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Ahmed U, Ong SK, Tan KO, Khan KM, Khan NA, Siddiqui R, Alawfi BS, Anwar A. Alpha-Mangostin and its nano-conjugates induced programmed cell death in Acanthamoeba castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype. Int Microbiol 2024; 27:1063-1081. [PMID: 38015290 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-023-00450-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba are free living amoebae that are the causative agent of keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Alpha-Mangostin (AMS) is a significant xanthone; that demonstrates a wide range of biological activities. Here, the anti-amoebic activity of α-Mangostin and its silver nano conjugates (AMS-AgNPs) were evaluated against pathogenic A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts in vitro. Amoebicidal assays showed that both AMS and AMS-AgNPs inhibited the viability of A. castellanii dose-dependently, with an IC50 of 88.5 ± 2.04 and 20.2 ± 2.17 μM, respectively. Both formulations inhibited A. castellanii-mediated human keratinocyte cell cytopathogenicity. Functional assays showed that both samples caused apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production, while increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) cytochrome-c reductase in the cytosol. Whole transcriptome sequencing of A. castellanii showed the expression of 826 genes, with 447 genes being up-regulated and 379 genes being down-regulated post treatment. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that the majority of genes were linked to apoptosis, autophagy, RAP1, AGE-RAGE and oxytocin signalling pathways. Seven genes (PTEN, H3, ARIH1, SDR16C5, PFN, glnA GLUL, and SRX1) were identified as the most significant (Log2 (FC) value 4) for molecular mode of action in vitro. Future in vivo studies with AMS and nanoconjugates are needed to realize the clinical potential of this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Ahmed
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Seng-Kai Ong
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kuan Onn Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Khalid Mohammed Khan
- H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey.
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Bader Saleem Alawfi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, 42353, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Abdel-Hakeem SS, Hassan FAM, Hifney AF, Salem SH. Combating the causative agent of amoebic keratitis, Acanthamoeba castellanii, using Padina pavonica alcoholic extract: toxicokinetic and molecular docking approaches. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13610. [PMID: 38871751 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63691-8] [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: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural products play a significant role in providing the current demand as antiparasitic agents, which offer an attractive approach for the discovery of novel drugs. The present study aimed to evaluate in vitro the potential impact of seaweed Padina pavonica (P. pavonica) extract in combating Acanthamoeba castellanii (A. castellanii). The phytochemical constituents of the extract were characterized by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Six concentrations of the algal extract were used to evaluate its antiprotozoal activity at various incubation periods. Our results showed that the extract has significant inhibition against trophozoites and cysts viability, with complete inhibition at the high concentrations. The IC50 of P. pavonica extract was 4.56 and 4.89 µg/mL for trophozoites and cysts, respectively, at 24 h. Morphological alterations of A. castellanii trophozoites/cysts treated with the extract were assessed using inverted and scanning electron microscopes and showed severe damage features upon treatment with the extract at different concentrations. Molecular Docking of extracted compounds against Acanthamoeba cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (AcCYP51) was performed using Autodock vina1.5.6. A pharmacokinetic study using SwissADME was also conducted to investigate the potentiality of the identified bioactive compounds from Padina extract to be orally active drug candidates. In conclusion, this study highlights the in vitro amoebicidal activity of P. pavonica extract against A. castellanii adults and cysts and suggests potential AcCYP51 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara S Abdel-Hakeem
- Parasitology Laboratory, Zoology and Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
| | - Faten A M Hassan
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Taiz University, Taiz, Yemen
| | - Awatief F Hifney
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
| | - Shimaa H Salem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt.
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Memariani H, Memariani M, Ghasemian A. Quercetin as a Promising Antiprotozoan Phytochemical: Current Knowledge and Future Research Avenues. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 2024:7632408. [PMID: 38456097 PMCID: PMC10919984 DOI: 10.1155/2024/7632408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Despite tremendous advances in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, only few antiparasitic drugs have been developed to date. Protozoan infections such as malaria, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis continue to exact an enormous toll on public health worldwide, underscoring the need to discover novel antiprotozoan drugs. Recently, there has been an explosion of research into the antiprotozoan properties of quercetin, one of the most abundant flavonoids in the human diet. In this review, we tried to consolidate the current knowledge on the antiprotozoal effects of quercetin and to provide the most fruitful avenues for future research. Quercetin exerts potent antiprotozoan activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens such as Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., Plasmodium spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Trichomonas spp., and Toxoplasma gondii. In addition to its immunomodulatory roles, quercetin disrupts mitochondrial function, induces apoptotic/necrotic cell death, impairs iron uptake, inhibits multiple enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis and the glycolytic pathways, suppresses the activity of DNA topoisomerases, and downregulates the expression of various heat shock proteins in these pathogens. In vivo studies also show that quercetin is effective in reducing parasitic loads, histopathological damage, and mortality in animals. Future research should focus on designing effective drug delivery systems to increase the oral bioavailability of quercetin. Incorporating quercetin into various nanocarrier systems would be a promising approach to manage localized cutaneous infections. Nevertheless, clinical trials are needed to validate the efficacy of quercetin in treating various protozoan infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Memariani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Memariani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Ghasemian
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
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Ahmed U, Sivasothy Y, Khan KM, Khan NA, Wahab SMA, Awang K, Othman MA, Anwar A. Malabaricones from the fruit of Myristica cinnamomea King as potential agents against Acanthamoeba castellanii. Acta Trop 2023; 248:107033. [PMID: 37783284 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba castellanii is an opportunistic free-living amoeba (FLA) pathogen which can cause fatal central nervous system (CNS) infection, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and potentially blinding ocular infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Acanthamoeba species remain a challenging protist to treat due to the unavailability of safe and effective therapeutic drugs and their ability to protect themselves in the cyst stage. Natural products and their secondary metabolites play a pivotal role in drug discovery against various pathogenic microorganisms. In the present study, the ethyl acetate extract of Myristica cinnamomea King fruit was evaluated against A. castellanii (ATCC 50492), showing an IC50 of 45.102 ± 4.62 µg/mL. Previously, the bio-guided fractionation of the extract resulted in the identification of three active compounds, namely Malabaricones (A-C). The isolated and thoroughly characterized acylphenols were evaluated for their anti-amoebic activity against A. castellanii for the first time. Among tested compounds, Malabaricone B (IC50 of 101.31 ± 17.41 µM) and Malabaricone C (IC50 of 49.95 ± 6.33 µM) showed potent anti-amoebic activity against A. castellanii trophozoites and reduced their viability up-to 75 and 80 %, respectively. Moreover, both extract and Malabaricones also significantly (p < 0.05) inhibit the encystation and excystation of A. castellanii, while showed minimal toxicity against human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT cells) at lower tested concentrations. Following that, the explanation of the possible mechanism of action of purified compounds were assessed by detection of the state of chromatin. Hoechst/PI 33342 double staining showed that necrotic cell death occurred in A. castellanii trophozoites after 8 h treatment of Malabaricones (A-C). These findings demonstrate that Malabaricones B and C could serve as promising therapeutic options against A. castellanii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Ahmed
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yasodha Sivasothy
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Khalid Mohammed Khan
- H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey
| | - Siti Mariam Abdul Wahab
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, 30450, Malaysia
| | - Khalijah Awang
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Centre for Natural Products and Drug Discovery (CENAR), Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhamad Aqmal Othman
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Centre for Natural Products and Drug Discovery (CENAR), Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Ahmed U, Ong SK, Khan KM, Siddiqui R, Khan NA, Shaikh MF, Alawfi BS, Anwar A. Effect of embelin on inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in Acanthamoeba castellanii. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:360. [PMID: 37898989 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03698-3] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba castellanii is the causative agent of fatal encephalitis and blinding keratitis. Current therapies remain a challenge, hence there is a need to search for new therapeutics. Here, we tested embelin (EMB) and silver nanoparticles doped with embelin (EMB-AgNPs) against A. castellanii. Using amoebicidal assays, the results revealed that both compounds inhibited the viability of Acanthamoeba, having an IC50 of 27.16 ± 0.63 and 13.63 ± 1.08 μM, respectively, while causing minimal cytotoxicity against HaCaT cells in vitro. The findings suggest that both samples induced apoptosis through the mitochondria-mediated pathway. Differentially expressed genes analysis showed that 652 genes were uniquely expressed in treated versus untreated cells, out of which 191 were significantly regulated in the negative control vs. conjugate. Combining the analysis, seven genes (ARIH1, RAP1, H3, SDR16C5, GST, SRX1, and PFN) were highlighted as the most significant (Log2 (FC) value ± 4) for the molecular mode of action in vitro. The KEGG analysis linked most of the genes to apoptosis, the oxidative stress signaling pathway, cytochrome P450, Rap1, and the oxytocin signaling pathways. In summary, this study provides a thorough framework for developing therapeutic agents against microbial infections using EMB and EMB-AgNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Ahmed
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Seng-Kai Ong
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Khalid Mohammed Khan
- H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, 34010, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Orange, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bader Saleem Alawfi
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, 42353, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Mariano A, Bigioni I, Marchetti M, Scotto d'Abusco A, Superti F. Repositioned Natural Compounds and Nanoformulations: A Promising Combination to Counteract Cell Damage and Inflammation in Respiratory Viral Infections. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28104045. [PMID: 37241786 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28104045] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory viral diseases are among the most important causes of disability, morbidity, and death worldwide. Due to the limited efficacy or side effects of many current therapies and the increase in antiviral-resistant viral strains, the need to find new compounds to counteract these infections is growing. Since the development of new drugs is a time-consuming and expensive process, numerous studies have focused on the reuse of commercially available compounds, such as natural molecules with therapeutic properties. This phenomenon is generally called drug repurposing or repositioning and represents a valid emerging strategy in the drug discovery field. Unfortunately, the use of natural compounds in therapy has some limitations, due to their poor kinetic performance and consequently reduced therapeutic effect. The advent of nanotechnology in biomedicine has allowed this limitation to be overcome, showing that natural compounds in nanoform may represent a promising strategy against respiratory viral infections. In this narrative review, the beneficial effects of some promising natural molecules, curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, and vitamin C, which have been already studied both in native form and in nanoform, against respiratory viral infections are presented and discussed. The review focuses on the ability of these natural compounds, analyzed in in vitro and in vivo studies, to counteract inflammation and cellular damage induced by viral infection and provide scientific evidence of the benefits of nanoformulations in increasing the therapeutic potential of these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Mariano
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Bigioni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Magda Marchetti
- National Centre for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Scotto d'Abusco
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiana Superti
- National Centre for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
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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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Novel Anti-Acanthamoebic Activities of Irosustat and STX140 and Their Nanoformulations. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12030561. [PMID: 36978428 PMCID: PMC10044433 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12030561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic Acanthamoeba produce keratitis and fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Treatment remains problematic and often ineffective, suggesting the need for the discovery of novel compounds. For the first time, here we evaluated the effects of the anticancer drugs Irosustat and STX140 alone, as well as their nanoformulations, against A. castellanii via amoebicidal, excystment, cytopathogenicity, and cytotoxicity assays. Nanoformulations of the compounds were successfully synthesized with high encapsulation efficiency of 94% and 82% for Irosustat and STX140, respectively. Nanoparticles formed were spherical in shape and had a unimodal narrow particle size distribution, mean of 145 and 244 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.3, and surface charge of −14 and −15 mV, respectively. Irosustat and STX140 exhibited a biphasic release profile with almost 100% drug released after 48 h. Notably, Irosustat significantly inhibited A. castellanii viability and amoebae-mediated cytopathogenicity and inhibited the phenotypic transformation of amoebae cysts into the trophozoite form, however their nanoformulations depicted limited effects against amoebae but exhibited minimal cytotoxicity when tested against human cells using lactate dehydrogenase release assays. Accordingly, both compounds have potential for further studies, with the hope of discovering novel anti-Acanthamoeba compounds, and potentially developing targeted therapy against infections of the central nervous system.
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Akbar N, Kawish M, Jabri T, Khan NA, Shah MR, Siddiqui R. Cinnamic acid and lactobionic acid based nanoformulations as a potential antiamoebic therapeutics. Exp Parasitol 2023; 246:108474. [PMID: 36708943 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108474] [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: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba castellanii causes granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, an uncommon but severe brain infection and sight-threatening Acanthamoeba keratitis. Most of the currently used anti-amoebic treatments are not always effective, due to persistence of the cyst stage, and recurrence can occur. Here in this study we synthesize cinnamic acid and lactobionic acid-based magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) using co-precipitation technique. These nanoformulations were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Atomic form microscopy. The drugs alone (Hesperidin, Curcumin and Amphotericin B), magnetic NPs alone, and drug-loaded nano-formulations were evaluated at a concentration of 100 μg/mL for antiamoebic activity against a clinical isolate of A. castellanii. Amoebicidal assays revealed that drugs and conjugation of drugs and NPs further enhanced amoebicidal effects of drug-loaded nanoformulations. Drugs and drug-loaded nanoformulations inhibited both encystation and excystation of amoebae. In addition, drugs and drug-loaded nanoformulations inhibited parasite binding capability to the host cells. Neither drugs nor drug-loaded nanoformulations showed cytotoxic effects against host cells and considerably reduced parasite-mediated host cell death. Overall, these findings imply that conjugation of medically approved drugs with MNPs produce potent anti-Acanthamoebic effects, which could eventually lead to the development of therapeutic medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Akbar
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 26666, United Arab Emirates; Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Muhammad Kawish
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Tooba Jabri
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey.
| | - Muhammad Raza Shah
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 26666, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey
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Nikam PB, Salunkhe JD, Marathe KR, Alghuthaymi MA, Abd-Elsalam KA, Patil SV. Rhizobium pusense-Mediated Selenium Nanoparticles-Antibiotics Combinations against Acanthamoeba sp. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122502. [PMID: 36557755 PMCID: PMC9785558 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe ocular infections by Acanthamoeba sp. lead to keratitis, resulting in irreversible vision loss in immune-compromised individuals. When a protozoal infection spreads to neural tissues, it causes granulomatous encephalitis, which can be fatal. Treatment often takes longer due to the transition of amoeba from trophozoites to cyst stages, cyst being the dormant form of Acanthamoeba. A prolonged use of therapeutic agents, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), results in severe side effects; thus, it is critical to improve the therapeutic efficacy of these widely used antibiotics, possibly by limiting the drug-sensitive protozoal-phase transition to cyst formation. Owing to the biomedical potential of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), we evaluated the synergistic effects of ciprofloxacin and Rhizobium pusense-biogenic SeNPs combination. SeNPs synthesized using Rhizobium pusense isolated from root nodules were characterized using UV-Visible spectrophotometer, FT-IR, SEM with EDX, particle size analysis, and Zeta potential. The combination was observed to reduce the sub-lethal dose of Cipro, which may help reduce its side effects. The selenium and ciprofloxacin (SeNPs-Cipro) combination reduced the LC50 by 33.43%. The anti-protozoal efficacy of SeNPs-Cipro was found to transduce through decreased protozoal-cyst formations and the inhibition of the galactosidase and protease enzymes of trophozoites. Furthermore, high leakage of sugar, proteins, and amino acids during the SeNPs-Cipro treatment was one primary reason for killing the trophozoites. These experimental results may be helpful in the further pre-clinical evaluation of SeNPs-Cipro to combat protozoal infections. Future studies for combinations of SeNPs with other antibiotics need to be conducted to know the potential of SeNPs against antibiotic resistance in Acanthamoeba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradnya B. Nikam
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon 425001, India
| | - Jitendra D. Salunkhe
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon 425001, India
| | - Kiran R. Marathe
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon 425001, India
| | - Mousa A. Alghuthaymi
- Biology Department, Science and Humanities College, Shaqra University, Alquwayiyah 11971, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kamel A. Abd-Elsalam
- Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza 12619, Egypt
- Correspondence: (K.A.A.-E.); or (S.V.P.); Tel.: +91-0257-2257421–25 (S.V.P.)
| | - Satish V. Patil
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon 425001, India
- Correspondence: (K.A.A.-E.); or (S.V.P.); Tel.: +91-0257-2257421–25 (S.V.P.)
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Shakib P, Kalani H, Tahir Aleem M, Faridnia R, Zebardast Pour M, Moradpour K, Cheraghipour K. New strategies in the treatment of diseases caused by Acanthamoeba based on nanoparticles: a systematic review. Curr Rev Clin Exp Pharmacol 2022; 19:CRCEP-EPUB-127527. [PMID: 36372923 DOI: 10.2174/2772432818666221111155119] [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: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acanthamoeba is one of the opportunistic parasites with a global prevalence. Currently, due to the side effects and the emergence of drug resistance to this parasite, much research has been performed on the use of nano-drugs to treat Acanthamoeba-caused diseases. Therefore, this systematic review study aims to evaluate new strategies for treating diseases caused by Acanthamoeba based on nanoparticles (NPs). METHODS We designed a systematic review based on the articles published in English between 2000 and 2022. Our search strategy was based on syntax and specific tags for each database, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, and Cochrane. From the articles, those that had inclusion criteria were selected, and their data were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS In this study, 26 studies were selected. Metallic nanoparticles were mostly used against the Acanthamoeba species (80.7%). 19.2% of the studies used polymeric nanoparticles, and 3.8% used emulsion nanoparticles. Most studies (96.1%) were performed in vitro, and only one study (3.8%) was carried out in vivo. Silver NPs were the most used metallic nanoparticles in the studies. The best effect of the anti-Acanthamoeba compound was observed for green synthesized nanoparticles based on stabilization by plant gums, loaded with citrus fruits flavonoids hesperidin (HDN) and naringin (NRG) with a 100% growth inhibition at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. CONCLUSION This study showed that chlorhexidine and other plant metabolites loaded with silver and gold nanoparticles increase the anti-Acanthambae activity of these nanoparticles. However, green synthesized nanoparticles based on stabilization by plant gums, loaded with citrus fruits flavonoids hesperidin (HDN) and naringin (NRG), showed the best anti-Acanthambae effect. Nevertheless, further studies should be performed to determine their safety for human use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pegah Shakib
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Hamed Kalani
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Muhammad Tahir Aleem
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Roghiyeh Faridnia
- Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | | | - Kobra Moradpour
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Kourosh Cheraghipour
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
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A Promising Antifungal and Antiamoebic Effect of Silver Nanorings, a Novel Type of AgNP. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11081054. [PMID: 36009923 PMCID: PMC9405138 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11081054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) play an important role in the medical field due to their potent antimicrobial activity. This, together with the constant emergence of resistance to antimicrobial drugs, means AgNPs are often investigated as an alternative to solve this problem. In this article, we analyzed the antifungal and antiamoebic effects of a recently described type of AgNP, silver nanorings (AgNRs), and compared them with other types of AgNPs. Tests of the activity of AgNPs against various fungal and amoebic species were carried out. In all cases, AgNPs showed a high biocidal effect, although with fungi this depended on the species involved. Antifungal activity was detected by the conditioning of culture media or water but this effect was not dependent on the release of Ag ions. On the other hand, the proliferation of Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites was reduced by silver nanorings (AgNRs) and silver nanowires (AgNWs), with AgNWs being capable of totally inhibiting the germination of A. castellanii cysts. AgNRs constitute a new type of AgNP with an antifungal and antiacanthamoebic activity. These results open the door to new and effective antimicrobial therapies as an alternative to the use of antifungals or antiamoebic drugs, thus avoiding the constant appearance of resistance and the difficulty of eradicating infections.
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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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Jayaraman M, Dutta P, Krishnan S, Arora K, Sivakumar D, Raghavendran HRB. Emerging Promise of Phytochemicals in Ameliorating Neurological Disorders. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2022; 22:CNSNDDT-EPUB-124961. [PMID: 35786341 DOI: 10.2174/1871527321666220701153926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The field of medicine and synthetic drug development have advanced rapidly over the past few decades. However, research on alternative medicine such as phytochemicals cannot be ignored. The main reason for prominent curiosity about phytochemicals stems from the belief that usage of natural compounds is safer and has lesser detrimental side effects. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present review was to discuss in detail with several phytochemicals that have been studied or are being studied in the context of various neurological disorders including depression, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and even neuroinflammatory disorders such as encephalitis. METHODS The potential role of phytochemicals in the treatment or management of symptoms associated with neurological disorders have been included in this article. All data included in this paper has been pooled from various databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer and Wiley Online Library. RESULTS Phytochemicals have been widely studied for their therapeutic properties associated with neurological disorders. Using various experimental techniques for both in vivo and in vitro experiments, studies have shown that phytochemicals do have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities which play major roles in the treatment of neurological diseases. CONCLUSION Even though there has been compelling evidence of the therapeutic role of phytochemicals, further research is still required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these medicines. Using previously published papers as foundation for additional research such as preclinical studies and clinical trials, phytochemicals can become a safer alternative to synthetic drugs for treating a spectrum of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megala Jayaraman
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur-603203, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Parijat Dutta
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur-603203, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sabari Krishnan
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur-603203, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Khyati Arora
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur-603203, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Diveyaa Sivakumar
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur-603203, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- School of Dental Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Hanumanth Rao Balaji Raghavendran
- Faculty of Clinical Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Central Research Facility, Porur, Chennai-600116, India
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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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Eldeek HE, Farrag HMM, Tolba MEM, El-Deek HE, Ali MO, Ibraheim ZZ, Bayoumi SA, Hassanin ESA, Alkhalil SS, Huseein EAEHM. Amoebicidal effect of Allium cepa against Allovahlkampfia spelaea: A keratitis model. Saudi Pharm J 2022; 30:1120-1136. [PMID: 36164578 PMCID: PMC9508644 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Allovahlkampfia spelaea (A. spelaea) is a free-living amoeba, proved to cause Acanthamoeba-like keratitis with quite difficult treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the amoebicidal effect of Allium cepa (A. cepa) on A. spelaea trophozoites and cysts both in vitro and in vivo using Chinchilla rabbits as an experimental model of this type of keratitis. Chemical constituents of the aqueous extract of A. cepa were identified using Liquid Chromatography-mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). In vitro, A. cepa showed a significant inhibitory effect on trophozoites and cysts compared to the reference drug, chlorhexidine (CHX) as well as the non-treated control (P < 0.05) with statistically different effectiveness in terms of treatment durations and concentrations. No cytotoxic effect of A. cepa on corneal cell line was found even at high concentrations (32 mg/ml) using agar diffusion method. The in vivo results confirmed the efficacy of A. cepa where the extract enhanced keratitis healing with complete resolution of corneal ulcers in 80% of the infected animals by day 14 (post infection)pi compared to 70% recovery with CHX after 20 treatment days. The therapeutic effect was also approved at histological, immune-histochemical, and parasitological levels. Our findings support the potential use of A. cepa as an effective agent against A. spelaea keratitis.
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17
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Novel Plant-Based Metabolites as Disinfectants against Acanthamoeba castellanii. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11020248. [PMID: 35203850 PMCID: PMC8868186 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to global warming, coupled with global water shortages and the reliance of the public on household water tanks, especially in developing countries, it is anticipated that infections caused by free-living amoebae such as Acanthamoeba will rise. Thus, the development of novel disinfectant(s) which can target pathogenic free-living amoebae effectively is warranted. Herein, we extracted and isolated several plant-based secondary metabolites as novel disinfectants for use against pathogenic Acanthamoeba. The identity of the compounds was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance and tested for antiamoebic activities against clinical isolate of A. castellanii, belonging to the T4 genotype. Amoebicidal assays revealed that the compounds tested showed antiamoebic properties. Betulinic acid and betulin exhibited parasite killing of more than 65%. When tested against the cyst stage, betulinic acid, betulin, and vanillic acid inhibited both encystation and excystation processes. Furthermore, the plant-based metabolites significantly inhibited the binding capability of A. castellanii to host cells. Finally, most of the tested compounds displayed minimal cytotoxic activities against human cells and noticeably perturbed amoeba-mediated host cell cytotoxicity. Notably, both alkaloid and betulinic acid showed 20% cytotoxic effects, whereas betulin and lupeol had cytotoxic effects of 24% and 30%, respectively. Overall, our findings indicate that plant-based natural compounds demonstrate anti-Acanthamoebic properties, and they have potential candidates for water disinfectants or contact lens disinfecting solutions, as well as possible therapeutic drugs against Acanthamoeba infections.
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Kikowska M, Chanaj-Kaczmarek J, Derda M, Budzianowska A, Thiem B, Ekiert H, Szopa A. The Evaluation of Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids Content and Antiprotozoal Activity of Eryngium Species Biomass Produced by Biotechnological Methods. Molecules 2022; 27:363. [PMID: 35056679 PMCID: PMC8781403 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Three species from the Eryngium L. genus-E. campestre, E. maritimum, and E. planum, plants with a rich chemical composition, were selected for phytochemical and biological studies. The applied biotechnological methods allowed to obtain the biomass of these rare or protected species in the form of multiplied shoots (stationary system) and roots cultured in a liquid medium (agitated system). In the extracts from the raw material obtained under in vitro conditions, the content of selected phenolic acids and flavonoids (HPLC-DAD method) as well as the total of polyphenols (Folin-Ciocalteu assay) were quantified. The highest amount of all phenolic compounds was found in extracts from E. planum roots (950.90 ± 33.52 mg/100 g d.w.), and the lowest from E. campestre roots (285.00 ± 10.07 mg/100 g d.w.). The quantitatively dominant compound proved to be rosmarinic acid. The highest amounts were confirmed for E. planum root extract (694.58 mg/100 g d.w.), followed by E. planum (388.95 mg/100 g d.w.) and E. campestre (325.85 mg/100 g d.w.) shoot extracts. The total content of polyphenols was always increased in the biomass from in vitro cultures in comparison to the analogous organs of intact plants of each species. The obtained extracts were assessed for antiprotozoal activity against Acanthamoeba sp. The strength of biological activity of the extracts correlated with the content of phenolic compounds. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the amoebicidal activity of E. campestre, E. maritimum, and E. planum extracts from biomass produced by biotechnological methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Kikowska
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Department and Division of Practical Cosmetology and Skin Diseases Prophylaxis, Collegium Pharmaceuticum, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka St., 60-806 Poznań, Poland; (A.B.); (B.T.)
| | - Justyna Chanaj-Kaczmarek
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Collegium Pharmaceuticum, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka St., 60-806 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Monika Derda
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 10 Fredry St., 61-701 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Anna Budzianowska
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Department and Division of Practical Cosmetology and Skin Diseases Prophylaxis, Collegium Pharmaceuticum, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka St., 60-806 Poznań, Poland; (A.B.); (B.T.)
| | - Barbara Thiem
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Department and Division of Practical Cosmetology and Skin Diseases Prophylaxis, Collegium Pharmaceuticum, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka St., 60-806 Poznań, Poland; (A.B.); (B.T.)
| | - Halina Ekiert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, 9 Medyczna St., 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (H.E.); (A.S.)
| | - Agnieszka Szopa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, 9 Medyczna St., 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (H.E.); (A.S.)
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Boonhok R, Sangkanu S, Norouzi R, Siyadatpanah A, Mirzaei F, Mitsuwan W, Charong N, Wisessombat S, Pereira MDL, Rahmatullah M, Wilairatana P, Wiart C, Tabo HA, Dolma KG, Nissapatorn V. Amoebicidal activity of Cassia angustifolia extract and its effect on Acanthamoeba triangularis autophagy-related gene expression at the transcriptional level. Parasitology 2021; 148:1074-1082. [PMID: 33966667 PMCID: PMC11010062 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cassia angustifolia Vahl. plant is used for many therapeutic purposes, for example, in people with constipation, skin diseases, including helminthic and parasitic infections. In our study, we demonstrated an amoebicidal activity of C. angustifolia extract against Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoite at a micromolar level. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images displayed morphological changes in the Acanthamoeba trophozoite, which included the formation of pores in cell membrane and the membrane rupture. In addition to the amoebicidal activity, effects of the extract on surviving trophozoites were observed, which included cyst formation and vacuolization by a microscope and transcriptional expression of Acanthamoeba autophagy in response to the stress by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our data showed that the surviving trophozoites were not transformed into cysts and the trophozoite number with enlarged vacuole was not significantly different from that of untreated control. Molecular analysis data demonstrated that the mRNA expression of AcATG genes was slightly changed. Interestingly, AcATG16 decreased significantly at 12 h post treatment, which may indicate a transcriptional regulation by the extract or a balance of intracellular signalling pathways in response to the stress, whereas AcATG3 and AcATG8b remained unchanged. Altogether, these data reveal the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of C. angustifolia extract and the autophagic response in the surviving trophozoites under the plant extract pressure, along with data on the formation of cysts. These represent a promising plant for future drug development. However, further isolation and purification of an active compound and cytotoxicity against human cells are needed, including a study on the autophagic response at the protein level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachasak Boonhok
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat80160, Thailand
| | - Suthinee Sangkanu
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Southeast Asia Water Team (SEA Water Team) and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), and Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat80160, Thailand
| | - Roghayeh Norouzi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz51664, Iran
| | - Abolghasem Siyadatpanah
- Ferdows School of Paramedical and Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand9717853577, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Mirzaei
- Department Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd14188-15971, Iran
| | - Watcharapong Mitsuwan
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Southeast Asia Water Team (SEA Water Team) and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), and Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat80160, Thailand
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, and Research Center of Excellence in Innovation of Essential Oil, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat80160, Thailand
| | - Nurdina Charong
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat80160, Thailand
| | - Sueptrakool Wisessombat
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat80160, Thailand
| | - Maria de Lourdes Pereira
- Department of Medical Sciences, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro3810-193, Portugal
| | - Mohammed Rahmatullah
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative Lalmatia, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh
| | - Polrat Wilairatana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok10400, Thailand
| | - Christophe Wiart
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Selangor43500, Malaysia
| | - Hazel Anne Tabo
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Science and Computer Studies, De La Salle University-Dasmarinas, Cavite4115, Philippines
| | - Karma G. Dolma
- Department of Microbiology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS), Gangtok, Sikkim737102, India
| | - Veeranoot Nissapatorn
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat80160, Thailand
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Southeast Asia Water Team (SEA Water Team) and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), and Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat80160, Thailand
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20
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Boonhok R, Sangkanu S, Chuprom J, Srisuphanunt M, Norouzi R, Siyadatpanah A, Mirzaei F, Mitsuwan W, Wisessombat S, de Lourdes Pereira M, Rahmatullah M, Wilairatana P, Wiart C, Ling LC, Dolma KG, Nissapatorn V. Peganum harmala Extract Has Antiamoebic Activity to Acanthamoeba triangularis Trophozoites and Changes Expression of Autophagy-Related Genes. Pathogens 2021; 10:842. [PMID: 34357992 PMCID: PMC8308471 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Peganum harmala, a well-known medicinal plant, has been used for several therapeutic purposes as it contains numerous pharmacological active compounds. Our study reported an anti-parasitic activity of P. harmala seed extract against Acanthamoeba triangularis. The stress induced by the extract on the surviving trophozoites for Acanthamoeba encystation and vacuolization was examined by microscopy, and transcriptional expression of Acanthamoeba autophagy-related genes was investigated by quantitative PCR. Our results showed that the surviving trophozoites were not transformed into cysts, and the number of trophozoites with enlarged vacuoles were not significantly different from that of untreated control. Molecular analysis data demonstrated that the mRNA expression of tested AcATG genes, i.e., ATG3, ATG8b, and ATG16, was at a basal level along the treatment. However, upregulation of AcATG16 at 24 h post treatment was observed, which may indicate an autophagic activity of this protein in response to the stress. Altogether, these data revealed the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of P. harmala extract and indicated the association of autophagy mRNA expression and cyst formation under the extract stress, representing a promising plant for future drug development. However, further identification of an active compound and a study of autophagy at the protein level are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachasak Boonhok
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; (R.B.); (M.S.); (S.W.)
| | - Suthinee Sangkanu
- Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products (RECIHP), School of Allied Health Sciences, Southeast Asia Water Team (SEA Water Team) and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; (S.S.); (J.C.)
| | - Julalak Chuprom
- Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products (RECIHP), School of Allied Health Sciences, Southeast Asia Water Team (SEA Water Team) and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; (S.S.); (J.C.)
| | - Mayuna Srisuphanunt
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; (R.B.); (M.S.); (S.W.)
| | - Roghayeh Norouzi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran;
| | - Abolghasem Siyadatpanah
- Ferdows School of Paramedical and Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand 9717853577, Iran;
| | - Farzaneh Mirzaei
- Department Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd 14188-15971, Iran;
| | - Watcharapong Mitsuwan
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College and Research Center of Excellence in Innovation of Essential Oil, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand;
| | - Sueptrakool Wisessombat
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; (R.B.); (M.S.); (S.W.)
| | - Maria de Lourdes Pereira
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials and Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Mohammed Rahmatullah
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka 1209, Bangladesh;
| | - Polrat Wilairatana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Christophe Wiart
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Selangor 43500, Malaysia;
| | - Lim Chooi Ling
- Division of Applied Biomedical Science and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia;
| | - Karma G. Dolma
- Department of Microbiology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS), Sikkim 737102, India;
| | - Veeranoot Nissapatorn
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; (R.B.); (M.S.); (S.W.)
- Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products (RECIHP), School of Allied Health Sciences, Southeast Asia Water Team (SEA Water Team) and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; (S.S.); (J.C.)
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Siddiqui R, Makhlouf Z, Khan NA. The Increasing Importance of Vermamoeba vermiformis. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2021; 68:e12857. [PMID: 33987951 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Vermamoeba vermiformis are one of the most prevalent free-living amoebae. These amoebae are ubiquitous and also thermotolerant. Of concern, V. vermiformis have been found in hospital water networks. Furthermore, associations between V. vermiformis and pathogenic bacteria have been reported, such as Legionella pneumophila. Moreover, V. vermiformis are well known to host viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms and cases of keratitis due to V. vermiformis in conjunction with other amoebae have been reported. Despite the preceding, the medical importance of V. vermiformis is still an ongoing discussion and its genome has been only recently sequenced. Herein, we present a review of the current understanding of the biology and pathogenesis pertaining to V. vermiformis, as well as its' role as an etiological agent and trojan horse. An approach known as theranostics which combines both diagnosis and therapy could be utilized to eradicate and diagnose keratitis cases caused by such amoebae. Given the rise in global warming, it is imperative to investigate these rarely studied amoebae and to understand their importance in human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Zinb Makhlouf
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.,Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
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22
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In vitro amoebicidal effect of Aloe vera ethanol extract and honey against Acanthamoeba spp. cysts. J Parasit Dis 2021; 45:159-168. [PMID: 33746401 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-020-01292-8] [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: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated in vitro effect of different concentrations of Aloe vera (A. vera) ethanol extract and honey against Acanthamoeba spp. cysts in comparison with chlorhexidine (the drug of choice for treatment of Acanthamoeba infection) at different incubation periods. Four different concentrations of the tested agents were used, 100, 200, 400, and 600 μg/ml for A. vera ethanol extract and 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml for honey. Isolated Acanthamoeba spp. cysts from keratitis patients were incubated with different concentrations of the tested agents as well as chlorhexidine 0.02% (drug control) for different incubation periods (24, 48, 72 h). After each incubation period, the effect of A. vera extract and honey against Acanthamoeba cysts was assessed by counting the number of viable cysts, determining the inhibitory percentage and detecting the morphological alternations of treated cysts compared to non-treated and drug controls. Both A. vera ethanol extract and honey showed a concentration and time-dependent effect on the viability of Acanthamoeba cysts. In comparison with chlorhexidine (the drug control), A. vera ethanol extract possessed a potent cysticidal activity at all tested concentrations throughout different incubation periods, except for concentration 100 μg/ml which recorded the lower inhibitory effect. With increasing the dose of A. vera ethanol extract to 200, 400, 600 µg/ml, the recorded inhibitory percentages of Acanthamoeba cysts viability were 82.3%, 92.9% and 97.9% respectively, after 72 h compared to 76.3% of chlorhexidine. Similarly, honey at concentrations of 50-100 µg/ml gave higher inhibitory effect of 59% and 76.7%, respectively compared to chlorhexidine which showed an inhibitory percentage of 55.7% after 24 h. Meanwhile, the lowest tested concentration of honey (25 µg/ml) gave an inhibitory effect by 47.7-67% which was less than that of chlorhexidine throughout different incubation periods. With increasing the dose of honey to 200 µg/ml, the inhibitory effect was 98.9% after 72 h higher than that of chlorhexidine (76.9%). Using a scanning electron microscope, Acanthamoeba cysts treated by A. vera ethanol extract showed alternations in their shapes with flattening, collapsing, and laceration of their walls. Also, treated cysts by honey were highly distorted and difficult to identify because most of them were shrinkage and collapsed to a tiny size. On the other hand, chlorhexidine showed less structural and morphological changes of Acanthamoeba cysts. A. vera ethanol extract and honey had considerable cysticidal effects on Acanthamoeba cysts. They may give promising results for treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis.
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23
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Zeouk I, Sifaoui I, Rizo-Liendo A, Arberas-Jiménez I, Reyes-Batlle M, L. Bazzocchi I, Bekhti K, E. Piñero J, Jiménez IA, Lorenzo-Morales J. Exploring the Anti-Infective Value of Inuloxin A Isolated from Inula viscosa against the Brain-Eating Amoeba ( Naegleria fowleri) by Activation of Programmed Cell Death. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:195-202. [PMID: 33296597 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by the pathogenic free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri, is a rare but fatal disease. Nowadays, no fully effective therapy is available to erradicate or prevent this disease. Natural products could constitute a promising source of useful bioactive compounds in drug discovery. The present study is a characterization of main active compounds from the ethanolic extract of Inula viscosa (Asteraceae) leaves against N. fowleri trophozoites. Four compounds (1-4) were successfully identified by spectroscopic techniques, but only inuloxin A displayed a potential antiamoebic activity with an IC50 of 21.27 μM. The specificity of this compound toward the studied strain leads us to analyze the insight into its mechanism of action by performing in vitro assays of programmed cell death markers and to discuss the structure-activity relationship (SAR). The obtained results demonstrated that inuloxin A interferes with various processes leading to membrane damage, mitochondria alteration, chromatin condensation, and ROS accumulation, which highlight features specific to apoptosis. The current findings could be a promising step for developing new effective drugs against PAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikrame Zeouk
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET),
- Departement of Biology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, PB 2202, Fez, Morocco
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET),
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
| | - Aitor Rizo-Liendo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
| | - Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET),
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
| | - Isabel L. Bazzocchi
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna, Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Khadija Bekhti
- Departement of Biology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, PB 2202, Fez, Morocco
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET),
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
| | - Ignacio A. Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna, Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET),
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
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25
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Kanwal, Mungroo MR, Anwar A, Ali F, Khan S, Abdullah MA, Siddiqui R, Khan KM, Khan NA. Synthetic nanoparticle-conjugated bisindoles and hydrazinyl arylthiazole as novel antiamoebic agents against brain-eating amoebae. Exp Parasitol 2020; 218:107979. [PMID: 32866583 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Balamuthia mandrillaris and Naegleria fowleri are free-living amoebae that can cause life-threatening infections involving the central nervous system. The high mortality rates of these infections demonstrate an urgent need for novel treatment options against the amoebae. Considering that indole and thiazole compounds possess wide range of antiparasitic properties, novel bisindole and thiazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated against the amoebae. The antiamoebic properties of four synthetic compounds i.e., two new bisindoles (2-Bromo-4-(di (1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)phenol (denoted as A1) and 2-Bromo-4-(di (1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol (A2)) and two known thiazole (4-(3-Nitrophenyl)-2-(2-(pyridin-3-ylmethylene)hydrazinyl)thiazole (A3) and 4-(Biphenyl-4-yl)-2-(2-(1-(pyridin-4-yl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl)thiazole (A4)) were evaluated against B. mandrillaris and N. fowleri. The ability of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) conjugation to enrich antiamoebic activities of the compounds was also investigated. The synthetic heterocyclic compounds demonstrated up to 53% and 69% antiamoebic activities against B. mandrillaris and N. fowleri respectively, while resulting in up to 57% and 68% amoebistatic activities, respectively. Antiamoebic activities of the compounds were enhanced by up to 71% and 51% against B. mandrillaris and N. fowleri respectively, after conjugation with AgNPs. These compounds exhibited potential antiamoebic effects against B. mandrillaris and N. fowleri and conjugation of synthetic heterocyclic compounds with AgNPs enhanced their activity against the amoebae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, 21030, Malaysia; H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Ridwane Mungroo
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia.
| | - Farman Ali
- H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Simal Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Azmuddin Abdullah
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, 21030, Malaysia
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khalid Mohammed Khan
- H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 26666, United Arab Emirates.
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26
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Anwar A, Soomaroo A, Anwar A, Siddiqui R, Khan NA. Metformin-coated silver nanoparticles exhibit anti-acanthamoebic activities against both trophozoite and cyst stages. Exp Parasitol 2020; 215:107915. [PMID: 32461112 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba castellanii is an opportunistic protozoan responsible for serious human infections including Acanthamoeba keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Despite advances in antimicrobial therapy and supportive care, infections due to Acanthamoeba are a major public concern. Current methods of treatment are not fully effective against both the trophozoite and cyst forms of A. castellanii and are often associated with severe adverse effects, host cell cytotoxicity and recurrence of infection. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic approaches for the treatment and management of Acanthamoebic infections. Repurposing of clinically approved drugs is a viable avenue for exploration and is particularly useful for neglected and rare diseases where there is limited interest by pharmaceutical companies. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems offer promising approaches in the biomedical field, particularly in diagnosis and drug delivery. Herein, we conjugated an antihyperglycemic drug, metformin with silver nanoparticles and assessed its anti-acanthamoebic properties. Characterization by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and atomic force microscopy showed successful formation of metformin-coated silver nanoparticles. Amoebicidal and amoebistatic assays revealed that metformin-coated silver nanoparticles reduced the viability and inhibited the growth of A. castellanii significantly more than metformin and silver nanoparticles alone at both 5 and 10 μM after 24 h incubation. Metformin-coated silver nanoparticles also blocked encystation and inhibited the excystation in Acanthamoeba after 72 h incubation. Overall, the conjugation of metformin with silver nanoparticles was found to enhance its antiamoebic effects against A. castellanii. Furthermore, the pretreatment of A. castellanii with metformin and metformin-coated silver nanoparticles for 2 h also reduced the amoebae-mediated host cell cytotoxicity after 24 h incubation from 73% to 10% at 10 μM, indicating that the drug-conjugated silver nanoparticles confer protection to human cells. These findings suggest that metformin-coated silver nanoparticles hold promise in the improved treatment and management of Acanthamoeba infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Akshinee Soomaroo
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Areeba Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 26666, United Arab Emirates
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27
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Drug Discovery against Acanthamoeba Infections: Present Knowledge and Unmet Needs. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050405. [PMID: 32456110 PMCID: PMC7281112 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although major strides have been made in developing and testing various anti-acanthamoebic drugs, recurrent infections, inadequate treatment outcomes, health complications, and side effects associated with the use of currently available drugs necessitate the development of more effective and safe therapeutic regimens. For any new anti-acanthamoebic drugs to be more effective, they must have either superior potency and safety or at least comparable potency and an improved safety profile compared to the existing drugs. The development of the so-called 'next-generation' anti-acanthamoebic agents to address this challenge is an active area of research. Here, we review the current status of anti-acanthamoebic drugs and discuss recent progress in identifying novel pharmacological targets and new approaches, such as drug repurposing, development of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapies and testing natural products and their derivatives. Some of the discussed approaches have the potential to change the therapeutic landscape of Acanthamoeba infections.
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Anwar A, Yi YP, Fatima I, Khan KM, Siddiqui R, Khan NA, Anwar A. Antiamoebic activity of synthetic tetrazoles against Acanthamoeba castellanii belonging to T4 genotype and effects of conjugation with silver nanoparticles. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1943-1954. [PMID: 32385711 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06694-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba causes diseases such as Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) which leads to permanent blindness and granulomatous Acanthamoeba encephalitis (GAE) where there is formation of granulomas in the brain. Current treatments such as chlorhexidine, diamidines, and azoles either exhibit undesirable side effects or require immediate and prolonged treatment for the drug to be effective or prevent relapse. Previously, antifungal drugs amphotericin B, nystatin, and fluconazole-conjugated silver with nanoparticles have shown significantly increased activity against Acanthamoeba castellanii. In this study, two functionally diverse tetrazoles were synthesized, namely 5-(3-4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-tetrazole and 1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-phenoxy-1H-tetrazole, denoted by T1 and T2 respectively. These compounds were evaluated for anti-Acanthamoeba effects at different concentrations ranging from 5 to 50 μM. Furthermore, these compounds were conjugated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to enhance their efficacy. Particle size analysis showed that T1-AgNPs and T2-AgNPs had an average size of 52 and 70 nm respectively. After the successful synthesis and characterization of tetrazoles and tetrazole-conjugated AgNPs, they were subjected to anti-Acanthamoeba studies. Amoebicidal assay showed that at concentration 10 μM and above, T2 showed promising antiamoebic activities between the two compounds while encystation and excystation assays reveal that both T1 and T2 have inhibited differentiation activity against Acanthamoeba castellanii. Conjugation of T1 and T2 to AgNP also increased efficacy of tetrazoles as anti-Acanthamoeba agents. This may be due to the increased bioavailability as AgNP allows better delivery of treatment compounds to A. castellanii. Human cell cytotoxicity assay revealed that tetrazoles and AgNPs are significantly less toxic towards human cells compared with chlorhexidine which is known to cause undesirable side effects. Cytopathogenicity assay also revealed that T2 conjugated with AgNPs significantly reduced cytopathogenicity of A. castellanii compared with T2 alone, suggesting that T2-conjugated AgNP is an effective and safe anti-Acanthamoeba agent. The use of a synthetic azole compound conjugated with AgNPs can be an alternative strategy for drug development against A. castellanii. However, mechanistic and in vivo studies are needed to explore further translational values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areeba Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yim Pei Yi
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Itrat Fatima
- H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Khalid Mohammed Khan
- H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Phytochemical Screening and Acanthamoebic Activity of Shoots from in Vitro Cultures and in Vivo Plants of Eryngium alpinum L.-The Endangered and Protected Species. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25061416. [PMID: 32244952 PMCID: PMC7144402 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25061416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically uniform shoots of Eryngium alpinum L. cultured in vitro were subjected to the qualitative analysis applying the UPLC-HESI-HRMS technique. In vitro cultures give the opportunity to perform the phytochemical studies on the protected species without harvesting the plant material from the natural environment. The phytochemical screening of the crude methanolic extracts of shoots, both from in vitro cultures and in vivo plants, revealed the presence of phenolic acids, coumarins, flavonoids, triterpenoid saponins, amino acids, or dipeptides. Active compounds detected are known to have medicinal importance, and for this reason, the present study represents a preliminary investigation of the extracts against pathogenic and opportunistic amoeba. Among the extracts tested, the extract of shoots from in vitro cultures exhibited remarkable amoebicidal action against trophozoites. On the second day of treatment, the extract at the concentrations of 5 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, and 0.5 mg/mL showed the highest antiamoebicidal effect: the inhibition of trophozoites reached 81.14%, 66.38%, and 54.99%, respectively. To our best knowledge, the present report is the first to show the phytochemical screening and to discuss the antiamoebic activity of Eryngium alpinum L. shoots, both from in vitro cultures and in vivo plants.
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