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Serena NN, Besati M, Nadia NAC, Yaghoobi M, Cédric Y, Ciancia C, Sidiki NNA, Payne VK, Mbida M, Hu H. In Vitro and In Silico Anthelmintic Activity of Extracts of Lannea kerstingii and Ficus thonningii on Heligmosomoides polygyrus. J Parasitol Res 2024; 2024:1858154. [PMID: 39131749 PMCID: PMC11316912 DOI: 10.1155/2024/1858154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to assess the anthelmintic activity of Lannea kerstingii and Ficus thonningii, on a nematode model, to promote their use in the Cameroonian pharmacopoeia for the treatment of helminthiases. Methods: One nematode was used, Heligmosomoides polygyrus. First, the effect of the extracts on the eggs and larval stages (L1, L2, and L3) of H. polygyrus was evaluated, 100 μL of extract and 100 μL of parasite suspension (containing 50 eggs) were mixed in a 96-well microplate. The 96-well microplate was incubated for 20 h at 25°C in the WMicroTracker which measures the motility of the worms at various concentrations. Finally, docking studies were conducted by using the Glide module in Schrodinger Maestro. Results: The ethanolic extract of L. kerstingii with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.1371 mg/mL produced a higher ovicidal effect than the effect produced by other extracts of these plants. However, with an IC50 of 0.31 mg/mL, the aqueous extract of F. thonningii showed the greatest effect on the L2 stage. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of L. kerstingii and F. thonningii inhibited the development of the L3 larvae of H. polygyrus with a better effect for the ethanolic extracts. Conclusion: The use of L. kerstingii and F. thonningii for the treatment of helminthiasis has been proved in vitro and in silico by this research. However, more research is required, especially on the acute toxicity and in vivo anthelmintic efficacy to validate this scientific investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ndjinkeu Ntcheuzing Serena
- Department of Animal BiologyFaculty of ScienceUniversity of Dschang, P.O. Box 067, Dschang, Cameroon
- Laboratory of Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Masoud Besati
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio)CSIC−University of Valencia 46980, Paterna, Spain
| | - Noumedem Anangmo Christelle Nadia
- Laboratory of Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Dschang, Cameroon
- Department of MicrobiologyHaematology and Immunology Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Dschang, P.O. Box 96, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Mahdi Yaghoobi
- Molecular Design and SynthesisDepartment of ChemistryKU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yamssi Cédric
- Laboratory of Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Dschang, Cameroon
- Department of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon
| | - Claire Ciancia
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular ParasitologySchool for Infection and ImmunityUniversity of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ngouyamsa Nsapkain Aboubakar Sidiki
- Department of Animal BiologyFaculty of ScienceUniversity of Dschang, P.O. Box 067, Dschang, Cameroon
- Laboratory of Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Vincent Khan Payne
- Department of Animal BiologyFaculty of ScienceUniversity of Dschang, P.O. Box 067, Dschang, Cameroon
- Laboratory of Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Mpoame Mbida
- Department of Animal BiologyFaculty of ScienceUniversity of Dschang, P.O. Box 067, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Haibo Hu
- Laboratory of Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Dschang, Cameroon
- Department of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese MedicineNational Engineering Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Hakka Medical Resources BranchSchool of PharmacyGannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China
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Ilbeigi K, Barata C, Barbosa J, Bertram MG, Caljon G, Costi MP, Kroll A, Margiotta-Casaluci L, Thoré ES, Bundschuh M. Assessing Environmental Risks during the Drug Development Process for Parasitic Vector-Borne Diseases: A Critical Reflection. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1026-1033. [PMID: 38533709 PMCID: PMC11019539 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Parasitic vector-borne diseases (VBDs) represent nearly 20% of the global burden of infectious diseases. Moreover, the spread of VBDs is enhanced by global travel, urbanization, and climate change. Treatment of VBDs faces challenges due to limitations of existing drugs, as the potential for side effects in nontarget species raises significant environmental concerns. Consequently, considering environmental risks early in drug development processes is critically important. Here, we examine the environmental risk assessment process for veterinary medicinal products in the European Union and identify major gaps in the ecotoxicity data of these drugs. By highlighting the scarcity of ecotoxicological data for commonly used antiparasitic drugs, we stress the urgent need for considering the One Health concept. We advocate for employing predictive tools and nonanimal methodologies such as New Approach Methodologies at early stages of antiparasitic drug research and development. Furthermore, adopting progressive approaches to mitigate ecological risks requires the integration of nonstandard tests that account for real-world complexities and use environmentally relevant exposure scenarios. Such a strategy is vital for a sustainable drug development process as it adheres to the principles of One Health, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more sustainable world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayhan Ilbeigi
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Carlos Barata
- Institute
of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - João Barbosa
- Blue
Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Michael G. Bertram
- Department
of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Department
of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18b, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
- School of
Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, 3800 Melbourne, Australia
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Alexandra Kroll
- Swiss
Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Luigi Margiotta-Casaluci
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, WC2R 2LS London, United Kingdom
| | - Eli S.J. Thoré
- Department
of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Department
of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18b, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
- TRANSfarm - Science, Engineering,
& Technology Group, KU
Leuven, 3360 Lovenjoel, Belgium
| | - Mirco Bundschuh
- iES
Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences,
RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
- Department
of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish
University of Agricultural Sciences, Lennart Hjelms väg 9, SWE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
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3
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Loaiza JR, Gittens RA, Zapata R, Armien B, González-Santamaría J, Laporta GZ, Franco L. The bibliometric landscape of infectious disease research in Panama (1990-2019). DIALOGUES IN HEALTH 2023; 2:100117. [PMID: 38515494 PMCID: PMC10953851 DOI: 10.1016/j.dialog.2023.100117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Background This work aims to analyze the landscape of scientific publications on subjects related to One Health and infectious diseases in Panama. The research questions are: How does the One Health research landscape look like in Panama? Are historical research efforts aligned with the One Health concept? What infectious diseases have received more attention from the local scientific community since 1990? Methods Boolean searches on the Web of Science, SCOPUS and PubMed were undertaken to evaluate the main trends of publications related to One Health and infectious disease research in the country of Panama, between 1990 and 2019. Results 4546 publications were identified since 1990, including 3564 peer-reviewed articles interconnected with One Health related descriptors, and 211 articles focused particularly on infectious diseases. A pattern of exponential growth in the number of publications with various contributions from Panamanian institutions was observed. The rate of multidisciplinary research was moderate, whereas those of interinstitutional and intersectoral research ranged from low to very low. Research efforts have centered largely on protozoan, neglected and arthropod-borne diseases with a strong emphasis on malaria, Chagas and leishmaniasis. Conclusion Panama has scientific capabilities on One Health to tackle future infectious disease threats, but the official collaboration schemes and strategic investment to develop further competencies need to be conciliated with modern times, aka the pandemics era. The main proposition here, addressed to the government of Panama, is to launch a One Health regional center to promote multidisciplinary, interinstitutional and intersectoral research activities in Panama and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose R. Loaiza
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama
- Programa Centroamericano de Maestría en Entomología, Universidad de Panamá, Panama
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Panama City, Panama
| | - Rolando A. Gittens
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama
| | - Robinson Zapata
- Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación de Panamá, Panama
| | - Blas Armien
- Grupo de Biología Celular y Molecular de Arbovirus, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panama
| | - José González-Santamaría
- Grupo de Biología Celular y Molecular de Arbovirus, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panama
| | - Gabriel Z. Laporta
- Graduate Research and Innovation Program, Centro Universitario FMABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Leticia Franco
- Health Emergencies Department, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, United States of America
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Gu MM, Sun MT, Zhang JY, Yu QF, Lu DB. The prevalence of liver abnormalities in humans due to Schistosoma japonicum by ultrasonography in China: a meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:236. [PMID: 35260103 PMCID: PMC8903095 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07241-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosoma japonicum was once one of the most severe parasitic diseases in China. After 70 years of national schistosomiasis control programmes, the prevalence and associated morbidity of the infection have been reduced to a much lower level. However, due to the low sensitivity of the current detection approaches, many minor infections in humans could not be identified and ultimately develop chronic injuries with liver abnormalities, a specific ‘network’ echogenic pattern under ultrasonography. Therefore, as more people take part in physical examinations, we performed this meta-analysis to estimate the overall prevalence of schistosomiasis-associated liver abnormalities in China. Methods The publications were searched systematically across five electronic databases. All eligible studies were assessed with quality evaluation forms. Heterogeneity of studies was determined using the I2 and Q tests. A random effects or fixed effects model was employed based on heterogeneity results. The pooled prevalence and its 95% confidence intervals were calculated with the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. All analyses were conducted using R with the “meta” package. The protocol registration number was CRD42021232982. Results A total of 19 relevant articles, including 21 studies, were included. The average score of study quality was 6.4 (total score 7), indicating high quality of all included studies. A total of 268, 247 persons were included, and 43, 917 persons were diagnosed with schistosomiasis liver abnormalities by ultrasonography. High degrees of heterogeneity existed among all studies or within subgroups. The overall pooled prevalence was 18.64% (95% CI: 11.88–26.50%). The estimate significantly increased over time and varied among provinces, with the highest in Shanghai and the lowest in Sichuan. The estimate in people aged 60 years or older was significantly higher than that in people of all ages. No significant difference was seen when based on study areas (urban or rural areas) or gender. Conclusion The long-term burden of schistosomiasis in China remains large, as nearly one-fifth of the examined persons were diagnosed with schistosomiasis liver abnormalities. The pooled prevalence was associated with regions or age groups. Such may have a high reference value in the exact calculation of the disease burden and can be helpful for policy makers in prioritizing public health. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07241-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Man Gu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Meng-Tao Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie-Ying Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qiu-Fu Yu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Da-Bing Lu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Castillo-Castañeda A, Herrera G, Ayala MS, Fuya P, Ramírez JD. Spatial and Temporal Variability of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Colombia, 2007 to 2018. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 105:144-155. [PMID: 34232908 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease associated with poverty and is endemic in 56 countries worldwide. Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia are the most affected countries in South America. In Colombia, the National Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA) consolidates epidemiological information and monitors all VL cases nationwide. However, to date, no studies have investigated the occurrence of VL in Colombia using metadata analysis. We studied the demographic data, the spatial and temporal distribution of VL cases, and the association with vector distribution of Leishmania species in Colombia from 2007 to 2018. We found 306 VL cases reported to SIVIGILA for this period, with a coverage of 25.5 cases/year, and a mortality of 2.28% (seven deaths). The highest number of confirmed cases (N = 52) occurred in 2007; the lowest (N = 9) occurred in 2012. The cases were reported mainly in children (< 7 years) affiliated with the subsidized health regimen. Regarding the geographic distribution, the cases were reported by 42 municipalities distributed in 10 departments. The occurrence of VL cases toward the northeast of Colombia, and the distribution of vectors, such as Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lu. evansi, may be changing the panorama of VL in the country. We conclude that VL, mainly in recent years, shows a temporal and spatial variability associated with the occurrence of cases in new settings. Our findings increase our understanding and knowledge of this disease, and suggest the need to monitor and prioritize areas with changes in geographic expansion to improve prevention and control actions in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Castillo-Castañeda
- 1Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Giovanny Herrera
- 1Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Martha S Ayala
- 2Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Patricia Fuya
- 3Grupo de Entomología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- 1Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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Robleda-Castillo R, Ros-Lucas A, Martinez-Peinado N, Alonso-Padilla J. An Overview of Current Uses and Future Opportunities for Computer-Assisted Design of Vaccines for Neglected Tropical Diseases. Adv Appl Bioinform Chem 2021; 14:25-47. [PMID: 33623396 PMCID: PMC7894434 DOI: 10.2147/aabc.s258759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases are infectious diseases that impose high morbidity and mortality rates over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Originally restricted to tropical and subtropical regions, changing climate conditions have increased their potential to emerge elsewhere. Control of their impact suffers from shortages like poor epidemiological surveillance or irregular drug distribution, and some NTDs still lack of appropriate diagnostics and/or efficient therapeutics. For these, availability of vaccines to prevent new infections, or the worsening of those already established, would mean a major breakthrough. However, only dengue and rabies count with approved vaccines at present. Herein, we review the state-of-the-art of vaccination strategies for NTDs, setting the focus on third generation vaccines and the concept of reverse vaccinology. Its capability to address pathogens´ biological complexity, likely contributing to save developmental costs is discussed. The use of computational tools is a fundamental aid to analyze increasingly large datasets aimed at designing vaccine candidates with the highest, possibly, opportunities to succeed. Ultimately, we identify and analyze those studies that took an in silico approach to find vaccine candidates, and experimentally assessed their immunogenicity and/or protection capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Robleda-Castillo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08036, Spain
| | - Albert Ros-Lucas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08036, Spain
| | - Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08036, Spain
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08036, Spain
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Silva SF, Klippel AH, Ramos PZ, Santiago ADS, Valentini SR, Bengtson MH, Massirer KB, Bilsland E, Couñago RM, Zanelli CF. Structural features and development of an assay platform of the parasite target deoxyhypusine synthase of Brugia malayi and Leishmania major. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008762. [PMID: 33044977 PMCID: PMC7581365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) catalyzes the first step of the post-translational modification of eukaryotic translation factor 5A (eIF5A), which is the only known protein containing the amino acid hypusine. Both proteins are essential for eukaryotic cell viability, and DHS has been suggested as a good candidate target for small molecule-based therapies against eukaryotic pathogens. In this work, we focused on the DHS enzymes from Brugia malayi and Leishmania major, the causative agents of lymphatic filariasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis, respectively. To enable B. malayi (Bm)DHS for future target-based drug discovery programs, we determined its crystal structure bound to cofactor NAD+. We also reported an in vitro biochemical assay for this enzyme that is amenable to a high-throughput screening format. The L. major genome encodes two DHS paralogs, and attempts to produce them recombinantly in bacterial cells were not successful. Nevertheless, we showed that ectopic expression of both LmDHS paralogs can rescue yeast cells lacking the endogenous DHS-encoding gene (dys1). Thus, functionally complemented dys1Δ yeast mutants can be used to screen for new inhibitors of the L. major enzyme. We used the known human DHS inhibitor GC7 to validate both in vitro and yeast-based DHS assays. Our results show that BmDHS is a homotetrameric enzyme that shares many features with its human homologue, whereas LmDHS paralogs are likely to form a heterotetrameric complex and have a distinct regulatory mechanism. We expect our work to facilitate the identification and development of new DHS inhibitors that can be used to validate these enzymes as vulnerable targets for therapeutic interventions against B. malayi and L. major infections. Target-based drug discovery strategies hold the promise to discover safer and more effective treatments for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Genetic manipulation techniques have been used to successfully identify essential genes in eukaryotic parasites. Unfortunately, the fact that a gene is essential under controlled laboratory conditions does not automatically make the corresponding gene-product vulnerable to pharmacological intervention in a clinical setting within the human host. To allow the discovery and development of small molecule tool compounds that can be used to validate pharmacologically vulnerable targets, one must first establish compound screening assays and obtain structural information for the candidate target. Eukaryotic cells lacking deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) function are not viable. DHS catalyzes the first step in a post-translational modification that is critical for the function of eIF5A. Presence of mature eIF5A is also essential for eukaryotic cell viability. Here we reported compound screening assays (yeast-based for Brugia malayi and Leishmania major; in vitro for B. malayi only) and provided further regulatory and structural insights we hope will aid in the identification and development of inhibitors for the DHS enzymes from two NTD-causing organisms—B. malayi, the causative agent of lymphatic filariasis and L. major, the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Priscila Zonzini Ramos
- Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Center (CBMEG), Medicinal Chemistry Center (CQMED), Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC-UNICAMP), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas—UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - André da Silva Santiago
- Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Center (CBMEG), Medicinal Chemistry Center (CQMED), Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC-UNICAMP), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas—UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Mario Henrique Bengtson
- Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Center (CBMEG), Medicinal Chemistry Center (CQMED), Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC-UNICAMP), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas—UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Katlin Brauer Massirer
- Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Center (CBMEG), Medicinal Chemistry Center (CQMED), Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC-UNICAMP), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas—UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Bilsland
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas—UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael Miguez Couñago
- Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Center (CBMEG), Medicinal Chemistry Center (CQMED), Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC-UNICAMP), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail: (RMC); (CFZ)
| | - Cleslei Fernando Zanelli
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail: (RMC); (CFZ)
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Amuasi JH, Lucas T, Horton R, Winkler AS. Reconnecting for our future: The Lancet One Health Commission. Lancet 2020; 395:1469-1471. [PMID: 32386579 PMCID: PMC7252112 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(20)31027-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John H Amuasi
- Global Health Department, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research Group, Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | | | | | - Andrea S Winkler
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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9
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Álvarez-Bardón M, Pérez-Pertejo Y, Ordóñez C, Sepúlveda-Crespo D, Carballeira NM, Tekwani BL, Murugesan S, Martinez-Valladares M, García-Estrada C, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R. Screening Marine Natural Products for New Drug Leads against Trypanosomatids and Malaria. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:E187. [PMID: 32244488 PMCID: PMC7230869 DOI: 10.3390/md18040187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) represent a serious threat to humans, especially for those living in poor or developing countries. Almost one-sixth of the world population is at risk of suffering from these diseases and many thousands die because of NTDs, to which we should add the sanitary, labor and social issues that hinder the economic development of these countries. Protozoan-borne diseases are responsible for more than one million deaths every year. Visceral leishmaniasis, Chagas disease or sleeping sickness are among the most lethal NTDs. Despite not being considered an NTD by the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria must be added to this sinister group. Malaria, caused by the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is responsible for thousands of deaths each year. The treatment of this disease has been losing effectiveness year after year. Many of the medicines currently in use are obsolete due to their gradual loss of efficacy, their intrinsic toxicity and the emergence of drug resistance or a lack of adherence to treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent and global need for new drugs. Despite this, the scant interest shown by most of the stakeholders involved in the pharmaceutical industry makes our present therapeutic arsenal scarce, and until recently, the search for new drugs has not been seriously addressed. The sources of new drugs for these and other pathologies include natural products, synthetic molecules or repurposing drugs. The most frequent sources of natural products are microorganisms, e.g., bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae and plants, which are able to synthesize many drugs that are currently in use (e.g. antimicrobials, antitumor, immunosuppressants, etc.). The marine environment is another well-established source of bioactive natural products, with recent applications against parasites, bacteria and other pathogens which affect humans and animals. Drug discovery techniques have rapidly advanced since the beginning of the millennium. The combination of novel techniques that include the genetic modification of pathogens, bioimaging and robotics has given rise to the standardization of High-Performance Screening platforms in the discovery of drugs. These advancements have accelerated the discovery of new chemical entities with antiparasitic effects. This review presents critical updates regarding the use of High-Throughput Screening (HTS) in the discovery of drugs for NTDs transmitted by protozoa, including malaria, and its application in the discovery of new drugs of marine origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Álvarez-Bardón
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
| | - César Ordóñez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Daniel Sepúlveda-Crespo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Nestor M. Carballeira
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras 00925-2537, San Juan, Puerto Rico;
| | - Babu L. Tekwani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Drug Discovery, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA;
| | - Sankaranarayanan Murugesan
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Campus, Vidya Vihar, Pilani 333031, India;
| | - Maria Martinez-Valladares
- Department of Animal Health, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain;
| | - Carlos García-Estrada
- INBIOTEC (Instituto de Biotecnología de León), Avda. Real 1-Parque Científico de León, 24006 León, Spain;
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
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Knafl D, Gerges C, King CH, Humbert M, Bustinduy AL. Schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: a systematic review. Eur Respir Rev 2020; 29:29/155/190089. [DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0089-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (Sch-PAH) is a life-threatening complication of chronic hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. It is suggested to be the leading cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) worldwide. However, pathophysiological data on Sch-PAH are scarce. We examined the hypothesis that there are pronounced similarities in pathophysiology, haemodynamics, and survival of Sch-PAH and idiopathic PAH (iPAH).This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in the PROSPERO database (identifier CRD42018104066). A systematic search and review of the literature was performed according to PRISMA guidelines for studies published between 01 January 1990 and 29 June 2018.For Sch-PAH, 18 studies evaluating pathophysiological mechanisms, eight studies on haemodynamics (n=277), and three studies on survival (n=191) were identified. 16 clinical registries reporting data on haemodynamics and survival including a total of 5792 patients with iPAH were included for comparison. Proinflammatory molecular pathways are involved in both Sch-PAH and iPAH. The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signalling pathway is upregulated in Sch-PAH and iPAH. While there was no difference in mean pulmonary artery pressure (54±17 mmHg versus 55±15 mmHg, p=0.29), cardiac output (4.4±1.3 L·min−1versus 4.1±1.4 L·min−1, p=0.046), and cardiac index (2.6±0.7 L·min−1·m−2versus 2.3±0.8 L·min−1·m−2, p<0.001) were significantly higher in Sch-PAH compared to iPAH, resulting in a lower pulmonary vascular resistance in Sch-PAH (10±6 Woods units versus 13±7 Woods units, p<0.001). 1- and 3-year survival were significantly better in the Sch-PAH group (p<0.001).Sch-PAH and iPAH share common pathophysiological mechanisms related to inflammation and the TGF-β signalling pathway. Patients with Sch-PAH show a significantly better haemodynamic profile and survival than patients with iPAH.
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