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Shmuel O, Rasti A, Zaknoun M, Astman N, Golan-Goldhirsh A, Sagi O, Gopas J. Anti- Leishmania major Properties of Nuphar lutea (Yellow Water Lily) Leaf Extracts and Purified 6,6' Dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN). Pathogens 2024; 13:384. [PMID: 38787236 PMCID: PMC11124111 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050384] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a zoonotic disease, manifested as chronic ulcers, potentially leaving unattractive scars. There is no preventive vaccination or optimal medication against leishmaniasis. Chemotherapy generally depends upon a small group of compounds, each with its own efficacy, toxicity, and rate of drug resistance. To date, no standardized, simple, safe, and highly effective regimen for treating CL exists. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new optimal medication for this disease. Sesquiterpen thio-alkaloids constitute a group of plant secondary metabolites that bear great potential for medicinal uses. The nupharidines found in Nuphar lutea belong to this group of compounds. We have previously published that Nuphar lutea semi-purified extract containing major components of nupharidines has strong anti-leishmanial activity in vitro. Here, we present in vivo data on the therapeutic benefit of the extract against Leishmania major (L. major) in infected mice. We also expanded these observations by establishing the therapeutic effect of the extract-purified nupharidine 6,6'-dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN) in vitro against promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes as well as in vivo in L. major-infected mice. The results suggest that this novel anti-parasitic small molecule has the potential to be further developed against Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orit Shmuel
- Shraga Segal Dept. of Microbiology Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel; (O.S.); (A.R.); (O.S.)
| | - Aviv Rasti
- Shraga Segal Dept. of Microbiology Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel; (O.S.); (A.R.); (O.S.)
| | - Melodie Zaknoun
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry & Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel;
| | - Nadav Astman
- Department of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Hashomer, Tel Aviv 39040, Israel;
| | - Avi Golan-Goldhirsh
- The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR), French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel;
| | - Orly Sagi
- Shraga Segal Dept. of Microbiology Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel; (O.S.); (A.R.); (O.S.)
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva 84101, Israel
| | - Jacob Gopas
- Shraga Segal Dept. of Microbiology Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel; (O.S.); (A.R.); (O.S.)
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Castro H, Rocha MI, Duarte M, Vilurbina J, Gomes-Alves AG, Leao T, Dias F, Morgan B, Deponte M, Tomás AM. The cytosolic hyperoxidation-sensitive and -robust Leishmania peroxiredoxins cPRX1 and cPRX2 are both dispensable for parasite infectivity. Redox Biol 2024; 71:103122. [PMID: 38490068 PMCID: PMC10955670 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103122] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Typical two-cysteine peroxiredoxins (2-Cys-PRXs) are H2O2-metabolizing enzymes whose activity relies on two cysteine residues. Protists of the family Trypanosomatidae invariably express one cytosolic 2-Cys-PRX (cPRX1). However, the Leishmaniinae sub-family features an additional isoform (cPRX2), almost identical to cPRX1, except for the lack of an elongated C-terminus with a Tyr-Phe (YF) motif. Previously, cytosolic PRXs were considered vital components of the trypanosomatid antioxidant machinery. Here, we shed new light on the properties, functions and relevance of cPRXs from the human pathogen Leishmania infantum. We show first that LicPRX1 is sensitive to inactivation by hyperoxidation, mirroring other YF-containing PRXs participating in redox signaling. Using genetic fusion constructs with roGFP2, we establish that LicPRX1 and LicPRX2 can act as sensors for H2O2 and oxidize protein thiols with implications for signal transduction. Third, we show that while disrupting the LicPRX-encoding genes increases susceptibility of L. infantum promastigotes to external H2O2in vitro, both enzymes are dispensable for the parasites to endure the macrophage respiratory burst, differentiate into amastigotes and initiate in vivo infections. This study introduces a novel perspective on the functions of trypanosomatid cPRXs, exposing their dual roles as both peroxidases and redox sensors. Furthermore, the discovery that Leishmania can adapt to the absence of both enzymes has significant implications for our understanding of Leishmania infections and their treatment. Importantly, it questions the conventional notion that the oxidative response of macrophages during phagocytosis is a major barrier to infection and the suitability of cPRXs as drug targets for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Castro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Inês Rocha
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Duarte
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jordi Vilurbina
- Fachbereich Chemie, Abteilung Biochemie, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Ana Georgina Gomes-Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Teresa Leao
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Dias
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruce Morgan
- Institut für Biochemie, Zentrum für Human und Molekularbiologie (ZHMB), Universität des Saarlandes, D-66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Marcel Deponte
- Fachbereich Chemie, Abteilung Biochemie, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Ana Maria Tomás
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
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Nawaz A, Priya B, Singh K, Ali V. Unveiling the role of serine o-acetyltransferase in drug resistance and oxidative stress tolerance in Leishmania donovani through the regulation of thiol-based redox metabolism. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 213:371-393. [PMID: 38272324 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the unique metabolic pathway of L. donovani is crucial for comprehending its biology under oxidative stress conditions. The de novo cysteine biosynthetic pathway of L. donovani is absent in humans and its product, cysteine regulates the downstream components of trypanothione-based thiol metabolism, important for maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. The role of serine o-acetyl transferase (SAT), the first enzyme of this pathway remains unexplored. In order to investigate the role of SAT protein, we cloned SAT gene into pXG-GFP+ vector for episomal expression of SAT in Amphotericin B sensitive L. donovani promastigotes. The SAT overexpression was confirmed by SAT enzymatic assay, GFP fluorescence, immunoblotting and PCR. Our study unveiled an upregulated expression of both LdSAT and LdCS of cysteine biosynthetic pathway and other downstream thiol pathway proteins in LdSAT-OE promastigotes. Additionally, there was an increase in enzymatic activities of LdSAT and LdCS proteins in LdSAT-OE, which was found similar to the Amp B resistant parasites, indicating a potential role of SAT protein in modulating drug resistance. We observed that the overexpression of SAT in Amp B sensitive parasites increases tolerance to drug pressure and oxidative stress via trypanothione-dependent antioxidant mechanism. Moreover, the in vitro J774A.1 macrophage infectivity assessment showed that SAT overexpression augments parasite infectivity. In LdSAT-OE promastigotes, antioxidant enzyme activities like APx and SOD were upregulated, intracellular reactive oxygen species were reduced with a corresponding increase in thiol level, emphasizing SAT's role in stress tolerance and enhanced infectivity. Additionally, the ROS mediated upregulation in the expression of LdSAT, LdCS, LdTryS and LdcTXNPx proteins reveals an essential cross talk between SAT and proteins of thiol metabolism in combating oxidative stress and maintaining redox homeostasis. Taken together, our results provide the first insight into the role of SAT protein in parasite infectivity and survival under drug pressure and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afreen Nawaz
- ICMR - Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, 800007, India
| | - Bhawna Priya
- ICMR - Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, 800007, India
| | - Kuljit Singh
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India
| | - Vahab Ali
- ICMR - Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, 800007, India.
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Pal R, Teli G, Akhtar MJ, Matada GSP. Synthetic product-based approach toward potential antileishmanial drug development. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 263:115927. [PMID: 37976706 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115927] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease and is categorized as a tropically neglected disease (NTD) with no effective vaccines available. The available chemotherapeutics against leishmaniasis are associated with an increase in the incidence of toxicity and drug resistance. Consequently, targeting metabolic pathways and enzymes of parasites which differs from the mammalian host can be exploited to treat and overcome the resistance. The classical methods of identifying the structural fragments and the moieties responsible for the biological activities from the standard compounds and their modification are options for developing more effective novel compounds. Significant progress has been made in refining the development of potent non-toxic molecules and addressing the limitations of the current treatment available. Several examples of synthetic product-based approach utilizing their core heterocyclic rings including furan, pyrrole, thiazole, imidazole, pyrazole, triazole, quinazoline, quinoline, pyrimidine, coumarin, indole, acridine, oxadiazole, purine, chalcone, carboline, phenanthrene and metal containing derivatives and their structure-activity relationships are discussed in this review. It also analyses the groups/fragments interacting with the host cell receptors and will support the medicinal chemists with novel antileishmanial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Pal
- Integrated Drug Discovery Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Acharya & BM Reddy College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru, 560107, Karnataka, India
| | - Ghanshyam Teli
- School of Pharmacy, Sangam University, Atoon, Bhilwara, 311001, Rajasthan, India
| | - Md Jawaid Akhtar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Science and Technology, PO 620, PC 130, Azaiba Bousher, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Gurubasavaraja Swamy Purawarga Matada
- Integrated Drug Discovery Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Acharya & BM Reddy College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru, 560107, Karnataka, India.
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Dutra Barroso Gomes N, Paula Magalhães E, Rodrigues Ribeiro L, Cavalcante JW, Morais Gomes Maia M, Cunha da Silva FR, Ali A, Machado Marinho M, Silva Marinho E, Silva Dos Santos H, Costa Martins AM, Róseo Paula Pessoa Bezerra de Menezes R. Trypanocidal potential of synthetic p-aminochalcones: In silico and in vitro evaluation. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106931. [PMID: 37879182 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106931] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical disease of worldwide health concern, caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), endemic in Latin America and present in North America and Europe. The WHO recommended drug for CD, benznidazole has low safety profile and several limitations. Therefore, an entity with better therapeutic potential to treat CD is required. Chalcones are an important class of compounds, which have shown antichagasic potential. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the activity of synthetic p-aminochalcones against T. cruzi. Chalcones 1 and 2 were synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt condensation and characterized by both spectroscopic and theoretical methods. Initially, they were submitted to molecular docking simulations using cruzain and trypanothione reductase (TR) enzymes. It was expected to observe the possible interactions of chalcones with the catalytic site and other important regions of these main pharmacological targets of T. cruzi. Their cytotoxicity within host cells were assessed by MTT reduction assay using LLC-MK2 cells, with CC50 = 85.6 ± 9.2 µM and 1115 ± 381.7 µM for chalcones 1 and 2, respectively. These molecules were also tested against epimastigote and trypomastigote life forms of T. cruzi, causing reduction in the number of viable parasites. For the evaluation of the effect on intracellular amastigotes, infected LLC-MK2 cells were incubated with the chalcones for 24 h, causing reduction in the percentage of infected cells and the number of amastigotes/100 cells. Finally, flow cytometry assays were performed for analyzing cell death mechanisms (7-AAD/AxPE labelling), cytoplasmic ROS accumulation (DCFH-DA assay) and mitochondrial transmembrane potential disruption (Rho123 assay). Both chalcones (1 and 2) caused membrane damage, ROS accumulation and mitochondrial depolarization. In conclusion, the synthetic p-aminochalcones presented trypanocidal effect, causing membrane damage and oxidative stress. Their mechanism of action may be related to cruzain and TR inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emanuel Paula Magalhães
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Lyanna Rodrigues Ribeiro
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Arif Ali
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Márcia Machado Marinho
- Theoretical and Eletrochemical Chemistry Research Group, State University of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte, CE, Brazil; State University of Vale do Acaraú, Center for Exact Sciences and Technology, Sobral, CE, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel Silva Marinho
- Theoretical and Eletrochemical Chemistry Research Group, State University of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte, CE, Brazil
| | - Hélcio Silva Dos Santos
- State University of Vale do Acaraú, Center for Exact Sciences and Technology, Sobral, CE, Brazil
| | - Alice Maria Costa Martins
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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Pal R, Teli G, Akhtar MJ, Matada GSP. The role of natural anti-parasitic guided development of synthetic drugs for leishmaniasis. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115609. [PMID: 37421889 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115609] [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: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease and categorised as a neglected tropical disease (NTD). Each year, between 70,0000 and 1 million new cases are believed to occur. There are approximately 90 sandfly species which can spread the Leishmania parasites (over 20 species) causing 20,000 to 30,000 death per year. Currently, leishmaniasis has no specific therapeutic treatment available. The prescribed drugs with several drawbacks including high cost, challenging administration, toxicity, and drug resistance led to search for the alternative treatment with less toxicity and selectivity. Introducing the molecular features like that of phytoconstituents for the search of compounds with less toxicity is another promising approach. The current review classifies the synthetic compounds according to the core rings present in the natural phytochemicals for the development of antileishmanial agents (2020-2022). Considering the toxicity and limitations of synthetic analogues, natural compounds are at the higher notch in terms of effectiveness and safety. Synthesized compounds of chalcones (Compound 8; IC50: 0.03 μM, 4.7 folds more potent than Amphotericin B; IC50: 0.14 μM), pyrimidine (compound 56; against L. tropica; 0.04 μM and L. infantum; 0.042 μM as compared to glucantime: L. tropica; 8.17 μM and L. infantum; 8.42 μM), quinazoline and (compound 72; 0.021 μM, 150 times more potent than miltefosine). The targeted delivery against DHFR have been demonstrated by one of the pyrimidine compounds 62 with an IC50 value of 0.10 μM against L. major as compared to the standard trimethoprim (IC50: 20 μM). The review covers the medicinal importance of antileishmanial agents from synthetic and natural sources such as chalcone, pyrazole, coumarins, steroids, and alkaloidal-containing drugs (indole, quinolines, pyridine, pyrimidine, carbolines, pyrrole, aurones, and quinazolines). The efforts of introducing the core rings present in the natural phytoconstituents as antileishmanial in the synthetic compounds are discussed with their structural activity relationship. The perspective will support the medicinal chemists in refining and directing the development of novel molecules phytochemicals-based antileishmanial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Pal
- Integrated Drug Discovery Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Acharya & BM Reddy College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru, 560107, Karnataka, India.
| | - Ghanshyam Teli
- Integrated Drug Discovery Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Acharya & BM Reddy College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru, 560107, Karnataka, India.
| | - Md Jawaid Akhtar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Science and Technology, PO 620, PC 130, Azaiba Bousher, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Gurubasavaraja Swamy Purawarga Matada
- Integrated Drug Discovery Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Acharya & BM Reddy College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru, 560107, Karnataka, India.
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Santos TAC, Silva KP, Souza GB, Alves PB, Menna-Barreto RFS, Scher R, Fernandes RPM. Chalcone Derivative Induces Flagellar Disruption and Autophagic Phenotype in Phytomonas serpens In Vitro. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030423. [PMID: 36986345 PMCID: PMC10051746 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytomonas serpens is a trypanosomatid phytoparasite, found in a great variety of species, including tomato plants. It is a significant problem for agriculture, causing high economic loss. In order to reduce the vegetal infections, different strategies have been used. The biological activity of molecules obtained from natural sources has been widely investigated to treat trypanosomatids infections. Among these compounds, chalcones have been shown to have anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory effects, being described as having a remarkable activity on trypanosomatids, especially in Leishmania species. Here, we evaluated the antiprotozoal activity of the chalcone derivative (NaF) on P. serpens promastigotes, while also assessing its mechanism of action. The results showed that treatment with the derivative NaF for 24 h promotes an important reduction in the parasite proliferation (IC50/24 h = 23.6 ± 4.6 µM). At IC50/24 h concentration, the compound induced an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and a shortening of the unique flagellum of the parasites. Electron microscopy evaluation reinforced the flagellar phenotype in treated promastigotes, and a dilated flagellar pocket was frequently observed. The treatment also promoted a prominent autophagic phenotype. An increased number of autophagosomes were detected, presenting different levels of cargo degradation, endoplasmic reticulum profiles surrounding different cellular structures, and the presence of concentric membranar structures inside the mitochondrion. Chalcone derivatives may present an opportunity to develop a treatment for the P. serpens infection, as they are easy to synthesize and are low in cost. In order to develop a new product, further studies are still necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamiris A. C. Santos
- Laboratório de Enzimologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agricultura e Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil
| | - Kleiton P. Silva
- Laboratório de Enzimologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agricultura e Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil
| | - Gabriella B. Souza
- Laboratório de Química, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil
| | - Péricles B. Alves
- Laboratório de Química, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil
| | - Rubem F. S. Menna-Barreto
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
- Correspondence: (R.F.S.M.-B.); (R.P.M.F.)
| | - Ricardo Scher
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agricultura e Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Imunologia do Câncer e Leishmania, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil
| | - Roberta P. M. Fernandes
- Laboratório de Enzimologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agricultura e Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil
- Correspondence: (R.F.S.M.-B.); (R.P.M.F.)
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In Vivo Safety and Efficacy of Chalcone-Loaded Microparticles with Modified Polymeric Matrix against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010051. [PMID: 36678680 PMCID: PMC9864040 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010051] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Current chemotherapy of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is based on repeated systemic or intralesional administration of drugs that often cause severe toxicity. Previously, we demonstrated the therapeutic potential of biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles (MPs) loaded with 8% of the nitrochalcone CH8 (CH8/PLGA) prepared by a conventional bench method. Aiming at an industrially scalable process and increased drug loading, new MPs were prepared by spray drying: CH8/PDE with PLGA matrix and CH8/PVDE with PLGA + polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) matrix, both with narrower size distribution and higher drug loading (18%) than CH8/PLGA. Animal studies were conducted to evaluate their clinical feasibility. Both MP types induced transient local swelling and inflammation, peaking at 1−2 days, following a single intralesional injection. Different from CH8/PDE that released 90% of the drug in the ear tissue in 60 days, CH8/PVDE achieved that in 30 days. The therapeutic efficacy of a single intralesional injection was evaluated in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and golden hamsters infected with L. (Viannia) braziliensis. CH8/PVDE promoted greater reduction in parasite burden than CH8/PDE or CH8/PLGA, measured at one month and two months after the treatment. Thus, addition of PVP to PLGA MP matrix accelerates drug release in vivo and increases its therapeutic effect against CL.
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de Santiago-Silva KM, Bortoleti BTDS, Oliveira LDN, Maia FLDA, Castro JC, Costa IC, Lazarin DB, Wardell JL, Wardell SMSV, Albuquerque MG, Lima CHDS, Pavanelli WR, Bispo MDLF, Gonçalves RSB. Antileishmanial Activity of 4,8-Dimethoxynaphthalenyl Chalcones on Leishmania amazonensis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11101402. [PMID: 36290060 PMCID: PMC9598561 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11101402] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania species. Available therapeutic options have several limitations. The drive to develop new, more potent, and selective antileishmanial agents is thus a major goal. Herein we report the synthesis and the biological activity evaluation against promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis of nine 4,8-dimethoxynaphthalenyl chalcones. Compound ((E)-1-(4,8-dimethoxynaphthalen-1-yl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one), 4f, was the most promising with an IC50 = 3.3 ± 0.34 μM (promastigotes), a low cytotoxicity profile (CC50 = 372.9 ± 0.04 μM), and a high selectivity index (SI = 112.6). Furthermore, 4f induced several morphological and ultrastructural changes in the free promastigote forms, loss of plasma membrane integrity, and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). An in silico analysis of drug-likeness and ADME parameters suggested high oral bioavailability and intestinal absorption. Compound 4f reduced the number of infected macrophages and the number of amastigotes per macrophage, with an IC50 value of 18.5 ± 1.19 μM. Molecular docking studies with targets, ARG and TR, showed that compound 4f had more hydrogen bond interactions with the ARG enzyme, indicating a more stable protein-ligand binding. These results suggest that 4,8-dimethoxynaphthalenyl chalcones are worthy of further study as potential antileishmanial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaio Maciel de Santiago-Silva
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais (LaSMMed), Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
| | - Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia das Doenças Negligenciadas e Câncer (LIDNC), Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências e Biotecnologia, Instituto Carlos Chagas (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
| | | | | | - Joyce Cristina Castro
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ivete Conchon Costa
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia das Doenças Negligenciadas e Câncer (LIDNC), Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
| | - Danielle Bidóia Lazarin
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia das Doenças Negligenciadas e Câncer (LIDNC), Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
| | - James L. Wardell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Meston Walk, Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Magaly Girão Albuquerque
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Wander Rogério Pavanelli
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia das Doenças Negligenciadas e Câncer (LIDNC), Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
| | - Marcelle de Lima Ferreira Bispo
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais (LaSMMed), Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
- Correspondence: (M.d.L.F.B.); (R.S.B.G.); Tel.: +55-43-33714810 (M.d.L.F.B.)
| | - Raoni Schroeder B. Gonçalves
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
- Correspondence: (M.d.L.F.B.); (R.S.B.G.); Tel.: +55-43-33714810 (M.d.L.F.B.)
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10
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Elkanzi NAA, Hrichi H, Alolayan RA, Derafa W, Zahou FM, Bakr RB. Synthesis of Chalcones Derivatives and Their Biological Activities: A Review. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:27769-27786. [PMID: 35990442 PMCID: PMC9386807 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Chalcone derivatives are considered valuable species because they possess a ketoethylenic moiety, CO-CH=CH-. Due to the presence of a reactive α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group, chalcones and their derivatives possess a wide spectrum of antiproliferative, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antileishmanial, and antimalarial pharmacological properties. Recent developments in heterocyclic chemistry have led to the synthesis of chalcone derivatives, which had been biologically investigated toward certain disease targets. The major aspect of this review is to present the most recent synthesis of chalcones bearing N, O, and/or S heterocycles, revealing their biological potential during the past decade (2010-2021). Based on a review of the literature, many chalcone-heterocycle hybrids appear to exhibit promise as future drug candidates owing to their similar or superior activities compared to those of the standards. Thus, this review may prove to be beneficial for the development and design of new potent therapeutic drugs based on previously developed strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia A. A. Elkanzi
- Chemistry
Department, College of Science, Jouf University, Sakaka 2014, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hajer Hrichi
- Chemistry
Department, College of Science, Jouf University, Sakaka 2014, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ruba A. Alolayan
- Chemistry
Department, College of Science, Jouf University, Sakaka 2014, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wassila Derafa
- Chemistry
Department, College of Science, Jouf University, Sakaka 2014, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatin M. Zahou
- Biology
Department, College of Science, Jouf University, Sakaka 2014, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rania B. Bakr
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
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11
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Ali V, Behera S, Nawaz A, Equbal A, Pandey K. Unique thiol metabolism in trypanosomatids: Redox homeostasis and drug resistance. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2022; 117:75-155. [PMID: 35878950 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are mainly responsible for heterogeneous parasitic diseases: Leishmaniasis, Sleeping sickness, and Chagas disease and control of these diseases implicates serious challenges due to the emergence of drug resistance. Redox-active biomolecules are the endogenous substances in organisms, which play important role in the regulation of redox homeostasis. The redox-active substances like glutathione, trypanothione, cysteine, cysteine persulfides, etc., and other inorganic intermediates (hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide) are very useful as defence mechanism. In the present review, the suitability of trypanothione and other essential thiol molecules of trypanosomatids as drug targets are described in Leishmania and Trypanosoma. We have explored the role of tryparedoxin, tryparedoxin peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glutaredoxins in the anti-oxidant mechanism and drug resistance. Up-regulation of some proteins in trypanothione metabolism helps the parasites in survival against drug pressure (sodium stibogluconate, Amphotericin B, etc.) and oxidative stress. These molecules accept electrons from the reduced trypanothione and donate their electrons to other proteins, and these proteins reduce toxic molecules, neutralize reactive oxygen, or nitrogen species; and help parasites to cope with oxidative stress. Thus, a better understanding of the role of these molecules in drug resistance and redox homeostasis will help to target metabolic pathway proteins to combat Leishmaniasis and trypanosomiases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahab Ali
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, India.
| | - Sachidananda Behera
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Afreen Nawaz
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Asif Equbal
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, India; Department of Botany, Araria College, Purnea University, Purnia, Bihar, India
| | - Krishna Pandey
- Department of Clinical Medicine, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, India
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12
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Batista AS, Oliveira SDS, Pomel S, Commere PH, Mazan V, Lee M, Loiseau PM, Rossi-Bergmann B, Prina E, Duval R. Targeting chalcone binding sites in living Leishmania using a reversible fluorogenic benzochalcone probe. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 149:112784. [PMID: 35299122 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112784] [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: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chalcones (1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-ones) either natural or synthetic have a plethora of biological properties including antileishmanial activities, but their development as drugs is hampered by their largely unknown mechanisms of action. We demonstrate herein that our previously described benzochalcone fluorogenic probe (HAB) could be imaged by fluorescence microscopy in live Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes where it targeted the parasite acidocalcisomes, lysosomes and the mitochondrion. As in the live zebrafish model, HAB formed yellow-emitting fluorescent complexes when associated with biological targets in Leishmania. Further, we used HAB as a reversible probe to study the binding of a portfolio of diverse chalcones and analogues in live promastigotes, using a combination of competitive flow cytometry analysis and cell microscopy. This pharmacological evaluation suggested that the binding of HAB in promastigotes was representative of chalcone pharmacology in Leishmania, with certain exogenous chalcones exhibiting competitive inhibition (ca. 20-30%) towards HAB whereas non-chalconic inhibitors showed weak capacity (ca. 3-5%) to block the probe intracellular binding. However, this methodology was restricted by the strong toxicity of several competing chalcones at high concentration, in conjunction with the limited sensitivity of the HAB fluorophore. This advocates for further optimization of this undirect target detection strategy using pharmacophore-derived reversible fluorescent probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane S Batista
- Nanotechnology Engineering Program, Instituto Alberto Luiz Coimbra de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa de Engenharia - COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-972, Brazil
| | | | - Sébastien Pomel
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | | | - Valérie Mazan
- Université de Strasbourg, Université de Haute-Alsace, CNRS, LIMA, UMR 7042, ECPM, 25 Rue Becquerel, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Moses Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta 30303, USA
| | | | - Bartira Rossi-Bergmann
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal de Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eric Prina
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, INSERM U1201, Paris, France
| | - Romain Duval
- Université de Paris, IRD, MERIT, F-75006 Paris, France.
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13
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Total Synthesis of the Natural Chalcone Lophirone E, Synthetic Studies toward Benzofuran and Indole-Based Analogues, and Investigation of Anti-Leishmanial Activity. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27020463. [PMID: 35056779 PMCID: PMC8778746 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential of natural and synthetic chalcones as therapeutic leads against different pathological conditions has been investigated for several years, and this class of compounds emerged as a privileged chemotype due to its interesting anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer properties. The objective of our study was to contribute to the investigation of this class of natural products as anti-leishmanial agents. We aimed at investigating the structure–activity relationships of the natural chalcone lophirone E, characterized by the presence of benzofuran B-ring, and analogues on anti-leishmania activity. Here we describe an effective synthetic strategy for the preparation of the natural chalcone lophirone E and its application to the synthesis of a small set of chalcones bearing different substitution patterns at both the A and heterocyclic B rings. The resulting compounds were investigated for their activity against Leishmania infantum promastigotes disclosing derivatives 1 and 28a,b as those endowed with the most interesting activities (IC50 = 15.3, 27.2, 15.9 μM, respectively). The synthetic approaches here described and the early SAR investigations highlighted the potential of this class of compounds as antiparasitic hits, making this study worthy of further investigation.
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