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Akbar N, Khan AS, Siddiqui R, Ibrahim TH, Khamis MI, Alawfi BS, Al-Ahmadi BM, Khan NA. Phosphonium chloride-based deep eutectic solvents inhibit pathogenic Acanthamoeba castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2024:10.1007/s12223-024-01180-1. [PMID: 38869777 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-024-01180-1] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Herein, we investigated the anti-amoebic activity of phosphonium-chloride-based deep eutectic solvents against pathogenic Acanthamoeba castellanii of the T4 genotype. Deep eutectic solvents are ionic fluids composed of two or three substances, capable of self-association to form a eutectic mixture with a melting point lower than each substance. In this study, three distinct hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents were formulated, employing trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride as the hydrogen bond acceptor and aspirin, dodecanoic acid, and 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid as the hydrogen bond donors. Subsequently, all three deep eutectic solvents, denoted as DES1, DES2, DES3 formulations, underwent investigations comprising amoebicidal, adhesion, excystation, cytotoxicity, and cytopathogenicity assays. The findings revealed that DES2 was the most potent anti-amoebic agent, with a 94% elimination rate against the amoebae within 24 h at 30 °C. Adhesion assays revealed that deep eutectic solvents hindered amoebae adhesion to human brain endothelial cells, with DES2 exhibiting 88% reduction of adhesion. Notably, DES3 exhibited remarkable anti-excystation properties, preventing 94% of cysts from reverting to trophozoites. In cytopathogenicity experiments, deep eutectic solvent formulations and dodecanoic acid alone reduced amoebae-induced human brain endothelial cell death, with DES2 showing the highest effects. Lactate dehydrogenase assays revealed the minimal cytotoxicity of the tested deep eutectic solvents, with the exception of trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride, which exhibited 35% endothelial cell damage. These findings underscore the potential of specific deep eutectic solvents in combating pathogenic Acanthamoeba, presenting promising avenues for further research and development against free-living amoebae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Akbar
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Amir Sada Khan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology Bannu, Bannu, 28100, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey
| | - Taleb Hassan Ibrahim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mustafa I Khamis
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bader S Alawfi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bassam M Al-Ahmadi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey.
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Qubais Saeed B, Hamdy R, Akbar N, Sajeevan SE, Khan NA, Soliman SSM. Azole-based compounds as potential anti- Acanthamoeba agents. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1578-1588. [PMID: 38784450 PMCID: PMC11110792 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00029c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba castellanii is an opportunistic pathogen with public health implications, largely due to its invasive nature and non-specific symptoms. Our study focuses on the potential of azole compounds, particularly those with triazole scaffolds, as anti-amoebic agents. Out of 10 compounds, compounds T1 and T8 exhibited effective anti-Acanthamoeba activity with MIC50 values of 125.37 and 143.92 μg mL-1, respectively. Interestingly, compounds T1, T4, T5 and T8 revealed profound anti-excystation activity with MIC50 at 32.01, 85.53, 19.54 and 80.57 μg mL-1, respectively, alongside limited cytotoxicity to human cells. The study underscores the potential of T1, T4, T5, and T8, thiazole-based compounds, as anti-Acanthamoeba agents by both eliminating amoeba viability and preventing excystation, via preserving the amoeba in its latent cyst form, exposing them to elimination by the immune system. Notably, compounds T1, T4, T5, and T8 showed optimal molecular properties, moderate oral bioavailability, and stable complex formation with Acanthamoeba CYP51. They also display superior binding interactions. Further research is needed to understand their mechanisms and optimize their efficacy against Acanthamoeba infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balsam Qubais Saeed
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah Sharjah 27272 United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah Sharjah 27272 United Arab Emirates
| | - Rania Hamdy
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah Sharjah 27272 United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Science and Engineering (RISE), University of Sharjah Sharjah 27272 United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University Zagazig 44519 Egypt
| | - Noor Akbar
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah Sharjah 27272 United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah Sharjah 27272 United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Microbiota Research Centre, Istinye University Istanbul 34010 Turkey
| | - Sameh S M Soliman
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah Sharjah 27272 United Arab Emirates
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah Sharjah P.O. Box 27272 United Arab Emirates +97165057472
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Akbar N, Siddiqui R, El-Gamal MI, Zaraei SO, Saeed BQ, Alawfi BS, Khan NA. Potential anti-amoebic activity of sulfonate- and sulfamate-containing carboxamide derivatives against pathogenic Acanthamoeba castellanii belonging to the genotype T4. Parasitol Int 2024; 98:102814. [PMID: 37806551 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102814] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba are ubiquitously distributed in the environment and can cause infection of the central nervous system as well a sight-threatening eye infection. Herein, the potential anti-amoebic activity of a series of sulfonate/sulfamate derivatives against pathogenic A. castellanii was evaluated. These compounds were tested using several assays namely amoebicidal, adhesion, excystation, cytotoxic, and cytopathogenicity. Amoebicidal assays revealed that the selected compounds reduced amoebae viability significantly (P < 0.05), and exhibited IC50 values at two-digit micromolar concentrations. Sulfamate derivatives 1j & 1k inhibited 50% of amoebae at 30.65 μM and 27.21 μM, respectively. The tested compounds blocked amoebae binding to host cells as well as inhibited amoebae excystation. Notably, the selected derivatives exhibited minimal human cell cytotoxicity but reduced parasite-mediated host cell damage. Overall, our study showed that sulfamate derivatives 1j & 1k have anti-amoebic potential and offer a promising avenue in the development of potential anti-amoebic drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Akbar
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey; College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed I El-Gamal
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Seyed-Omar Zaraei
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Balsam Qubais Saeed
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bader Saleem Alawfi
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah 42353, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey; Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
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Akbar N, Khan NA, Giddey AD, Soares NC, Alharbi AM, Alfahemi H, Siddiqui R. Selected Gut Bacteria from Water Monitor Lizard Exhibit Effects against Pathogenic Acanthamoeba castellanii Belonging to the T4 Genotype. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041072. [PMID: 37110494 PMCID: PMC10142573 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041072] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Water monitor lizards (WMLs) reside in unhygienic and challenging ecological surroundings and are routinely exposed to various pathogenic microorganisms. It is possible that their gut microbiota produces substances to counter microbial infections. Here we determine whether selected gut bacteria of water monitor lizards (WMLs) possess anti-amoebic properties using Acanthamoeba castellanii of the T4 genotype. Conditioned media (CM) were prepared from bacteria isolated from WML. The CM were tested using amoebicidal, adhesion, encystation, excystation, cell cytotoxicity and amoeba-mediated host cell cytotoxicity assays in vitro. Amoebicidal assays revealed that CM exhibited anti-amoebic effects. CM inhibited both excystation and encystation in A. castellanii. CM inhibited amoebae binding to and cytotoxicity of host cells. In contrast, CM alone showed limited toxic effects against human cells in vitro. Mass spectrometry revealed several antimicrobials, anticancer, neurotransmitters, anti-depressant and other metabolites with biological functions. Overall, these findings imply that bacteria from unusual places, such as WML gut, produce molecules with anti-acanthamoebic capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Akbar
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey
| | - Alexander D Giddey
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nelson C Soares
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmad M Alharbi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hasan Alfahemi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, P.O. Box. 1988, Al-Baha 65799, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
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Siddiqui R, Makhlouf Z, Akbar N, Khamis M, Ibrahim T, Khan AS, Khan NA. Antiamoebic properties of Methyltrioctylammonium chloride based deep eutectic solvents. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2023; 46:101758. [PMID: 36243521 DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2022.101758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This aim of this study was to assess anti-parasitic properties of deep eutectic solvents against eye pathogen, Acanthamoeba, often associated with the use of contact lens. METHODS Assays were performed to investigate the effects of various Methyltrioctylammonium chloride-based deep eutectic solvents on Acanthamoeba castellanii, comprising amoebicidal assays, encystment assays, excystment assays, cytotoxicity assays by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release from human cells, and cytopathogenicity assays to determine parasite-mediated host cell death. RESULTS In a 2 h incubation period, DES-B, DES-C, DES-D, and DES-E exhibited up to 85 % amoebicidal activity at micromolar doses, which was enhanced further following 24 h incubation. When tested in encystment assays, selected deep eutectic solvents abolished cyst formation and were able to block excystment of A. castellanii. All solvents exhibited minimal human cell cytotoxicity except DES-D. Finally, all tested deep eutectic solvents inhibited amoeba-mediated cytopathogenicity, except DES-B. CONCLUSIONS Deep eutectic solvents show potent antiamoebic effects. These findings are promising and could lead to the development of novel contact lens disinfectants, as well as opening several avenues to explore the molecular mechanisms, various doses and incubation periods, and use of different bases against Acanthamoeba castellanii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates; Istinye Faculty of Medicine, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zinb Makhlouf
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Noor Akbar
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mustafa Khamis
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Taleb Ibrahim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amir Sada Khan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology, Banuu 28100, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, C
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, University, City, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Istinye Faculty of Medicine, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey..
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Antiamoebic Activity of Imidazothiazole Derivatives against Opportunistic Pathogen Acanthamoeba castellanii. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11091183. [PMID: 36139962 PMCID: PMC9494960 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11091183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the antiamoebic effect of several imidazothiazole derivatives on Acanthamoeba castellanii of the T4 genotype. Trypan blue exclusion assays and haemocytometer counting were used to determine the reduction in A. castellanii trophozoite proliferation, in response to treatment with these compounds. To determine the effects of these compounds on host cells, lactate dehydrogenase assay was performed using HeLa cell lines. Amoebicidal assays revealed that the tested compounds at concentrations of 50 µM significantly inhibited amoebae trophozoites compared to controls. Compounds 1m and 1zb showed the highest amoebicidal effects eradicating 70% and 67% of A. castellanii, respectively. The compounds blocked both the encystation and excystation process in A. castellanii. Compounds 1m and 1zb blocked 61% and 55%, respectively, of amoeba binding to human cells. Moreover, the compounds showed minimal cytotoxic effects against host cells and considerably reduced amoeba-mediated host cell death. Overall, our study revealed that compounds 1m and 1zb have excellent antiamoebic potential, and should be considered in the development of curative antiamoebic medications in future studies. Further work is critical to determine the translational value of these findings.
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A novel montmorillonite clay-cetylpyridinium chloride complex as a potential antiamoebic composite material in contact lenses disinfection. Exp Parasitol 2022; 240:108330. [PMID: 35868573 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108330] [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: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acanthamoeba keratitis is a painful, sight-threatening infection. It is commonly associated with the use of contact lens. Several lines of evidence suggest inadequate contact lens solutions especially against the cyst forms of pathogenic Acanthamoeba, indicating the need to develop effective disinfectants. OBJECTIVE In this work, the application and assessment of montmorillonite clay (Mt-clay), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and cetylpyridinium chloride-montmorillonite clay complex (CPC-Mt) against keratitis-causing A. castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype was studied. METHODS Adhesion to human cells and amoeba-mediated cytopathogenicity assays were conducted to determine the impact of Mt-clay, CPC and CPC-Mt complex on amoeba-mediated binding and host cell death. Furthermore, assays were also performed to determine inhibitory effects of Mt-clay, CPC and CPC-Mt complex on encystment and excystment. In addition, the cytotoxicity of Mt-clay, CPC and CPC-Mt complex against human cells was examined. RESULTS The results revealed that CPC and CPC-Mt complex presented significant antiamoebic effects against A. castellanii at microgram dose. Also, the CPC and CPC-Mt complex inhibited amoebae binding to host cells. Furthermore, CPC and CPC-Mt complex, were found to inhibit the encystment and excystment processes. Finally, CPC and CPC-Mt complex showed minimal host cell cytotoxicity. These results show that CPC and CPC-Mt complex exhibit potent anti-acanthamoebic properties. CONCLUSION Given the ease of usage, safety, cost-effectiveness and long-term stability, CPC and CPC-Mt complex can prove to be an excellent choice in the rational development of contact-lens disinfectants to eradicate pathogenic Acanthamoeba effectively.
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Siddiqui R, Makhlouf Z, Akbar N, Khamis M, Ibrahim T, Khan AS, Khan NA. Antiamoebic properties of salicylic acid-based deep eutectic solvents for the development of contact lens disinfecting solutions against Acanthamoeba. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 250:111493. [PMID: 35753525 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111493] [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: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba castellanii is a protist pathogen that can cause sight-threatening keratitis and a fatal infection of the central nervous system, known as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. In this study, effects of five malonic acid and salicylic acid-based deep eutectic solvents (DES) on A. castellanii were investigated. These are salicylic acid-trioctylphosphine (DES 1), salicylic acid- trihexylamine (DES 2), salicylic acid-trioctylamine (DES 3), malonic acid-trioctylphosphine (DES 4) and malonic acid-trihexylamine (DES 5). The experiments were done by performing amoebicidal, encystment, excystment, cytopathogenicity, and cytotoxicity assays. At micromolar dosage, the solvents DES 2 and DES 3 displayed significant amoebicidal effects (P<0.05), inhibited encystment and excystment, undermined the cell-mediated cytopathogenicity of A. castellanii, and also displayed minimal cytotoxicity to human cells. Conversely, the chemical components of these solvents: salicylic acid, trihexylamine, and trioctylamine showed minimal effects when tested individually. These results are very promising and to the best of our knowledge, are reported for the first time on the effects of deep eutectic solvents on amoebae. These results can be applied in the development of new formulations of novel contact lens disinfectants against Acanthamoeba castellanii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Zinb Makhlouf
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Noor Akbar
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mustafa Khamis
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Taleb Ibrahim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amir Sada Khan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, University, City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
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Saeed BQ, Rawas-Qalaji M, Akbar N, Siddiqui R, Roberta C, Manzoor S, Muhammad JS, Adrees AO, Al-Shahrabi R, Khan NA. Evaluation of Nanoparticles with 5-Fluorouracil and Chloroquine on Acanthamoeba castellanii activity. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 250:111492. [PMID: 35714753 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba is opportunistic pathogens that cause vision-threatening Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Previous studies proposed the use of chloroquine (CQ) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) as anti-Acanthamoeba agents. The objective of this study was to determine the benefit of using 5FU and CQ nanoparticles (NP) formulations against A. castellanii that belonging to the T4 genotype and evaluate their anti-Acanthamoebic characteristic. Triplicate batches of 5FU nanoparticles (5FU-NP) were synthesized by using a modified nanoprecipitation method, while CQ anoparticles (CQ-NP) synthesized using a modified double emulsion method. The synthesized nanoparticles were subjected to biological assays to investigate their amoebicidal, amoebistatic, anti-encystation, and anti-excystation effects against A. castellanii, as well as cell cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity assays were performed using human keratinocyte cells (HaCat) to determine the effect of CQ and 5FU nanoformulations on host cells. 5FU-NP with a concentration of 60µM showed significant inhibition to amoeba binding into human cell lines and remarkable prevention mainly during the encystation stage. Moreover, 5FU-NP resulted in less cytotoxicity and pathogenicity when compared with the free 5FU. On the other hand, CQ and CQ-NP, at the same concentration, showed poor inhibition to amoeba binding into human cells and insignificant prevention to encystation stage. Moderate human cells damage was resulted following their treatment with CQ and CQ-NP. In conclusion, 5FU may have the potential as an antiamoebic agent against Acanthamoeba spp. preferably as a nanoformulation to enhance its activity and reduce its cytoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balsam Qubais Saeed
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, UAE; Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Mutasem Rawas-Qalaji
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Noor Akbar
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, UAE
| | | | - Cagliani Roberta
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shaista Manzoor
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jibran Sualeh Muhammad
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed Omar Adrees
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rula Al-Shahrabi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, UAE
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, UAE; Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
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