drugs against the TgDHFR protein, Cromolyn, Cefexim, and Lactulose drugs against the TgPRS protein, and Pentaprazole, Betamethasone, and Bromocriptine drugs against TgCDPK1 protein showed the best results. These drugs had the lowest energy-based docking scores and also stable interactions based on MD analyses with TgDHFR, TgPRS, and TgCDPK1 drug targets that can be introduced as possible drugs for laboratory investigations to treat T. gondii parasite infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Gharibi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Behzad Shahbazi
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Gouklani
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Hoda Nassira
- Polymer Division, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Zahra Rezaei
- Professor Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Ahmadi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
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Chen G, Chang Z, Yuan P, Wang S, Yang Y, Liang X, Zhao D. Late-stage functionalization of 5-nitrofurans derivatives and their antibacterial activities. RSC Adv 2023; 13:3204-3209. [PMID: 36756397 PMCID: PMC9853512 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra07676d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Structure modification of drugs is a reliable way to optimize lead compounds, among which the most striking and direct method is late-stage functionalization (LSF). Here, we employed the Cu-catalyzed C-H LSF to modify 5-nitrofuran drugs. A series of modifications have been carried out including hydroxylation, methylation, azidination, cyanation, arylation, etc. Antibacterial activities of all compounds in vitro were measured. The results showed that compound 1 and compound 18 were the most active among all compounds. Meanwhile, the cell cytotoxicity assays of potent compounds 1, 3, 4, 5 & 18 and the parent drug FZD were conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geshuyi Chen
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University Lanzhou China
| | - Zhe Chang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Pei Yuan
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University Lanzhou China
| | - Si Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Yongxiu Yang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University Lanzhou China .,The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Key Laboratory for Gynecologic Oncology Lanzhou 730000 Gansu Province China .,Lead Contact China
| | - Xiaolei Liang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University Lanzhou China .,The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Key Laboratory for Gynecologic Oncology Lanzhou 730000 Gansu Province China
| | - Depeng Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
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Iusupov IR, Lukyanenko ER, Altieri A, Kurkin AV. Design and Synthesis of Fsp3-Enriched Spirocyclic-Based Biological Screening Compound Arrays via DOS Strategies and Their NNMT Inhibition Profiling. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200394. [PMID: 36193863 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Medicinal chemists are keen to explore tridimensional compounds, especially when it comes to small molecules. It has already been stressed that the majority of known drugs tend to be flat, whereas natural products tend to be more tridimensional and represent a good source of active compounds. 3D metrics have been implemented and computational descriptors are available to evaluate and prioritize compounds based on their 3D geometry. This is usually done by comparing the saturated carbon atoms in a molecule with the total number of its non-hydrogen atoms (the Fsp3 value). While this aspect is clear, still there are not enough synthetic tools that support the realization of novel chemotypes that conform to these criteria. Herein we describe a diversity oriented synthesis (DOS) synthetic cascade technology that starts from two simple reagents, and generates highly enriched Fsp3 novel and diverse spiro-scaffolds with pragmatic synthetic handles (points of diversity). The spiro nature of these scaffolds not only ensures high Fsp3 values but renders the compounds more rigid and therefore more effective in forming precise stereo-interactions with their potential biological targets. These compounds were also profiled for their drug-like properties and as potential modulators of the NNMT enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildar R Iusupov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1/3 Leninsky Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Evgeny R Lukyanenko
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1/3 Leninsky Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Andrea Altieri
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1/3 Leninsky Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia.,EDASA Scientific Srls, Via Stingi, 3, 66050, San Salvo, Italy
| | - Alexander V Kurkin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1/3 Leninsky Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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Desiatkina O, Mösching M, Anghel N, Boubaker G, Amdouni Y, Hemphill A, Furrer J, Păunescu E. New Nucleic Base-Tethered Trithiolato-Bridged Dinuclear Ruthenium(II)-Arene Compounds: Synthesis and Antiparasitic Activity. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238173. [PMID: 36500266 PMCID: PMC9738179 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Aiming toward compounds with improved anti-Toxoplasma activity by exploiting the parasite auxotrophies, a library of nucleobase-tethered trithiolato-bridged dinuclear ruthenium(II)-arene conjugates was synthesized and evaluated. Structural features such as the type of nucleobase and linking unit were progressively modified. For comparison, diruthenium hybrids with other type of molecules were also synthesized and assessed. A total of 37 compounds (diruthenium conjugates and intermediates) were evaluated in a primary screening for in vitro activity against transgenic Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites constitutively expressing β-galactosidase (T. gondii β-gal) at 0.1 and 1 µM. In parallel, the cytotoxicity in non-infected host cells (human foreskin fibroblasts, HFF) was determined by alamarBlue assay. Twenty compounds strongly impairing parasite proliferation with little effect on HFF viability were subjected to T. gondii β-gal half maximal inhibitory concentration determination (IC50) and their toxicity for HFF was assessed at 2.5 µM. Two promising compounds were identified: 14, ester conjugate with 9-(2-oxyethyl)adenine, and 36, a click conjugate bearing a 2-(4-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl substituent, with IC50 values of 0.059 and 0.111 µM respectively, significantly lower compared to pyrimethamine standard (IC50 = 0.326 µM). Both 14 and 36 exhibited low toxicity against HFF when applied at 2.5 µM and are candidates for potential treatment options in a suitable in vivo model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Desiatkina
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin Mösching
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicoleta Anghel
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yosra Amdouni
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Université de la Manouba, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Julien Furrer
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Emilia Păunescu
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Activity of (1-benzyl-4-triazolyl)-indole-2-carboxamides against Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 19:6-20. [PMID: 35462232 PMCID: PMC9046076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases such as toxoplasmosis and cryptosporidiosis remain serious global health challenges, not only to humans but also to domestic animals and wildlife. With only limited treatment options available, Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum (the causative agents of toxoplasmosis and cryptosporidiosis, respectively) constitute a substantial health threat especially to young children and immunocompromised individuals. Herein, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of novel (1-benzyl-4-triazolyl)-indole-2-carboxamides and related compounds that show efficacy against T. gondii and C. parvum. Closely related analogs 7c (JS-2-30) and 7e (JS-2-44) showed low micromolar activity with IC50 indices ranging between 2.95 μM and 7.63 μM against both T. gondii and C. parvum, whereas the compound representing (1-adamantyl)-4-phenyl-triazole, 11b (JS-2-41), showed very good activity with an IC50 of 1.94 μM, and good selectivity against T. gondii in vitro. Importantly, compounds JS-2-41 and JS-2-44 showed appreciable in vivo efficacy in decreasing the number of T. gondii cysts in the brains of Brown Norway rats. Together, these results indicate that (1-benzyl-4-triazolyl)-indole-2-carboxamides and (1-adamantyl)-4-phenyl-triazoles are potential hits for medicinal chemistry explorations in search for novel antiparasitic agents for effective treatment of cryptosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis. (1-Benzyl-4-triazolyl)-indole-2-carboxamide show interesting antiparasitic activity. Compounds' concentrations of 1.94–7.63 μM inhibited growth of T. gondii & C. parvum. The best hits displayed in vivo efficacy comparable to the standard drug atovaquone. Those compounds show good potential for further development as antiparasitic agents.
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