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Pereira PML, Fernandes BT, dos Santos VR, Cabral WRC, Lovo-Martins MI, Alonso L, Lancheros CAC, de Paula JC, Camargo PG, Suzukawa HT, Alonso A, Macedo F, Nakamura CV, Tavares ER, de Lima Ferreira Bispo M, Yamauchi LM, Pinge-Filho P, Yamada-Ogatta SF. Antiprotozoal Activity of Benzoylthiourea Derivatives against Trypanosoma cruzi: Insights into Mechanism of Action. Pathogens 2023; 12:1012. [PMID: 37623972 PMCID: PMC10457850 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081012] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
For decades, only two nitroheterocyclic drugs have been used as therapeutic agents for Chagas disease. However, these drugs present limited effectiveness during the chronic phase, possess unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties, and induce severe adverse effects, resulting in low treatment adherence. A previous study reported that N-(cyclohexylcarbamothioyl) benzamide (BTU-1), N-(tert-butylcarbamothioyl) benzamide (BTU-2), and (4-bromo-N-(3-nitrophenyl) carbamothioyl benzamide (BTU-3) present selective antiprotozoal activity against all developmental forms of Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of action of these compounds through microscopy and biochemical analyses. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed nuclear disorganization, changes in the plasma membrane with the appearance of blebs and extracellular arrangements, intense vacuolization, mitochondrial swelling, and formation of myelin-like structures. Biochemical results showed changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species content, lipid peroxidation, and plasma membrane fluidity. In addition, the formation of autophagic vacuoles was observed. These findings indicate that BTU-1, BTU-2, and BTU-3 induced profound morphological, ultrastructural, and biochemical alterations in epimastigote forms, triggering an autophagic-dependent cell death pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Morais Lopes Pereira
- Graduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (P.M.L.P.); (B.T.F.); (W.R.C.C.); (H.T.S.); (P.P.-F.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (V.R.d.S.); (E.R.T.)
| | - Bruna Terci Fernandes
- Graduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (P.M.L.P.); (B.T.F.); (W.R.C.C.); (H.T.S.); (P.P.-F.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (V.R.d.S.); (E.R.T.)
| | - Vitória Ribeiro dos Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (V.R.d.S.); (E.R.T.)
| | - Weslei Roberto Correia Cabral
- Graduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (P.M.L.P.); (B.T.F.); (W.R.C.C.); (H.T.S.); (P.P.-F.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (V.R.d.S.); (E.R.T.)
| | - Maria Isabel Lovo-Martins
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunopathology, Department of Immunology, Parasitology and General Pathology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil;
| | - Lais Alonso
- Institute of Physics, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania 74690-900, Brazil; (L.A.); (A.A.)
| | | | | | - Priscila Goes Camargo
- Laboratory of Medicinal Molecules Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (P.G.C.); (M.d.L.F.B.)
| | - Helena Tiemi Suzukawa
- Graduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (P.M.L.P.); (B.T.F.); (W.R.C.C.); (H.T.S.); (P.P.-F.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (V.R.d.S.); (E.R.T.)
| | - Antônio Alonso
- Institute of Physics, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania 74690-900, Brazil; (L.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Fernando Macedo
- Laboratory of Medicinal Molecules Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (P.G.C.); (M.d.L.F.B.)
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in the Development of Drugs and Cosmetics, Department of Basic Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringa 87020-900, Brazil;
| | - Eliandro Reis Tavares
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (V.R.d.S.); (E.R.T.)
| | - Marcelle de Lima Ferreira Bispo
- Laboratory of Medicinal Molecules Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (P.G.C.); (M.d.L.F.B.)
| | - Lucy Megumi Yamauchi
- Graduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (P.M.L.P.); (B.T.F.); (W.R.C.C.); (H.T.S.); (P.P.-F.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (V.R.d.S.); (E.R.T.)
| | - Phileno Pinge-Filho
- Graduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (P.M.L.P.); (B.T.F.); (W.R.C.C.); (H.T.S.); (P.P.-F.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunopathology, Department of Immunology, Parasitology and General Pathology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil;
| | - Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta
- Graduate Program in Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (P.M.L.P.); (B.T.F.); (W.R.C.C.); (H.T.S.); (P.P.-F.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; (V.R.d.S.); (E.R.T.)
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Andriani GM, Spoladori LFDA, Fabris M, Camargo PG, Pereira PML, Santos JP, Bartolomeu-Gonçalves G, Alonso L, Lancheros CAC, Alonso A, Nakamura CV, Macedo F, Pinge-Filho P, Yamauchi LM, Bispo MDLF, Tavares ER, Yamada-Ogatta SF. Synergistic antifungal interaction of N-(butylcarbamothioyl) benzamide and amphotericin B against Cryptococcus neoformans. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1040671. [PMID: 36960287 PMCID: PMC10028264 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1040671] [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: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cryptococcus neoformans is one of the leading causes of invasive fungal infections worldwide. Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is the main challenge of antifungal therapy due to high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This can be partly attributed to the lack of specific diagnosis difficulty accessing treatment, antifungal resistance and antifungal toxicity. Methods In the present study, the effect of the synthetic thiourea derivative N-(butylcarbamothioyl) benzamide (BTU-01), alone and combined with amphotericin B (AmB), was evaluated in planktonic and sessile (biofilm) cells of C. neoformans. Results BTU-01 alone exhibited a fungistatic activity with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 31.25 to 62.5 μg/mL for planktonic cells; and sessile MICs ranging from 125.0 to 1000.0 μg/mL. BTU-01 caused a concentration-dependent inhibitory activity on cryptococcal urease and did not interfere with plasma membrane fluidity. Molecular docking was performed on Canavalia ensiformis urease, and BTU-01 showed relevant interactions with the enzyme. The combination of BTU-01 and AmB exhibited synergistic fungicidal activity against planktonic and sessile cells of C. neoformans. Microscopic analysis of C. neoformans treated with BTU-01, alone or combined with AmB, revealed a reduction in cell and capsule sizes, changes in the morphology of planktonic cells; a significant decrease in the number of cells within the biofilm; and absence of exopolymeric matrix surrounding the sessile cells. Neither hemolytic activity nor cytotoxicity to mammalian cells was detected for BTU-01, alone or combined with AmB, at concentrations that exhibited antifungal activity. BTU-01 also displayed drug-likeness properties. Conclusion These results indicate the potential of BTU-01, for the development of new strategies for controlling C. neoformans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Maria Andriani
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Lais Fernanda de Almeida Spoladori
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marciéli Fabris
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Priscila Goes Camargo
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Morais Lopes Pereira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Jussevania Pereira Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Bartolomeu-Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia Clínica e Laboratorial, Departamento de Patología, Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Lais Alonso
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Cesar Armando Contreras Lancheros
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Antonio Alonso
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Fernando Macedo
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Phileno Pinge-Filho
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Lucy Megumi Yamauchi
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marcelle de Lima Ferreira Bispo
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Eliandro Reis Tavares
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia Clínica e Laboratorial, Departamento de Patología, Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta,
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