1
|
Alves FDM, Bellei JCB, Barbosa CDS, Duarte CL, da Fonseca AL, Pinto ACDS, Raimundo FO, Carpinter BA, Lemos ASDO, Coimbra ES, Taranto AG, Rocha VN, de Pilla Varotti F, Ribeiro Viana GH, Scopel KKG. Rational-Based Discovery of Novel β-Carboline Derivatives as Potential Antimalarials: From In Silico Identification of Novel Targets to Inhibition of Experimental Cerebral Malaria. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121529. [PMID: 36558863 PMCID: PMC9781199 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121529] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is an infectious disease widespread in underdeveloped tropical regions. The most severe form of infection is caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which can lead to development of cerebral malaria (CM) and is responsible for deaths and significant neurocognitive sequelae throughout life. In this context and considering the emergence and spread of drug-resistant P. falciparum isolates, the search for new antimalarial candidates becomes urgent. β-carbolines alkaloids are good candidates since a wide range of biological activity for these compounds has been reported. Herein, we designed 20 chemical entities and performed an in silico virtual screening against a pool of P. falciparum molecular targets, the Brazilian Malaria Molecular Targets (BRAMMT). Seven structures showed potential to interact with PfFNR, PfPK7, PfGrx1, and PfATP6, being synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Among them, compounds 3−6 and 10 inhibited the growth of the W2 strain at µM concentrations, with low cytotoxicity against the human cell line. In silico physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties were found to be favorable for oral administration. The compound 10 provided the best results against CM, with important values of parasite growth inhibition on the 5th day post-infection for both curative (67.9%) and suppressive (82%) assays. Furthermore, this compound was able to elongate mice survival and protect them against the development of the experimental model of CM (>65%). Compound 10 also induced reduction of the NO level, possibly by interaction with iNOS. Therefore, this alkaloid showed promising activity for the treatment of malaria and was able to prevent the development of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), probably by reducing NO synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda de Moura Alves
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Jessica Correa Bezerra Bellei
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Camila de Souza Barbosa
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Caíque Lopes Duarte
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Amanda Luisa da Fonseca
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia de Souza Pinto
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Felipe Oliveira Raimundo
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Albuquerque Carpinter
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Ari Sérgio de Oliveira Lemos
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Elaine Soares Coimbra
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Alex Gutterres Taranto
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Novaes Rocha
- Research Center of Pathology and Veterinary Histology, Departament of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando de Pilla Varotti
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.d.P.V.); (K.K.G.S.)
| | | | - Kézia K. G. Scopel
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.d.P.V.); (K.K.G.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Oliveira FA, Pinto ACS, Duarte CL, Taranto AG, Lorenzato Junior E, Cordeiro CF, Carvalho DT, Varotti FP, Fonseca AL. Evaluation of antiplasmodial activity in silico and in vitro of N-acylhydrazone derivatives. BMC Chem 2022; 16:50. [PMID: 35810303 PMCID: PMC9271247 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-022-00843-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acylhydrazones are considered privileged structures in medicinal chemistry, being part of antimicrobial compounds (for example). In this study we show the activity of N-acylhydrazone compounds, namely AH1, AH2, AH4, AH5 in in vitro tests against the chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum (W2) and against WI26 VA-4 human cell lines. All compounds showed low cytotoxicity (LC50 > 100 µM). The AH5 compound was the most active against Plasmodium falciparum, with an IC50 value of 0.07 μM. AH4 and AH5 were selected among the tested compounds for molecular docking calculations to elucidate possible targets involved in their mechanism of action and the SwissADME analysis to predict their pharmacokinetic profile. The AH5 compound showed affinity for 12 targets with low selectivity, while the AH4 compound had greater affinity for only one target (3PHC). These compounds met Lipinski's standards in the ADME in silico tests, indicating good bioavailability results. These results demonstrate that these N-acylhydrazone compounds are good candidates for future preclinical studies against malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda A Oliveira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Química Biológica (NQBio), Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia S Pinto
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Química Biológica (NQBio), Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil.
| | - Caique L Duarte
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Química Biológica (NQBio), Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Alex G Taranto
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Química Biológica (NQBio), Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Eder Lorenzato Junior
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Em Química Farmacêutica, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Campus Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Cleydson Finotti Cordeiro
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Em Química Farmacêutica, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Campus Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Diogo T Carvalho
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Em Química Farmacêutica, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Campus Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Fernando P Varotti
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Química Biológica (NQBio), Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Amanda L Fonseca
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Em Química Biológica (NQBio), Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Matteucci KC, Correa AAS, Costa DL. Recent Advances in Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis and Malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:905278. [PMID: 35669122 PMCID: PMC9163498 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.905278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and malaria, caused by parasites from the Plasmodium genus, are two of the major causes of death due to infectious diseases in the world. Both diseases are treatable with drugs that have microbicidal properties against each of the etiologic agents. However, problems related to treatment compliance by patients and emergence of drug resistant microorganisms have been a major problem for combating TB and malaria. This factor is further complicated by the absence of highly effective vaccines that can prevent the infection with either M. tuberculosis or Plasmodium. However, certain host biological processes have been found to play a role in the promotion of infection or in the pathogenesis of each disease. These processes can be targeted by host-directed therapies (HDTs), which can be administered in conjunction with the standard drug treatments for each pathogen, aiming to accelerate their elimination or to minimize detrimental side effects resulting from exacerbated inflammation. In this review we discuss potential new targets for the development of HDTs revealed by recent advances in the knowledge of host-pathogen interaction biology, and present an overview of strategies that have been tested in vivo, either in experimental models or in patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kely C. Matteucci
- Plataforma de Medicina Translacional Fundação Oswaldo Cruz/Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - André A. S. Correa
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Diego L. Costa
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Diego L. Costa,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Succinylated isoniazid potential prodrug: Design of Experiments (DoE) for synthesis optimization and computational study of the reaction mechanism by DFT calculations. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.132323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|