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Sarma M, Borkotoky S, Dubey VK. Structure-based drug designing against Leishmania donovani using docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies: exploring glutathione synthetase as a drug target. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:7628-7636. [PMID: 37491862 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2240429] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
In the pursuit of developing novel anti-leishmanial agents, we conducted an extensive computational study to screen inhibitors from the FDA-approved ZINC database against Leishmania donovani glutathione synthetase. The three-dimensional structure of Leishmania donovani glutathione synthetase was constructed by homology modeling, using the crystallographic structure of Trypanosoma brucei glutathione synthetase as a template. Subsequently, molecular docking studies were carried out for a large number of compounds using AutoDock Vina. Among the screened compounds, we selected the top five with strong binding affinity to Leishmania donovani glutathione synthetase but having a very low affinity to its human homolog. Further investigations on protein-ligand complexes were done by conducting molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and MM/PBSA analysis. The results revealed that Olysio (Simeprevir) exhibited the lowest binding energy (-89.21 kcal/mol), followed by Telithromycin (-45.34 kcal/mol). These findings showed that these compounds have the potential to act as inhibitors of glutathione synthetase. Hence, our study provides valuable insights for the development of a novel therapeutic strategy against Leishmania donovani by targeting the glutathione synthetase enzyme.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manash Sarma
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
| | - Subhomoi Borkotoky
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
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Diel KAP, Santana Filho PC, Pitol Silveira P, Ribeiro RL, Teixeira PC, Rodrigues Júnior LC, Marinho LC, Romão PRT, von Poser GL. Antiprotozoal potential of Vismia species (Hypericaceae), medicinal plants used to fight cutaneous leishmaniasis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 328:118028. [PMID: 38492792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Species of Vismia (Hypericaceae), known in Brazil as "lacre", are commonly used in traditional Amazonian medicine for the treatment of skin lesions, including those caused by Leishmania infection. AIM OF THE STUDY Hexane extracts from the leaves of Vismia cayennensis, V. gracilis, V. sandwithii and V. guianensis, as well as from the fruits of the latter, in addition to the anthraquinones vismiaquinone, physcion and chrysophanol isolated from these species were explored for their anti-promastigote and anti-amastigote activity on Leishmania amazonensis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Extracts were prepared by static maceration with n-hexane. The compounds, isolated by chromatographic techniques, were identified by spectroscopic methods (1H and 13C NMR). Promastigotes of L.amazonensis were incubated with hexane extracts (1-50 μg/mL) or anthraquinones (1-50 μM) and the parasite survival analyzed. The action of compounds on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential, and membrane integrity of promastigotes were evaluated by flow cytometer, and the cytotoxicity on mammalian cells using MTT assay. Furthermore, the activity of compounds against amastigotes and nitric oxide production were also investigated. RESULTS Vismiaquinone and physcion were obtained from the leaves of V. guianensis. Physcion, as well as chrysophanol, were isolated from V. sandwithii. Vismia cayennensis and V. gracilis also showed vismiaquinone, compound detected in lower quantity in the fruits of V. guianensis. All extracts were active against the parasite, corroborating the popular use. The greatest activity against promastigotes was achieved with V. guianensis extract (IC50 4.3 μg/mL), precisely the most used Vismia species for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis. Vismiaquinone and physcion exhibited relevant activity with IC50 12.6 and 2.6 μM, respectively. Moreover, all extracts and anthraquinones tested induced ROS production, mitochondrial dysfunction, membrane disruption and were able to kill intracellular amastigote forms, being worthy of further in vivo studies as potential antileishmanial drugs. CONCLUSIONS The overall data achieved in the current investigation scientifically validate the traditional use of Vismia species, mainly V. guianensis, as an anti-Leishmania agent. Furthermore, the promising results presented here indicate species of Vismia as potentially useful resources of Brazilian flora for the discovery of therapeutic solutions for neglected diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kriptsan Abdon Poletto Diel
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Avenida Ipiranga 2752, Santana, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Paulo Cesar Santana Filho
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Rua Sarmento Leite 245, Centro Histórico, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pablo Pitol Silveira
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Avenida Ipiranga 2752, Santana, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Laura Ribeiro
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Rua Sarmento Leite 245, Centro Histórico, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Paula Coelho Teixeira
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Rua Sarmento Leite 245, Centro Histórico, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Rodrigues Júnior
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Rua Sarmento Leite 245, Centro Histórico, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lucas C Marinho
- Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Departamento de Biologia, Avenida dos Portugueses 1966, Bacanga, 65080-805, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Pedro Roosevelt Torres Romão
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Rua Sarmento Leite 245, Centro Histórico, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Gilsane Lino von Poser
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Avenida Ipiranga 2752, Santana, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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González-Matos M, Aguado ME, Izquierdo M, Monzote L, González-Bacerio J. Compounds with potentialities as novel chemotherapeutic agents in leishmaniasis at preclinical level. Exp Parasitol 2024; 260:108747. [PMID: 38518969 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108747] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis are neglected infectious diseases caused by kinetoplastid protozoan parasites from the genus Leishmania. These sicknesses are present mainly in tropical regions and almost 1 million new cases are reported each year. The absence of vaccines, as well as the high cost, toxicity or resistance to the current drugs determines the necessity of new treatments against these pathologies. In this review, several compounds with potentialities as new antileishmanial drugs are presented. The discussion is restricted to the preclinical level and molecules are organized according to their chemical nature, source and molecular targets. In this manner, we present antimicrobial peptides, flavonoids, withanolides, 8-aminoquinolines, compounds from Leish-Box, pyrazolopyrimidines, and inhibitors of tubulin polymerization/depolymerization, topoisomerase IB, proteases, pteridine reductase, N-myristoyltransferase, as well as enzymes involved in polyamine metabolism, response against oxidative stress, signaling pathways, and sterol biosynthesis. This work is a contribution to the general knowledge of these compounds as antileishmanial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maikel González-Matos
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Calle 25 #455 Entre I y J, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Mirtha Elisa Aguado
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Calle 25 #455 Entre I y J, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Maikel Izquierdo
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Calle 25 #455 Entre I y J, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Lianet Monzote
- Department of Parasitology, Center for Research, Diagnosis and Reference, Tropical Medicine Institute "Pedro Kourí", Autopista Novia Del Mediodía Km 6½, La Lisa, La Habana, Cuba.
| | - Jorge González-Bacerio
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Calle 25 #455 Entre I y J, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Calle 25 #455 Entre I y J, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba.
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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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Bora K, Sarma M, Kanaujia SP, Dubey VK. Dual-target drugs against Leishmania donovani for potential novel therapeutics. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18363. [PMID: 37884555 PMCID: PMC10603092 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45448-x] [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: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antioxidant defense mechanisms are important for a parasite to overcome oxidative stress and survive within host macrophage cells. Mitochondrial iron superoxide dismutase A (FeSODA) and trypanothione reductase (TR) are critical enzymes in the antioxidant defense mechanism of Leishmania donovani. FeSODA is responsible for neutralizing reactive oxygen species in mitochondria, while TR is responsible for reducing trypanothione, the molecules that help the parasite fight oxidative stress in Leishmania. In this study, we used multitarget ligands to inhibit both the FeSODA and TR enzymes. We combined structure-based drug design using virtual screening approach to find inhibitors against both the targets. The ZINC15 database of biogenic compounds was utilized to extract drugs-like molecules against leishmaniasis. The compounds were screened by standard precision (SP) and extra precision (XP) docking methods. Two compounds, ZINC000008876351 and ZINC000253403245, were selected based on molecular docking based on the binding affinity for both the targets. The screened molecules ZINC000008876351 and ZINC000253403245 showed strong hydrogen bonding with the target proteins according to the Molecular mechanics with generalised Born and surface area solvation (MM-GBSA) techniques. These two compounds were also experimentally investigated on promastigotes stage of L. donovani. Under in vitro condition, the compounds show inhibitory effects on L. donovani promastigotes with IC50 values of 24.82 ± 0.61 µM for ZINC000008876351 and 7.52 ± 0.17 µM for ZINC000253403245. Thus, the screened compounds seem to have good potential as therapeutic candidates for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kushal Bora
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Manash Sarma
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Shankar Prasad Kanaujia
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India.
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Singh R, Kashif M, Srivastava P, Manna PP. Recent Advances in Chemotherapeutics for Leishmaniasis: Importance of the Cellular Biochemistry of the Parasite and Its Molecular Interaction with the Host. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050706. [PMID: 37242374 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a category 1 neglected protozoan disease caused by a kinetoplastid pathogen called Leishmania, is transmitted through dipteran insect vectors (phlebotomine, sand flies) in three main clinical forms: fatal visceral leishmaniasis, self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Generic pentavalent antimonials have long been the drug of choice against leishmaniasis; however, their success is plagued with limitations such as drug resistance and severe side effects, which makes them redundant as frontline therapy for endemic visceral leishmaniasis. Alternative therapeutic regimens based on amphotericin B, miltefosine, and paromomycin have also been approved. Due to the unavailability of human vaccines, first-line chemotherapies such as pentavalent antimonials, pentamidine, and amphotericin B are the only options to treat infected individuals. The higher toxicity, adverse effects, and perceived cost of these pharmaceutics, coupled with the emergence of parasite resistance and disease relapse, makes it urgent to identify new, rationalized drug targets for the improvement in disease management and palliative care for patients. This has become an emergent need and more relevant due to the lack of information on validated molecular resistance markers for the monitoring and surveillance of changes in drug sensitivity and resistance. The present study reviewed the recent advances in chemotherapeutic regimens by targeting novel drugs using several strategies including bioinformatics to gain new insight into leishmaniasis. Leishmania has unique enzymes and biochemical pathways that are distinct from those of its mammalian hosts. In light of the limited number of available antileishmanial drugs, the identification of novel drug targets and studying the molecular and cellular aspects of these drugs in the parasite and its host is critical to design specific inhibitors targeting and controlling the parasite. The biochemical characterization of unique Leishmania-specific enzymes can be used as tools to read through possible drug targets. In this review, we discuss relevant metabolic pathways and novel drugs that are unique, essential, and linked to the survival of the parasite based on bioinformatics and cellular and biochemical analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjeet Singh
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Mohammad Kashif
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Prateek Srivastava
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Partha Pratim Manna
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
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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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Wu JJ, Zhang J, Xia CY, Ding K, Li XX, Pan XG, Xu JK, He J, Zhang WK. Hypericin: A natural anthraquinone as promising therapeutic agent. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 111:154654. [PMID: 36689857 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypericin is a prominent secondary metabolite mainly existing in genus Hypericum. It has become a research focus for a quiet long time owing to its extensively pharmacological activities especially the anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and neuroprotective effects. This review concentrated on summarizing and analyzing the existing studies of hypericin in a comprehensive perspective. METHODS The literature with desired information about hypericin published after 2010 was gained from electronic databases including PubMed, SciFinder, Science Direct, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases and Wan Fang DATA. RESULTS According to extensive preclinical and clinical studies conducted on the hypericin, an organized and comprehensive summary of the natural and artificial sources, strategies for improving the bioactivities, pharmacological activities, drug combination of hypericin was presented to explore the future therapeutic potential of this active compound. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this review offered a theoretical guidance for the follow-up research of hypericin. However, the pharmacological mechanisms, pharmacokinetics and structure activity relationship of hypericin should be further studied in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Wu
- China-Japan Friendship Hospital (Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jia Zhang
- School of Life Sciences & School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Cong-Yuan Xia
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Kang Ding
- School of Life Sciences & School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xin-Xin Li
- School of Life Sciences & School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xue-Ge Pan
- School of Life Sciences & School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jie-Kun Xu
- School of Life Sciences & School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Jun He
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Wei-Ku Zhang
- China-Japan Friendship Hospital (Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Mohamed FF, Anhlan D, Schöfbänker M, Schreiber A, Classen N, Hensel A, Hempel G, Scholz W, Kühn J, Hrincius ER, Ludwig S. Hypericum perforatum and Its Ingredients Hypericin and Pseudohypericin Demonstrate an Antiviral Activity against SARS-CoV-2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:530. [PMID: 35631357 PMCID: PMC9146521 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
For almost two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has constituted a major challenge to human health, particularly due to the lack of efficient antivirals to be used against the virus during routine treatment interventions. Multiple treatment options have been investigated for their potential inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2. Natural products, such as plant extracts, may be a promising option, as they have shown an antiviral activity against other viruses in the past. Here, a quantified extract of Hypericum perforatum was tested and found to possess a potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. The antiviral potency of the extract could be attributed to the naphtodianthrones hypericin and pseudohypericin, in contrast to other tested ingredients of the plant material, which did not show any antiviral activity. Hypericum perforatum and its main active ingredient hypericin were also effective against different SARS-CoV-2 variants (Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron). Concerning its mechanism of action, evidence was obtained that Hypericum perforatum and hypericin may hold a direct virus-blocking effect against SARS-CoV-2 virus particles. Taken together, the presented data clearly emphasize the promising antiviral activity of Hypericum perforatum and its active ingredients against SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fakry F. Mohamed
- Institute of Virology Muenster, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany; (F.F.M.); (D.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (E.R.H.)
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Sharkia, Egypt
| | - Darisuren Anhlan
- Institute of Virology Muenster, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany; (F.F.M.); (D.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (E.R.H.)
| | - Michael Schöfbänker
- Institute of Virology Muenster, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany; (F.F.M.); (D.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (E.R.H.)
| | - André Schreiber
- Institute of Virology Muenster, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany; (F.F.M.); (D.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (E.R.H.)
| | - Nica Classen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany; (N.C.); (A.H.)
| | - Andreas Hensel
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany; (N.C.); (A.H.)
| | - Georg Hempel
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | | | - Joachim Kühn
- Division of Clinical Virology, Institute of Virology, University Hospital Muenster, 48151 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Eike R. Hrincius
- Institute of Virology Muenster, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany; (F.F.M.); (D.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (E.R.H.)
| | - Stephan Ludwig
- Institute of Virology Muenster, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany; (F.F.M.); (D.A.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (E.R.H.)
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Carter NS, Kawasaki Y, Nahata SS, Elikaee S, Rajab S, Salam L, Alabdulal MY, Broessel KK, Foroghi F, Abbas A, Poormohamadian R, Roberts SC. Polyamine Metabolism in Leishmania Parasites: A Promising Therapeutic Target. Med Sci (Basel) 2022; 10:24. [PMID: 35645240 PMCID: PMC9149861 DOI: 10.3390/medsci10020024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania cause a variety of devastating and often fatal diseases in humans and domestic animals worldwide. The need for new therapeutic strategies is urgent because no vaccine is available, and treatment options are limited due to a lack of specificity and the emergence of drug resistance. Polyamines are metabolites that play a central role in rapidly proliferating cells, and recent studies have highlighted their critical nature in Leishmania. Numerous studies using a variety of inhibitors as well as gene deletion mutants have elucidated the pathway and routes of transport, revealing unique aspects of polyamine metabolism in Leishmania parasites. These studies have also shed light on the significance of polyamines for parasite proliferation, infectivity, and host-parasite interactions. This comprehensive review article focuses on the main polyamine biosynthetic enzymes: ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, and spermidine synthase, and it emphasizes recent discoveries that advance these enzymes as potential therapeutic targets against Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sigrid C. Roberts
- School of Pharmacy, Pacific University Oregon, Hillsboro, OR 97123, USA; (N.S.C.); (Y.K.); (S.S.N.); (S.E.); (S.R.); (L.S.); (M.Y.A.); (K.K.B.); (F.F.); (A.A.); (R.P.)
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11
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Sepúlveda AAL, Arenas Velásquez AM, Patiño Linares IA, de Almeida L, Fontana CR, Garcia C, Graminha MAS. Efficacy of photodynamic therapy using TiO 2 nanoparticles doped with Zn and hypericin in the treatment of cutaneous Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania amazonensis. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2020; 30:101676. [PMID: 32001331 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2020.101676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Since Leishmania parasites exhibit resistance outbreaks to drugs conventionally used in medical treatments, research of new antileishmanial compounds or alternative treatment therapies are essential. A focus of interest has been the implementation of light-based therapies such as photodynamic therapy, where inorganic compounds such as titanium dioxide have shown promising results as drug delivery carriers. In this work, nanoparticles of TiO2 doped with Zn (TiO2/Zn) were synthesized through solution combustion route and with hypericin (HY) in order to enhance its photodynamic activity in the visible light region. Scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy analyses showed particles of (TiO2/Zn) with sizes smaller than 20 nm and formation of aggregates smaller than 1 μm, whilst electron diffraction spectroscopy (EDS) analysis ensured the presence of Zn in the system. The association of the TiO2/Zn with HY (TiO2/Zn-HY) was further confirmed by fluorescence spectrometry. Measurements of its cellular uptake showed the presence of smaller molecules into promastigotes after 120 min incubation. TiO2/Zn-HY showed good antileishmanial activity (EC50 of 17.5 ± 0.2 μg mL-1) and low cytotoxicity against murine macrophages (CC50 35.2 ± 0.3 μg mL-1) in the visible light (22 mW cm-2; 52.8 J cm-2). Moreover, in the in vivo analysis, TiO2/Zn-HY decreased the parasite load of L. amazonensis - BALB/c infected mice by 43% - 58% after a combination of blue and red light presenting 22 mW cm-2 of intensity and 52.8 J cm-2 of fluency delivered. All together, these data indicate a new combined system of nanoparticles associated with a photosensitizer and PDT as alternative to amphotericin B for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Arbey Lopera Sepúlveda
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Escuela de Física, Carrera 65 Nro. 59A - 110 Grupo de Cerámicos y Vítreos, Colombia; Institución universitaria Pascual Bravo, Facultad de Ingeniería Grupo GICEI, calle 73 No. 73 A 226, código postal 050034, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | | | - Leticia de Almeida
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Raquel Fontana
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia Garcia
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Escuela de Física, Carrera 65 Nro. 59A - 110 Grupo de Cerámicos y Vítreos, Colombia
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12
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Molecular Basis of the Leishmanicidal Activity of the Antidepressant Sertraline as a Drug Repurposing Candidate. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.01928-18. [PMID: 30297370 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01928-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repurposing affords the implementation of new treatments at a moderate cost and under a faster time-scale. Most of the clinical drugs against Leishmania share this origin. The antidepressant sertraline has been successfully assayed in a murine model of visceral leishmaniasis. Nevertheless, sertraline targets in Leishmania were poorly defined. In order to get a detailed insight into the leishmanicidal mechanism of sertraline on Leishmania infantum, unbiased multiplatform metabolomics and transmission electron microscopy were combined with a focused insight into the sertraline effects on the bioenergetics metabolism of the parasite. Sertraline induced respiration uncoupling, a significant decrease of intracellular ATP level, and oxidative stress in L. infantum promastigotes. Metabolomics evidenced an extended metabolic disarray caused by sertraline. This encompasses a remarkable variation of the levels of thiol-redox and polyamine biosynthetic intermediates, as well as a shortage of intracellular amino acids used as metabolic fuel by Leishmania Sertraline killed Leishmania through a multitarget mechanism of action, tackling essential metabolic pathways of the parasite. As such, sertraline is a valuable candidate for visceral leishmaniasis treatment under a drug repurposing strategy.
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13
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Prakash J, Yadav S, Saha G, Chiranjivi AK, Kumar S, Sasidharan S, Saudagar P, Dubey VK. Episomal expression of human glutathione reductase (HuGR) in Leishmania sheds light on evolutionary pressure for unique redox metabolism pathway: Impaired stress tolerance ability of Leishmania donovani. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 121:498-507. [PMID: 30316767 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trypanothione based redox metabolism is unique to the Trypanosomatida family. Despite extensive studies on redox metabolism of Leishmania parasites, a prominent question of why Leishmania adopt this unique redox pathway remains elusive. We have episomally expressed human glutathione reductase (HuGR) in Leishmania donovani (LdGR+) and investigated its effect. LdGR+ strain has slower growth compared to the wild type (Ld) indicating decreased survival ability of the strain. Further, LdGR+ strain showed enhanced accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and more sensitivity to the anti-leishmanial drug, Miltefosine, inferring increased stress level. In contrast, the expression analyses of genes specific to redox metabolism were increased significantly in LdGR+ strain compared to wild type. Lower infectivity index of the LdGR+ strain substantiated the above findings and indicated that the expression of HuGR reduces the stress tolerance ability of the parasite. From molecular docking studies with HuGR, it was observed that oxidized trypanothione (TS2) binds much better than oxidized glutathione (GS2). These results also give us hints that the parasite is losing infectivity potential due to an overall increase in intracellular stress caused with the expression of HuGR, showcasing a possible role of evolutionary pressure on the Leishmania parasites posed by HuGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Prakash
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Sunita Yadav
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India; School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Gundappa Saha
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Adarsh Kumar Chiranjivi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Santanu Sasidharan
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Warangal 506004, India
| | - Prakash Saudagar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Warangal 506004, India.
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India; School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, Varanasi 221005, India.
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14
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Tiwari K, Dubey VK. Leishmania donovani asparaginase variants exhibit cytosolic localization. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 114:35-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.03.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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15
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Lopera A, Montoya A, Vélez I, Robledo S, Garcia C. Synthesis of calcium phosphate nanostructures by combustion in solution as a potential encapsulant system of drugs with photodynamic properties for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2018; 21:138-146. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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16
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Phloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum species trigger mitochondrial dysfunction in Leishmania amazonensis. Parasitology 2018; 145:1199-1209. [PMID: 29482667 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018000203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Bioactive molecules isolated from plants are promising sources for the development of new therapies against leishmaniasis. We investigated the leishmanicidal activity of cariphenone A (1), isouliginosin B (2) and uliginosin B (3) isolated from Hypericum species. Promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis were incubated with compounds 1-3 at concentrations 1-100 µm for 48 h. The anti-promastigote effect of compounds was also tested in combinations. The cytotoxicity against macrophages and human erythrocytes were determined using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method and hemolysis assay, respectively. The compounds 1-3 showed high leishmanicidal activity against promastigotes, IC50 values of 10.5, 17.5 and 11.3 µm, respectively. Synergistic interactions were found to the associations of compounds 1 and 2 [Σ fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) = 0.41], and 2 and 3 (ΣFIC = 0.28) on promastigotes. All Hypericum compounds induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization and reactive oxygen species production in promastigotes. The compounds showed low cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells, high selectivity index and killed intracellular amastigotes probably mediated by oxidative stress. These results indicate that these compounds are promising candidates for the development of drugs against leishmaniasis.
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17
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V M V, Dubey VK, Ponnuraj K. Identification of two natural compound inhibitors of Leishmania donovani Spermidine Synthase (SpdS) through molecular docking and dynamic studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2017; 36:2678-2693. [PMID: 28797195 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2017.1366947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis caused by the protozoan Leishmania donovani is the most severe form of leishmaniasis and it is potentially lethal if untreated. Despite the availability of drugs for treating the disease, the current drug regime suffers from drawbacks like antibiotic resistance and toxicity. New drugs have to be discovered in order to overcome these limitations. Our aim is to identify natural compounds from plant sources as putative inhibitors considering the occurrence of structural diversity in plant sources. Spermidine Synthase (SpdS) was chosen as the target enzyme as it plays a vital role in growth, survival, and due to its contribution in virulence. Our initial investigation started with a literature survey in identifying natural compounds that showed antileishmanial activity. Subsequently, we identified two monoterpenoid compounds, namely Geraniol and Linalool, that were structurally analogous to one of the substrates (putrescine) of SpdS. In the present study, homology model of L. donovani SpdS was generated and the binding affinity of the identified compounds was analyzed and also compared with the putrescine through molecular docking and dynamic studies. The pharmacokinetic properties of the identified compounds were validated and the binding efficiency of these ligands over the original substrate has been demonstrated. Based on these studies, Geraniol and Linalool can be considered as lead molecules for future investigations targeting SpdS. This study further emphasizes the choice of natural compounds as a good source of therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidhya V M
- a Centre of Advanced Study in Crystallography and Biophysics , University of Madras , Guindy Campus, Chennai - 600 025 , India
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- b Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati - 781039 , India
| | - Karthe Ponnuraj
- a Centre of Advanced Study in Crystallography and Biophysics , University of Madras , Guindy Campus, Chennai - 600 025 , India
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18
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Singh S, Kumari E, Bhardwaj R, Kumar R, Dubey VK. Molecular events leading to death of Leishmania donovani under spermidine starvation after hypericin treatment. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 90:962-971. [PMID: 28509385 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We have previously reported that the hypericin treatment caused spermidine starvation and death of Leishmania parasite. Here, we report different molecular events under spermidine starvation and potential role of spermidine in processes other than redox homeostasis of the parasite. We have analyzed changes in expression of several genes by using quantitative gene expression analysis. Further, these changes at molecular level were also confirmed by using biochemical and cellular studies. Altered expression of several genes involved in redox metabolism, hypusine modification of eIF5A, DNA repair pathway and autophagy was observed. There was decrease in Sir2RP expression after hypericin treatment and this decrease has been found to be associated with induced ROS due to hypericin treatment as it has been rescued by either trypanothione or spermidine supplementation. Translation initiation in the parasite was decreased upon spermidine starvation. We also observed increased AMPK expression upon hypericin treatment. The increase in intracellular ATP and NAD+ levels as well as decrease in Sir2RP expression of the parasite are cytoprotective mechanism towards generated ROS due to hypericin treatment possibly by inducing autophagy as indicated by increase in autophagy related gene expression and acridine orange staining. However, the autophagy needs to be established using more rigorous methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Ekta Kumari
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Ruchika Bhardwaj
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Ritesh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
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19
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Methionine aminopeptidase 2 is a key regulator of apoptotic like cell death in Leishmania donovani. Sci Rep 2017; 7:95. [PMID: 28273904 PMCID: PMC5427942 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00186-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigate the role of methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MAP2) in miltefosine induced programmed cell death (PCD) in promastigote form of L. donovani. We report that TNP-470, an inhibitor of MAP2, inhibits programmed cell death in miltefosine treated promastigotes. It inhibits the biochemical features of metazoan apoptosis, including caspase3/7 protease like activity, oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation, collapse of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and increase in cytosolic pool of calcium ions but did not prevent the cell death and phosphatidyl serine externalization. The data suggests that the MAP2 is involved in the regulation of PCD in parasite. Moreover, TNP-470 shows the leishmanicidal activity (IC50 = 15 µM) and in vitro inhibition of LdMAP2 activity (Ki = 13.5 nM). Further studies on MAP2 and identification of death signaling pathways provide valuable information that could be exploited to understand the role of non caspase proteases in PCD of L. donovani.
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20
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Evaluation of wound healing activity of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perfoliatum) in horses. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00580-017-2426-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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21
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Abstract
In trypanosomatids, polyamine and trypanothione pathways can be considered as a whole unique metabolism, where most enzymes are essential for parasitic survival and infectivity. Leishmania parasites and all the other members of the Trypanosomatids family depend on polyamines for growth and survival: the enzymes involved in the synthesis and utilization of spermidine and trypanothione, i.e., arginase, ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, spermidine synthase and in particular trypanothione synthetase-amidase, trypanothione reductase and tryparedoxin-dependent peroxidase are promising targets for drug development. This review deals with recent structure-based studies on these enzymes, aimed at the discovery of inhibitors of this pathway.
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22
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Singh S, Dubey VK. Quantitative Proteome Analysis of Leishmania donovani under Spermidine Starvation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154262. [PMID: 27123864 PMCID: PMC4849798 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We have earlier reported antileishmanial activity of hypericin by spermidine starvation. In the current report, we have used label free proteome quantitation approach to identify differentially modulated proteins after hypericin treatment. A total of 141 proteins were found to be differentially regulated with ANOVA P value less than 0.05 in hypericin treated Leishmania promastigotes. Differentially modulated proteins have been broadly classified under nine major categories. Increase in ribosomal protein S7 protein suggests the repression of translation. Inhibition of proteins related to ubiquitin proteasome system, RNA binding protein and translation initiation factor also suggests altered translation. We have also observed increased expression of Hsp 90, Hsp 83-1 and stress inducible protein 1. Significant decreased level of cyclophilin was observed. These stress related protein could be cellular response of the parasite towards hypericin induced cellular stress. Also, defective metabolism, biosynthesis and replication of nucleic acids, flagellar movement and signalling of the parasite were observed as indicated by altered expression of proteins involved in these pathways. The data was analyzed rigorously to get further insight into hypericin induced parasitic death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India- 781039
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India- 781039
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23
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Singh S, Vijaya Prabhu S, Suryanarayanan V, Bhardwaj R, Singh SK, Dubey VK. Molecular docking and structure-based virtual screening studies of potential drug target, CAAX prenyl proteases, of Leishmania donovani. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2016; 34:2367-86. [PMID: 26551589 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2015.1116411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Targeting CAAX prenyl proteases of Leishmania donovani can be a good approach towards developing a drug molecule against Leishmaniasis. We have modeled the structure of CAAX prenyl protease I and II of L. donovani, using homology modeling approach. The structures were further validated using Ramachandran plot and ProSA. Active site prediction has shown difference in the amino acid residues present at the active site of CAAX prenyl protease I and CAAX prenyl protease II. The electrostatic potential surface of the CAAX prenyl protease I and II has revealed that CAAX prenyl protease I has more electropositive and electronegative potentials as compared CAAX prenyl protease II suggesting significant difference in their activity. Molecular docking with known bisubstrate analog inhibitors of protein farnesyl transferase and peptidyl (acyloxy) methyl ketones reveals significant binding of these molecules with CAAX prenyl protease I, but comparatively less binding with CAAX prenyl protease II. New and potent inhibitors were also found using structure-based virtual screening. The best docked compounds obtained from virtual screening were subjected to induced fit docking to get best docked configurations. Prediction of drug-like characteristics has revealed that the best docked compounds are in line with Lipinski's rule. Moreover, best docked protein-ligand complexes of CAAX prenyl protease I and II are found to be stable throughout 20 ns simulation. Overall, the study has identified potent drug molecules targeting CAAX prenyl protease I and II of L. donovani whose drug candidature can be verified further using biochemical and cellular studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Singh
- a Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati , Assam 781039 , India
| | - Sitrarasu Vijaya Prabhu
- b Computer Aided Drug Designing and Molecular Modeling Laboratory, Department of Bioinformatics , Alagappa University , Karaikudi , Tamil Nadu 630004 , India
| | - Venkatesan Suryanarayanan
- b Computer Aided Drug Designing and Molecular Modeling Laboratory, Department of Bioinformatics , Alagappa University , Karaikudi , Tamil Nadu 630004 , India
| | - Ruchika Bhardwaj
- a Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati , Assam 781039 , India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar Singh
- b Computer Aided Drug Designing and Molecular Modeling Laboratory, Department of Bioinformatics , Alagappa University , Karaikudi , Tamil Nadu 630004 , India
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- a Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati , Assam 781039 , India
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24
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Das M, Singh S, Dubey VK. Novel Inhibitors of Ornithine Decarboxylase ofLeishmaniaParasite (LdODC): The Parasite ResistsLdODC Inhibition by Overexpression of Spermidine Synthase. Chem Biol Drug Des 2015; 87:352-60. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mousumi Das
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering; Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati; Assam 781039 India
| | - Shalini Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering; Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati; Assam 781039 India
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering; Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati; Assam 781039 India
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25
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Montoya A, Daza A, Muñoz D, Ríos K, Taylor V, Cedeño D, Vélez ID, Echeverri F, Robledo SM. Development of a novel formulation with hypericin to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis based on photodynamic therapy in in vitro and in vivo studies. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:5804-13. [PMID: 26169411 PMCID: PMC4538502 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00545-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An evaluation of the leishmanicidal activity in vitro and in vivo of hypericin, an expanded-spectrum photosensitizer found in Hypericum perforatum, is presented. Hypericin was evaluated against intracellular amastigotes in vitro of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis. A topical formulation containing 0.5% hypericin was developed and assayed in vivo in a hamster model of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Results demonstrate that hypericin induces a significant antiamastigote effect in vitro against L. panamensis by decreasing the number of parasites inside infected cells. The topical formulation of 0.5% hypericin allows healing of L. panamensis-induced lesions upon a topical application of 40 mg/day plus visible-light irradiation (5 J/cm(2), 15 min), twice a week for 3 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Montoya
- PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Alejandro Daza
- PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Diana Muñoz
- PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Karina Ríos
- PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Viviana Taylor
- PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - David Cedeño
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Iván D Vélez
- PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Fernando Echeverri
- QOPN-Institute of Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Sara M Robledo
- PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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