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da Costa RA, da Costa ADSS, da Rocha JAP, Lima MRDC, da Rocha ECM, Nascimento FCDA, Gomes AJB, do Rego JDAR, Brasil DDSB. Exploring Natural Alkaloids from Brazilian Biodiversity as Potential Inhibitors of the Aedes aegypti Juvenile Hormone Enzyme: A Computational Approach for Vector Mosquito Control. Molecules 2023; 28:6871. [PMID: 37836714 PMCID: PMC10574778 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196871] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This study explores the potential inhibitory activity of alkaloids, a class of natural compounds isolated from Brazilian biodiversity, against the mJHBP enzyme of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito is a significant vector of diseases such as dengue, zika, and chikungunya. The interactions between the ligands and the enzyme at the molecular level were evaluated using computational techniques such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD), and molecular mechanics with generalized Born surface area (MMGBSA) free energy calculation. The findings suggest that these compounds exhibit a high binding affinity with the enzyme, as confirmed by the binding free energies obtained in the simulation. Furthermore, the specific enzyme residues that contribute the most to the stability of the complex with the compounds were identified: specifically, Tyr33, Trp53, Tyr64, and Tyr129. Notably, Tyr129 residues were previously identified as crucial in the enzyme inhibition process. This observation underscores the significance of the research findings and the potential of the evaluated compounds as natural insecticides against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These results could stimulate the development of new vector control agents that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Araújo da Costa
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.d.C.); (F.C.d.A.N.); (J.d.A.R.d.R.); (D.d.S.B.B.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Evolution and Microbiology, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará (IFPA) Campus Abaetetuba, Abaetetuba 68440-000, PA, Brazil; (M.R.d.C.L.); (A.J.B.G.)
| | - Andréia do Socorro Silva da Costa
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.d.C.); (F.C.d.A.N.); (J.d.A.R.d.R.); (D.d.S.B.B.)
| | - João Augusto Pereira da Rocha
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (J.A.P.d.R.); (E.C.M.d.R.)
| | - Marlon Ramires da Costa Lima
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Evolution and Microbiology, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará (IFPA) Campus Abaetetuba, Abaetetuba 68440-000, PA, Brazil; (M.R.d.C.L.); (A.J.B.G.)
| | | | - Fabiana Cristina de Araújo Nascimento
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.d.C.); (F.C.d.A.N.); (J.d.A.R.d.R.); (D.d.S.B.B.)
| | - Anderson José Baia Gomes
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Evolution and Microbiology, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará (IFPA) Campus Abaetetuba, Abaetetuba 68440-000, PA, Brazil; (M.R.d.C.L.); (A.J.B.G.)
| | - José de Arimatéia Rodrigues do Rego
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.d.C.); (F.C.d.A.N.); (J.d.A.R.d.R.); (D.d.S.B.B.)
| | - Davi do Socorro Barros Brasil
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.d.C.); (F.C.d.A.N.); (J.d.A.R.d.R.); (D.d.S.B.B.)
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Mannochio-Russo H, Nunes WDG, Almeida RF, Albernaz LC, Espindola LS, Bolzani VS. Old Meets New: Mass Spectrometry-Based Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Unusual Larvicidal Nitropropanoyl Glycosides from the Leaves of Heteropterys umbellata. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:621-632. [PMID: 36848642 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquito is the vector of several arboviruses in tropical and subtropical areas of the globe, and synthetic pesticides remain the most widely used combat strategy. This study describes the investigation of secondary metabolites with larvicidal activity from the Malpighiaceae taxon using a metabolomic and bioactivity-based approach. The workflow initially consisted of a larvicidal screening of 394 extracts from the leaves of 197 Malpighiaceae samples, which were extracted using solvents of different polarity, leading to the selection of Heteropterys umbellata for the identification of active compounds. By employing untargeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and multivariate analyses (PCA and PLS-DA), it was possible to determine that the metabolic profiles of different plant organs and collection sites differed significantly. A bioguided approach led to the isolation of isochlorogenic acid A (1) and the nitropropanoyl glucosides karakin (2) and 1,2,3,6-tetrakis-O-[3-nitropropanoyl]-beta-glucopyranose (3). These nitro compounds exhibited larvicidal activity, possibly potentialized by synergistic effects of their isomers in chromatographic fractions. Additionally, targeted quantification of the isolated compounds in different extracts corroborated the untargeted results from the statistical analyses. These results support a metabolomic-guided approach in combination with classical phytochemical techniques to search for natural larvicidal compounds for arboviral vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Mannochio-Russo
- NuBBE, Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), SP, Araraquara, SP 14800-901, Brazil
| | - Wilhan D G Nunes
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo (IFSP), Ilha Solteira, SP 15385-000, Brazil
| | - Rafael F Almeida
- Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Herbário JAR, Quirinópolis, GO 75860-000, Brazil
| | - Lorena C Albernaz
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Laila S Espindola
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Vanderlan S Bolzani
- NuBBE, Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), SP, Araraquara, SP 14800-901, Brazil
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Engdahl CS, Tikhe CV, Dimopoulos G. Discovery of novel natural products for mosquito control. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:481. [PMID: 36539851 PMCID: PMC9768913 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05594-z] [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: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector control plays a key role in reducing the public health burden of mosquito-borne diseases. Today's vector control strategies largely rely on synthetic insecticides that can have a negative environmental impact when applied outdoors and often become inefficient because of the mosquitoes' ability to develop resistance. An alternative and promising approach to circumvent these challenges involves the implementation of insecticides derived from nature (biopesticides) for vector control. Biopesticides can constitute naturally occurring organisms or substances derived from them that have lifespan-shortening effects on disease vectors such as mosquitoes. Here we present the discovery and evaluation of natural product-based biological control agents that can potentially be developed into biopesticides for mosquito control. We screened a natural product collection comprising 390 compounds and initially identified 26 molecules with potential ability to kill the larval stages of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti, which is responsible for transmitting viruses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. Natural products identified as hits in the screen were further evaluated for their suitability for biopesticide development. We show that a selection of the natural product top hits, bactobolin, maytansine and ossamycin, also killed the larval stages of the malaria-transmitting mosquito Anopheles gambiae as well as the adult form of both species. We have further explored the usefulness of crude extracts and preparations from two of the best candidates' sources (organisms of origin) for mosquitocidal activity, that is extracts from the two bacteria Burkholderia thailandensis and Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. ossamyceticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia S. Engdahl
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA ,grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Present Address: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, 90185 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Chinmay V. Tikhe
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - George Dimopoulos
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
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Demarque DP, Espindola LS. Challenges, Advances and Opportunities in Exploring Natural Products to Control Arboviral Disease Vectors. Front Chem 2021; 9:779049. [PMID: 34869227 PMCID: PMC8634490 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.779049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural products constitute an important source of molecules for product development. However, despite numerous reports of compounds and active extracts from biodiversity, poor and developing countries continue to suffer with endemic diseases caused by arboviral vectors, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and urban yellow fever. Vector control remains the most efficient disease prevention strategy. Wide and prolonged use of insecticides has resulted in vector resistance, making the search for new chemical prototypes imperative. Considering the potential of natural products chemistry for developing natural products-based products, including insecticides, this contribution discusses the general aspects and specific characteristics involved in the development of drug leads for vector control. Throughout this work, we highlight the obstacles that need to be overcome in order for natural products compounds to be considered promising prototypes. Moreover, we analyze the bottlenecks that should be addressed, together with potential strategies, to rationalize and improve the efficiency of the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Demarque
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.,Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Laila S Espindola
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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