1
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Synthesis, Molecular Docking and Antiplasmodial Activities of New Tetrahydro-β-Carbolines. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413569. [PMID: 34948361 PMCID: PMC8707145 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is still one of the most dangerous infectious diseases and the emergence of drug resistant parasites only worsens the situation. A series of new tetrahydro-β-carbolines were designed, synthesized by the Pictet–Spengler reaction, and characterized. Further, the compounds were screened for their in vitro antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive (D10) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Moreover, molecular modeling studies were performed to assess the potential action of the designed molecules and toxicity assays were conducted on the human microvascular endothelial (HMEC-1) cell line and human red blood cells. Our studies identified N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-1-octyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b] indole-3-carboxamide (7) (a mixture of diastereomers) as the most promising compound endowed with the highest antiplasmodial activity, highest selectivity, and lack of cytotoxicity. In silico simulations carried out for (1S,3R)-7 provided useful insights into its possible interactions with enzymes essential for parasite metabolism. Further studies are underway to develop the optimal nanosized lipid-based delivery system for this compound and to determine its precise mechanism of action.
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2
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Jaromin A, Gryzło B, Jamrozik M, Parapini S, Basilico N, Cegła M, Taramelli D, Zagórska A. Synthesis, Molecular Docking and Antiplasmodial Activities of New Tetrahydro-β-Carbolines. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22. [PMID: 34948361 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413569academic] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is still one of the most dangerous infectious diseases and the emergence of drug resistant parasites only worsens the situation. A series of new tetrahydro-β-carbolines were designed, synthesized by the Pictet-Spengler reaction, and characterized. Further, the compounds were screened for their in vitro antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive (D10) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Moreover, molecular modeling studies were performed to assess the potential action of the designed molecules and toxicity assays were conducted on the human microvascular endothelial (HMEC-1) cell line and human red blood cells. Our studies identified N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-1-octyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b] indole-3-carboxamide (7) (a mixture of diastereomers) as the most promising compound endowed with the highest antiplasmodial activity, highest selectivity, and lack of cytotoxicity. In silico simulations carried out for (1S,3R)-7 provided useful insights into its possible interactions with enzymes essential for parasite metabolism. Further studies are underway to develop the optimal nanosized lipid-based delivery system for this compound and to determine its precise mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Jaromin
- Department of Lipids and Liposomes, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Beata Gryzło
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marek Jamrozik
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Silvia Parapini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Basilico
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marek Cegła
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Donatella Taramelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Agnieszka Zagórska
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
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3
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Lardani D, Marti R, Quintavalla A, Lombardo M, Trombini C. Multidecagram Scale Synthesis of an Endoperoxide, Precursor of Anti-malarial and Anti-leishmanial Agents, via Free-Radical [2 + 2 + 2] Annulation with Molecular Oxygen. Org Process Res Dev 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.oprd.1c00309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Lardani
- Institut ChemTech, HES-SO, Hochschule für Technik und Architektur, Boulevard de Pérolles 80, CH-1700 Freiburg, Switzerland
| | - Roger Marti
- Institut ChemTech, HES-SO, Hochschule für Technik und Architektur, Boulevard de Pérolles 80, CH-1700 Freiburg, Switzerland
| | - Arianna Quintavalla
- Alma Mater Studiorum, Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Lombardo
- Alma Mater Studiorum, Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Trombini
- Alma Mater Studiorum, Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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4
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Ortalli M, Varani S, Cimato G, Veronesi R, Quintavalla A, Lombardo M, Monari M, Trombini C. Evaluation of the Pharmacophoric Role of the O-O Bond in Synthetic Antileishmanial Compounds: Comparison between 1,2-Dioxanes and Tetrahydropyrans. J Med Chem 2020; 63:13140-13158. [PMID: 33091297 PMCID: PMC8018184 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniases are neglected diseases that can be treated with a limited drug arsenal; the development of new molecules is therefore a priority. Recent evidence indicates that endoperoxides, including artemisinin and its derivatives, possess antileishmanial activity. Here, 1,2-dioxanes were synthesized with their corresponding tetrahydropyrans lacking the peroxide bridge, to ascertain if this group is a key pharmacophoric requirement for the antileishmanial bioactivity. Newly synthesized compounds were examined in vitro, and their mechanism of action was preliminarily investigated. Three endoperoxides and their corresponding tetrahydropyrans effectively inhibited the growth of Leishmania donovani promastigotes and amastigotes, and iron did not play a significant role in their activation. Further, reactive oxygen species were produced in both endoperoxide- and tetrahydropyran-treated promastigotes. In conclusion, the peroxide group proved not to be crucial for the antileishmanial bioactivity of endoperoxides, under the tested conditions. Our findings reveal the potential of both 1,2-dioxanes and tetrahydropyrans as lead compounds for novel therapies against Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Ortalli
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Regional Reference
Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), St. Orsola-Malpighi
University Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna,
Italy
| | - Stefania Varani
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Regional Reference
Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), St. Orsola-Malpighi
University Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna,
Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty
Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via
Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgia Cimato
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Regional Reference
Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), St. Orsola-Malpighi
University Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna,
Italy
| | - Ruben Veronesi
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”,
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna Via Selmi 2,
40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Arianna Quintavalla
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”,
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna Via Selmi 2,
40126 Bologna, Italy
- Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria
(CIRM) - Italian Malaria Network (IMN), University of Milan,
20100 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Lombardo
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”,
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna Via Selmi 2,
40126 Bologna, Italy
- Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria
(CIRM) - Italian Malaria Network (IMN), University of Milan,
20100 Milan, Italy
| | - Magda Monari
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”,
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna Via Selmi 2,
40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Trombini
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”,
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna Via Selmi 2,
40126 Bologna, Italy
- Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria
(CIRM) - Italian Malaria Network (IMN), University of Milan,
20100 Milan, Italy
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5
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Gimmelli R, Persico M, Imperatore C, Saccoccia F, Guidi A, Casertano M, Luciano P, Pietrantoni A, Bertuccini L, Paladino A, Papoff G, Menna M, Fattorusso C, Ruberti G. Thiazinoquinones as New Promising Multistage Schistosomicidal Compounds Impacting Schistosoma mansoni and Egg Viability. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:124-137. [PMID: 31718145 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is the most significant neglected tropical parasitic disease caused by helminths in terms of morbidity and mortality caused by helminths. In this work, we present the antischistosomal activity against Schistosoma mansoni of a rationally selected small set of thiazinoquinone derivatives, some of which were previously found to be active against Plasmodium falciparum and others synthesized ad hoc. The effects on larvae, juvenile, and adult parasite viability as well as on egg production and development were investigated, resulting in the identification of new multistage antischistosomal hit compounds. The most promising compounds 6, 8, 13, and 14 with a LC50 value on schistosomula from ∼5 to ∼15 μM also induced complete death of juvenile (28 days old) and adult worm pairs (7 weeks old) and a detrimental effect on egg production and development in vitro. Structure-activity relationships (SARs) were analyzed by means of computational studies leading to the hypothesis of a redox-based mechanism of action with a one-electron reduction bioactivation step and the subsequent formation of a toxic semiquinone species, similarly to what was previously observed for the antiplasmodial activity. Our results also evidenced that the selective toxicity against mammalian cells or parasites as well as specific developmental stages of a parasite can be addressed by varying the nature of the introduced substituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gimmelli
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Via E. Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo (Rome), Italy
| | - Marco Persico
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria/Italian Malaria Network, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Concetta Imperatore
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria/Italian Malaria Network, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Fulvio Saccoccia
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Via E. Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo (Rome), Italy
| | - Alessandra Guidi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Via E. Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo (Rome), Italy
| | - Marcello Casertano
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria/Italian Malaria Network, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Luciano
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria/Italian Malaria Network, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Agostina Pietrantoni
- Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Bertuccini
- Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Paladino
- Institute of Chemistry of Molecular Recognition, National Research Council, Via M. Bianco 9, 20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Giuliana Papoff
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Via E. Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo (Rome), Italy
| | - Marialuisa Menna
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria/Italian Malaria Network, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Caterina Fattorusso
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria/Italian Malaria Network, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giovina Ruberti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Via E. Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo (Rome), Italy
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6
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Feng LS, Xu Z, Chang L, Li C, Yan XF, Gao C, Ding C, Zhao F, Shi F, Wu X. Hybrid molecules with potential in vitro antiplasmodial and in vivo antimalarial activity against drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Med Res Rev 2019; 40:931-971. [PMID: 31692025 DOI: 10.1002/med.21643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a tropical disease, leading to around half a million deaths annually. Antimalarials such as quinolines are crucial to fight against malaria, but malaria control is extremely challenged by the limited pipeline of effective pharmaceuticals against drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum which are resistant toward almost all currently accessible antimalarials. To tackle the growing resistance, new antimalarial drugs are needed urgently. Hybrid molecules which contain two or more pharmacophores have the potential to overcome the drug resistance, and hybridization of quinoline privileged antimalarial building block with other antimalarial pharmacophores may provide novel molecules with enhanced in vitro and in vivo activity against drug-resistant (including multidrug-resistant) P falciparum. In recent years, numerous of quinoline hybrids were developed, and their activities against a panel of drug-resistant P falciparum strains were screened. Some of quinoline hybrids were found to possess promising in vitro and in vivo potency. This review emphasized quinoline hybrid molecules with potential in vitro antiplasmodial and in vivo antimalarial activity against drug-resistant P falciparum, covering articles published between 2010 and 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhi Xu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Le Chang
- WuXi AppTec Co, Ltd, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuan Li
- WuXi AppTec Co, Ltd, Wuhan, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Feng Shi
- WuXi AppTec Co, Ltd, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiang Wu
- WuXi AppTec Co, Ltd, Wuhan, China
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7
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Cullia G, Bruno S, Parapini S, Margiotta M, Tamborini L, Pinto A, Galbiati A, Mozzarelli A, Persico M, Paladino A, Fattorusso C, Taramelli D, Conti P. Covalent Inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase with Antimalarial Activity in Vitro. ACS Med Chem Lett 2019; 10:590-595. [PMID: 30996801 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Covalent inhibitors of PfGAPDH characterized by a 3-bromoisoxazoline warhead were developed, and their mode of interaction with the target enzyme was interpreted by means of molecular modeling studies: some of them displayed a submicromolar antiplasmodial activity against both chloroquine sensitive and resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum, with good selectivity indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregorio Cullia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Bruno
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Area Parco delle Scienze 23A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Parapini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Marilena Margiotta
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Area Parco delle Scienze 23A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Lucia Tamborini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Pinto
- Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l’Ambiente, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Galbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Area Parco delle Scienze 23A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Persico
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonella Paladino
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via M. Bianco 9, 20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Caterina Fattorusso
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Donatella Taramelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Conti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milano, Italy
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8
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Imperatore C, Persico M, Senese M, Aiello A, Casertano M, Luciano P, Basilico N, Parapini S, Paladino A, Fattorusso C, Menna M. Exploring the antimalarial potential of the methoxy-thiazinoquinone scaffold: Identification of a new lead candidate. Bioorg Chem 2019; 85:240-252. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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9
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Ortalli M, Varani S, Rosso C, Quintavalla A, Lombardo M, Trombini C. Evaluation of synthetic substituted 1,2-dioxanes as novel agents against human leishmaniasis. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 170:126-140. [PMID: 30878827 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.02.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The treatment of human leishmaniasis is currently based on few compounds that are highly toxic, expensive and have a high rate of treatment failure. A number of recent studies on new drugs focuses on natural or semi-synthetic compounds. Among them, the endoperoxide artemisinin, extracted from Artemisia annua, and some of its derivatives have shown leishmanicidal activity. In the present work, a series of structurally simple, fully synthetic 1,2-dioxanes were evaluated for in vitro antileishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani; the cytotoxicity for mammalian cells was also assessed. The six most promising compounds in terms of activity and selectivity were further investigated for their antileishmanial activity on the promastigote forms of L. tropica, L. major and L. infantum and against L. donovani amastigotes. The good performance in terms of potency and selectivity makes these six hits promising candidates for a preliminary lead optimization as antileishmanial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ortalli
- Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - S Varani
- Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy; Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - C Rosso
- Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Quintavalla
- Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - M Lombardo
- Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - C Trombini
- Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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10
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Persico M, Fattorusso R, Taglialatela-Scafati O, Chianese G, de Paola I, Zaccaro L, Rondinelli F, Lombardo M, Quintavalla A, Trombini C, Fattorusso E, Fattorusso C, Farina B. The interaction of heme with plakortin and a synthetic endoperoxide analogue: new insights into the heme-activated antimalarial mechanism. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45485. [PMID: 28383076 PMCID: PMC5382535 DOI: 10.1038/srep45485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present work we performed a combined experimental and computational study on the interaction of the natural antimalarial endoperoxide plakortin and its synthetic analogue 4a with heme. Obtained results indicate that the studied compounds produce reactive carbon radical species after being reductively activated by heme. In particular, similarly to artemisinin, the formation of radicals prone to inter-molecular reactions should represent the key event responsible for Plasmodium death. To our knowledge this is the first experimental investigation on the reductive activation of simple antimalarial endoperoxides (1,2-dioxanes) by heme and results were compared to the ones previously obtained from the reaction with FeCl2. The obtained experimental data and the calculated molecular interaction models represent crucial tools for the rational optimization of our promising class of low-cost synthetic antimalarial endoperoxides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Persico
- University of Naples "Federico II", Department of Pharmacy, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli, 80131, Italy.,Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca Sulla Malaria (CIRM) Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science, Via Del Giochetto, Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberto Fattorusso
- Second University of Naples, Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Via Vivaldi 43, Caserta, 81100, Italy.,Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages (IBB) CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, Naples, 80134, Italy
| | - Orazio Taglialatela-Scafati
- University of Naples "Federico II", Department of Pharmacy, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli, 80131, Italy.,Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca Sulla Malaria (CIRM) Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science, Via Del Giochetto, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Chianese
- University of Naples "Federico II", Department of Pharmacy, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli, 80131, Italy.,Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca Sulla Malaria (CIRM) Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science, Via Del Giochetto, Perugia, Italy
| | - Ivan de Paola
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages (IBB) CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, Naples, 80134, Italy
| | - Laura Zaccaro
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages (IBB) CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, Naples, 80134, Italy
| | - Francesca Rondinelli
- University of Naples "Federico II", Department of Pharmacy, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli, 80131, Italy.,Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca Sulla Malaria (CIRM) Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science, Via Del Giochetto, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Lombardo
- Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca Sulla Malaria (CIRM) Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science, Via Del Giochetto, Perugia, Italy.,Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Arianna Quintavalla
- Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca Sulla Malaria (CIRM) Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science, Via Del Giochetto, Perugia, Italy.,Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Claudio Trombini
- Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca Sulla Malaria (CIRM) Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science, Via Del Giochetto, Perugia, Italy.,Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Ernesto Fattorusso
- University of Naples "Federico II", Department of Pharmacy, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli, 80131, Italy.,Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca Sulla Malaria (CIRM) Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science, Via Del Giochetto, Perugia, Italy
| | - Caterina Fattorusso
- University of Naples "Federico II", Department of Pharmacy, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli, 80131, Italy.,Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca Sulla Malaria (CIRM) Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science, Via Del Giochetto, Perugia, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Farina
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages (IBB) CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, Naples, 80134, Italy.,Advanced Accelerator Applications, Via Vivaldi 43, Caserta, 81100, Italy
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Computer-Aided Drug Discovery from Marine Compounds: Identification of the Three-Dimensional Structural Features Responsible for Antimalarial Activity. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2017. [PMID: 28238037 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-51284-6_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
An integrated computational approach, based on molecular dynamics/mechanics, semi-empirical, and DFT calculations as well as dynamic docking studies, has been employed to gain insight into the mechanism of action of new antimalarial agents characterized by the scaffold of the marine compounds plakortin and aplidinone. The results of this approach show that these molecules, after interaction with Fe(II), likely coming from the heme molecule, give rise to the formation of radical species, that should represent the toxic intermediates responsible for subsequent reactions leading to plasmodium death. The three-dimensional structural requirements necessary for the activity of these new classes of antimalarial agents have been identified and discussed throughout the chapter.
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Persico M, Di Dato A, Orteca N, Cimino P, Novellino E, Fattorusso C. Use of Integrated Computational Approaches in the Search for New Therapeutic Agents. Mol Inform 2016; 35:309-25. [DOI: 10.1002/minf.201501028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Persico
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”; Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Napoli Italy
- Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche Sulla Malaria (CIRM); Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences; Via Del Giochetto 06126 Perugia Italy
| | - Antonio Di Dato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”; Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Napoli Italy
- Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche Sulla Malaria (CIRM); Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences; Via Del Giochetto 06126 Perugia Italy
| | - Nausicaa Orteca
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”; Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Napoli Italy
- Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche Sulla Malaria (CIRM); Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences; Via Del Giochetto 06126 Perugia Italy
| | - Paola Cimino
- Department of Pharmacy; University of Salerno; Via Giovanni Paolo II 132 84084 Fisciano, Salerno Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”; Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Napoli Italy
| | - Caterina Fattorusso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”; Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Napoli Italy
- Italian Malaria Network - Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche Sulla Malaria (CIRM); Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences; Via Del Giochetto 06126 Perugia Italy
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