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de Souza AS, Ribeiro RCB, Costa DCS, Pauli FP, Pinho DR, de Moraes MG, da Silva FDC, Forezi LDSM, Ferreira VF. Menadione: a platform and a target to valuable compounds synthesis. Beilstein J Org Chem 2022; 18:381-419. [PMID: 35529893 PMCID: PMC9039524 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.18.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Naphthoquinones are important natural or synthetic compounds belonging to the general class of quinones. Many compounds in this class have become drugs that are on the pharmaceutical market for the treatment of various diseases. A special naphthoquinone derivative is menadione, a synthetic naphthoquinone belonging to the vitamin K group. This compound can be synthesized by different methods and it has a broad range of biological and synthetic applications, which will be highlighted in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Acácio S de Souza
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, R. Dr. Mario Vianna, 523, Santa Rosa, CEP 24241-002, Niterói-RJ, Brazil
| | - Ruan Carlos B Ribeiro
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, R. Dr. Mario Vianna, 523, Santa Rosa, CEP 24241-002, Niterói-RJ, Brazil
| | - Dora C S Costa
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernanda P Pauli
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, 24020-150 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - David R Pinho
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, 24020-150 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Matheus G de Moraes
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, 24020-150 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernando de C da Silva
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, 24020-150 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luana da S M Forezi
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, 24020-150 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Vitor F Ferreira
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, R. Dr. Mario Vianna, 523, Santa Rosa, CEP 24241-002, Niterói-RJ, Brazil
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2
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The ubiquinone synthesis pathway is a promising drug target for Chagas disease. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0243855. [PMID: 33539347 PMCID: PMC7861437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). It was originally a Latin American endemic health problem, but now is expanding worldwide as a result of increasing migration. The currently available drugs for Chagas disease, benznidazole and nifurtimox, provoke severe adverse effects, and thus the development of new drugs is urgently required. Ubiquinone (UQ) is essential for respiratory chain and redox balance in trypanosomatid protozoans, therefore we aimed to provide evidence that inhibitors of the UQ biosynthesis have trypanocidal activities. In this study, inhibitors of the human COQ7, a key enzyme of the UQ synthesis, were tested for their trypanocidal activities because they were expected to cross-react and inhibit trypanosomal COQ7 due to their genetic homology. We show the trypanocidal activity of a newly found human COQ7 inhibitor, an oxazinoquinoline derivative. The structurally similar compounds were selected from the commercially available compounds by 2D and 3D ligand-based similarity searches. Among 38 compounds selected, 12 compounds with the oxazinoquinoline structure inhibited significantly the growth of epimastigotes of T. cruzi. The most effective 3 compounds also showed the significant antitrypanosomal activity against the mammalian stage of T. cruzi at lower concentrations than benznidazole, a commonly used drug today. We found that epimastigotes treated with the inhibitor contained reduced levels of UQ9. Further, the growth of epimastigotes treated with the inhibitors was partially rescued by UQ10 supplementation to the culture medium. These results suggest that the antitrypanosomal mechanism of the oxazinoquinoline derivatives results from inhibition of the trypanosomal UQ synthesis leading to a shortage of the UQ pool. Our data indicate that the UQ synthesis pathway of T. cruzi is a promising drug target for Chagas disease.
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Ivanova D, Yaneva Z, R. Bakalova RB, Semkova S, Zhelev Z. The antimalaria drug artemisinin displays strong cytotoxic effect on leukaemia lymphocytes in combination with vitamin C and pro-vitamin K3. BULGARIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.2019-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the anticancer effect of the anti-parasitic drug artemisinin in combination with two redox modulators: vitamin C and pro-vitamin K3 (C/K3) The experiments were conducted on leukaemia cells Jurkat. Cells were treated with either artemisinin or C/K3 alone and with all three compounds. Cell proliferation and viability were analysed using trypan blue stating and automated cell counting. The results showed that artemisinin (>10 mM) suppressed cell proliferation activity, but did not induce cell death up to 500 mM. The drug demonstrated a clear cytostatic effect at concentrations 250- 500 mM – Jurkat cells did not proliferate, but were alive. The combination C/K3 (200:2, 300:3 mM/mM) applied alone did not affect cell proliferation and viability. Vitamins C/K3 in concentration ratio 500:5 (μM/mM) decreased cell proliferation activity by ~10%. The triple combination artemisinin/C/K3 manifested synergistic anti-proliferative effects at all concentration ratios analysed. This synergistic effect increased with increasing C/K3 concentration. Based on literature data, it was assumed that the anti-proliferative effect of the triple combination was mediated by changes in the redox-homeostasis of cancer cells. The C/K3 redox system likely acted on cancer mitochondria and increased superoxide production and activation of pro-apoptotic signals, specific for cancer cells. On the other hand, artemisinin could generate hydroxyl radicals as a result of activation of Fenton reactions, depleting intracellular reducing equivalents. Both redox mechanisms lead to activation of signal pathways for induction of cancer cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Ivanova
- Department of Pharmacology, Animal Physiology and Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Z. Yaneva
- Department of Pharmacology, Animal Physiology and Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - R. Bakalova R. Bakalova
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS)
| | - S. Semkova
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Zh. Zhelev
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
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Selective Targeting of Cancerous Mitochondria and Suppression of Tumor Growth Using Redox-Active Treatment Adjuvant. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:6212935. [PMID: 33204397 PMCID: PMC7652615 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6212935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Redox-active substances and their combinations, such as of quinone/ascorbate and in particular menadione/ascorbate (M/A; also named Apatone®), attract attention with their unusual ability to kill cancer cells without affecting the viability of normal cells as well as with the synergistic anticancer effect of both molecules. So far, the primary mechanism of M/A-mediated anticancer effects has not been linked to the mitochondria. The aim of our study was to clarify whether this “combination drug” affects mitochondrial functionality specifically in cancer cells. Studies were conducted on cancer cells (Jurkat, Colon26, and MCF7) and normal cells (normal lymphocytes, FHC, and MCF10A), treated with different concentrations of menadione, ascorbate, and/or their combination (2/200, 3/300, 5/500, 10/1000, and 20/2000 μM/μM of M/A). M/A exhibited highly specific and synergistic suppression on cancer cell growth but without adversely affecting the viability of normal cells at pharmacologically attainable concentrations. In M/A-treated cancer cells, the cytostatic/cytotoxic effect is accompanied by (i) extremely high production of mitochondrial superoxide (up to 15-fold over the control level), (ii) a significant decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, (iii) a decrease of the steady-state levels of ATP, succinate, NADH, and NAD+, and (iv) a decreased expression of programed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)—one of the major immune checkpoints. These effects were dose dependent. The inhibition of NQO1 by dicoumarol increased mitochondrial superoxide and sensitized cancer cells to M/A. In normal cells, M/A induced relatively low and dose-independent increase of mitochondrial superoxide and mild oxidative stress, which seems to be well tolerated. These data suggest that all anticancer effects of M/A result from a specific mechanism, tightly connected to the mitochondria of cancer cells. At low/tolerable doses of M/A (1/100-3/300 μM/μM) attainable in cancer by oral and parenteral administration, M/A sensitized cancer cells to conventional anticancer drugs, exhibiting synergistic or additive cytotoxicity accompanied by impressive induction of apoptosis. Combinations of M/A with 13 anticancer drugs were investigated (ABT-737, barasertib, bleomycin, BEZ-235, bortezomib, cisplatin, everolimus, lomustine, lonafarnib, MG-132, MLN-2238, palbociclib, and PI-103). Low/tolerable doses of M/A did not induce irreversible cytotoxicity in cancer cells but did cause irreversible metabolic changes, including: (i) a decrease of succinate and NADH, (ii) depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, and (iii) overproduction of superoxide in the mitochondria of cancer cells only. In addition, M/A suppressed tumor growth in vivo after oral administration in mice with melanoma and the drug downregulated PD-L1 in melanoma cells. Experimental data suggest a great potential for beneficial anticancer effects of M/A through increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to conventional anticancer therapy, as well as to the immune system, while sparing normal cells. We hypothesize that M/A-mediated anticancer effects are triggered by redox cycling of both substances, specifically within dysfunctional mitochondria. M/A may also have a beneficial effect on the immune system, making cancer cells “visible” and more vulnerable to the native immune response.
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Ricci MF, Béla SR, Moraes MM, Bahia MT, Mazzeti AL, Oliveira ACS, Andrade LO, Radí R, Piacenza L, Arantes RME. Neuronal Parasitism, Early Myenteric Neurons Depopulation and Continuous Axonal Networking Damage as Underlying Mechanisms of the Experimental Intestinal Chagas' Disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:583899. [PMID: 33178632 PMCID: PMC7597600 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.583899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing consensus that the balance between the persistence of infection and the host immune response is crucial for chronification of Chagas heart disease. Extrapolation for chagasic megacolon is hampered because research in humans and animal models that reproduce intestinal pathology is lacking. The parasite-host relationship and its consequence to the disease are not well-known. Our model describes the temporal changes in the mice intestine wall throughout the infection, parasitism, and the development of megacolon. It also presents the consequence of the infection of primary myenteric neurons in culture with Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Oxidative neuronal damage, involving reactive nitrogen species induced by parasite infection and cytokine production, results in the denervation of the myenteric ganglia in the acute phase. The long-term inflammation induced by the parasite's DNA causes intramuscular axonal damage, smooth muscle hypertrophy, and inconsistent innervation, affecting contractility. Acute phase neuronal loss may be irreversible. However, the dynamics of the damages revealed herein indicate that neuroprotection interventions in acute and chronic phases may help to eradicate the parasite and control the inflammatory-induced increase of the intestinal wall thickness and axonal loss. Our model is a powerful approach to integrate the acute and chronic events triggered by T. cruzi, leading to megacolon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Fernanda Ricci
- Departament of Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Samantha Ribeiro Béla
- Departament of Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Departament of Biological and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Michele Macedo Moraes
- Departament of Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maria Terezinha Bahia
- Departament of Biological and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Ana Lia Mazzeti
- Departament of Biological and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rafael Radí
- Departament of Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Center for Free Radical and Biomedical Research, Universidad de La Republica Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Piacenza
- Departament of Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Center for Free Radical and Biomedical Research, Universidad de La Republica Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Sánchez-Villamil JP, Bautista-Niño PK, Serrano NC, Rincon MY, Garg NJ. Potential Role of Antioxidants as Adjunctive Therapy in Chagas Disease. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:9081813. [PMID: 32308809 PMCID: PMC7136780 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9081813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases in the American continent. Host-derived nitroxidative stress in response to Trypanosoma cruzi infection can induce tissue damage contributing to the progression of Chagas disease. Antioxidant supplementation has been suggested as adjuvant therapy to current treatment. In this article, we synthesize and discuss the current evidence regarding the use of antioxidants as adjunctive compounds to fight harmful reactive oxygen species and lower the tissue oxidative damage during progression of chronic Chagas disease. Several antioxidants evaluated in recent studies have shown potential benefits for the control of oxidative stress in the host's tissues. Melatonin, resveratrol, the combination of vitamin C/vitamin E (vitC/vitE) or curcumin/benznidazole, and mitochondria-targeted antioxidants seem to be beneficial in reducing plasma and cardiac levels of lipid peroxidation products. Nevertheless, further research is needed to validate beneficial effects of antioxidant therapies in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juana P. Sánchez-Villamil
- Translational Biomedical Research Group, Centro de Investigaciones, Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia, Santander, Colombia
- Faculty of Basic Sciences, Universidad Antonio Nariño, Santander, Colombia
| | - Paula K. Bautista-Niño
- Translational Biomedical Research Group, Centro de Investigaciones, Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia, Santander, Colombia
| | - Norma C. Serrano
- Translational Biomedical Research Group, Centro de Investigaciones, Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia, Santander, Colombia
| | - Melvin Y. Rincon
- Translational Biomedical Research Group, Centro de Investigaciones, Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia, Santander, Colombia
| | - Nisha J. Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Mesías AC, Garg NJ, Zago MP. Redox Balance Keepers and Possible Cell Functions Managed by Redox Homeostasis in Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:435. [PMID: 31921709 PMCID: PMC6932984 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The toxicity of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species appears to be merely the tip of the iceberg in the world of redox homeostasis. Now, oxidative stress can be seen as a two-sided process; at high concentrations, it causes damage to biomolecules, and thus, trypanosomes have evolved a strong antioxidant defense system to cope with these stressors. At low concentrations, oxidants are essential for cell signaling, and in fact, the oxidants/antioxidants balance may be able to trigger different cell fates. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the current knowledge of the oxidant environment experienced by T. cruzi along the different phases of its life cycle, and the molecular tools exploited by this pathogen to deal with oxidative stress, for better or worse. Further, we discuss the possible redox-regulated processes that could be governed by this oxidative context. Most of the current research has addressed the importance of the trypanosomes' antioxidant network based on its detox activity of harmful species; however, new efforts are necessary to highlight other functions of this network and the mechanisms underlying the fine regulation of the defense machinery, as this represents a master key to hinder crucial pathogen functions. Understanding the relevance of this balance keeper program in parasite biology will give us new perspectives to delineate improved treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Mesías
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - M Paola Zago
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
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Aguilera E, Alvarez G, Cerecetto H, González M. Polypharmacology in the Treatment of Chagas Disease. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:4476-4489. [PMID: 29637852 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180410101728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The current treatment of Chagas disease is based on monopharmacology where the used drugs have limited efficacy and severe side effects. In order to overcome these limitations, some tools have been described including the development or isolation of new drugs, drug repositioning, and polypharmacology. Here, we review the polypharmacology strategy where compounds belonging to different structural chemotypes were combined in order to affect different biochemical pathways of T. cruzi parasite. Therefore ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, cardiac dysfunction drugs, trypanothione reductase inhibitors, vitamins, between others, were combined looking for new anti-Chagas treatment. Natural products were also used in the application of this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Aguilera
- Grupo de Quimica Medicinal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Guzmán Alvarez
- Grupo de Quimica Medicinal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Paysandú, Uruguay
| | - Hugo Cerecetto
- Grupo de Quimica Medicinal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Area de Radiofarmacia, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mercedes González
- Grupo de Quimica Medicinal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Kim M, Basharat A, Santosh R, Mehdi SF, Razvi Z, Yoo SK, Lowell B, Kumar A, Brima W, Danoff A, Dankner R, Bergman M, Pavlov VA, Yang H, Roth J. Reuniting overnutrition and undernutrition, macronutrients, and micronutrients. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2019; 35:e3072. [PMID: 30171821 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.3072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Over-nutrition and its late consequences are a dominant theme in medicine today. In addition to the health hazards brought on by over-nutrition, the medical community has recently accumulated a roster of health benefits with obesity, grouped under "obesity paradox." Throughout the world and throughout history until the 20th century, under-nutrition was a dominant evolutionary force. Under-nutrition brings with it a mix of benefits and detriments that are opposite to and continuous with those of over-nutrition. This continuum yields J-shaped or U-shaped curves relating body mass index to mortality. The overweight have an elevated risk of dying in middle age of degenerative diseases while the underweight are at increased risk of premature death from infectious conditions. Micronutrient deficiencies, major concerns of nutritional science in the 20th century, are being neglected. This "hidden hunger" is now surprisingly prevalent in all weight groups, even among the overweight. Because micronutrient replacement is safe, inexpensive, and predictably effective, it is now an exceptionally attractive target for therapy across the spectrum of weight and age. Nutrition-related conditions worthy of special attention from caregivers include excess vitamin A, excess vitamin D, and deficiency of magnesium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miji Kim
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
| | - Anam Basharat
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
| | - Ramchandani Santosh
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
| | - Syed F Mehdi
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
| | - Zanali Razvi
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
| | - Sun K Yoo
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
| | - Barbara Lowell
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
| | - Amrat Kumar
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
| | - Wunnie Brima
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Ann Danoff
- Department of Medicine, Cpl. Michael J Crescenz Veterans Administration Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel Dankner
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michael Bergman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valentin A Pavlov
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
- Center for Biomedical Science and Center for Bioelectric Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
| | - Huan Yang
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
- Center for Biomedical Science and Center for Bioelectric Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
| | - Jesse Roth
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Disorders, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
- Center for Biomedical Science and Center for Bioelectric Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
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Puente V, Demaria A, Frank FM, Batlle A, Lombardo ME. Anti-parasitic effect of vitamin C alone and in combination with benznidazole against Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006764. [PMID: 30240395 PMCID: PMC6169970 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drugs currently used for the treatment of Chagas' disease, nifurtimox and benznidazole, have a limited effectiveness and toxic side effects. With the aim of finding new therapeutic approaches, in vitro and in vivo anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of vitamin C alone and combined with benznidazole were investigated. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The trypanocidal activity on epimastigote and trypomastigote forms was evaluated by counting parasites in a Neubauer chamber after treatment with the compounds. For the amastigote stage, transgenic parasites expressing β-galactosidase were used and quantified by measuring the β-galactosidase activity. The cytotoxicity of compounds was tested on Vero cells. The redox state of the parasite was evaluated by determining the reduced thiol levels (spectrophotometric assay) and the intracellular oxidative state (by flow cytometry). The in vivo trypanocidal activity was evaluated on a murine model of Chagas' disease. The trypanocidal activity of vitamin C and benznidazole was similar for the three parasite forms. When combining both drugs, vitamin C did not induce any change in the antiparasitic activity of benznidazole on trypomastigotes; however, on mammal cells, vitamin C diminished the cytotoxicity degree of benznidazole. Two mechanisms of action may be postulated for vitamin C: a lethal pro-oxidant effect on the parasite when used alone, and an antioxidant effect, when combined with benznidazole. A similar behavior was observed on infected mice; i.e., parasite counts in infected mice treated with vitamin C were lower than that of the control group. Animals treated with benznidazole presented lower parasitemia levels, as compared with those treated with vitamin C alone. Again, vitamin C did not cause any effect on the antiparasitic profile of benznidazole. Even though a combined treatment was employed, the antioxidant effect of vitamin C on the host was evidenced; a 100% survival was observed and the weight loss occurring during the acute phase of the infection was reduced. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Based on these results, the combination of vitamin C with benznidazole could be considered as an alternative treatment for Chagas' disease. These preliminary results encourage further research to improve the treatment of Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Puente
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Porfirinas y Porfirias, CIPYP (UBA-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agostina Demaria
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Porfirinas y Porfirias, CIPYP (UBA-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernanda M. Frank
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, IMPAM (Universidad de Buenos Aires—Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alcira Batlle
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Porfirinas y Porfirias, CIPYP (UBA-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Elisa Lombardo
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Porfirinas y Porfirias, CIPYP (UBA-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Miranda N, Volpato H, da Silva Rodrigues JH, Caetano W, Ueda-Nakamura T, de Oliveira Silva S, Nakamura CV. The photodynamic action of pheophorbide a induces cell death through oxidative stress in Leishmania amazonensis. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2017; 174:342-354. [PMID: 28821011 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by hemoflagellate protozoa, affecting millions of people worldwide. The difficulties of treating patients with this parasitosis include the limited efficacy and many side effects of the currently available drugs. Therefore, the search for new compounds with leishmanicidal action is necessary. Photodynamic therapy has been studied in the medical field because of its selectivity, utilizing a combination of visible light, a photosensitizer compound, and singlet oxygen to reach the area of treatment. The continued search for selective alternative treatments and effective targets that impact the parasite and not the host are fundamentally important for the development of new drugs. Pheophorbide a is a photosensitizer that may be promising for the treatment of leishmaniasis. The present study evaluated the in vitro biological effects of pheophorbide a and its possible mechanisms of action in causing cell death in L. amazonensis. Pheophorbide a was active against promastigote and amastigote forms of the parasite. After treatment, we observed ultrastructural alterations in this protozoan. We also observed changes in promastigote macromolecules and organelles, such as loss of mitochondrial membrane potential [∆Ψm], lipid peroxidation, an increase in lipid droplets, DNA fragmentation, phosphatidylserine exposure, an increase in caspase-like activity, oxidative imbalance, and a decrease in antioxidant defense systems. These findings suggest that cell death occurred through apoptosis. The mechanism of cell death in intracellular amastigotes appeared to involve autophagy, in which we clearly observed an increase in reactive oxygen species, a compromised ∆Ψm, and an increase in the number of autophagic vacuoles. The present study contributes to the development of new photosensitizers against L. amazonensis. We also elucidated the mechanism of action of pheophorbide a, mainly in intracellular amastigotes, which is the most clinically relevant form of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathielle Miranda
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Hélito Volpato
- Post-Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Cellular and Molecular Biological Concentration Area, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Jean Henrique da Silva Rodrigues
- Post-Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Cellular and Molecular Biological Concentration Area, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Wilker Caetano
- Department of Chemistry, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Tânia Ueda-Nakamura
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Sueli de Oliveira Silva
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil; Post-Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Cellular and Molecular Biological Concentration Area, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
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Kapadia GJ, Soares IAO, Rao GS, Badoco FR, Furtado RA, Correa MB, Tavares DC, Cunha WR, Magalhães LG. Antiparasitic activity of menadione (vitamin K 3) against Schistosoma mansoni in BABL/c mice. Acta Trop 2017; 167:163-173. [PMID: 28017859 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases affecting nearly quarter of a billion people in economically challenged tropical and subtropical countries of the world. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug currently available to treat this parasitic disease in spite being ineffective against juvenile worms and concerns about developing resistance to treat reinfections. Our earlier in vitro viability studies demonstrated significant antiparasitic activity of menadione (MEN) (vitamin K3) against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. To gain insight into plausible mechanism of antischistosomal activity of MEN, its effect on superoxide anion levels in adult worms were studied in vitro which showed significant increases in both female and male worms. Further confirmation of the deleterious morphological changes in their teguments and organelles were obtained by ultrastructural analysis. Genotoxic and cytotoxic studies in male Swiss mice indicated that MEN was well tolerated at the oral dose of 500mg/kg using the criteria of MNPCE frequency and PCE/RBC ratio in the bone marrow of infected animals. The in vivo antiparasitic activity of MEN was conducted in female BALB/c mice infected with S. mansoni and significant reductions (P<0.001) in total worm burden were observed at single oral doses of 40 and 400mg/kg (48.57 and 61.90%, respectively). Additionally, MEN significantly reduced (P<0.001) the number of eggs in the liver of infected mice by 53.57 and 58.76%, respectively. Similarly, histological analysis of the livers showed a significant reduction (P<0.001) in the diameter of the granulomas. Since MEN is already in use globally as an over-the-counter drug for a variety of common ailments and a dietary supplement with a safety record in par with similar products when used in recommended doses, the above antiparasitic results which compare reasonably well with PZQ, make a compelling case for considering MEN to treat S. mansoni infection in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Govind J Kapadia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Ingrid A O Soares
- Research Group on Natural Products, Center for Research in Sciences and Technology, University of Franca, Franca, Brazil
| | - G Subba Rao
- Global Biotechnology Resource Center, 145 Rosewood Drive, Streamwood, IL 60107, USA
| | - Fernanda R Badoco
- Research Group on Natural Products, Center for Research in Sciences and Technology, University of Franca, Franca, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A Furtado
- Research Group on Natural Products, Center for Research in Sciences and Technology, University of Franca, Franca, Brazil
| | - Mariana B Correa
- Research Group on Natural Products, Center for Research in Sciences and Technology, University of Franca, Franca, Brazil
| | - Denise C Tavares
- Research Group on Natural Products, Center for Research in Sciences and Technology, University of Franca, Franca, Brazil
| | - Wilson R Cunha
- Research Group on Natural Products, Center for Research in Sciences and Technology, University of Franca, Franca, Brazil
| | - Lizandra G Magalhães
- Research Group on Natural Products, Center for Research in Sciences and Technology, University of Franca, Franca, Brazil.
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