Curcumin exerts anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective effects through amelioration of NFAT-dependent endothelin-1 production in mice with acute Chagas cardiomyopathy

The neuroprotective potential of curcumin on T. Spiralis infected mice

BACKGROUND

Trichinella spiralis can affect the brain by inducing inflammatory and vascular changes. Drug management with the antiparasitic drug albendazole can be enhanced by natural compounds such as curcumin. The potential benefit of curcumin as an adjuvant to albendazole in the management of cerebral affection during experimental T. spiralis infection was evaluated. Animals received either curcumin 150 mg/Kg, albendazole 50 mg/Kg or a combination of both drugs. Animal groups receiving treatment were compared with infected and non-infected control groups. Blood levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and dopamine were measured, and brain tissue expression of cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2) and CD34 was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

T. spiralis infection resulted in a state of oxidative stress, which was improved by albendazole and curcumin. Also, both drugs restored the peripheral dopamine level, which was decreased in infected non-treated mice. Curcumin was also found to be efficient in improving brain pathology and reducing local COX-2 and CD 34 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory and pathological changes during neurotrichinosis can be improved by the addition of curcumin to conventional anti-parasitic drugs.

Multifunctional nanoparticle-mediated combining therapy for human diseases

Combining existing drug therapy is essential in developing new therapeutic agents in disease prevention and treatment. In preclinical investigations, combined effect of certain known drugs has been well established in treating extensive human diseases. Attributed to synergistic effects by targeting various disease pathways and advantages, such as reduced administration dose, decreased toxicity, and alleviated drug resistance, combinatorial treatment is now being pursued by delivering therapeutic agents to combat major clinical illnesses, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, myocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Combinatorial therapy involves combining or co-delivering two or more drugs for treating a specific disease. Nanoparticle (NP)-mediated drug delivery systems, i.e., liposomal NPs, polymeric NPs and nanocrystals, are of great interest in combinatorial therapy for a wide range of disorders due to targeted drug delivery, extended drug release, and higher drug stability to avoid rapid clearance at infected areas. This review summarizes various targets of diseases, preclinical or clinically approved drug combinations and the development of multifunctional NPs for combining therapy and emphasizes combinatorial therapeutic strategies based on drug delivery for treating severe clinical diseases. Ultimately, we discuss the challenging of developing NP-codelivery and translation and provide potential approaches to address the limitations. This review offers a comprehensive overview for recent cutting-edge and challenging in developing NP-mediated combination therapy for human diseases.

Curcumin-Loaded RH60/F127 Mixed Micelles: Characterization, Biopharmaceutical Characters and Anti-Inflammatory Modulation of Airway Inflammation

Curcumin's ability to impact chronic inflammatory conditions, such as metabolic syndrome and arthritis, has been widely researched; however, its poor bioavailability limits its clinical application. The present study is focused on the development of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanomicelles as a drug delivery system with anti-inflammatory effects. Curcumin was loaded in PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil and puronic F127 mixed nanomicelles (Cur-RH60/F127-MMs). Cur-RH60/F127-MMs was prepared using the thin film dispersion method. The morphology and releasing characteristics of nanomicelles were evaluated. The uptake and permeability of Cur-RH60/F127-MMs were investigated using RAW264.7 and Caco-2 cells, and their bioavailability and in vivo/vitro anti-inflammatory activity were also evaluated. The results showed that Cur-RH60/F127-MMs have regular sphericity, possess an average diameter smaller than 20 nm, and high encapsulation efficiency for curcumin (89.43%). Cur-RH60/F127-MMs significantly increased the cumulative release of curcumin in vitro and uptake by cells (p < 0.01). The oral bioavailability of Cur-RH60/F127-MMs was much higher than that of curcumin-active pharmaceutical ingredients (Cur-API) (about 9.24-fold). The treatment of cell lines with Cur-RH60/F127-MMs exerted a significantly stronger anti-inflammatory effect compared to Cur-API. In addition, Cur-RH60/F127-MMs significantly reduced OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in an in vivo experimental asthma model. In conclusion, this study reveals the possibility of formulating a new drug delivery system for curcumin, in particular nanosized micellar aqueous dispersion, which could be considered a perspective platform for the application of curcumin in inflammatory diseases of the airways.

The protective effect of curcumin on thrombin-induced hyper-permeability

Objective

Thrombin is a proinflammatory and pro-coagulant agent which is upregulated in several human diseases. Thrombin has a critical role in promoting cell proliferation and microvascular leakage in malignant cells, resulting in cancer growth and progression. Here, we explored the potential therapeutic value of curcumin on permeability induced by thrombin in mice.

Materials and Methods

To assess the activity of curcumin on thrombin-induced vascular permeability mice model, C57BL / 6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: (1) control (2) Thrombin (3) Thrombin + Curcumin and (4) Thrombin + Metformin. Thirty minutes after treatment, Evans blue was injected intravenously through the tail vein to mice. Then, animals were sacrificed and the dye was extracted from the skin tissue by incubation with formamide. Heatmap and correlation map were generated and protein-protein interaction network of the hub genes was drawn by Cytoscape software.

Results

Hub DEG expression rate showed that Heat shock protein a1 (Hspa1) family (comprised of HSPa1a, b, and HSPa5), caspase 3, and minichromosome maintenance complex component 2 were overexpressed after treatment with curcumin. Functional modules of curcumin enriched through Enrich gene biological process and revealed positive association of gene expression of apoptosis process with the therapy. Curcumin was also found to reduce leucocyte migration in murine tissues. Additionally, treatment with curcumin resulted in downregulation of heat shock proteins and proinflammatory cytokines such as monocyte chemotactic protein 1, interleukin-6 and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 3.

Conclusion

Curcumin inhibited the proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory HSPs in endothelial cells and reduced thrombin-induced barrier destabilization in vivo.

Pre-pregnancy check-up of maternal vascular status and associated phenotype is crucial for the health of mother and offspring

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of disease burden globally with far-reaching consequences including enormous socio-economic burden to healthcare and society at large. Cardiovascular health is decisive for reproductive function, healthy pregnancy and postpartum. During pregnancy, maternal cardiovascular system is exposed to highly increased haemodynamic stress that significantly impacts health status of the mother and offspring. Resulting from sub-optimal maternal health conditions overlooked in pre-pregnancy time, progressive abnormalities can be expected during pregnancy and postpartum. Contextually, there are two main concepts to follow in the framework of predictive, preventive and personalised medicine, namely to develop:

1. advanced screening of sub-optimal health conditions in young populations to predict and prevent individual health risks prior to planned pregnancies

2. in-depth companion diagnostics during pregnancy to predict and prevent long-lasting postpartum health risks of the mother and offspring.

Data collected in the current study demonstrate group-specific complications to health of the mother and offspring and clinical relevance of the related phenotyping in pre-pregnant mothers. Diagnostic approach proposed in this study revealed its great clinical utility demonstrating important synergies between cardiovascular maladaptation and connective tissue dysfunction. Co-diagnosed pre-pregnancy low BMI of the mother, connective tissue dysfunction, increased stiffness of peripheral vessels and decreased blood pressure are considered a highly specific maternal phenotype useful for innovative screening programmes in young populations to predict and prevent severe risks to health of the mother and offspring. This crucial discovery brings together systemic effects characteristic, for example, for individuals with Flammer syndrome predisposed to the phenotype-specific primary vascular dysregulation, pregnancy-associated risks, normal tension glaucoma, ischemic stroke at young age, impaired wound healing and associated disorders. Proposed maternal phenotyping is crucial to predict and effectively protect both the mother and offspring against health-to-disease transition. Pre-pregnancy check-up focused on sub-optimal health and utilising here described phenotypes is pivotal for advanced health policy.

Plain English abstract

Cardiovascular health is decisive for reproductive function and healthy pregnancy. During pregnancy, maternal cardiovascular system may demonstrate health-to-disease transition relevant for the affected mother and offspring. Overlooked in pre-pregnancy time, progressive abnormalities can be expected during pregnancy and lifelong. Here we co-diagnosed maternal pre-pregnancy low bodyweight with systemic effects which may increase risks of pregnancy, eye and heart disorders and ischemic stroke at young age, amongst others. Innovative screening  programmes focused on sub-optimal health in young populations to predict and to mitigate individual health risks prior to pregnancy is an essential innovation for health policy proposed.

Therapeutic mechanism of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. rhizome against coronary heart disease based on integrated network pharmacology, pharmacological evaluation and lipidomics

Curcuma aromatica Salisb. rhizome (CASR) has multifunctional characteristics worldwide and a long history of use as a botanical drug with. Currently, it is often used clinically to treat coronary heart disease (CHD) caused by blood stasis syndrome. However, the therapeutic mechanism of CASR in the treatment of CHD remains poorly understood. In study, the main chemical constituents of CASR were analyzed using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Then, its potential therapeutic mechanism against CHD was predicted. Subsequently, pharmacological evaluation was performed using CHD rat model. Finally, a lipidomics approach was applied to explore the different lipid metabolites to verify the regulation of CASR on lipid metabolism disorders in CHD. A total of 35 compounds was identified from CASR. Seventeen active components and 51 potential targets related to CHD were screened by network pharmacology, involving 13 key pathways. In vivo experiments showed that CASR could significantly improve myocardial infarction, blood stasis, and blood lipid levels and regulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in CHD rats. Lipidomics further showed that CASR could regulate abnormal sphingolipid, glycerophospholipid, and glycerolipid metabolism in CHD rats. The therapeutic mechanism of CASR against CHD was initially elucidated and included the regulation of lipid metabolism. Its effects may be attributed to active ingredients, such as curzerene, isoprocurcumenol, and (+)-curcumenol. This study reveals the characteristics of multi-component and multi-pathway of CASR in the treatment of CHD, which provides a basis for the follow-up development and utilization of CASR.

Effect of curcumin on acute chronic kidney disease due to ischemia-reperfusion syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of curcumin on renal function, hemodynamics, and renal oxidative profile of rats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) subjected to renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).

METHODS

Wistar rats, 250-300 g, distributed in four groups: Sham (n = 5), CKD simulation; CKD (n = 5), 5/6 renal ablation for CKD induction; CKD + IRI (n = 5), CKD and renal pedicle clamping for 30 minutes; and CKD + IRI+curcumin (n = 5), CKD + IRI, curcumin administration 30 mg/kg/day, orally, for 10 days. Renal function (inulin clearance, urine flow, plasma creatinine), hemodynamics (blood pressure), and oxidative profile (peroxides, TBARS, and urine nitrate, non-protein soluble thiols in renal tissue) were evaluated.

RESULTS

The CKD + IRI + curcumin group showed increased inulin clearance and reduced plasma creatinine, decreased RVR and increased RBF, decreased oxidative metabolites in urine and increased thiols in renal tissue when compared with the CKD + IRI group.

CONCLUSION

The treatment with curcumin preserved renal function and hemodynamics of animals with acute CKD, improving oxidative profile, with reduction of oxidants and preservation of antioxidant reserve.

Resveratrol and Curcumin for Chagas Disease Treatment—A Systematic Review

Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected protozoan infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which affects about 7 million people worldwide. There are two available drugs in therapeutics, however, they lack effectiveness for the chronic stage—characterized mainly by cardiac (i.e., cardiomyopathy) and digestive manifestations (i.e., megaesophagus, megacolon). Due to the involvement of the immuno-inflammatory pathways in the disease’s progress, compounds exhibiting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity seem to be effective for controlling some clinical manifestations, mainly in the chronic phase. Resveratrol (RVT) and curcumin (CUR) are natural compounds with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and their cardioprotective effect have been proposed to have benefits to treat CD. Such effects could decrease or block the progression of the disease’s severity. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze the effectiveness of RVT and CUR in animal and clinical research for the treatment of CD. The study was performed according to PRISMA guidelines and it was registered on PROSPERO (CDR42021293495). The results did not find any clinical study, and the animal research was analyzed according to the SYRCLES risk of bias tools and ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines. We found 9 eligible reports in this study. We also discuss the potential RVT and CUR derivatives for the treatment of CD as well.

Investigation of the effect of curcumin on oxidative stress, local inflammatory response, COX-2 expression, and microvessel density in Trichinella spiralis induced enteritis, myositis and myocarditis in mice

Background

Curcumin exerts anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have proven to be of value in the management of several parasitic infections.

Objective

Investigation of the value of curcumin in the management of trichinosis either alone or as an adjuvant to albendazole.

Methods

Animals received either curcumin 150 mg/kg, curcumin 300 mg/kg, albendazole 50 mg/ kg or combined curcumin 150mg/kg and albendazole 50 mg/kg and were compared with control infected and non-infected mice. Estimation of intestinal and muscular parasitic load and blood malondialdehyde level, in addition to the histopathological examination of small intestine, skeletal muscle tissue and heart was performed. Also, assessment of the local expression of cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2) and CD34 in these samples was done by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Curcumin was found efficient in reducing parasitic load. It also lowered serum MDA level, local COX-2 and CD34 expression. An evident anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin was observed in intestinal, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle histopathological sections.

Conclusion

The anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-angiogenic effects of curcumin can help to improve trichinellosis-induced pathology. Curcumin can therefore be of value as an adjuvant therapy to conventional antiparasitic agents and can also produce promising results when used alone at higher doses.

Review of pharmacological options for the treatment of Chagas disease

Chagas disease (CD) is a worldwide problem, with over 8 million people infected in both rural and urban areas. CD was first described over a century ago, but only two drugs are currently available for CD treatment: benznidazole (BZN) and nifurtimox (NF). Treating CD-infected patients, especially children and women of reproductive age, is vital in order to prevent long-term sequelae, such as heart and gastrointestinal dysfunction, but this aim is still far from being accomplished. Currently, the strongest data to support benefit-risk considerations come from trials in children. Treatment response biomarkers need further development as serology is being questioned as the best method to assess treatment response. This article is a narrative review on the pharmacology of drugs for CD, particularly BZN and NF. Data on drug biopharmaceutical characteristics, safety and efficacy of both drugs are summarized from a clinical perspective. Current data on alternative compounds under evaluation for CD treatment, and new possible treatment response biomarkers are also discussed. Early diagnosis and treatment of CD, especially in paediatric patients, is vital for an effective and safe use of the available drugs (i.e. BZN and NF). New biomarkers for CD are urgently needed for the diagnosis and evaluation of treatment efficacy, and to guide efforts from academia and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the process of new drug development.

Efeito da curcumina na doença renal crônica agudizada pela síndrome isquemia-reperfusão

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da curcumina na função renal, hemodinâmica e perfil oxidativo renal de ratos com doença renal crônica (DRC) submetidos a isquemia-reperfusão renal (I/R). Métodos: Ratos Wistar, 250–300 g, distribuídos em quatro grupos: Sham (n = 5), simulação da DRC; DRC (n = 5), ablação de 5/6 dos rins para indução de DRC; DRC + I/R (n = 5), DRC e clampeamento do pedículo renal por 30 minutos; DRC + I/R + curcumina (n = 5) e DRC + I/R, administração de curcumina 30 mg/kg/dia, via oral, por 10 dias. Foram avaliadas a função renal (clearance de inulina, fluxo urinário, creatinina plasmática), hemodinâmica (pressão arterial) e perfil oxidativo (peróxidos, TBARS e nitrato urinário, tióis solúveis não proteicos no tecido renal). Resultados: O grupo DRC + I/R + curcumina apresentou elevação do clearance de inulina e redução da creatinina plasmática, diminuição da RVR e aumento do FSR, diminuição de metabólitos oxidativos na urina e aumento dos tióis no tecido renal quando comparado ao grupo DRC + I/R. Conclusão: O tratamento com curcumina preservou a função e hemodinâmica renal dos animais com DRC agudizada, promovendo melhora no perfil oxidativo, com redução de oxidantes e preservação de reserva antioxidante.

The Use of Antioxidants as Potential Co-Adjuvants to Treat Chronic Chagas Disease

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the flagellated protozoa Trypanosome cruzi. This illness affects to almost 8–12 million people worldwide, however, is endemic to Latin American countries. It is mainly vectorially transmitted by insects of the Triatominae family, although other transmission routes also exist. T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes at the chronic stage of the disease display severe mitochondrial dysfunction and high ROS production, leading to chronic myocardial inflammation and heart failure. Under cellular stress, cells usually can launch mitochondrial biogenesis in order to restore energy loss. Key players to begin mitochondrial biogenesis are the PGC-1 (PPARγ coactivator 1) family of transcriptional coactivators, which are activated in response to several stimuli, either by deacetylation or dephosphorylation, and in turn can serve as coactivators for the NRF (nuclear respiratory factor) family of transcription factors. The NRF family of transcriptional activators, namely NRF1 and NRF2, can activate gene expression of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) components, mitochondrial transcriptional factor (Tfam) and nuclear encoded mitochondrial proteins, leading to mitochondrial biogenesis. On the other hand, NRF2 can activate gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in response to antioxidants, oxidants, electrophile compounds, pharmaceutical and dietary compounds in a mechanism dependent on KEAP1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1). Since a definitive cure to treat Chagas disease has not been found yet; the use of antioxidants a co-adjuvant therapy has been proposed in an effort to improve mitochondrial functions, biogenesis, and the antioxidant defenses response. Those antioxidants could activate different pathways to begin mitochondrial biogenesis and/or cytoprotective antioxidant defenses. In this review we discuss the main mechanisms of mitochondrial biogenesis and the NRF2-KEAP1 activation pathway. We also reviewed the antioxidants used as co-adjuvant therapy to treat experimental Chagas disease and their action mechanisms and finish with the discussion of antioxidant therapy used in Chagas disease patients.

Polyphenols' Cardioprotective Potential: Review of Rat Fibroblasts as Well as Rat and Human Cardiomyocyte Cell Lines Research

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 31% of global deaths. A reduction in mortality can be achieved by promoting a healthy lifestyle, developing prevention strategies, and developing new therapies. Polyphenols are present in food and drinks such as tea, cocoa, fruits, berries, and vegetables. These compounds have strong antioxidative properties, which might have a cardioprotective effect. The aim of this paper is to examine the potential of polyphenols in cardioprotective use based on in vitro human and rat cardiomyocytes as well as fibroblast research. Based on the papers discussed in this review, polyphenols have the potential for cardioprotective use due to their multilevel points of action which include, among others, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antithrombotic, and vasodilatory. Polyphenols may have potential use in new and effective preventions or therapies for cardiovascular diseases, yet more clinical studies are needed.

Curcumin and cardiovascular diseases: Focus on cellular targets and cascades

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading causes of the most considerable mortality globally, and it has been tried to find the molecular mechanisms and design new drugs that triggered the molecular target. Curcumin is the main ingredient of Curcuma longa (turmeric) that has been used in traditional medicine for treating several diseases for years. Numerous investigations have indicated the beneficial effect of Curcumin in modulating multiple signaling pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and proliferation. The cardiovascular protective effects of Curcumin against CVDs have been indicated in several studies. In the current review study, we provided novel information on Curcumin's protective effects against various CVDs and potential molecular signaling targets of Curcumin. Nonetheless, more studies should be performed to discover the exact molecular target of Curcumin against CVDs.

Dual chemotherapy with benznidazole at suboptimal dose plus curcumin nanoparticles mitigates Trypanosoma cruzi-elicited chronic cardiomyopathy

Curcumin (Cur) is a natural polyphenolic flavonoid isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Its anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties are increasingly considered to have beneficial effects on the progression of cardiomyopathy associated with Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. However, the Cur therapeutic limitation is its bioavailability and new Cur nanomedicine formulations are developed to overcome this obstacle. In this research, we provide evidence showing that oral therapy with a suboptimal dose of the standard parasiticidal drug benznidazole (BZ) in combination with Cur-loaded nanoparticles is capable of reducing myocardial parasite load, cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation and fibrosis in mice with long-term infection by T. cruzi. Treatment with BZ plus Cur was highly effective in downregulating myocardial expression of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, CCL5), and the level/activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) and inducible enzymes (cyclooxygenase, nitric oxide synthase) implicated in leukocyte recruitment and cardiac remodeling. Oral administration of a Cur-based nanoformulation displays potential as a complementary strategy to the conventional BZ chemotherapy in the treatment of chronic Chagas heart disease.

Cardioprotective Activity of Selected Polyphenols Based on Epithelial and Aortic Cell Lines. A Review

Polyphenols have recently gained popularity among the general public as products and diets classified as healthy and containing naturally occurring phenols. Many polyphenolic extracts are available on the market as dietary supplements, functional foods, or cosmetics, taking advantage of clients' desire to live a healthier and longer life. However, due to the difficulty of discovering the in vivo functions of polyphenols, most of the research focuses on in vitro studies. In this review, we focused on the cardioprotective activity of different polyphenols as possible candidates for use in cardiovascular disease therapy and for improving the quality of life of patients. Thus, the studies, which were mainly based on endothelial cells, aortic cells, and some in vivo studies, were analyzed. Based on the reviewed articles, polyphenols have a few points of action, including inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, decrease in reactive oxygen species production and endothelial tube formation, stimulation of acetylcholine-induced endothelium-derived mediator release, and others, which lead to their cardio- and/or vasoprotective effects on endothelial cells. The obtained results suggest positive effects of polyphenols, but more long-term in vivo studies demonstrating effects on mechanism of action, sensitivity, and specificity or efficacy are needed before legal health claims can be made.

Comparing the preventive effect of sodium hydrosulfide, leptin, and curcumin against L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis in rats: role of corticosterone and inducible nitric oxide synthase

OBJECTIVES

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a life-threatening condition. Using antioxidants in AP is insufficient and conflicting. Therefore, this study compared the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), leptin or curcumin pretreatment on AP induced by L-arginine.

METHODS

Forty adult male rats were used and classified into: 1) control; 2) AP group [each rat was intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 2 doses of L-arginine of 250 mg/100 g body weight (b.w.) with an interval of 1 h]; 3) NaHS+AP group (each rat was i.p. injected with 10 mg/kg b.w. of NaHS 1 h before induction of AP); 4) leptin+AP group (each rat was pretreated with 10 μg/kg b.w. of leptin 30 min before induction of AP; and 5) curcumin+AP group (in which rats were i.p. injected with 150 mg/kg b.w. of curcumin 30 min before induction of AP). Serum amylase, lipase, nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and corticosterone (CORT) levels were assayed. In addition, pancreatic tissues were obtained for histopathological examination and malondialde-hyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels were measured.

RESULTS

All AP treated groups showed significant decrease in serum levels of pancreatic enzymes, NO, and TNF-α, and pancreatic MDA and iNOS levels, while TAC levels were significantly increased. NaHS caused more limitation of inflammation than leptin and curcumin by affecting iNOS. Leptin was more potent than curcumin due to the stimulatory effect of leptin on glucocorticoid release to counteract inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

NaHS was more effective in AP amelioration than the leptin and curcumin.

Current trends in the pharmacological management of Chagas disease

Chagas disease (CD) is a tropical neglected illness, affecting mainly populations of low socioeconomic status in Latin America. An estimated 6 to 8 million people worldwide are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of CD. Despite being one of the main global health problems, this disease continues without effective treatment during the chronic phase of the infection. The limitation of therapeutic strategies has been one of the biggest challenges on the fight against CD. Nifurtimox and benznidazole, developed in the 1970s, are still the only commercial options with established efficacy on CD. However, the efficacy of these drugs have a proven efficacy only during early infection and the benefits in the chronic phase are questionable. Consequently, there is a growing need for new pharmacological alternatives, either by optimization of existing drugs or by the formulation of new compounds. In the present study, a literature review of the currently adopted therapy, its concomitant combination with other drugs, and potential future treatments for CD was performed, considering articles published from 2012. The revised articles were selected according to the protocol of treatment: evaluation of drug association, drug repositioning and research of new drugs. As a result of the present revision, it was possible to conclude that the use of benznidazole in combination with other compounds showed better results when compared with its use as a single therapy. The search of new drugs has been the strategy most used in pursuing more effective forms of treatment for CD. However, studies have still focused on basic research, that is, they are still in a pre-clinical stage, using methodologies based on in vitro or in animal studies.

Host-directed therapies for parasitic diseases

Parasitic infections are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Management strategies rely primarily on antiparasitic drugs that have side effects and risk of drug resistance. Therefore, novel strategies are needed for treatment of parasitic infections. Host-directed therapy (HDT) is a viable alternative, which targets host pathways responsible for parasite invasion/survival/pathogenicity. Recent innovative combinations of genomics, proteomics and computational biology approaches have led to discovery of several host pathways that could be promising targets for HDT for treating parasitic infections. Herein, we review major advances in HDT for parasitic disease with regard to core regulatory pathways and their interactions.