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Souza DCS, Totini CH, Cajás RA, Teixeira TR, Oliveira EA, Cirino ME, Souza MC, Salvadori MC, Teixeira FS, de Moraes J, Lago JHG. In vivo antischistosomal efficacy of Porcelia ponderosa γ-lactones. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 135:156045. [PMID: 39299096 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.156045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis, caused by the parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, is a significant global health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The available chemotherapeutic drug is restricted to praziquantel with present problems related to efficacy, toxicity and resistance, justifying the search for new drugs. Different natural products, including γ-lactones, have demonstrated anthelmintic activity. Thus, in this study, new γ-lactones from Porcelia ponderosa were investigated for their anti-S. mansoni effects in vitro and in vivo. PURPOSE To evaluate the therapeutical potential against S. mansoni of the mixture of γ-lactones 1 + 2 obtained from Porcelia ponderosa seeds. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS The precipitate formed during the concentration of CH2Cl2 extract from seeds of P. ponderosa showed to be composed by a mixture of the new γ-lactones 1 + 2 (in a ratio 77:23) which were chemically characterized using NMR and ESI-HRMS. This mixture was evaluated in vitro and in vivo against S. mansoni, using a murine model of schistosomiasis. Additionally, toxicity of the mixture of 1 + 2 (77:23) was determined using mammalian cell lines (in vitro) or the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (in vivo). RESULTS Seeds of P. ponderosa afforded a mixture of two unreported γ-lactones, 3‑hydroxy-4-methylene-2-(tetracosa-17'Z,23'-diene-13',15'-diynyl)‑but-2-enolide (1) and 3‑hydroxy-4-methylene-2-(tetracos-17'Z-ene-13',15'-diynyl)‑but-2-enolide (2). Initially, the antischistosomal activity of the mixture of 1 + 2 (77:23) was investigated in vitro, and obtained results demonstrate reduced activity against Schistosoma mansoni worms (EC50 of 83.3 μg/ml) in comparison to positive control praziquantel (EC50 of 1.5 μg/ml). However, when tested in vivo using oral administration at 400 mg kg-1, the standard dose used in the murine model of schistosomiasis, the mixture of 1 + 2 (77:23) revealed expressive reductions in both worm burden (65.7 %) and egg production (97.2 %), similar of those observed to praziquantel (89.7 % and 91.5 %, respectively). On the other hand, when treated using 200 and 100 mg kg-1, reductions in worm burden (25.7 and 12.4 %) and egg production (33.6 and 13.3 %) were also observed. Importantly, the mixture of 1 + 2 (77:23) exhibited no toxicity using mammalian cell lines (in vitro) or C. elegans (in vivo). CONCLUSION Considering the promising in vivo activity of γ-lactones from P. ponderosa, the mixture of 1 + 2 (77:23) can be considered as promising candidate for the development of novel antischistosomal therapeutics, underscoring the importance of biodiversity exploration in the search for effective treatments against neglected tropical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalete Christine S Souza
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP, 09210-180, Brazil
| | - Carlos H Totini
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP, 09210-180, Brazil
| | - Rayssa A Cajás
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Thainá R Teixeira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Emerson A Oliveira
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP, 09210-180, Brazil
| | - Maria E Cirino
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Maria C Souza
- Universidade Federal do Acre, Campus Floresta, Cruzeiro do Sul, AC, 69895-000, Brazil
| | - Maria C Salvadori
- Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508‑090, Brazil
| | - Fernanda S Teixeira
- Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508‑090, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil; Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Brasil, São Paulo, SP, 08230-030, Brazil.
| | - João Henrique G Lago
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP, 09210-180, Brazil.
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Dobrachinski L, Ferreira LL, Cirino ME, Andrade-de-Siqueira AI, Mafud AC, Mascarenhas YP, Andricopulo AD, Moraes JD. The 3D pharmacophore modeling to explore new antischistosomal agents among US FDA approved drugs. Future Med Chem 2024:1-9. [PMID: 39072451 DOI: 10.1080/17568919.2024.2379231] [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: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: To identify potential antischistosomal agents through 3D pharmacophore-based virtual screening of US FDA approved drugs. Materials & methods: A comprehensive virtual screening was conducted on a dataset of 10,000 FDA approved drugs, employing praziquantel as a template. Promising candidates were selected and assessed for their impact on Schistosoma mansoni viability in vitro and in vivo using S. mansoni infected mice. Results & conclusion: Among the selected drugs, betamethasone and doxazosin demonstrated in vitro efficacy, with effective concentration 50% (EC50) values ranging from 35 to 60 μM. In vivo studies revealed significant (>50%) reductions in worm burden for both drugs. These findings suggest that betamethasone and doxazosin hold promise for repurposing in treating schistosomiasis. Additionally, the study showcases a useful approach for identifying new antischistosomal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Dobrachinski
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Lg Ferreira
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria E Cirino
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Ana C Mafud
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Yvonne P Mascarenhas
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano D Andricopulo
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Brasil, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Roquini D, Lemes BL, Kreutz ALB, Spoladore SC, Amaro MC, Lopes FB, Fernandes JP, de Moraes J. Antihistamines H 1 as Potential Anthelmintic Agents against the Zoonotic Parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:31159-31165. [PMID: 39035884 PMCID: PMC11256074 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c04773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Infections caused by parasitic helminths pose significant health concerns for both humans and animals. The limited efficacy of existing drugs underscores the urgent need for novel anthelmintic agents. Given the reported potential of antihistamines against various parasites, including worms, this study conducted a screening of clinically available antihistamines against Angiostrongylus cantonensis-a nematode with widespread implications for vertebrate hosts, including humans. Twenty-one anti-H1 antihistamines were screened against first-stage larvae (L1) of A. cantonensis obtained from the feces of infected rats. Standard anthelmintic drugs ivermectin and albendazole were employed for comparative analysis. The findings revealed four active compounds (promethazine, cinnarizine, desloratadine, and rupatadine), with promethazine demonstrating the highest potency (EC50 = 31.6 μM). Additionally, morphological analysis showed that antihistamines induced significant changes in larvae. To understand the mechanism of action, antimuscarinic activities were reported based on average pK i values for human muscarinic receptor (mAChR) subtypes of the evaluated compounds. Furthermore, an analysis of the physicochemical and pharmacodynamic properties of antihistamines revealed that their anthelmintic activity does not correlate with their activity at H1 receptors. This study marks the first documentation of antihistamines' activity against A. cantonensis, offering a valuable contribution to the quest for novel agents effective against zoonotic helminths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel
B. Roquini
- Núcleo
de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, 07023-070 Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruna L. Lemes
- Núcleo
de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, 07023-070 Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda L. B. Kreutz
- Núcleo
de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, 07023-070 Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Sophia C. Spoladore
- Núcleo
de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, 07023-070 Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Monique C. Amaro
- Núcleo
de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, 07023-070 Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Flavia B. Lopes
- Departamento
de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São
Paulo, 04023-062 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Departamento
de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 09913-030 Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - João Paulo
S. Fernandes
- Departamento
de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 09913-030 Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Núcleo
de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Universidade Guarulhos, 07023-070 Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
- Núcleo
de Pesquisa em Doenças Negligenciadas, Instituto Científico e Tecnológico, Universidade Brasil, 08230-030 São
Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Cajas RA, Santos SSB, Espírito-Santo MCC, Garedaghi Y, de Moraes J. In vitro and in vivo efficacy of the amiodarone and praziquantel combination against the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0011424. [PMID: 38780260 PMCID: PMC11232383 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00114-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a widespread parasitic disease caused by the blood fluke of the genus Schistosoma, affects over 230 million people, primarily in developing countries. Praziquantel, the sole drug currently approved for schistosomiasis treatment, demonstrates effectiveness against patent infections. A recent study highlighted the antiparasitic properties of amiodarone, an anti-arrhythmic drug, exhibiting higher efficacy than praziquantel against prepatent infections. This study assessed the efficacy of amiodarone and praziquantel, both individually and in combination, against Schistosoma mansoni through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro experiments demonstrated synergistic activity (fractional inhibitory concentration index ≤0.5) for combinations of amiodarone with praziquantel. In a murine model of schistosomiasis featuring prepatent infections, treatments involving amiodarone (200 or 400 mg/kg) followed by praziquantel (200 or 400 mg/kg) yielded a substantial reduction in worm burden (60%-70%). Given the low efficacy of praziquantel in prepatent infections, combinations of amiodarone with praziquantel may offer clinical utility in the treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayssa A Cajas
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvia S B Santos
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina C Espírito-Santo
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Immunopathology of Schistosomiasis (LIM-06), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yagoob Garedaghi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, São Paulo, Brazil
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases, Scientific and Technological Institute, Brazil University, São Paulo, Brazil
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Oliveira LVF, Camilo FF, Soares MG, Cajas RA, Cirino ME, de Moraes J, Lago JHG. In Situ Preparation of Dehydrodieugenol-Loaded Silver Nanoparticles and their Antischistosomal Activity. Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202301929. [PMID: 38278761 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202301929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major neglected disease that imposes a substantial worldwide health burden, affecting approximately 250 million people globally. As praziquantel is the only available drug to treat schistosomiasis, there is a critical need to identify new anthelmintic compounds, particularly from natural sources. To enhance the activity of different natural products, one potential avenue involves its combination with silver nanoparticles (AgNP). Based on this approach, a one-step green method for the in situ preparation of dehydrodieugenol (DHDG) by oxidation coupling reaction using silver and natural eugenol is presented. AgNP formation was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy due to the appearance of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 430 nm which is characteristic of silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were spherical with sizes in the range of 40 to 50 nm. Bioassays demonstrated that the silver nanoparticles loaded with DHDG exhibited significant anthelmintic activity against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms without toxicity to mammalian cells and an in vivo animal model (Caenorhabditis elegans), contributing to the development of new prototypes based on natural products for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa V F Oliveira
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, SP-09210-580, Santo Andre, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Camilo
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, SP-09913-030, Diadema, Brazil
| | - Marisi G Soares
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Alfenas, MG-37130-001, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Rayssa A Cajas
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, SP-07030-010, Guarulhos, Brazil
| | - Maria E Cirino
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, SP-07030-010, Guarulhos, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases, Guarulhos University, SP-07030-010, Guarulhos, Brazil
| | - João Henrique G Lago
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, SP-09210-580, Santo Andre, Brazil
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Pavani TFA, Cirino ME, Teixeira TR, de Moraes J, Rando DGG. Targeting the Schistosoma mansoni nutritional mechanisms to design new antischistosomal compounds. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19735. [PMID: 37957227 PMCID: PMC10643403 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46959-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The chemical classes of semicarbazones, thiosemicarbazones, and hydrazones are present in various compounds, each demonstrating diverse biological activities. Extensive studies have revealed their potential as schistosomicidal agents. Thiosemicarbazones, in particular, have shown inhibitory effects on Schistosoma mansoni's cathepsin B1 enzyme (SmCB1), which plays a crucial role in hemoglobin degradation within the worm's gut and its nutrition processes. Consequently, SmCB1 has emerged as a promising target for novel schistosomiasis therapies. Moreover, chloroquinoline exhibits characteristics in its aromatic structure that hold promise for developing SmCB1 inhibitors, along with its interaction with hemoglobin's heme group, potentially synergizing against the parasite's gut. In this context, we report the synthesis of 22 hybrid analogs combining hydrazones and quinolines, evaluated against S. mansoni. Five of these hybrids demonstrated schistosomicidal activity in vitro, with GPQF-8Q10 being the most effective, causing worm mortality within 24 h at a concentration of 25 µM. GPQF-8Q8 proved to be the most promising in vivo, significantly reducing egg presence in feces (by 52.8%) and immature eggs in intestines (by 45.8%). These compounds exhibited low cytotoxicity in Vero cells and an in in vivo animal model (Caenorhabditis elegans), indicating a favorable selectivity index. This suggests their potential for the development of new schistosomiasis therapies. Further studies are needed to uncover specific target mechanisms, but these findings offer a promising starting point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís F A Pavani
- Grupo de Pesquisas Químico-Farmacêuticas, GPQFfesp, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua São Nicolau, 210, 2° Andar, Centro, Diadema, São Paulo, 09913-030, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Curso de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Química da Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria E Cirino
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Doenças Negligenciadas, NPDN, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Thainá R Teixeira
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Doenças Negligenciadas, NPDN, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Doenças Negligenciadas, NPDN, Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniela G G Rando
- Grupo de Pesquisas Químico-Farmacêuticas, GPQFfesp, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua São Nicolau, 210, 2° Andar, Centro, Diadema, São Paulo, 09913-030, Brazil.
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