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Essid R, Kefi S, Damergi B, Abid G, Fares N, Jallouli S, Abid I, Hussein D, Tabbene O, Limam F. Promising Antileishmanial Activity of Micromeria nervosa Essential Oil: In Vitro and In Silico Studies. Molecules 2024; 29:1876. [PMID: 38675696 PMCID: PMC11055018 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081876] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the leishmanicidal potential of the essential oil (EO) of Micromeria (M.) nervosa and to investigate its molecular mechanism of action by qPCR. Furthermore, in silicointeraction study of the major M. nervosa EO compounds with the enzyme cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) was also performed. M. nervosa EO was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed that α-pinene (26.44%), t-cadinol (26.27%), caryophyllene Oxide (7.73 ± 1.04%), and α-Cadinene (3.79 ± 0.12%) are the major compounds of M. nervosa EO. However, limited antioxidant activity was observed, as this EO was ineffective in neutralizing DPPH free radicals and in inhibiting β-carotene bleaching. Interestingly, it displayed effective leishmanicidal potential against promastigote (IC50 of 6.79 and 5.25 μg/mL) and amastigote (IC50 of 8.04 and 7.32 μg/mL) forms of leishmania (L.) infantum and L. major, respectively. Molecular mechanism investigation showed that M. nervosa EO displayed potent inhibition on the thiol regulatory pathway. Furthermore, a docking study of the main components of the EO with cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) enzyme revealed that t-cadinol exhibited the best binding energy values (-7.5 kcal/mol), followed by α-cadinene (-7.3 kcal/mol) and caryophyllene oxide (-7 kcal/mol). These values were notably higher than that of the conventional drug fluconazole showing weaker binding energy (-6.9 kcal/mol). These results suggest that M. nervosa EO could serve as a potent and promising candidate for the development of alternative antileishmanial agent in the treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rym Essid
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Biotechnology Center of Borj Cedria, BP 901, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia; (S.K.); (N.F.)
- University of Tunis-El Manar, Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, BP-94 Rommana, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Sarra Kefi
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Biotechnology Center of Borj Cedria, BP 901, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia; (S.K.); (N.F.)
- University of Tunis-El Manar, Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, BP-94 Rommana, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Bilel Damergi
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Biotechnology Center of Borj Cedria, BP 901, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia; (S.K.); (N.F.)
- University of Tunis-El Manar, Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, BP-94 Rommana, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Ghassen Abid
- Laboratory of Legumes and Sustainable Agro-Systems, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia
| | - Nadia Fares
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Biotechnology Center of Borj Cedria, BP 901, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia; (S.K.); (N.F.)
| | - Selim Jallouli
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Biotechnology Center of Borj Cedria, BP 901, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia; (S.K.); (N.F.)
| | - Islem Abid
- Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dina Hussein
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences and Health, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA;
| | - Olfa Tabbene
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Biotechnology Center of Borj Cedria, BP 901, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia; (S.K.); (N.F.)
| | - Ferid Limam
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Biotechnology Center of Borj Cedria, BP 901, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia; (S.K.); (N.F.)
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Berhe H, Kumar Cinthakunta Sridhar M, Zerihun M, Qvit N. The Potential Use of Peptides in the Fight against Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:227. [PMID: 38399281 PMCID: PMC10892537 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020227] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are both neglected tropical diseases that affect millions of people around the world. Leishmaniasis is currently the second most widespread vector-borne parasitic disease after malaria. The World Health Organization records approximately 0.7-1 million newly diagnosed leishmaniasis cases each year, resulting in approximately 20,000-30,000 deaths. Also, 25 million people worldwide are at risk of Chagas disease and an estimated 6 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B, miltefosine, paromomycin, and pentamidine are currently used to treat leishmaniasis. Also, nifurtimox and benznidazole are two drugs currently used to treat Chagas disease. These drugs are associated with toxicity problems such as nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity, in addition to resistance problems. As a result, the discovery of novel therapeutic agents has emerged as a top priority and a promising alternative. Overall, there is a need for new and effective treatments for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, as the current drugs have significant limitations. Peptide-based drugs are attractive due to their high selectiveness, effectiveness, low toxicity, and ease of production. This paper reviews the potential use of peptides in the treatment of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Several studies have demonstrated that peptides are effective against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, suggesting their use in drug therapy for these diseases. Overall, peptides have the potential to be effective therapeutic agents against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, but more research is needed to fully investigate their potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nir Qvit
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.B.); (M.K.C.S.); (M.Z.)
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Amani S, Alinejad S, Asadi N, Yousefi E, Khademvatan S, Howarth GS. Anti-Leishmania major activity of Calotropis procera extract by increasing ROS production and upregulating TNF-α, IFN-γ and iNOS mRNA expression under in vitro conditions. Trop Med Health 2024; 52:16. [PMID: 38303082 PMCID: PMC10832188 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-024-00578-4] [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: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, is a neglected tropical disease with 700,000 to 1,000,000 global new cases annually. Adverse effects associated with expense, long-term treatment and drug resistance have made conventional therapies unfavorable, encouraging the search for alternative drugs based on plant products. In this study, the effect of Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae) extract against viability of promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major was evaluated in vitro. METHODS The extract from the leaves of C. procera seedlings was prepared using a methanol maceration method. The colorimetric cell viability 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the growth-inhibitory effect of the extract on promastigotes. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in promastigote cultures was determined after treatment with the extract using the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) method and compared with untreated cultures (control). After exposure to the extract the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) genes were determined and compared to control in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) infected with L. major. RESULTS Based on the MTT assay, the C. procera extract significantly reduced the proliferation of L. major promastigotes with IC50 values of 377.28 and 222.44 μg/mL for 24 and 72 h, respectively (p < 0.01). After treatment with 222.44 and 377.28 μg/mL of C. procera extract, ROS production in L. major promastigote cultures increased 1.2- to 1.65-fold and 2- to 4-fold compared to the control, respectively (p < 0.05). C. procera extract induced significant increases in gene expression of TNF-α (2.76-14.83 fold), IFN-γ (25.63-threefold) and iNOS (16.32-3.97 fold) in infected PBMCs compared to control (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS On the basis of its anti-leishmanial activity, C. procera can be considered as a promising new plant source for the potential treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahla Amani
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Soheila Alinejad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Negar Asadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Elham Yousefi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Shahram Khademvatan
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
| | - Gordon Stanley Howarth
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia
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Rodrigues Gazolla PA, Lima WP, de Aguiar AR, Gonçalves Borsodi MP, Costa AV, de Oliveira FM, de Oliveira OV, Andreazza Costa MC, Castro Ferreira MM, do Nascimento CJ, Junker J, Vaz BG, Teixeira RR. Leishmanicidal activity and 4D quantitative structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies of vanillin-containing 1,2,3-triazole derivatives. Future Med Chem 2024; 16:139-155. [PMID: 38131191 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0246] [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: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: The assessment of the antileishmanial potential of 22 vanillin-containing 1,2,3-triazole derivatives against Leishmania braziliensis is reported. Materials & methods: Initial screening was performed against the parasite promastigote form. The most active compound, 4b, targeted parasites within amastigotes (IC50 = 4.2 ± 1.0 μmol l-1), presenting low cytotoxicity and a selective index value of 39. 4D quantitative structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies provided insights into structure-activity and biological effects. Conclusion: A vanillin derivative with significant antileishmanial activity was identified. Enhanced activity was linked to increased electrostatic and Van der Waals interactions near the benzyl ring of the derivatives. Molecular docking indicated the inhibition of the Leishmania amazonensis sterol 14α-demethylase, using Leishmania infantum sterol 14α-demethylase as a model, without affecting the human isoform. Inhibition was active site competition with lanosterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poliana Aparecida Rodrigues Gazolla
- Grupo de Pesquisa e Síntese de Compostos Bioativos (GSPCB), Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Wallace Pacienza Lima
- Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Grande Rio, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, 22775-003, Brazil
| | - Alex Ramos de Aguiar
- Grupo de Pesquisa e Síntese de Compostos Bioativos (GSPCB), Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Paula Gonçalves Borsodi
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Adilson Vidal Costa
- Departamento de Química e Física, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alegre-ES, 29500-000, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Cláudia Jorge do Nascimento
- Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro-RJ, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Jochen Junker
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, 21040-361, Brazil
| | - Boniek Gontijo Vaz
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia-GO, 74001-970, Brazil
| | - Róbson Ricardo Teixeira
- Grupo de Pesquisa e Síntese de Compostos Bioativos (GSPCB), Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, 36570-900, Brazil
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Freitas CS, Santiago SS, Lage DP, Antinarelli LMR, Oliveira FM, Vale DL, Martins VT, Magalhaes LND, Bandeira RS, Ramos FF, Pereira IAG, de Jesus MM, Ludolf F, Tavares GSV, Costa AV, Ferreira RS, Coimbra ES, Teixeira RR, Coelho EAF. In vitro evaluation of antileishmanial activity, mode of action and cellular response induced by vanillin synthetic derivatives against Leishmania species able to cause cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Exp Parasitol 2023:108555. [PMID: 37247802 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108555] [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: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The treatment against leishmaniasis presents problems, mainly due to their toxicity of the drugs, high cost and/or by the emergence of parasite resistant strains. In this context, new therapeutics should be searched. In this study, two novel synthetic derivatives from vanillin: [4-(2-hydroxy-3-(4-octyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde] or 3s and [4-(3-(4-decyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde] or 3t, were evaluated regarding their antileishmanial activity against distinct parasite species able to cause cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Results showed that compounds 3s and 3t were effective against Leishmania infantum, L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis promastigote and amastigote-like forms, showing selectivity index (SI) of 25.1, 18.2 and 22.9, respectively, when 3s was used against promastigotes, and of 45.2, 7.5 and 15.0, respectively, against amastigote-like stage. Using the compound 3t, SI values were 45.2, 53.0 and 80.0, respectively, against promastigotes, and of 35.9, 46.0 and 58.4, respectively, against amastigote-like forms. Amphotericin B (AmpB) showed SI values of 5.0, 7.5 and 15.0, respectively, against promastigotes, and of 3.8, 5.0 and 7.5, respectively, against amastigote-like stage. The treatment of infected macrophages and inhibition of the infection upon pre-incubation with the molecules showed that they were effective in reducing the infection degree and inhibiting the infection in pre-incubated parasites, respectively, as compared to data obtained using AmpB. The mechanism of action of 3s and 3t was evaluated in L. infantum, revealing that both 3s and 3t altered the parasite mitochondrial membrane potential leading to reactive oxygen species production, increase in lipid corps and changes in the cell cycle, causing the parasite' death. A preliminary assay using the cell culture supernatant from treated and infected macrophages showed that 3s and 3t induced higher IL-12 and lower IL-10 values; suggesting the development of an in vitro Th1-type response in the treated cells. In this context, data indicated that 3s and 3t could be considered therapeutic agents to be tested in future studies against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila S Freitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Samira S Santiago
- Grupo de Síntese e Pesquisa de Compostos Bioativos, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs S/N, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela P Lage
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luciana M R Antinarelli
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, 36036-900, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fabrício M Oliveira
- Instituto Federal de Educação de Minas Gerais, Rua Afonso Sardinha 90, Bairro Pioneiros, 36420-000, Ouro Branco, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Danniele L Vale
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vívian T Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lícia N D Magalhaes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Raquel S Bandeira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Isabela A G Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcelo M de Jesus
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Ludolf
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Grasiele S V Tavares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adilson V Costa
- Departamento de Química e Física, Universidade Federal Do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, S/n Guararema, 29500-000, Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Rafaela S Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elaine S Coimbra
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, 36036-900, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Róbson R Teixeira
- Grupo de Síntese e Pesquisa de Compostos Bioativos, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs S/N, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Elawad MA, Elkhalifa MEM, Hamdoon AAE, Salim LHM, Ahmad Z, Ayaz M. Natural products derived steroids as potential anti-leishmanial agents; disease prevalence, underlying mechanisms and future perspectives. Steroids 2023; 193:109196. [PMID: 36764565 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne infection caused by protozoan parasites from the genus leishmania and is among the most neglected tropical diseases. It is highly prevalent disease, affecting about 350 million population worldwide. Only limited number of anti-leishmanial agents are approved for clinical use till now and they are associated with side effects and have limited efficacy. Subsequently, natural products based discovery of more safe and effective drugs against leishmania is under scientific consideration. Various studies reported the efficacy of natural products against intracellular and extracellular forms of leishmania species. This work is aimed to evaluate current literature focused on the anti-leihmanial efficacy of steroidal moieties from natural products and their mechanism of action. Compounds including steroidal saponins, steroidal alkaloids and phytosterols were found to exhibit considerable anti-leishmanial efficacy. For instance, steroidal saponin, (25R)-spirost-5-en-3b-ol,3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[a-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-glucopyranoside isolated from A. paradoxum has completely eradicated Leishmania major promastigotes at 50 µg mL-1 dose. Spirostanic saponins isolated from Solanum paniculatum L. were effective against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. Turgidosterones isolated from Panicum turgidum exhibited high leishmanicidal potentials against Leishmania donovani promastigotes with IC50 of 4.95-8.03 µg mL-1 and even better activity against amastigotes exhibiting an IC50 of 4.50-9.29 µg mL-1. Likewise, racemoside-A from Asparagus racemosus was found effective against an antimonial sensitive (AG83) and antimonial resistant (GE1F8R) strains of the L. donovani. Moreover, steroidal alkaloids including hookerianamide-1, hookerianamide-H, hookerianamide-J, hookerianamide-K, dehydrosarsalignone, vagenine-A, sarcovagine-C, holaphylline, saracodine, holamine, 15-α hydroxyholamine, holacurtin, N-desmethyl holacurtine and elasticine has exhibited time and dose-dependent efficacy against various strains of leishmania. β-sitosterol was found active against multiple strains of leishmania. These compounds mainly exhibit their therapeutic efficacy via liberation of ROS, mitochondrial depolarization, morphological and ultra-structural changes, accumulation of lipid droplets, depletion of non-protein thiols and triggering apoptotic pathways. In conclusion, leishmaniasis is a major health problem in many countries. Plants-derived steroids moieties have reveled efficacy against leishmaniasis and is a source of lead compounds. Further detailed molecular studies are warranted for the discovery of more effective and safe anti-leishmanial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Ahmed Elawad
- Public Health Department, Health Sciences College at Lieth, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; University of Khartoum, Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Sudan.
| | - Modawy Elnour Modawy Elkhalifa
- Public Health Department, Health Sciences College at Lieth, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; University of Khartoum, Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Sudan.
| | - Alashary Adam Eisa Hamdoon
- Public Health Department, Health Sciences College at Lieth, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; University of Khartoum, Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Sudan.
| | - Liga Hasan Mohammed Salim
- Public Health Department, Health Sciences College at Lieth, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; University of Khartoum, Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Sudan.
| | - Zeeshan Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy, Facutly of Biological Sciences, University of Malakand, Chakdara 18000, Dir (L), KPK, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ayaz
- Department of Pharmacy, Facutly of Biological Sciences, University of Malakand, Chakdara 18000, Dir (L), KPK, Pakistan.
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Majumder N, Banerjee A, Saha S. A review on new natural and synthetic anti-leishmanial chemotherapeutic agents and current perspective of treatment approaches. Acta Trop 2023; 240:106846. [PMID: 36720335 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniases are considered among the most neglected yet dangerous parasitic diseases worldwide. According to the recent WHO report (Weekly Epidemiological Record, Sep, 2021), 200 countries and territories reported leishmanises cases in 2020; of which 89 (45%) for CL, and 79 (40%) for VL were endemic. Indian subcontinent (India, Bangladesh and Nepal), one of the three eco-epidemiological hotspots of VL, currently reported 18% of the total cases of VL worldwide. Eastern Mediterranean region and the Region of the Americas together reported >90% of the new CL cases, of which >80% were from Afghanistan, Algeria, Brazil, Colombia, Iraq, Pakistan and the Syrian Arab Republic. While considering the current therapeutic options, conventional anti-leishmanial drugs have long been proved to be toxic and/or expensive and have resulted in extensive drug resistance in India. Recent searches for novel anti-leishmanial drugs have led to find out the prime cellular targets and metabolic pathways to bridge the gap between the known facts and unexplored data. Cutting edge knowledge based drug designing has simplified the search for novel molecules with leishmanicidal efficacy by identifying ligand-receptor interactions and has accelerated the cost effective primary discovery of molecules through computational validation against Leishmaniases. This review focuses on the limitations of conventional drugs, and discusses the chemotherapeutic potential of many novel natural and synthetic anti-leishmanial agents reported since the last decade. It is also interpreted that some of the reported molecules might be tested singly or as a part of combinatorial therapy on pre-clinical and clinical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilanjana Majumder
- Department of Biotechnology, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, 731235 West Bengal, India
| | - Antara Banerjee
- Department of Zoology, Bangabasi College, 19 Rajkumar Chakraborty Sarani, Kolkata, 700009 West Bengal, India
| | - Samiran Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, 731235 West Bengal, India.
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8
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Integrated computational and experimental approach for novel anti-leishmanial molecules by targeting Dephospho-coenzyme A kinase. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 232:123441. [PMID: 36708902 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123441] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Coenzyme A acts as a necessary cofactor for many enzymes and is a part of many biochemical processes. One of the critical enzymes involved in Coenzyme A synthesis is Dephospho-coenzyme A-kinase (DPCK). In this study, we have used integrated computational and experimental approaches for promising inhibitors of DPCK using the natural products available in the ZINC database for anti-leishmanial drug development. The top hit compounds chosen after molecular docking were Veratramine, Azulene, Hupehenine, and Hederagenin. The free binding energy of Veratramine, Azulene, Hupehenine, and Hederagenin was estimated. Besides the favourable binding point, the ligands also showed good hydrogen bonding and other interactions with key residues of the enzyme's active site. The natural compounds were also experimentally investigated for their effect on the L. donovani promastigotes and murine macrophage (J774A.1). A good antileishmanial activity by the compounds on the promastigotes was observed as estimated by the MTT assay. The in-vitro experiments revealed that Hupehenine (IC50 = 7.34 ± 0.37 μM) and Veratramine (IC50 = 12.46 ± 2.28 μM) exhibited better inhibition than Hederagenin (IC50 = 23.36 ± 0.54 μM) and Azulene (IC50 = 24.42 ± 3.28 μM). This work has identified novel anti-leishmanial molecules possibly acting through the inhibition of DPCK.
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9
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Knight CA, Harris DR, Alshammari SO, Gugssa A, Young T, Lee CM. Leishmaniasis: Recent epidemiological studies in the Middle East. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1052478. [PMID: 36817103 PMCID: PMC9932337 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1052478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, one of the most neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), is the third most important vector-borne disease worldwide. This disease has a global impact and severity of the infection and is greatest in the Middle East. The agent of infection is a protozoan parasite of the genus, Leishmania, and is generally transmitted by blood-sucking female sandflies. In humans, there are three clinical forms of infection: (1) cutaneous (CL), (2) mucocutaneous (ML), and (3) visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This review aims to discuss the current epidemiological status of leishmaniasis in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen with a consideration of treatment options. The elevated risk of leishmaniasis is influenced by the transmission of the disease across endemic countries into neighboring non-infected regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinyere A. Knight
- Department of Biology, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL, United States,*Correspondence: Chinyere A. Knight,
| | - David R. Harris
- Department of Biology, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL, United States
| | | | - Ayele Gugssa
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Todd Young
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Clarence M. Lee
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
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10
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Gopu B, Kour P, Pandian R, Singh K. Insights into the drug screening approaches in leishmaniasis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 114:109591. [PMID: 36700771 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a tropically neglected disease, is responsible for the high mortality and morbidity ratio in poverty-stricken areas. Currently, no vaccine is available for the complete cure of the disease. Current chemotherapeutic regimens face the limitations of drug resistance and toxicity concerns indicating a great need to develop better chemotherapeutic leads that are orally administrable, potent, non-toxic, and cost-effective. The anti-leishmanial drug discovery process accelerated the desire for large-scale drug screening assays and high-throughput screening (HTS) technology to identify new chemo-types that can be used as potential drug molecules to control infection. Using the HTS approach, about one million compounds can be screened daily within the shortest possible time for biological activity using automation tools, miniaturized assay formats, and large-scale data analysis. Classical and modern in vitro screening assays have led to the progression of active compounds further to ex vivo and in vivo studies. In the present review, we emphasized on the HTS approaches employed in the leishmanial drug discovery program. Recent in vitro screening assays are widely explored to discover new chemical scaffolds. Developing appropriate experimental animal models and their related techniques is necessary to understand the pathophysiological processes and disease host responses, paving the way for unraveling novel therapies against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boobalan Gopu
- Animal House Facility, Pharmacology Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Parampreet Kour
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Ramajayan Pandian
- Animal House Facility, Pharmacology Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Kuljit Singh
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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11
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Synthesis, Structure and Antileishmanial Evaluation of Endoperoxide–Pyrazole Hybrids. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175401. [PMID: 36080174 PMCID: PMC9457810 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are among the most impacting neglected tropical diseases. In attempts to repurpose antimalarial drugs or candidates, it was found that selected 1,2,4-trioxanes, 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes, and pyrazole-containing chemotypes demonstrated activity against Leishmania parasites. This study reports the synthesis and structure of trioxolane–pyrazole (OZ1, OZ2) and tetraoxane–pyrazole (T1, T2) hybrids obtained from the reaction of 3(5)-aminopyrazole with endoperoxide-containing building blocks. Interestingly, only the endocyclic amine of 3(5)-aminopyrazole was found to act as nucleophile for amide coupling. However, the fate of the reaction was influenced by prototropic tautomerism of the pyrazole heterocycle, yielding 3- and 5-aminopyrazole containing hybrids which were characterized by different techniques, including X-ray crystallography. The compounds were evaluated for in vitro antileishmanial activity against promastigotes of L. tropica and L. infantum, and for cytotoxicity against THP-1 cells. Selected compounds were also evaluated against intramacrophage amastigote forms of L. infantum. Trioxolane–pyrazole hybrids OZ1 and OZ2 exhibited some activity against Leishmania promastigotes, while tetraoxane–pyrazole hybrids proved inactive, most likely due to solubility issues. Eight salt forms, specifically tosylate, mesylate, and hydrochloride salts, were then prepared to improve the solubility of the corresponding peroxide hybrids and were uniformly tested. Biological evaluations in promastigotes showed that the compound OZ1•HCl was the most active against both strains of Leishmania. Such finding was corroborated by the results obtained in assessments of the L. infantum amastigote susceptibility. It is noteworthy that the salt forms of the endoperoxide–pyrazole hybrids displayed a broader spectrum of action, showing activity in both strains of Leishmania. Our preliminary biological findings encourage further optimization of peroxide–pyrazole hybrids to identify a promising antileishmanial lead.
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12
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Mendes A, Armada A, Cabral LIL, Amado PSM, Campino L, Cristiano MLS, Cortes S. 1,2,4-Trioxolane and 1,2,4,5-Tetraoxane Endoperoxides against Old-World Leishmania Parasites: In Vitro Activity and Mode of Action. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040446. [PMID: 35455443 PMCID: PMC9024893 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis remains one of the ten Neglected Tropical Diseases with significant morbidity and mortality in humans. Current treatment of visceral leishmaniasis is difficult due to a lack of effective, non-toxic, and non-extensive medications. This study aimed to evaluate the selectivity of 12 synthetic endoperoxides (1,2,4-trioxolanes; 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes) and uncover their biochemical effects on Leishmania parasites responsible for visceral leishmaniasis. The compounds were screened for in vitro activity against L. infantum and L. donovani and for cytotoxicity in two monocytic cell lines (J774A.1 and THP-1) using the methyl thiazol tetrazolium assay. Reactive oxygen species formation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial impairment were measured by flow cytometry. The compounds exhibited fair to moderate anti-proliferative activity against promastigotes of the 2 Leishmania species, with IC50 values ranging from 13.0 ± 1.7 µM to 793.0 ± 37.2 µM. Tetraoxanes LC132 and LC138 demonstrated good leishmanicidal activity on L. infantum amastigotes (IC50 13.2 ± 5.2 and 23.9 ± 2.7 µM) with low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells (SIs 22.1 and 118.6), indicating selectivity towards the parasite. Furthermore, LC138 was able to induce late apoptosis and dose-dependent oxidative stress without affecting mithocondria. Compounds LC132 and LC138 can be further explored as potential antileishmanial chemotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Mendes
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.); (A.A.); (L.C.)
| | - Ana Armada
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.); (A.A.); (L.C.)
- Global Health Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lília I. L. Cabral
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (L.I.L.C.); (P.S.M.A.)
- Departamento de Química e Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Patrícia S. M. Amado
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (L.I.L.C.); (P.S.M.A.)
- Departamento de Química e Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Lenea Campino
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.); (A.A.); (L.C.)
| | - Maria L. S. Cristiano
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (L.I.L.C.); (P.S.M.A.)
- Departamento de Química e Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Correspondence: (M.L.S.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Sofia Cortes
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.); (A.A.); (L.C.)
- Global Health Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (M.L.S.C.); (S.C.)
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13
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Alinejad S, Khademvatan S, Amani S, Asadi N, Tappeh KH, Yousefi E, Miandoabi T. The Effect of Curcumin on the Expression of INFγ, TNF-α, and iNOS Genes in PBMCs Infected with Leishmania major [MRHO/IR/75/ER]. Infect Disord Drug Targets 2022; 22:83-89. [PMID: 35379161 DOI: 10.2174/1871526522666220404083220] [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: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis, caused by the Leishmania parasite, is one of the most important tropical neglected diseases. The urgent search for effective, inexpensive, and preferably herbal anti-leishmanial agents, is needed. OBJECTIVE Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound derived from turmeric that is well known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-cancer activity. METHODS The present work evaluates the anti-leishmanial [Leishmania major] activity of curcumin. The infected PBMCs were treated with curcumin. The ROS level at 6, 12, 24 h and gene expression levels at 24, 48, and 72 h of PBMCs after treatment with curcumin were determined. RESULTS Based on the results, the curcumin concentrations of 268 μM [24 h] and 181.2 μM [72 h] were defined as IC50 against L. major promastigotes. Treatment of L. major infected-peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] with IC50 concentrations of curcumin, depending on exposure time, significantly induced the reactive oxygen species [ROS] generation and increased the expression levels of interferongamma [IFN-γ], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], and nitric oxide synthase [iNOS] genes. CONCLUSION These findings suggest the potential of curcumin against Leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Alinejad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Shahram Khademvatan
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Shahla Amani
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Negar Asadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Khosrow Hazrati Tappeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Elham Yousefi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Touraj Miandoabi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
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14
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Dinc R. New developments in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/1995-7645.345944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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15
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Antiparasitic potential of Indian honey bee glue against strains of Leishmania donovani sensitive and resistant to synthetic antileishmanial. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00897-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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16
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Lozano ES, Germanó MJ, Troncoso ME, García Bustos MF, Luques CG, Cargnelutti DE. Therapeutic effect of Prosopis strombulifera (LAM) BENTH aqueous extract on a murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis. J Tradit Complement Med 2021; 12:281-286. [PMID: 35493311 PMCID: PMC9039096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aim Prosopis strombulifera (Lam.) Benth is a rhizomatous shrub native from different zones of Argentine Republic. P. strombulifera aqueous extract (PsAE) has different effects and several biological activities have been reported. The goal of this study was to analyze the activity of PsAE on a murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania amazonensis. Experimental procedure PsAE was orally administered at 150 mg/animal/day on BALB/c mice infected in the right footpad (RFP) with 1 × 105 promastigotes of L. amazonensis. As a chemotherapeutic control of treatment, animals receive a commercial form of meglumine antimoniate (MA) (Glucantime®, Aventis, Paris, France). Results and conclusion We observe that the size of RFP lesions of infected mice without treatment showed a grade of inflammation, ulceration and necrosis at the site of infection much greater than that observed with PsAE or MA treatment. Moreover, PsAE was capable of decreasing parasite burden and splenic index. Furthermore, PsAE treated mice showed a significant decrease in O.D. of total anti-Leishmania IgG antibody responses against L. amazonensis. This decrease was similar to those observed when the reference drug, MA, was used. This would indicate that PsAE treatment inhibits or delays disease progression in mice. In conclusion, our findings suggest that PsAE could be a potential candidate to be used, as a new therapeutic strategy, to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. amazonensis. Prosopis strombulifera aqueous extract (PsAE) has antileishmanial effect. PsAE treatment reduces inflammation and ulceration at the site of infection. PsAE decreased parasite burden and splenic index. PsAE decreased total anti-Leishmania IgG antibody responses against L. amazonensis. PsAE produces a switch to Th1 humoral immune response after infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Sebastián Lozano
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Mendoza, Argentina
- Corresponding author. Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, Mendoza CP, 5500, Argentina.
| | - María José Germanó
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Mariana Elizabeth Troncoso
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Mendoza, Argentina
- Universidad de Mendoza, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Fernanda García Bustos
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Patología Experimental, Salta, Argentina
| | - Carlos Gamarra Luques
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Diego Esteban Cargnelutti
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Mendoza, Argentina
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17
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Freitas CS, Lage DP, Oliveira-da-Silva JA, Costa RR, Mendonça DVC, Martins VT, Reis TAR, Antinarelli LMR, Machado AS, Tavares GSV, Ramos FF, Brito RCF, Ludolf F, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Roatt BM, Ramos GS, Munkert J, Ottoni FM, Campana PRV, Duarte MC, Gonçalves DU, Coimbra ES, Braga FC, Pádua RM, Coelho EAF. In vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity of β-acetyl-digitoxin, a cardenolide of Digitalis lanata potentially useful to treat visceral leishmaniasis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:38. [PMID: 33851916 PMCID: PMC8045677 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Current treatments of visceral leishmaniasis face limitations due to drug side effects and/or high cost, along with the emergence of parasite resistance. Novel and low-cost antileishmanial agents are therefore required. We report herein the antileishmanial activity of β-acetyl-digitoxin (b-AD), a cardenolide isolated from Digitalis lanata leaves, assayed in vitro and in vivo against Leishmania infantum. Results showed direct action of b-AD against parasites, as well as efficacy for the treatment of Leishmania-infected macrophages. In vivo experiments using b-AD-containing Pluronic® F127 polymeric micelles (b-AD/Mic) to treat L. infantum-infected mice showed that this composition reduced the parasite load in distinct organs in more significant levels. It also induced the development of anti-parasite Th1-type immunity, attested by high levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, TNF-α, GM-CSF, nitrite and specific IgG2a antibodies, in addition to low IL-4 and IL-10 contents, along with higher IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell frequency. Furthermore, low toxicity was found in the organs of the treated animals. Comparing the therapeutic effect between the treatments, b-AD/Mic was the most effective in protecting animals against infection, when compared to the other groups including miltefosine used as a drug control. Data found 15 days after treatment were similar to those obtained one day post-therapy. In conclusion, the results obtained suggest that b-AD/Mic is a promising antileishmanial agent and deserves further studies to investigate its potential to treat visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila S Freitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela P Lage
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João A Oliveira-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rafaella R Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Débora V C Mendonça
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vívian T Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago A R Reis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luciana M R Antinarelli
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, 36036-900 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Amanda S Machado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Grasiele S V Tavares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rory C F Brito
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Insituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, 35400-000 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Ludolf
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno M Roatt
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Insituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, 35400-000 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gabriela S Ramos
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jennifer Munkert
- Departament Biologie, LS Pharmazeutische Biologie, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Flaviano M Ottoni
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Priscilla R V Campana
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariana C Duarte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil - Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Denise U Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elaine S Coimbra
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, 36036-900 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernão C Braga
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo M Pádua
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100 Minas Gerais, Brazil - Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Mondêgo-Oliveira R, de Sá Sousa JC, Moragas-Tellis CJ, de Souza PVR, dos Santos Chagas MDS, Behrens MD, Jesús Hardoim DD, Taniwaki NN, Chometon TQ, Bertho AL, Calabrese KDS, Almeida-Souza F, Abreu-Silva AL. Vernonia brasiliana (L.) Druce induces ultrastructural changes and apoptosis-like death of Leishmania infantum promastigotes. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 133:111025. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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Morais LS, Dusi RG, Demarque DP, Silva RL, Albernaz LC, Báo SN, Merten C, Antinarelli LMR, Coimbra ES, Espindola LS. Antileishmanial compounds from Connarus suberosus: Metabolomics, isolation and mechanism of action. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241855. [PMID: 33156835 PMCID: PMC7647111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease impacting public health worldwide due to its high incidence, morbidity and mortality. Available treatments are costly, lengthy and toxic, not to mention the problem of parasite resistance. The development of alternative treatments is warranted and natural products demonstrate promising activity. This study investigated the activity of Connarus suberosus extracts and compounds against Leishmania species. Several C. suberosus extracts were tested against L. amazonensis promastigotes. Active and inactive extracts were analyzed by UHPLC-MS and data evaluated using a metabolomics platform, revealing an unknown neoflavonoid (connarin, 3), isolated together with the pterocarpans: hemileiocarpin (1) and leiocarpin (2). The aforementioned compounds (1-3), together with the benzoquinones: rapanone (4), embelin (5) and suberonone (6) previously isolated by our group from the same species, were tested against: (i) L. amazonensis and L. infantum promastigotes, and (ii) L. amazonensis intracellular amastigotes, with the most active compound (3) also tested against L. infantum amastigotes. Cytotoxicity against murine peritoneal macrophages was also investigated. Compounds 2 and 3 presented an IC50 33.8 μM and 11.4 μM for L. amazonensis promastigotes; and 44.3 μM and 13.3 μM for L. infantum promastigotes, respectively. For L. amazonensis amastigotes, the IC50 of 2 was 20.4 μM with a selectivity index (SI) of 5.7, while the IC50 of 3 was 2.9 μM with an SI of 6.3. For L. infantum amastigotes, the IC50 of 3 was 7.7 μM. Compounds 2 and 3 presented activity comparable with the miltefosine positive control, with compound 3 found to be 2-4 times more active than the positive control, depending on the Leishmania species and form. The extracts and isolated compounds showed moderate toxicity against macrophages. Compounds 2 and 3 altered the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and neutral lipid body accumulation, while 2 also impacted plasma membrane permeabilization, culminating in cellular disorder and parasite death. Transmission electron microscopy of L. amazonensis promastigotes treated with compound 3 confirmed the presence of lipid bodies. Leiocarpin (2) and connarin (3) demonstrated antileishmanial activity. This study provides knowledge of natural products with antileishmanial activity, paving the way for prototype development to fight this neglected tropical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lais S. Morais
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Renata G. Dusi
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Daniel P. Demarque
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Fakultät für Chemie und Biochemie, Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Raquel L. Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Lorena C. Albernaz
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Sônia N. Báo
- Laboratório de Microscopia e Microanálise, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Christian Merten
- Fakultät für Chemie und Biochemie, Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Luciana M. R. Antinarelli
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, I.C.B., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elaine S. Coimbra
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, I.C.B., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Laila S. Espindola
- Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
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