1
|
Ramos LG, de Souza KR, Barbosa JMC, Salomão K, Sales Junior PA, Pereira VRA, Murta SMF, Ferreira RS, Bernardes TCD, Wardell SMSV, Wardell JL, Boechat N, Carvalho SA. Synthesis and activity of benzimidazole N-Acylhydrazones against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania infantum. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 110:129876. [PMID: 38964519 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129876] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we present the design, synthesis, and cytotoxic evaluation of a series of benzimidazole N-acylhydrazones against strains of T. cruzi (Y and Tulahuen) and Leishmania species (L. amazonensis and L. infantum). Compound (E)-N'-((5-Nitrofuran-2-yl)methylene)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-carbohydrazide demonstrated significant activity against both trypomastigote and amastigote forms (Tulahuen strain), with an IC50/120 h of 0.033 μM and a selectivity index (SI) of 7680. This represents a potency 46 times greater than that of benznidazole (IC50/120 h = 1.520 μM, SI = 1390). Another compound (E)-N'-(2-Hydroxybenzylidene)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-carbohydrazide showed promising activity against both trypomastigote and amastigote forms (Tulahuen strain), with an IC50/120 h of 3.600 μM and an SI of 14.70. However, its efficacy against L. infantum and L. amazonensis was comparatively lower. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of more effective treatments against Trypanosoma cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laís G Ramos
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos-LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos - Farmanguinhos - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21041-250 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório de Físico-Química de Materiais, Seção de Engenharia Química, Instituto Militar de Engenharia, Praça General Tibúrcio 80, 22290-270 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kátia R de Souza
- Laboratório de Físico-Química de Materiais, Seção de Engenharia Química, Instituto Militar de Engenharia, Praça General Tibúrcio 80, 22290-270 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana M C Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Kelly Salomão
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Policarpo A Sales Junior
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhaes, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 50670-420 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Valéria R A Pereira
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhaes, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 50670-420 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Silvane M F Murta
- Grupo Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, 30190-002 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rafaela S Ferreira
- Laboratório de modelagem molecular e planejamento de fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Talita C D Bernardes
- Laboratório de modelagem molecular e planejamento de fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | - James L Wardell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Old Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland
| | - Nubia Boechat
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos-LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos - Farmanguinhos - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21041-250 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Samir A Carvalho
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos-LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos - Farmanguinhos - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21041-250 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gómez-Escobedo R, Méndez-Álvarez D, Vázquez C, Saavedra E, Vázquez K, Alcántara-Farfán V, Cordero-Martínez J, Gonzalez-Gonzalez A, Rivera G, Nogueda-Torres B. Molecular Docking-Based Virtual Screening of FDA-Approved Drugs Using Trypanothione Reductase Identified New Trypanocidal Agents. Molecules 2024; 29:3796. [PMID: 39202874 PMCID: PMC11357579 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29163796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), affects approximately 6-7 million people worldwide. However, its pharmacological treatment causes several uncomfortable side effects, causing patients' treatment abandonment. Therefore, there is a need for new and better treatments. In this work, the molecular docking of nine hundred twenty-four FDA-approved drugs on three different sites of trypanothione reductase of T. cruzi (TcTR) was carried out to find potential trypanocidal agents. Finally, biological evaluations in vitro and in vivo were conducted with the selected FDA-approved drugs. Digoxin, alendronate, flucytosine, and dihydroergotamine showed better trypanocidal activity than the reference drugs benznidazole and nifurtimox in the in vitro evaluation against the trypomastigotes form. Further, these FDA-approved drugs were able to reduce 20-50% parasitemia in a short time in an in vivo model, although with less efficiency than benznidazole. Therefore, the results suggest a combined therapy of repurposed and canonical drugs against T. cruzi infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rogelio Gómez-Escobedo
- Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico;
| | - Domingo Méndez-Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico; (D.M.-Á.); (A.G.-G.)
| | - Citlali Vázquez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico; (C.V.); (E.S.)
| | - Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico; (C.V.); (E.S.)
| | - Karina Vázquez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, General Escobedo 66050, Mexico;
| | - Verónica Alcántara-Farfán
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico; (V.A.-F.); (J.C.-M.)
| | - Joaquín Cordero-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico; (V.A.-F.); (J.C.-M.)
| | - Alonzo Gonzalez-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico; (D.M.-Á.); (A.G.-G.)
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico; (D.M.-Á.); (A.G.-G.)
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Torchelsen FKVDS, Fernandes TCP, de Sousa SMR, Sales-Junior PA, Branquinho RT, Murta SMF, Teixeira RR, Mosqueira VCF, de Lana M. Screening of synthetic 1,2,3-triazolic compounds inspired by SRPIN340 as anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2024; 57:e00411. [PMID: 39082521 PMCID: PMC11290850 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0585-2023] [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: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current treatments for Chagas disease (CD) include benznidazole and nifurtimox, which have limited efficacy and cause numerous side effects. Triazoles are candidates for new CD treatments due to their ability to eliminate T. cruzi parasites by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis, thereby damaging the cell membranes of the parasite. METHODS Eleven synthetic analogs of the kinase inhibitor SRPIN340 containing a triazole core (compounds 6A-6K) were screened in vitro against the Tulahuen strain transfected with β-galactosidase, and their IC50, CC50, and selectivity indexes (SI) were calculated. Compounds with an SI > 50 were further evaluated in mice infected with the T. cruzi Y strain by rapid testing. RESULTS Eight compounds were active in vitro with IC50 values ranging from 0.5-10.5 µg/mL. The most active compounds, 6E and 6H, had SI values of 125.2 and 69.6, respectively. These compounds also showed in vivo activity, leading to a reduction in parasitemia at doses of 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg/day. At doses of 50 and 250 mg/kg/day, parasitemia was significantly reduced compared to infected untreated animals, with no significant differences between the effects of 6E and 6H. CONCLUSIONS This study identified two new promising compounds for CD chemotherapy and confirmed their activity against T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamiles Caroline Pedrosa Fernandes
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Programa de Pós-Graduação em
Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Ouro Preto, MG,
Brasil
| | | | | | - Renata Tupinambá Branquinho
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Programa de Pós-Graduação em
Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil
| | | | | | | | - Marta de Lana
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Programa de Pós-Graduação em
Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Programa de Pós-Graduação em
Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Ouro Preto, MG,
Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sosa-Arroniz A, López-Monteon A, Peña-Rodríguez R, Rivera-Villanueva JM, Torres-Montero J, Ramos-Ligonio A. Efficacy of a Zn-based metalorganic framework doped with benznidazole on acute experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-024-01664-0. [PMID: 38972897 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01664-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have been shown to enhance the activity of encapsulated compounds by facilitating their passage across cell membranes, thereby enabling controlled and selective release. This study investigates the efficacy of BNZ@Zn-MOFs against the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a mouse model. The particles were synthesized by electroelution (EL), doped with BZN via mechanochemistry, and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). BNZ@Zn-MOFs released 80% of the encapsulated BZN within 3 h, demonstrating no cytotoxicity in NIH-3T3 and HeLa cells. Furthermore, in a model of acute experimental T. cruzi-infection in BALB/c mice, the delivery system exhibited antiparasitic activity at a significantly lower BZN concentration compared to free BZN treatment. PCR analysis of treated mice revealed no parasite DNA in their tissues, and hematoxylin-eosin staining showed no apparent damage to tissue architecture. Additionally, serum levels of liver function enzymes remained unchanged, indicating no adverse effects on liver function. This delivery system, utilizing suboptimal BZN doses, enables the preservation of drug activity while potentially facilitating a substantial decrease in side effects associated with Chagas disease treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anahí Sosa-Arroniz
- LADISER, Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Edificio D, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana (UV), Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009; Colonia Rafael Alvarado; C.P., Orizaba, 94340, Veracruz, México
- Maestría en Ciencias en Procesos Biológicos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, 94340, Veracruz, México
| | - Aracely López-Monteon
- LADISER, Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Edificio D, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana (UV), Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009; Colonia Rafael Alvarado; C.P., Orizaba, 94340, Veracruz, México
- Asociacion Chagas con Ciencia y Conocimiento A.C., Orizaba, 94390, Veracruz, México
| | - Rodolfo Peña-Rodríguez
- LADISER Química Órganica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, 94340, Veracruz, México
| | - José María Rivera-Villanueva
- LADISER Química Órganica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, 94340, Veracruz, México
| | - Jesus Torres-Montero
- LADISER, Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Edificio D, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana (UV), Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009; Colonia Rafael Alvarado; C.P., Orizaba, 94340, Veracruz, México
| | - Angel Ramos-Ligonio
- LADISER, Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Edificio D, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana (UV), Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009; Colonia Rafael Alvarado; C.P., Orizaba, 94340, Veracruz, México.
- Asociacion Chagas con Ciencia y Conocimiento A.C., Orizaba, 94390, Veracruz, México.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Batista DDGJ, de Almeida Fiuza LF, Klupsch F, da Costa KN, Batista MM, da Conceição K, Bouafia H, Vergoten G, Millet R, Thuru X, Bailly C, Soeiro MDNC. Activity of pyridyl-pyrazolone derivatives against Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2024; 262:108787. [PMID: 38759776 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108787] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
New affordable drugs are needed for the treatment of infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi responsible for the Chagas disease (CD). Only two old drugs are currently available, nifurtimox and benznidazole (Bz) but they exhibit unwanted side effects and display a weak activity in the late chronic phase of the disease. In this context, we evaluated the activity of a series of aryl-pyrazolone derivatives against T cruzi, using both bloodstream trypomastigote and intracellular amastigote forms of the parasite. The test compounds originate from a series of anticancer agents targeting the immune checkpoint ligand PD-L1 and bear an analogy with known anti-trypanosomal pyrazolones. A first group of 6 phenyl-pyrazolones was tested, revealing the activity of a single pyridyl-pyrazolone derivative. Then a second group of 8 compounds with a common pyridyl-pyrazolone core was evaluated. The in vitro testing process led to the identification of two non-cytotoxic and highly potent molecules against the intracellular form of T. cruzi, with an activity comparable to Bz. Moreover, one compound revealed an activity largely superior to that of Bz against bloodstream trypomastigotes, while being non-cytotoxic (selectivity index >1000). Unfortunately, the compound showed little activity in vivo, most likely due to its very limited plasma stability. However, the study opens novel perspectives for the design of new anti-trypanosomal products and the mechanism of action of the compounds is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise da Gama Jaen Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 210360-040, Brazil
| | | | - Frédérique Klupsch
- U1286-INFINITE-Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, ICPAL, Inserm, University Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Krislayne Nunes da Costa
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Marcos Meuser Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Ketlym da Conceição
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Hassiba Bouafia
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020 - UMR1277 - Canther - Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Gérard Vergoten
- U1286-INFINITE-Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, ICPAL, Inserm, University Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Régis Millet
- U1286-INFINITE-Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, ICPAL, Inserm, University Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Xavier Thuru
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020 - UMR1277 - Canther - Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Christian Bailly
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020 - UMR1277 - Canther - Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, 59000, Lille, France; University of Lille, Faculty of Pharmacy, Institut de Chimie Pharmaceutique Albert Lespagnol (ICPAL), 59000, Lille, France.
| | - Maria de Nazaré Correia Soeiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 210360-040, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pitombeira MCSR, Júnior PAS, Murta SMF, Romanha A, Luccas PH, Nonato MC, Rocha REO, Ferreira RS, da Silveira FF, Castelo-Branco FS, Carvalho AS, Boechat N. New 2-nitroimidazole-N-acylhydrazones, analogs of benznidazole, as anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2400059. [PMID: 38627301 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202400059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Worldwide, an estimated 8 million people are infected with T. cruzi, causing more than 10,000 deaths per year. Currently, only two drugs, nifurtimox and benznidazole (BNZ), are approved for its treatment. However, both are ineffective during the chronic phase, show toxicity, and produce serious side effects. This work aimed to obtain and evaluate novel 2-nitroimidazole-N-acylhydrazone derivatives analogous to BNZ. The design of these compounds used the two important pharmacophoric subunits of the BNZ prototype, the 2-nitroimidazole nucleus and the benzene ring, and the bioisosterism among the amide group of BNZ and N-acylhydrazone. The 27 compounds were obtained by a three-step route in 57%-98% yields. The biological results demonstrated the potential of this new class of compounds, since eight compounds were potent and selective in the in vitro assay against T. cruzi amastigotes and trypomastigotes using a drug-susceptible strain of T. cruzi (Tulahuen) (IC50 = 4.3-6.25 µM) and proved to be highly selective with low cytotoxicity on L929 cells. The type I nitroreductase (TcNTR) assay suggests that the new compounds may act as substrates for this enzyme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelly C S R Pitombeira
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos, Farmanguinhos-FIOCRUZ, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pos -Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal do Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas-ICB-UFRJ, Centro de Ciências da Saúde-CCS, Bloco J, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Policarpo A S Júnior
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional e Proteômica de Leishmania spp e Trypanosoma cruzi, Instituto René Rachou (FIOCRUZ-Minas), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional e Proteômica de Leishmania spp e Trypanosoma cruzi, Instituto René Rachou (FIOCRUZ-Minas), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alvaro Romanha
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional e Proteômica de Leishmania spp e Trypanosoma cruzi, Instituto René Rachou (FIOCRUZ-Minas), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Pedro H Luccas
- Laboratório de Cristalografia de Proteínas, Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - M Cristina Nonato
- Laboratório de Cristalografia de Proteínas, Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Rafael E O Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquíımica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rafaela S Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquíımica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Flávia F da Silveira
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos, Farmanguinhos-FIOCRUZ, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Frederico S Castelo-Branco
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos, Farmanguinhos-FIOCRUZ, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alcione S Carvalho
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos, Farmanguinhos-FIOCRUZ, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nubia Boechat
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos, Farmanguinhos-FIOCRUZ, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pos -Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal do Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas-ICB-UFRJ, Centro de Ciências da Saúde-CCS, Bloco J, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bisio MMC, Jurado Medina LS, García-Bournissen F, Gulin JEN. Listen to what the animals say: a systematic review and meta-analysis of sterol 14-demethylase inhibitor efficacy for in vivo models of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:248. [PMID: 38904688 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08257-3] [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: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Sterol 14-demethylase (CYP51) inhibitors, encompassing new chemical entities and repurposed drugs, have emerged as promising candidates for Chagas disease treatment, based on preclinical studies reporting anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity. Triazoles like ravuconazole (RAV) and posaconazole (POS) progressed to clinical trials. Unexpectedly, their efficacy was transient in chronic Chagas disease patients, and their activity was not superior to benznidazole (BZ) treatment. This paper aims to summarize evidence on the global activity of CYP51 inhibitors against T. cruzi by applying systematic review strategies, risk of bias assessment, and meta-analysis from in vivo studies. PubMed and Embase databases were searched for original articles, obtaining fifty-six relevant papers meeting inclusion criteria. Characteristics of animal models, parasite strain, treatment schemes, and cure rates were extracted. Primary outcomes such as maximum parasitaemia values, survival, and parasitological cure were recorded for meta-analysis, when possible. The risk of bias was uncertain in most studies. Animals treated with itraconazole, RAV, or POS survived significantly longer than the infected non-treated groups (RR = 4.85 [3.62, 6.49], P < 0.00001), and they showed no differences with animals treated with positive control drugs (RR = 1.01 [0.98, 1.04], P = 0.54). Furthermore, the overall analysis showed that RAV or POS was not likely to achieve parasitological cure when compared with BZ or NFX treatment (OD = 0.49 [0.31, 0.77], P = 0.002). This systematic review contributes to understanding why the azoles had failed in clinical trials and, more importantly, how to improve the animal models of T. cruzi infection by filling the gaps between basic, translational, and clinical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margarita María Catalina Bisio
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología (INP) 'Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben'-ANLIS 'Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán', Buenos Aires, Argentina. Av. Paseo Colón 568, C1097, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Smeldy Jurado Medina
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Mediche E Chirurgiche, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università Di Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 2 Floor, 55. 40126, BO. Bologna, Italy
| | - Facundo García-Bournissen
- Division of Paediatric Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, 800 Commissioners Rd. E., Rm. B1-437., London, ON, Canada
| | - Julián Ernesto Nicolás Gulin
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (C1428ADN), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155 (C1121ABG), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
da Silva AC, Moreira LR, Oliveira CNDC, Júnior CDDS, Ó KPD, Oliveira KKDS, Melo MGND, Soares AKDA, Cavalcanti MDP, Vasconcelos LRS, Lorena VMBD. Dynamics of the Trypanosoma cruzi infection in adipose tissue: Assessing gene expression of PNPLA2, FASN, and ACAT1 under Benzonidazole treatment and indirect mononuclear immune cells interaction. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 258:111618. [PMID: 38588892 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111618] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a parasite with a high capacity to adapt to the host. Animal models have already demonstrated that the tropism of this parasite occurs not only in cardiac/digestive tissues but also in adipose tissue (AT). That said, the consequences ofT. cruziinfection for AT and the implications of treatment with Benzonidazole in this tissue are under discussion. Here, we tested the hypothesis that T. cruzi infection in adipose tissue upon treatment with Benzonidazole (Bz) and the interaction of mononuclear immune cells (PBMC) influences the relative expression of ACAT1, FASN, and PNPLA2 genes. Thus, stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ADSC) after adipogenic differentiation were indirectly cultivated with PBMC after infection with the T. cruzi Y strain and treatment with Bz. We use the TcSAT-IAM system and RT-qPCR to evaluate the parasite load and the relative quantification (ΔCt) of the ACAT1, FASN, and PNPLA2 genes. Our results demonstrate that treatment with Bz did not reduce adipocyte infection in the presence (p-value: 0.5796) or absence (p-value: 0.1854) of cultivation with PBMC. In addition, even though there is no statistical difference when compared to the control group (AT), T. cruzi induces the FASN expression (Rq: 14.00). However, treatment with Bz in AT suggests the increases of PNPLA2 expression levels (Rq: 12.58), even in the absence of T. cruzi infection. During indirect cultivation with PBMC, T. cruzi smooths the expression of PNPLA2 (Rq: 0.824) and instigates the expression of ACAT1 (Rq: 1.632) and FASN (Rq: 1.394). Furthermore, the treatment with Bz during infection induces PNPLA2 expression (Rq: 1.871), maintaining FASN expression levels (Rq: 1.334). Given this, our results indicate that treatment with Benzonidazole did not decrease T. cruzi infection in adipose tissue. However, treating the adipocyte cells with Bz during the interaction with PBMC cells influences the lipid pathways scenario, inducing lipolytic metabolism through the expression of PNPLA2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Leyllane Rafael Moreira
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, PE, Brasil; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | | | - Claudeir Dias da Silva Júnior
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, PE, Brasil; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cristovão-Silva AC, Brelaz-de-Castro MCA, Dionisio da Silva E, Leite ACL, Santiago LBAA, Conceição JMD, da Silva Tiburcio R, de Santana DP, Bedor DCG, de Carvalho BÍV, Ferreira LFGR, de Freitas E Silva R, Alves Pereira VR, Hernandes MZ. Trypanosoma cruzi killing and immune response boosting by novel phenoxyhydrazine-thiazole against Chagas disease. Exp Parasitol 2024; 261:108749. [PMID: 38593864 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108749] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) causes Chagas, which is a neglected tropical disease (NTD). WHO estimates that 6 to 7 million people are infected worldwide. Current treatment is done with benznidazole (BZN), which is very toxic and effective only in the acute phase of the disease. In this work, we designed, synthesized, and characterized thirteen new phenoxyhydrazine-thiazole compounds and applied molecular docking and in vitro methods to investigate cell cytotoxicity, trypanocide activity, nitric oxide (NO) production, cell death, and immunomodulation. We observed a higher predicted affinity of the compounds for the squalene synthase and 14-alpha demethylase enzymes of T. cruzi. Moreover, the compounds displayed a higher predicted affinity for human TLR2 and TLR4, were mildly toxic in vitro for most mammalian cell types tested, and LIZ531 (IC50 2.8 μM) was highly toxic for epimastigotes, LIZ311 (IC50 8.6 μM) for trypomastigotes, and LIZ331 (IC50 1.9 μM) for amastigotes. We observed that LIZ311 (IC50 2.5 μM), LIZ431 (IC50 4.1 μM) and LIZ531 (IC50 5 μM) induced 200 μg/mL of NO and JM14 induced NO production in three different concentrations tested. The compound LIZ331 induced the production of TNF and IL-6. LIZ311 induced the secretion of TNF, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17, cell death by apoptosis, decreased acidic compartment formation, and induced changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, LIZ311 is a promising anti-T. cruzi compound is not toxic to mammalian cells and has increased antiparasitic activity and immunomodulatory properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Cristovão-Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Molecular Biology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 50670-42, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Accioly Brelaz-de-Castro
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Molecular Biology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 50670-42, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratory of Parasitology, Vitória Academic Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, 55608-680, Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Elis Dionisio da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Molecular Biology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 50670-42, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina Lima Leite
- Laboratory of Planning and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Lizandra Beatriz Amorim Alves Santiago
- Laboratory of Planning and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Juliana Maria da Conceição
- Laboratory of Planning and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Robert da Silva Tiburcio
- Laboratory of Planning and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Davi Pereira de Santana
- Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Development Center (NUDFAC), Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Danilo Cesar Galindo Bedor
- Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Development Center (NUDFAC), Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Breno Ítalo Valença de Carvalho
- Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Development Center (NUDFAC), Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Luiz Felipe Gomes Rebello Ferreira
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Rafael de Freitas E Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Molecular Biology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 50670-42, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Valéria Rêgo Alves Pereira
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Molecular Biology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 50670-42, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Zaldini Hernandes
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Torchelsen FKVDS, Mazzeti AL, Mosqueira VCF. Drugs in preclinical and early clinical development for the treatment of Chagas´s disease: the current status. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:575-590. [PMID: 38686546 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2349289] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease is spreading faster than expected in different countries, and little progress has been reported in the discovery of new drugs to combat Trypanosoma cruzi infection in humans. Recent clinical trials have ended with small hope. The pathophysiology of this neglected disease and the genetic diversity of parasites are exceptionally complex. The only two drugs available to treat patients are far from being safe, and their efficacy in the chronic phase is still unsatisfactory. AREAS COVERED This review offers a comprehensive examination and critical review of data reported in the last 10 years, and it is focused on findings of clinical trials and data acquired in vivo in preclinical studies. EXPERT OPINION The in vivo investigations classically in mice and dog models are also challenging and time-consuming to attest cure for infection. Poorly standardized protocols, availability of diagnosis methods and disease progression markers, the use of different T. cruzi strains with variable benznidazole sensitivities, and animals in different acute and chronic phases of infection contribute to it. More synchronized efforts between research groups in this field are required to put in evidence new promising substances, drug combinations, repurposing strategies, and new pharmaceutical formulations to impact the therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Karoline Vieira da Silva Torchelsen
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Lia Mazzeti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Health, Academic Unit of Passos, University of Minas Gerais State, Passos, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Murta SMF, Lemos Santana PA, Jacques Dit Lapierre TJW, Penteado AB, El Hajje M, Navarro Vinha TC, Liarte DB, de Souza ML, Goulart Trossini GH, de Oliveira Rezende Júnior C, de Oliveira RB, Ferreira RS. New drug discovery strategies for the treatment of benznidazole-resistance in Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:741-753. [PMID: 38715393 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2349155] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Benznidazole, the drug of choice for treating Chagas Disease (CD), has significant limitations, such as poor cure efficacy, mainly in the chronic phase of CD, association with side effects, and parasite resistance. Understanding parasite resistance to benznidazole is crucial for developing new drugs to treat CD. AREAS COVERED Here, the authors review the current understanding of the molecular basis of benznidazole resistance. Furthermore, they discuss the state-of-the-art methods and critical outcomes employed to evaluate the efficacy of potential drugs against T. cruzi, aiming to select better compounds likely to succeed in the clinic. Finally, the authors describe the different strategies employed to overcome resistance to benznidazole and find effective new treatments for CD. EXPERT OPINION Resistance to benznidazole is a complex phenomenon that occurs naturally among T. cruzi strains. The combination of compounds that inhibit different metabolic pathways of the parasite is an important strategy for developing a new chemotherapeutic protocol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos - Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Pedro Augusto Lemos Santana
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - André Berndt Penteado
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marissa El Hajje
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mariana Laureano de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Renata Barbosa de Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Delvoss CMM, Inoue AH, da Silva RV, Fragoso SP, Eger I. Improving in vitro screening compounds anti-Trypanosoma cruzi by GFP-expressing parasites. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2024; 119:e230223. [PMID: 38716979 PMCID: PMC11075634 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760230223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conventional microscopic counting is a widely utilised method for evaluating the trypanocidal effects of drugs on intracellular amastigotes. This is a low-cost approach, but it is time-consuming and reliant on the expertise of the microscopist. So, there is a pressing need for developing technologies to enhance the efficiency of low-cost anti-Trypanosoma cruzi drug screening. OBJECTIVES In our laboratory, we aimed to expedite the screening of anti-T. cruzi drugs by implementing a fluorescent method that correlates emitted fluorescence from green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing T. cruzi (Tc-GFP) with cellular viability. METHODS Epimastigotes (Y strain) were transfected with the pROCKGFPNeo plasmid, resulting in robust and sustained GFP expression across epimastigotes, trypomastigotes, and intracellular amastigotes. Tc-GFP epimastigotes and intracellular amastigotes were exposed to a serial dilution of benznidazole (Bz). Cell viability was assessed through a combination of microscopic counting, MTT, and fluorimetry. FINDINGS The fluorescence data indicated an underestimation of the activity of Bz against epimastigotes (IC50 75 µM x 14 µM). Conversely, for intracellular GFP-amastigotes, both fluorimetry and microscopy yielded identical IC50 values. Factors influencing the fluorimetry approach are discussed. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our proposed fluorometric assessment is effective and can serve as a viable substitute for the time-consuming microscopic counting of intracellular amastigotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cleyson Mathias Morais Delvoss
- Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Protozoologia, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Apicomplexa, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Alexandre Haruo Inoue
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Apicomplexa, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Rosiane Valeriano da Silva
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Apicomplexa, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Stênio Perdigão Fragoso
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Sistêmica de Tripanossomatídeos, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Iriane Eger
- Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Protozoologia, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Present C, Girão RD, Lin C, Caljon G, Van Calenbergh S, Moreira O, Ruivo LADS, Batista MM, Azevedo R, Batista DDGJ, Soeiro MDNC. N 6-methyltubercidin gives sterile cure in a cutaneous Leishmania amazonensis mouse model. Parasitology 2024; 151:506-513. [PMID: 38533610 PMCID: PMC11106500 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182024000362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Leishmania is a trypanosomatid parasite that causes skin lesions in its cutaneous form. Current therapies rely on old and expensive drugs, against which the parasites have acquired considerable resistance. Trypanosomatids are unable to synthesize purines relying on salvaging from the host, and nucleoside analogues have emerged as attractive antiparasitic drug candidates. 4-Methyl-7-β-D-ribofuranosyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine (CL5564), an analogue of tubercidin in which the amine has been replaced by a methyl group, demonstrates activity against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum. Herein, we investigated its in vitro and in vivo activity against L. amazonensis. CL5564 was 6.5-fold (P = 0.0002) more potent than milteforan™ (ML) against intracellular forms in peritoneal mouse macrophages, and highly selective, while combination with ML gave an additive effect. These results stimulated us to study the activity of CL5564 in mouse model of cutaneous Leishmania infection. BALB/c female and male mice infected by L. amazonensis treated with CL5564 (10 mg kg−1, intralesional route for five days) presented a >93% reduction of paw lesion size likely ML given orally at 40 mg kg−1, while the combination (10 + 40 mg kg−1 of CL5564 and ML, respectively) caused >96% reduction. The qPCR confirmed the suppression of parasite load, but only the combination approach reached 66% of parasitological cure. These results support additional studies with nucleoside derivatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Present
- Laboratorio de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Roberson Donola Girão
- Laboratorio de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cai Lin
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Otacilio Moreira
- Laboratório de Virologia e Parasitologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Alexandre de Souza Ruivo
- Laboratório de Virologia e Parasitologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos Meuser Batista
- Laboratorio de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raquel Azevedo
- Laboratorio de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Denise da Gama Jaen Batista
- Laboratorio de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria de Nazaré Correia Soeiro
- Laboratorio de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Moreira LR, Silva AC, da Costa-Oliveira CN, da Silva-Júnior CD, Oliveira KKDS, Torres DJL, Barros MD, Rabello MCDS, de Lorena VMB. Interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Trypanosoma cruzi-infected adipocytes: implications for treatment failure and induction of immunomodulatory mechanisms in adipose tissue. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1280877. [PMID: 38533504 PMCID: PMC10963431 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1280877] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Introduction Adipose tissue (AT) has been highlighted as a promising reservoir of infection for viruses, bacteria and parasites. Among them is Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. The recommended treatment for the disease in Brazil is Benznidazole (BZ). However, its efficacy may vary according to the stage of the disease, geographical origin, age, immune background of the host and sensitivity of the strains to the drug. In this context, AT may act as an ally for the parasite survival and persistence in the host and a barrier for BZ action. Therefore, we investigated the immunomodulation of T. cruzi-infected human AT in the presence of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) where BZ treatment was added. Methods We performed indirect cultivation between T. cruzi-infected adipocytes, PBMC and the addition of BZ. After 72h of treatment, the supernatant was collected for cytokine, chemokine and adipokine assay. Infected adipocytes were removed to quantify T. cruzi DNA, and PBMC were removed for immunophenotyping. Results Our findings showed elevated secretion of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-2 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) in the AT+PBMC condition compared to the other controls. In contrast, there was a decrease in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-8/CXCL-8 in the groups with AT. We also found high adipsin secretion in PBMC+AT+T compared to the treated condition (PBMC+AT+T+BZ). Likewise, the expression of CD80+ and HLA-DR+ in CD14+ cells decreased in the presence of T. cruzi. Discussion Thus, our findings indicate that AT promotes up-regulation of inflammatory products such as IL-6, IL-2, and MCP-1/CCL2. However, adipogenic inducers may have triggered the downregulation of TNF and IL-8/CXCL8 through the peroxisome proliferator agonist gamma (PPAR-g) or receptor expression. On the other hand, the administration of BZ only managed to reduce inflammation in the microenvironment by decreasing adipsin in the infected culture conditions. Therefore, given the findings, we can see that AT is an ally of the parasite in evading the host's immune response and the pharmacological action of BZ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leyllane Rafael Moreira
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Recife, Brazil
| | - Ana Carla Silva
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Claudeir Dias da Silva-Júnior
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Diego José Lira Torres
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Recife, Brazil
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ceravolo IP, Leoni LF, Krettli AU, Murta SMF, Resende DDM, Cruz MGFDML, Varejão JOS, Mendes LL, Varejão EVV, Kohlhoff M. Novel 2,5-Diketopiperazines with In Vitro Activities against Protozoan Parasites of Tropical Diseases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:223. [PMID: 38399438 PMCID: PMC10893061 DOI: 10.3390/ph17020223] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis are tropical diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the genera Plasmodium, Trypanosoma and Leishmania, respectively. These diseases constitute a major burden on public health in several regions worldwide, mainly affecting low-income populations in economically poor countries. Severe side effects of currently available drug treatments and the emergence of resistant parasites need to be addressed by the development of novel drug candidates. Natural 2,5-Diketopiperazines (2,5-DKPs) constitute N-heterocyclic secondary metabolites with a wide range of biological activities of medicinal interest. Its structural and physicochemical properties make the 2,5-DKP ring a versatile, peptide-like, and stable pharmacophore attractive for synthetic drug design. In the present work, twenty-three novel synthetic 2,5-DKPs, previously synthesized through the versatile Ugi multicomponent reaction, were assayed for their anti-protozoal activities against P. falciparum, T. cruzi, and L. infantum. Some of the 2,5-DKPs have shown promising activities against the target protozoans, with inhibitory concentrations (IC50) ranging from 5.4 to 9.5 µg/mL. The most active compounds also show low cytotoxicity (CC50), affording selectivity indices ≥ 15. Results allowed for observing a clear relationship between the substitution pattern at the aromatic rings of the 2,5-DKPs and their corresponding anti-Plasmodium activity. Finally, calculated drug-like properties of the compounds revealed points for further structure optimization of promising drug candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabela P. Ceravolo
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, René Rachou Institute (IRR), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, Brazil; (I.P.C.); (L.F.L.); (A.U.K.)
| | - Letícia F. Leoni
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, René Rachou Institute (IRR), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, Brazil; (I.P.C.); (L.F.L.); (A.U.K.)
| | - Antoniana U. Krettli
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, René Rachou Institute (IRR), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, Brazil; (I.P.C.); (L.F.L.); (A.U.K.)
| | - Silvane M. F. Murta
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics of Parasites, René Rachou Institute (IRR), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, Brazil; (S.M.F.M.); (D.d.M.R.); (M.G.F.d.M.L.C.)
| | - Daniela de M. Resende
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics of Parasites, René Rachou Institute (IRR), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, Brazil; (S.M.F.M.); (D.d.M.R.); (M.G.F.d.M.L.C.)
| | - Mariza G. F. de M. L. Cruz
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics of Parasites, René Rachou Institute (IRR), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, Brazil; (S.M.F.M.); (D.d.M.R.); (M.G.F.d.M.L.C.)
| | - Jodieh O. S. Varejão
- Laboratory of Natural Product Chemistry Studies and Organic Synthesis, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil; (J.O.S.V.); (L.L.M.); (E.V.V.V.)
| | - Lorena L. Mendes
- Laboratory of Natural Product Chemistry Studies and Organic Synthesis, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil; (J.O.S.V.); (L.L.M.); (E.V.V.V.)
| | - Eduardo V. V. Varejão
- Laboratory of Natural Product Chemistry Studies and Organic Synthesis, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil; (J.O.S.V.); (L.L.M.); (E.V.V.V.)
| | - Markus Kohlhoff
- Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Chemistry, René Rachou Institute (IRR), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Haroon M, Akhtar T, Mehmood H, da Silva Santos AC, da Conceição JM, Brondani GL, Silva Tibúrcio RD, Galindo Bedor DC, Viturino da Silva JW, Sales Junior PA, Alves Pereira VR, Lima Leite AC. Synthesis of hydrazinyl-thiazole ester derivatives, in vitro trypanocidal and leishmanicidal activities. Future Med Chem 2024; 16:221-238. [PMID: 38269432 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0255] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: To synthesize novel more potent trypanocidal and leishmanicidal agents. Methods: Hantzsch's synthetic strategy was used to synthesize 1,3-thiazole-4-carboxylates and their N-benzylated derivatives. Results: 28 new thiazole-carboxylates and their N-benzylated derivatives were established to test their trypanocidal and leishmanicidal activities. From both series, compounds 3b, 4f, 4g, 4j and 4n exhibited a better or comparable trypanocidal profile to benznidazole. Among all tested compounds, 4n was found to be the most potent and was better than benznidazole. Conclusion: Further variation of substituents around 1,3-thiazole-4-carboxylates and or hydrazinyl moiety may assist in establishing better and more potent trypanocidal and leishmanicidal agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Haroon
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High Street, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Tashfeen Akhtar
- Department of Chemistry, Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST), 10250-Mirpur (AJK), Pakistan
| | - Hasnain Mehmood
- Department of Chemistry, Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST), 10250-Mirpur (AJK), Pakistan
| | | | - Juliana M da Conceição
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Graziella Leite Brondani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Robert da Silva Tibúrcio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Danilo C Galindo Bedor
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - José W Viturino da Silva
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana C Lima Leite
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cruz MGFDML, Santi AMM, de Morais-Teixeira E, Caldeira ASP, de Siqueira EP, Oliveira E, Alves TMDA, Murta SMF. Anti- Leishmania compounds can be screened using Leishmania spp. expressing red fluorescence ( tdTomato). Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0050923. [PMID: 38063403 PMCID: PMC10777850 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00509-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The main challenges associated with leishmaniasis chemotherapy are drug toxicity, the possible emergence of resistant parasites, and a limited choice of therapeutic agents. Therefore, new drugs and assays to screen and detect novel active compounds against leishmaniasis are urgently needed. We thus validated Leishmania braziliensis (Lb) and Leishmania infantum (Li) that constitutively express the tandem tomato red fluorescent protein (tdTomato) as a model for large-scale screens of anti-Leishmania compounds. Confocal microscopy of Lb and Li::tdTomato revealed red fluorescence distributed throughout the entire parasite, including the flagellum, and flow cytometry confirmed that the parasites emitted intense fluorescence. We evaluated the infectivity of cloned promastigotes and amastigotes constitutively expressing tdTomato, their growth profiles in THP-1 macrophages, and susceptibility to trivalent antimony, amphotericin, and miltefosine in vitro. The phenotypes of mutant and wild-type parasites were similar, indicating that the constitutive expression of tdTomato did not interfere with the evaluated parameters. We applied our validated model to a repositioning strategy and assessed the susceptibility of the parasites to eight commercially available drugs. We also screened 32 natural plant and fungal extracts and 10 pure substances to reveal new active compounds. The infectivity and Glucantime treatment efficacy of BALB/c mice and golden hamsters infected with Lb and Li::tdTomato mutant lines, respectively, were very similar compared to animals infected with wild-type parasites. Standardizing our methodology would offer more rapid, less expensive, and easier assays to screen of compounds against L. braziliensis and L. infantum in vitro and in vivo. Our method could also enhance the discovery of active compounds for treating leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariza Gabriela Faleiro de Moura Lodi Cruz
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Química de Produtos Naturais Bioativos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Murta Santi
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eliane de Morais-Teixeira
- Pesquisa Clínica e Políticas Públicas em Doenças Infecto-Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alisson Samuel Portes Caldeira
- Química de Produtos Naturais Bioativos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ezequias Pessoa de Siqueira
- Química de Produtos Naturais Bioativos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Edward Oliveira
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tânia Maria de Almeida Alves
- Química de Produtos Naturais Bioativos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Milagre MM, Torchelsen FKVDS, Pedrosa TCF, Teixeira GM, Sampaio LS, Saúde-Guimarães DA, Branquinho RT, Mosqueira VCF, Lana MD. Lychnopholide loaded in surface modified polylactide nanocapsules (LYC-PLA-PEG-NC) cure mice infected by Trypanosoma cruzi strain a prototype of resistance to benznidazole and nifurtimox: First insights of its mechanism of action. Exp Parasitol 2023; 255:108647. [PMID: 37914151 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108647] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) remains neglected and causes high morbidity and mortality. The great difficulty is the lack of effective treatment. The current drugs cause side effects and have limited therapeutic efficacy in the chronic phase. This study aims to fulfil some gaps in studies of the natural substance lychnopholide nanoencapsulated LYC-PLA-PEG-NC (LYC-NC) and free (Free-LYC): the activity in epimastigotes and amastigotes to determine its selectivity index (SI), the therapeutic efficacy in mice infected with Colombian Trypanosoma cruzi strain and insight of the mechanism of LYC-NC action on T. cruzi. The SI was obtained by calculation of the ratio between the IC50 value toward H9c2 cells divided by the IC50 value in the anti-T. cruzi test. Infected Swiss mice were treated with 2 and 12 mg/kg/day via intravenous and oral, respectively, and the therapeutic efficacy was determined. The IC50 of LYC-NC and Free-LYC for epimastigotes of T. cruzi were similar. Both were active against amastigotes in cell culture, particularly Free-LYC. The SI of LYC-NC and Free-LYC were 45.38 and 32.11, respectively. LYC-NC 2 and 12 mg/kg/day cured parasitologically, 62.5% and 80% of the animals, respectively, infected with a strain resistant to treatment. The fluorescent NC was distributed in the cardiomyocyte cytoplasm, infected or not, and interacted with the trypomastigotes. Together, these results represent advances in demonstrating LYC as a potent new therapeutic option for treating CD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Marques Milagre
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gabriel Marques Teixeira
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Larissa Silva Sampaio
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Dênia Antunes Saúde-Guimarães
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Renata Tupinambá Branquinho
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Marta de Lana
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sousa LRD, Amparo TR, de Souza GHB, Ferraz AT, Fonseca KDS, de Azevedo AS, do Nascimento AM, Andrade ÂL, Seibert JB, Valverde TM, Braga SFP, Vieira PMDA, dos Santos VMR. Anti- Trypanosoma cruzi Potential of Vestitol Isolated from Lyophilized Red Propolis. Molecules 2023; 28:7812. [PMID: 38067542 PMCID: PMC10708512 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a worldwide public health problem, and the drugs available for its treatment have severe limitations. Red propolis is a natural extract known for its high content of phenolic compounds and for having activity against T. cruzi. The aim of this study was to investigate the trypanocidal potential of red propolis to isolate, identify, and indicate the mode of action of the bioactive compounds. The results revealed that the total phenolic content was 15.4 mg GAE/g, and flavonoids were 7.2 mg QE/g. The extract was fractionated through liquid-liquid partitioning, and the trypanocidal potential of the samples was evaluated using the epimastigote forms of the Y strain of T. cruzi. In this process, one compound was characterized by MS, 1H, and 13C NMR and identified as vestitol. Cytotoxicity was evaluated employing MRC-5 fibroblasts and H9C2 cardiomyocytes, showing cytotoxic concentrations above 15.62 μg/mL and 31.25 μg/mL, respectively. In silico analyses were applied, and the data suggested that the substance had a membrane-permeation-enhancing effect, which was confirmed through an in vitro assay. Finally, a molecular docking analysis revealed a higher affinity of vestitol with farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS). The identified isoflavan appears to be a promising lead compound for further development to treat Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Resende Dutra Sousa
- Phytotechnology Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil; (L.R.D.S.); (T.R.A.); (G.H.B.d.S.)
| | - Tatiane Roquete Amparo
- Phytotechnology Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil; (L.R.D.S.); (T.R.A.); (G.H.B.d.S.)
| | - Gustavo Henrique Bianco de Souza
- Phytotechnology Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil; (L.R.D.S.); (T.R.A.); (G.H.B.d.S.)
| | - Aline Tonhela Ferraz
- Morphopathology Laboratory, Center for Biological Sciences Research, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil; (A.T.F.); (K.d.S.F.)
| | - Kátia da Silva Fonseca
- Morphopathology Laboratory, Center for Biological Sciences Research, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil; (A.T.F.); (K.d.S.F.)
| | - Amanda Scofield de Azevedo
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil; (A.S.d.A.); (A.M.d.N.); (Â.L.A.)
| | - Andréa Mendes do Nascimento
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil; (A.S.d.A.); (A.M.d.N.); (Â.L.A.)
| | - Ângela Leão Andrade
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil; (A.S.d.A.); (A.M.d.N.); (Â.L.A.)
| | - Janaína Brandão Seibert
- Natural Products Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz, Sao Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil;
| | - Thalita Marcolan Valverde
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil;
| | - Saulo Fehelberg Pinto Braga
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioassays Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil;
| | - Paula Melo de Abreu Vieira
- Morphopathology Laboratory, Center for Biological Sciences Research, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil; (A.T.F.); (K.d.S.F.)
| | - Viviane Martins Rebello dos Santos
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil; (A.S.d.A.); (A.M.d.N.); (Â.L.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Menozzi CAC, França RRF, Luccas PH, Baptista MDS, Fernandes TVA, Hoelz LVB, Sales Junior PA, Murta SMF, Romanha A, Galvão BVD, Macedo MDO, Goldstein ADC, Araujo-Lima CF, Felzenszwalb I, Nonato MC, Castelo-Branco FS, Boechat N. Anti- Trypanosoma cruzi Activity, Mutagenicity, Hepatocytotoxicity and Nitroreductase Enzyme Evaluation of 3-Nitrotriazole, 2-Nitroimidazole and Triazole Derivatives. Molecules 2023; 28:7461. [PMID: 38005183 PMCID: PMC10672842 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28227461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), which is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and was discovered more than 100 years ago, remains the leading cause of death from parasitic diseases in the Americas. As a curative treatment is only available for the acute phase of CD, the search for new therapeutic options is urgent. In this study, nitroazole and azole compounds were synthesized and underwent molecular modeling, anti-T. cruzi evaluations and nitroreductase enzymatic assays. The compounds were designed as possible inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis and/or as substrates of nitroreductase enzymes. The in vitro evaluation against T. cruzi clearly showed that nitrotriazole compounds are significantly more potent than nitroimidazoles and triazoles. When their carbonyls were reduced to hydroxyl groups, the compounds showed a significant increase in activity. In addition, these substances showed potential for action via nitroreductase activation, as the substances were metabolized at higher rates than benznidazole (BZN), a reference drug against CD. Among the compounds, 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-(3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanol (8) is the most potent and selective of the series, with an IC50 of 0.39 µM and selectivity index of 3077; compared to BZN, 8 is 4-fold more potent and 2-fold more selective. Moreover, this compound was not mutagenic at any of the concentrations evaluated, exhibited a favorable in silico ADMET profile and showed a low potential for hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by the high values of CC50 in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, compared to BZN, derivative 8 showed a higher rate of conversion by nitroreductase and was metabolized three times more quickly when both compounds were tested at a concentration of 50 µM. The results obtained by the enzymatic evaluation and molecular docking studies suggest that, as planned, nitroazole derivatives may utilize the nitroreductase metabolism pathway as their main mechanism of action against Trypanosoma cruzi. In summary, we have successfully identified and characterized new nitrotriazole analogs, demonstrating their potential as promising candidates for the development of Chagas disease drug candidates that function via nitroreductase activation, are considerably selective and show no mutagenic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheyene Almeida Celestino Menozzi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal—PPGFQM-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Bloco J, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil (R.R.F.F.)
- Laboratório de Síntese de Fármacos—LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Farmanguinhos—Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Rodrigo Florido França
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal—PPGFQM-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Bloco J, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil (R.R.F.F.)
- Laboratório de Síntese de Fármacos—LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Farmanguinhos—Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Luccas
- Laboratório de Cristalografia de Proteínas—LCP-RP, Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo FCFRP-USP, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Mayara dos Santos Baptista
- Laboratório de Síntese de Fármacos—LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Farmanguinhos—Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| | - Tácio Vinício Amorim Fernandes
- Laboratório de Síntese de Fármacos—LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Farmanguinhos—Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| | - Lucas Villas Bôas Hoelz
- Laboratório de Síntese de Fármacos—LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Farmanguinhos—Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| | | | | | - Alvaro Romanha
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/CPqRR—Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Verena Dias Galvão
- Laboratório de Mutagênese Ambiental, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências—PPGB—Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20551-030, Brazil
| | - Marcela de Oliveira Macedo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Molecular e Celular—PPGBMC—Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20211-010, Brazil
| | - Alana da Cunha Goldstein
- Laboratório de Mutagênese Ambiental, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências—PPGB—Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20551-030, Brazil
| | - Carlos Fernando Araujo-Lima
- Laboratório de Mutagênese Ambiental, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências—PPGB—Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20551-030, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Molecular e Celular—PPGBMC—Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20211-010, Brazil
| | - Israel Felzenszwalb
- Laboratório de Mutagênese Ambiental, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências—PPGB—Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20551-030, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Nonato
- Laboratório de Cristalografia de Proteínas—LCP-RP, Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo FCFRP-USP, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Frederico Silva Castelo-Branco
- Laboratório de Síntese de Fármacos—LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Farmanguinhos—Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| | - Nubia Boechat
- Laboratório de Síntese de Fármacos—LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Farmanguinhos—Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lima-Neto RG, Neta MS, Valeriano CA, Neves RP, Lacerda AM, Ferraz CE, Inácio CP, Le Pape P, Ourliac-Garnier I, Faria AR, Silva TG, Pereira VR, Marchand P. Antifungal efficacy of imidazo[1,2- a]pyrazine-based thiosemicarbazones and thiazolidinediones against Sporothrix species. Future Microbiol 2023; 18:1225-1233. [PMID: 37882752 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2023-0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate antifungal potential of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine hybrids based on thiosemicarbazones and thiazolidinediones against pathogenic Sporothrix species. Methods: Antifungal activity of nine compounds were assessed by broth microdilution. Interactions between active compounds and itraconazole were evaluated by the checkerboard assay using non-wild-type isolates. Cytotoxicity of the compounds was determined. Results: Four C-3 substituted analogs showed antifungal activity, unrelated to thiosemicarbazone or thiazolidinedione functions. Synergistic interactions between the four compounds and itraconazole, and low toxicity on mouse fibroblast cells were observed. Activity of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine hybrids against Sporothrix depended on the substitution on the imidazopyrazine ring. Conclusion: Antifungal potential, overcoming itraconazole resistance and low toxicity indicate the possible use of that series of compounds in a therapeutic alternative for treatment of sporotrichosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reginaldo G Lima-Neto
- Laboratory for Research & Diagnosis in Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Medicine, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Avenida Prof Moraes Rego s/n, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Marlene Sa Neta
- Nantes Université, Cibles et médicaments des infections et de l'immunité, IICiMed, UR 1155, F-44000 Nantes, France
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, UFPE, Brazil
| | - Carlos At Valeriano
- Laboratory for Research & Diagnosis in Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Medicine, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Avenida Prof Moraes Rego s/n, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Rejane P Neves
- Departament of Mycology, Center for Biosciences, UFPE, Brazil
| | | | - Claudia E Ferraz
- Laboratory for Research & Diagnosis in Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Medicine, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Avenida Prof Moraes Rego s/n, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Cícero P Inácio
- Departament of Mycology, Center for Biosciences, UFPE, Brazil
| | - Patrice Le Pape
- Nantes Université, Cibles et médicaments des infections et de l'immunité, IICiMed, UR 1155, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Isabelle Ourliac-Garnier
- Nantes Université, Cibles et médicaments des infections et de l'immunité, IICiMed, UR 1155, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Antônio R Faria
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, UFPE, Brazil
| | | | - Valéria Ra Pereira
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Fundation, Recife, PE, 50740-465, Brazil
| | - Pascal Marchand
- Nantes Université, Cibles et médicaments des infections et de l'immunité, IICiMed, UR 1155, F-44000 Nantes, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Moreira LR, Silva AC, da Costa Oliveira CN, da Silva Júnior CD, Nascimento AV, Oliveira KKDS, Soares AKDA, Saraiva KLA, de Paiva Cavalcanti M, de Lorena VMB. Benznidazole treatment decreases IL-6 levels in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected human adipocytes differentiated from adipose tissue-derived stem cells. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2023; 118:e220295. [PMID: 37878830 PMCID: PMC10599316 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220295] [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: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease (CD), is a versatile haemoparasite that uses several strategies to evade the host's immune response, including adipose tissue (AT), used as a reservoir of infection. As it is an effective barrier to parasite evasion, the effectiveness of the drug recommended for treating CD, Benznidazole (BZ), may be questionable. OBJECTIVE To this end, we evaluated the parasite load and immunomodulation caused by BZ treatment in the culture of adipocytes differentiated from human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC) infected with T. cruzi. METHODS The ADSC were subjected to adipogenic differentiation. We then carried out four cultures in which we infected the differentiated AT with trypomastigote forms of the Y strain of T. cruzi and treated them with BZ. After the incubation, the infected AT was subjected to quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to quantify the parasite load and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to verify the infection. The supernatant was collected to measure cytokines, chemokines, and adipokines. FINDINGS We found elevated secretion of IL-6, CXCL-10/IP-10, CCL2/MCP-1, CCL5/RANTES, and leptin in infected fat cells. However, treatment with BZ promoted a decrease in IL-6. MAIN CONCLUSION Therefore, we believe that BZ has a beneficial role as it reduces inflammation in infected fat cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leyllane Rafael Moreira
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Programa de Pós-Graduação em
Medicina Tropical, Recife, PE, Brasil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães,
Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Ana Carla Silva
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães,
Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | | | - Claudeir Dias da Silva Júnior
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Programa de Pós-Graduação em
Medicina Tropical, Recife, PE, Brasil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães,
Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | - Milena de Paiva Cavalcanti
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães,
Departamento de Microbiologia, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
de Almeida GC, de Oliveira GB, da Silva Monte Z, Costa ÉCS, da Silva Falcão EP, Scotti L, Scotti MT, Oliveira Silva R, Pereira VRA, da Silva ED, Junior PAS, de Andrade Cavalcante MK, de Melo SJ. Structure-based design, optimization of lead, synthesis, and biological evaluation of compounds active against Trypanosoma cruzi. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 102:843-856. [PMID: 37455325 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14294] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Chagas' disease affects approximately eight million people throughout the world, especially the poorest individuals. The protozoan that causes this disease-Trypanosoma cruzi-has the enzyme cruzipain, which is the main therapeutic target. As no available medications have satisfactory effectiveness and safety, it is of fundamental importance to design and synthesize novel analogues that are more active and selective. In the present study, molecular docking and the in silico prediction of ADMET properties were used as strategies to optimize the trypanocidal activity of the pyrimidine compound ZN3F based on interactions with the target site in cruzipain. From the computational results, eight 4-amino-5-carbonitrile-pyrimidine analogues were proposed, synthesized (5a-f and 7g-h) and, tested in vitro on the trypomastigote form of the Tulahuen strain of T. cruzi. The in silico study showed that the designed analogues bond favorably to important amino acid residues of the active site in cruzipain. An in vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity was performed on L929 mammal cell lines. All derivatives inhibited the Tulahuen strain of T. cruzi and also exhibited lower toxicity to L929 cells. The 5e product, in particular, proved to be a potent, selective (IC50 = 2.79 ± 0.00 μM, selectivity index = 31.3) inhibitor of T. cruzi. The present results indicated the effectiveness of drugs based on the structure of the receptor, revealing the potential trypanocidal of pyrimidines. This study also provides information on molecular aspects for the inhibition of cruzipain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gleybson Correia de Almeida
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Gerliny Bezerra de Oliveira
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Zenaide da Silva Monte
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Érick Caique Santos Costa
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences, Department of Biosciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Scotti
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Program of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products (PgPNSB), Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Program of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products (PgPNSB), Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Oliveira Silva
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Center for Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Journalist Anibal Fernandes, Recife, Brazil
| | - Valéria Rêgo Alves Pereira
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Elis Dionisio da Silva
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Policarpo Ademar Sales Junior
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Marton Kaique de Andrade Cavalcante
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Sebastião José de Melo
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences, Department of Biosciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Daga MA, Nicolau ST, Jurumenha-Barreto J, Lima LBS, Cabral IL, Pivotto AP, Stefanello A, Amorim JPA, Hoscheid J, Silva EA, Ayala TS, Menolli RA. Ursolic acid-rich extract presents trypanocidal action in vitro but worsens mice under experimental acute Chagas disease. Parasite Immunol 2023; 45:e13005. [PMID: 37467029 DOI: 10.1111/pim.13005] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease with only two drugs available for treatment and the plant Cecropia pachystachya has several compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to evaluate a supercritical extract from C. pachystachya leaves in vitro and in vivo against Trypanosoma cruzi. A supercritical CO2 extraction was used to obtain the extract (CPE). Cytotoxicity and immunostimulation ability were evaluated in macrophages, and the in vitro trypanocidal activity was evaluated against epimastigotes and trypomastigotes forms. In vivo tests were done by infecting BALB/c mice with blood trypomastigotes forms and treating animals orally with CPE for 10 days. The parasitemia, survival rate, weight, cytokines and nitric oxide dosage were evaluated. CPE demonstrated an effect on the epi and trypomastigotes forms of the parasite (IC50 17.90 ± 1.2 μg/mL; LC50 26.73 ± 1.2 μg/mL) and no changes in macrophages viability, resulting in a selectivity index similar to the reference drug. CPE-treated animals had a worsening compared to non-treated, demonstrated by higher parasitemia and lower survival rate. This result was attributed to the anti-inflammatory effect of CPE, demonstrated by the higher IL-10 and IL-4 values observed in the treated mice compared to the control ones. CPE demonstrated a trypanocidal effect in vitro and a worsening in the in vivo infection due to its anti-inflammatory activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maiara A Daga
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Scheila T Nicolau
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Juliana Jurumenha-Barreto
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Lucas B S Lima
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Isaac L Cabral
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Pivotto
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Amanda Stefanello
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - João P A Amorim
- Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Hoscheid
- Professional Master's Program in Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicine in Primary Care, Universidade Paranaense, Umuarama, Brazil
| | - Edson A Silva
- Laboratory of Biotechnological Processes and Separation, Center of Exact and Technological Sciences, Western Parana State University, Toledo, Brazil
| | - Thaís S Ayala
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Rafael A Menolli
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Vieira da Silva Torchelsen FK, Fernandes Pedrosa TC, Rodrigues MP, de Aguiar AR, de Oliveira FM, Amarante GW, Sales-Junior PA, Branquinho RT, Gomes da Silva SP, Talvani A, Fonseca Murta SM, Martins FT, Braun RL, Teixeira RR, Furtado Mosqueira VC, Lana MD. Novel diamides inspired by protein kinase inhibitors as anti- Trypanosoma cruzi agents: in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:1469-1489. [PMID: 37650735 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0090] [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] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Chagas disease is a life-threatening illness caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. The involvement of serine-/arginine-rich protein kinase in the T. cruzi life cycle is significant. Aims: To synthesize, characterize and evaluate the trypanocidal activity of diamides inspired by kinase inhibitor, SRPIN340. Material & Methods: Synthesis using a three-step process and characterization by infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometry were conducted. The selectivity index was obtained by the ratio of CC50/IC50 in two in vitro models. The most active compound, 3j, was evaluated using in vitro cytokine assays and assessing in vivo trypanocidal activity. Results: 3j activity in the macrophage J774 lineage showed an anti-inflammatory profile, and mice showed significantly reduced parasitemia and morbidity at low compound dosages. Conclusion: Novel diamide is active against T. cruzi in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamiles Caroline Fernandes Pedrosa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | | | - Alex Ramos de Aguiar
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 30130-171, Brazil
| | | | - Giovanni Wilson Amarante
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, 36036-900, Brazil
| | | | - Renata Tupinambá Branquinho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Sirlaine Pio Gomes da Silva
- Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde e Nutrição, Escola de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - André Talvani
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
- Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde e Nutrição, Escola de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe Terra Martins
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, 74001-970, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue Braun
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Róbson Ricardo Teixeira
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 30130-171, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Marta de Lana
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Cadamuro RD, Bastos IMADS, de Freitas ACO, Rosa MDS, Costa GDO, da Silva IT, Robl D, Stoco PH, Sandjo LP, Treichel H, Steindel M, Fongaro G. Bioactivity Screening and Chemical Characterization of Biocompound from Endophytic Neofusicoccum parvum and Buergenerula spartinae Isolated from Mangrove Ecosystem. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1599. [PMID: 37375101 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061599] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of biomolecules has been the subject of extensive research for several years due to their potential to combat harmful pathogens that can lead to environmental contamination and infections in both humans and animals. This study aimed to identify the chemical profile of endophytic fungi, namely Neofusicoccum parvum and Buergenerula spartinae, which were isolated from Avecinnia schaueriana and Laguncularia racemosa. We identified several HPLC-MS compounds, including Ethylidene-3,39-biplumbagin, Pestauvicolactone A, Phenylalanine, 2-Isopropylmalic acid, Fusaproliferin, Sespendole, Ansellone, Calanone derivative, Terpestacin, and others. Solid-state fermentation was conducted for 14-21 days, and methanol and dichloromethane extraction were performed to obtain a crude extract. The results of our cytotoxicity assay revealed a CC50 value > 500 μg/mL, while the virucide, Trypanosoma, leishmania, and yeast assay demonstrated no inhibition. Nevertheless, the bacteriostatic assay showed a 98% reduction in Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli. Our findings suggest that these endophytic fungi species with distinct chemical profiles represent a promising niche for further exploring new biomolecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Dorighello Cadamuro
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Claudia Oliveira de Freitas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Marilene da Silva Rosa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Izabella Thaís da Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Diogo Robl
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Patricia Hermes Stoco
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Louis Pergaud Sandjo
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Helen Treichel
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Bioprocess, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Erechim 99700970, RS, Brazil
| | - Mário Steindel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Gislaine Fongaro
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Gabaldón-Figueira JC, Martinez-Peinado N, Escabia E, Ros-Lucas A, Chatelain E, Scandale I, Gascon J, Pinazo MJ, Alonso-Padilla J. State-of-the-Art in the Drug Discovery Pathway for Chagas Disease: A Framework for Drug Development and Target Validation. Res Rep Trop Med 2023; 14:1-19. [PMID: 37337597 PMCID: PMC10277022 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s415273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is the most important protozoan infection in the Americas, and constitutes a significant public health concern throughout the world. Development of new medications against its etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, has been traditionally slow and difficult, lagging in comparison with diseases caused by other kinetoplastid parasites. Among the factors that explain this are the incompletely understood mechanisms of pathogenesis of T. cruzi infection and its complex set of interactions with the host in the chronic stage of the disease. These demand the performance of a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays as part of any drug development effort. In this review, we discuss recent breakthroughs in the understanding of the parasite's life cycle and their implications in the search for new chemotherapeutics. For this, we present a framework to guide drug discovery efforts against Chagas disease, considering state-of-the-art preclinical models and recently developed tools for the identification and validation of molecular targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Escabia
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Ros-Lucas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Pinazo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Gonçalves-Santos E, Caldas IS, Fernandes VÂ, Franco LL, Pelozo MF, Feltrim F, Maciel JS, Machado JVC, Gonçalves RV, Novaes RD. Pharmacological potential of new metronidazole/eugenol/dihydroeugenol hybrids against Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and in vivo. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 121:110416. [PMID: 37295025 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
AIMS From well-delimited immunomodulatory, redox and antimicrobial properties; metronidazole and eugenol were used as structural platforms to assembly two new molecular hybrids (AD06 and AD07), whose therapeutic relevance was analyzed on T. cruzi infection in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Non-infected, T. cruzi-infected H9c2 cardiomyocytes, and mice non-treated and treated with vehicle, benznidazole (Bz - reference drug), AD06 and AD07 were investigated. Parasitological, prooxidant, antioxidant, microstructural, immunological, and hepatic function markers were analyzed. RESULTS Our findings indicated that in addition to having a direct antiparasitic effect on T. cruzi, metronidazole/eugenol hybrids (especially AD07) attenuated cellular parasitism, reactive species biosynthesis and oxidative stress in infected cardiomyocytes in vitro. Although AD06 and AD07 exerted no relevant impact on antioxidant enzymes activity (CAT, SOD, GR and GPx) in host cells, these drugs (especially AD07) attenuated trypanothione reductase activity in T. cruzi, which increased parasite's susceptibility to in vitro pro-oxidant challenge. AD06 and AD07 were well tolerated and do not determine humoral response suppression, mortality (100 % survival) or hepatotoxicity in mice, as indicated by transaminases plasma levels. AD07 also induced relevant in vivo antiparasitic and cardioprotective effects, attenuating parasitemia, cardiac parasite load and myocarditis in T. cruzi-infected mice. Although this cardioprotective response is potentially related to AD07 antiparasitic effect, a direct anti-inflammatory potential of this molecular hybrid cannot be ruled out. CONCLUSION Taken together, our findings indicated that the new molecular hybrid AD07 stood out as a potentially relevant candidate for the development of new, safe and more effective drug regimens for T. cruzi infection treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elda Gonçalves-Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ivo S Caldas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Valquiria  Fernandes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lucas L Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Alimentos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mônica F Pelozo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Alimentos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernando Feltrim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Alimentos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Juliana S Maciel
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Alimentos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jose Vaz C Machado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Reggiani V Gonçalves
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rômulo D Novaes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Araujo-Lima CF, de Cassia Castro Carvalho R, Rosario SL, Leite DI, Aguiar ACC, de Souza Santos LV, de Araujo JS, Salomão K, Kaiser CR, Krettli AU, Bastos MM, Aiub CAF, de Nazaré Correia Soeiro M, Boechat N, Felzenszwalb I. Antiplasmodial, Trypanocidal, and Genotoxicity In Vitro Assessment of New Hybrid α,α-Difluorophenylacetamide-statin Derivatives. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:782. [PMID: 37375730 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Statins present a plethora of pleiotropic effects including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial responses. A,α-difluorophenylacetamides, analogs of diclofenac, are potent pre-clinical anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs. Molecular hybridization based on the combination of pharmacophoric moieties has emerged as a strategy for the development of new candidates aiming to obtain multitarget ligands. METHODS Considering the anti-inflammatory activity of phenylacetamides and the potential microbicidal action of statins against obligate intracellular parasites, the objective of this work was to synthesize eight new hybrid compounds of α,α-difluorophenylacetamides with the moiety of statins and assess their phenotypic activity against in vitro models of Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma cruzi infection besides exploring their genotoxicity safety profile. RESULTS None of the sodium salt compounds presented antiparasitic activity and two acetated compounds displayed mild anti-P. falciparum effect. Against T. cruzi, the acetate halogenated hybrids showed moderate effect against both parasite forms relevant for human infection. Despite the considerable trypanosomicidal activity, the brominated compound revealed a genotoxic profile impairing future in vivo testing. CONCLUSIONS However, the chlorinated derivative was the most promising compound with chemical and biological profitable characteristics, without presenting genotoxicity in vitro, being eligible for further in vivo experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Fernando Araujo-Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, LBC Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Mutagênese Ambiental, LabMut Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, IBRAG-UERJ, Rio de Janeiro 22050-020, RJ, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Molecular e Celular, Instituto Biomédico-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro 20211-030, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cassia Castro Carvalho
- Departamento de Síntese de Fármacos, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos-FIOCRUZ, Rua Sizenando Nabuco 100, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, RJ, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, PGQu, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sandra Loureiro Rosario
- Departamento de Síntese de Fármacos, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos-FIOCRUZ, Rua Sizenando Nabuco 100, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, RJ, Brazil
| | - Debora Inacio Leite
- Departamento de Síntese de Fármacos, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos-FIOCRUZ, Rua Sizenando Nabuco 100, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, RJ, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, ICB-UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Anna Caroline Campos Aguiar
- Laboratório de Malária, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, CPqRR-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, MG, Brazil
| | - Lizandra Vitoria de Souza Santos
- Laboratório de Mutagênese Ambiental, LabMut Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, IBRAG-UERJ, Rio de Janeiro 22050-020, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Kelly Salomão
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, LBC Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos Roland Kaiser
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, PGQu, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, RJ, Brazil
| | - Antoniana Ursine Krettli
- Laboratório de Malária, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, CPqRR-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, MG, Brazil
| | - Monica Macedo Bastos
- Departamento de Síntese de Fármacos, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos-FIOCRUZ, Rua Sizenando Nabuco 100, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, RJ, Brazil
| | - Claudia Alessandra Fortes Aiub
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Molecular e Celular, Instituto Biomédico-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro 20211-030, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Nubia Boechat
- Departamento de Síntese de Fármacos, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos-FIOCRUZ, Rua Sizenando Nabuco 100, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, RJ, Brazil
| | - Israel Felzenszwalb
- Laboratório de Mutagênese Ambiental, LabMut Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, IBRAG-UERJ, Rio de Janeiro 22050-020, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Peres RB, Batista MM, Bérenger ALR, Camillo FDC, Figueiredo MR, Soeiro MDNC. Antiparasitic Activity of Plumbago auriculata Extracts and Its Naphthoquinone Plumbagin against Trypanosoma cruzi. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051535. [PMID: 37242777 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi affects more than six million people worldwide. Treatment is restricted to benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox (Nf) that display low activity in the later chronic stage besides triggering toxic events that result in treatment abandonment. Therefore, new therapeutic options are necessary. In this scenario, natural products emerge as promising alternatives to treat CD. In the family Plumbaginaceae, Plumbago sp. exhibits a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities. Thus, our main objective was to evaluate, in vitro and in silico, the biological effect of crude extracts of root and of aerial parts of P. auriculata, as well as its naphthoquinone Plumbagin (Pb) against T. cruzi. The phenotypic assays revealed potent activity of the root extract against different forms (trypomastigote and intracellular forms) and strains (Y and Tulahuen), with a compound concentration that reduced 50% of the number of the parasite (EC50) values ranging from 1.9 to 3.9 µg/mL. In silico analysis showed that Pb is predicted to have good oral absorption and permeability in Caco2 cells, besides excellent probability of absorption by human intestinal cells, without toxic or mutagenic potential effects, not being predicted as a substrate or inhibitor of P-glycoprotein. Pb was as potent as Bz against intracellular forms and displayed a superior trypanosomicidal effect (about 10-fold) in bloodstream forms (EC50 = 0.8 µM) as compared to the reference drug (8.5 µM). The cellular targets of Pb on T. cruzi were evaluated using electron microscopy assays and the findings on bloodstream trypomastigotes showed several cellular insults related to the autophagic process. Regarding toxicity in mammalian cells, the root extracts and the naphthoquinone present a moderate toxic profile on fibroblasts and cardiac cell lines. Then, aiming to reduce host toxicity, the root extract and Pb were tested in combination with Bz, and the data showed additive profiles with the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentration indexes (ΣFICIs) being 1.45 and 0.87, respectively. Thus, our work reveals the promising antiparasitic activity of Plumbago auriculata crude extracts and its purified naphthoquinone Plumbagin against different forms and strains of Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raiza Brandão Peres
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Marcos Meuser Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Ana Luíza Rangel Bérenger
- Laboratório de Tecnologia para Biodiversidade em Saúde-TecBio/LDFito, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos (Farmanguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| | - Flávia da Cunha Camillo
- Laboratório de Tecnologia para Biodiversidade em Saúde-TecBio/LDFito, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos (Farmanguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| | - Maria Raquel Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Tecnologia para Biodiversidade em Saúde-TecBio/LDFito, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos (Farmanguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| | - Maria de Nazaré Correia Soeiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Araujo-Lima CF, Carvalho RDCC, Peres RB, Fiuza LFDA, Galvão BVD, Castelo-Branco FS, Bastos MM, Boechat N, Felzenszwalb I, Soeiro MDNC. In silico and in vitro assessment of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi efficacy, genotoxicity and pharmacokinetics of pentasubstituted pyrrolic Atorvastatin-aminoquinoline hybrid compounds. Acta Trop 2023; 242:106924. [PMID: 37037291 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Atorvastatin (AVA) is a third-generation statin with several pleiotropic effects, considered the last synthetic pharmaceutical blockbuster. Recently, our group described the effects of AVA on DNA damage prevention and against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and in silico pharmacokinetic profile of four hybrids of aminoquinolines with AVA 4a-d against T. cruzi using in vitro and in silico models. These synthetic compounds were designed by hybridization of the pentapyrrolic moiety of AVA with the aminoquinolinic unit of chloroquine or primaquine. Pharmacokinetics (ADME) and toxicity parameters were predicted by SwissADME, admetSAR and LAZAR in silico algorithms. The trypanocidal activity of AVA-quinoline hybrids were evaluated in vitro against amastigotes and trypomastigotes of T. cruzi, from Y (Tc II) and Tulahuen (Tc VI) strains. In vitro cardiocytotoxicity was assessed using primary cultures of mouse embryonic cardiac cells and in vitro hepatocytotoxicity on bidimensional and 3D-cultured HepG2 cells. Genotoxicity was evaluated by Ames test and micronucleus assay. Despite the overall good in silico ADMET profile, all tested compounds were predicted to be hepatotoxic. All hybrid derivatives presented high trypanocidal activity, against both trypomastigote and intracellular forms of T. cruzi, presenting EC50's lower than 1 µM besides superior selectivity than the reference drug, without evidences of cardiotoxicity in vitro. The compounds 4a and 4b presented a time-dependent toxicity in monolayer culture of HepG2 but no detectable toxic effects in their spheroids, opposing to the in silico prediction. We can conclude that the AVA-aminoquinoline hybrids presented a hit profile as antiparasitic agents in synthetic pharmaceutical innovation platforms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Fernando Araujo-Lima
- Laboratory of Environmental Mutagenesis, Department of Biophysics and Biometry, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratory of Cell Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Rio de Janeiro State Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cássia Castro Carvalho
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos- LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos - Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Raiza Brandão Peres
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Bárbara Verena Dias Galvão
- Laboratory of Environmental Mutagenesis, Department of Biophysics and Biometry, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Frederico S Castelo-Branco
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos- LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos - Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mônica Macedo Bastos
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos- LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos - Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Nubia Boechat
- Laboratorio de Sintese de Farmacos- LASFAR, Instituto de Tecnologia em Farmacos - Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Israel Felzenszwalb
- Laboratory of Environmental Mutagenesis, Department of Biophysics and Biometry, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
da Conceição JM, da Silva Santos AC, Brayner FA, Alves LC, Pinto AF, Brondani GL, de Oliveira Filho GB, Bedor DCG, da Silva JWV, Sales Junior PA, de Andrade Cavalcante MK, da Silva ED, Pereira VRA, Leite ACL. Structural design, synthesis, and anti-Trypanosomatidae profile of new Pyridyl-thiazolidinones. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115310. [PMID: 37062170 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
The present work reports the synthesis of a novel series of pyridine-thiazolidinones with anti-Trypanosoma cruzi and leishmanicidal activities (compounds 10-27), derived from 2 or 4-pyridine thiosemicarbazones (1-9). The in vitro assays were performed with Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes and amastigotes, as well as with Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes and amastigotes. The cytotoxicity profile was evaluated using the cell line RAW 264.7. From the 18 pyridine-thiazolidinones, 5 were able to inhibit trypomastigotes. Overall, all compounds inhibited amastigotes, highlighting compounds 15 (0.60 μM), 18 (0.64 μM), 17 (0.81 μM), and 27 (0.89 μM). Compounds 15 and 18 were able to induce parasite cell death through necrosis induction. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy showed that T. cruzi trypomastigotes treated with compounds 15 and 18 induced morphological changes such as shortening, retraction and curvature of the parasite body and leakage of internal content. Regarding the antiparasitic evaluation against Leishmania amazonensis, only compound 27 had a higher selectivity compared to Miltefosine against the amastigote form (IC50 = 5.70 μM). Our results showed that compound 27 presented an antiparasitic activity for both Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania amazonensis. After in silico evaluation, it was suggested that the new pyridine-thiazolidinones had an appropriate drug-likeness profile. Our results pointed out a new chemical frame with an anti-Trypanosomatidae profile. The pyridine-thiazolidinones presented here for the first time could be used as a starting point for the development of new antiparasitic agents.
Collapse
|
33
|
Nesic de Freitas LSF, da Silva CF, Intagliata S, Amata E, Salerno L, Soeiro MDNC. In vitro and in silico analysis of imatinib analogues as anti- Trypanosoma cruzi drug candidates. Parasitology 2023; 150:1-18. [PMID: 36632017 PMCID: PMC10090470 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000057] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical disease caused by the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi that remains a serious public health issue affecting more than 6 million people worldwide. The available treatment includes 2 nitro derivatives, benznidazole (BZ) and nifurtimox, that lack in efficacy in the later chronic phase and when administered against the several naturally resistant parasite strains and present several side-effects, demanding new therapeutic options. One strategy is based on repurposing by testing drugs already used for other illness that may share similar targets. In this context, our previous data on imatinib (IMB) and derivatives motivated the screening of 8 new IMB analogues. Our findings showed that all except 1 were active against bloodstream trypomastigotes reaching drug concentration capable of inducing a 50% of parasite lysis (EC50) values < 12 μ m after 2 h while BZ was inactive. After 24 h, all derivatives were more potent than BZ, exhibiting EC50 values 1.5–5.5 times lower. Against intracellular forms, 7 out of 8 derivatives presented high activity, with EC50 values ≤ BZ. LS2/89 stood out as one of the most promising, reaching EC90 values of 1.68 and 4.9 μ m on intracellular and trypomastigote forms, respectively, with the best selectivity index (>60) towards the proliferative forms. Physicochemical parameters as well as the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity properties were predicted to be acceptable and with good chance of a favourable oral bioavailability. The promising results motivate further studies such as in vivo and combinatory assays aiming to contribute for a novel safer and effective therapy for CD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sebastiano Intagliata
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Loredana Salerno
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Identification of Aryl Polyamines Derivatives as Anti- Trypanosoma cruzi Agents Targeting Iron Superoxide Dismutase. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010140. [PMID: 36678771 PMCID: PMC9863987 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010140] [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: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a tropical and potentially fatal infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Although CD was limited to Latin America as a silent disease, CD has become widespread as a result of globalization. Currently, 6-8 million people are infected worldwide, and no effective treatment is available. Here, we identify new effective agents against T. cruzi. In short, 16 aryl polyamines were screened in vitro against different T. cruzi strains, and lead compounds were evaluated in vivo after oral administration in both the acute and chronic infections. The mode of action was also evaluated at the energetic level, and its high activity profile could be ascribed to a mitochondria-dependent bioenergetic collapse and redox stress by inhibition of the Fe-SOD enzyme. We present compound 15 as a potential compound that provides a step forward for the development of new agents to combat CD.
Collapse
|
35
|
Fiuza LFDA, Batista DGJ, Girão RD, Hulpia F, Finamore-Araújo P, Aldfer MM, Elmahallawy EK, De Koning HP, Moreira O, Van Calenbergh S, Soeiro MDNC. Phenotypic Evaluation of Nucleoside Analogues against Trypanosoma cruzi Infection: In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27228087. [PMID: 36432189 PMCID: PMC9695592 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27228087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is a serious public health problem. Current treatment is restricted to two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, displaying serious efficacy and safety drawbacks. Nucleoside analogues represent a promising alternative as protozoans do not biosynthesize purines and rely on purine salvage from the hosts. Protozoan transporters often present different substrate specificities from mammalian transporters, justifying the exploration of nucleoside analogues as therapeutic agents. Previous reports identified nucleosides with potent trypanocidal activity; therefore, two 7-derivatized tubercidins (FH11706, FH10714) and a 3′-deoxytubercidin (FH8513) were assayed against T. cruzi. They were highly potent and selective, and the uptake of the tubercidin analogues appeared to be mediated by the nucleoside transporter TcrNT2. At 10 μM, the analogues reduced parasitemia >90% in 2D and 3D cardiac cultures. The washout assays showed that FH10714 sterilized the infected cultures. Given orally, the compounds did not induce noticeable mouse toxicity (50 mg/kg), suppressed the parasitemia of T. cruzi-infected Swiss mice (25 mg/kg, 5 days) and presented DNA amplification below the limit of detection. These findings justify further studies with longer treatment regimens, as well as evaluations in combination with nitro drugs, aiming to identify more effective and safer therapies for Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila F. de A. Fiuza
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Denise G. J. Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Roberson D. Girão
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Fabian Hulpia
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paula Finamore-Araújo
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20000-000, Brazil
| | - Mustafa M. Aldfer
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow 62694, UK
| | - Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow 62694, UK
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Harry P. De Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow 62694, UK
| | - Otacílio Moreira
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20000-000, Brazil
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maria de Nazaré C. Soeiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-2562-1368
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Drug Repurposing in Chagas Disease: Chloroquine Potentiates Benznidazole Activity against Trypanosoma cruzi
In Vitro
and
In Vivo. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0028422. [PMID: 36314800 PMCID: PMC9664849 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00284-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug combinations and drug repurposing have emerged as promising strategies to develop novel treatments for infectious diseases, including Chagas disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the repurposed drugs chloroquine (CQ) and colchicine (COL), known to inhibit
Trypanosoma cruzi
infection in host cells, could boost the anti-
T. cruzi
effect of the trypanocidal drug benznidazole (BZN), increasing its therapeutic efficacy while reducing the dose needed to eradicate the parasite. The combination of BZN and COL exhibited cytotoxicity to infected cells and low antiparasitic activity.
Collapse
|
37
|
Reis RCFM, Reis ACC, Torchelsen FKVS, de Lana M, Junior PAS, Brandão GC, Braga SFP, de Souza TB. Synthesis, trypanocidal and cytotoxic activities of α,β-unsaturated ketones derived from eugenol and analogues. Med Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-022-02976-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2022]
|
38
|
Martín-Escolano R, Rosales MJ, Marín C. Biological characteristics of the Trypanosoma cruzi Arequipa strain make it a good model for Chagas disease drug discovery. Acta Trop 2022; 236:106679. [PMID: 36096184 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106679] [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: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD), is a genuine parasite with tremendous genetic diversity and a complex life cycle. Scientists have studied this disease for more than 100 years, and CD drug discovery has been a mainstay due to the absence of an effective treatment. Technical advances in several areas have contributed to a better understanding of the complex biology and life cycle of this parasite, with the aim of designing the ideal profile of both drug and therapeutic options to treat CD. Here, we present the T. cruzi Arequipa strain (MHOM/Pe/2011/Arequipa) as an interesting model for CD drug discovery. We characterized acute-phase parasitaemia and chronic-phase tropism in BALB/c mice and determined the in vitro and in vivo benznidazole susceptibility profile of the different morphological forms of this strain. The tropism of this strain makes it an interesting model for the screening of new compounds with a potential anti-Chagas profile for the treatment of this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK.
| | - María José Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, Granada 18071, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, Granada 18071, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Rolon M, Hanna E, Vega C, Coronel C, Dea-Ayuela MA, Serrano DR, Lalatsa A. Solid Nanomedicines of Nifurtimox and Benznidazole for the Oral Treatment of Chagas Disease. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091822. [PMID: 36145570 PMCID: PMC9504116 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic zoonosis endemic in Central and South America affecting nearly 10 million people, with 100 million people at high risk of contracting the disease. Treatment is only effective when received at the early stages of the disease and it involved two drugs (nifurtimox (NFX) and benznidazole (BNZ)). Both treatments require multiple daily administrations of high doses, suffer from variable efficacy and insufficient efficacy in chronic CD, many side effects, and a very long duration of treatment that results in poor compliance, while combined available therapies that lead to reduced duration of treatment are not available and polypharmacy reduces compliance and increases the cost further. Here we present self-nanoemulsified drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) able to produce easily scalable combined formulations of NFX and BNZ that can allow for tailoring of the dose and can be easily converted to oral solid dosage form by impregnation on mesoporous silica particles. SNEDDS demonstrated an enhanced solubilisation capacity for both drugs as demonstrated by flow-through studies and in vitro lipolysis studies. High loading of SNEDDS to Syloid 244 and 3050 silicas (2:1 w/w) allowed clinically translatable amounts of both NFX and BNZ to be loaded. Tablets prepared from NFX-BNZ combined SNEDDS loaded on Syloid 3050 silicas demonstration near complete dissolution in the flow through cell apparatus compared to NFX and BNZ commercial tablets respectively (Lampit® and Rochagan®). NFX-BNZ-SNEDDS demonstrated nanomolar efficacy in epimastigotes and amastigotes of T. cruzi with acceptable selectivity indexes and demonstrated enhanced survival and reduced parasitaemia in acute murine experimental models of CD. Thus, the results presented here illustrate the ability for an easily scalable and personalised combination oral therapy prepared from GRAS excipients, enabling treatment access worldwide for the treatment of CD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Rolon
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigacion Científica (CEDIC), Manduvirá 635 entre 15 de Agosto y O’Leary, Asuncion 1255, Paraguay
| | - Eustine Hanna
- Biomaterials, Bio-Engineering and Nanomedicines (BioN) Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, White Swan Road, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Celeste Vega
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigacion Científica (CEDIC), Manduvirá 635 entre 15 de Agosto y O’Leary, Asuncion 1255, Paraguay
| | - Cathia Coronel
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigacion Científica (CEDIC), Manduvirá 635 entre 15 de Agosto y O’Leary, Asuncion 1255, Paraguay
| | - Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, Edificio Seminario s/n, Moncada, 46113 Valencia, Spain
| | - Dolores R. Serrano
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Instituto Universitario de Farmacia Industrial (IUFI), School of Pharmacy, University Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (D.R.S.); (A.L.); Tel.: +44-141-548-2675 (A.L.)
| | - Aikaterini Lalatsa
- Biomaterials, Bio-Engineering and Nanomedicines (BioN) Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, White Swan Road, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, John Arbuthnot Building, Robertson Wing, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- Correspondence: (D.R.S.); (A.L.); Tel.: +44-141-548-2675 (A.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Martinho ACC, Resende DDM, Landin ES, Dit Lapierre TJWJ, Bernardes TCD, Martins LC, Ferreira RS, Murta SMF, de Oliveira Rezende Júnior C. Synthesis, Design, and Structure-Activity Relationship of a Benzenesulfonylpiperazine Series Against Trypanosoma Cruzi. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200211. [PMID: 35993440 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200211] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease, endemic in Latin America and caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi . Available treatments show low cure efficacy during the chronic phase of the disease and cause a series of side effects, reinforcing the need to develop new drugs against Chagas disease. In this work, we describe the optimization of a trypanocidal hit compound recently reported in phenotypic HTS studies against Trypanosoma cruzi . A hit-to-lead process was initiated and a structure-activity relationship against Trypanosoma cruzi was obtained after the synthesis and biological evaluation of 22 new benzenesulfonylpiperazine derivatives. From this SAR study, we identified three compounds with a promising predicted ADMET profile and potency comparable to the reference drug benznidazole, which are candidates for further development towards therapies for Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela de Melo Resende
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Instituto René Rachou: Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz Instituto Rene Rachou, René Rachou Institute, BRAZIL
| | - Emanuelly Silva Landin
- Federal University of Uberlandia: Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, Chemistry Institute, BRAZIL
| | | | | | - Luan Carvalho Martins
- Federal University of Minas Gerais: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Biochemistry and immunology, BRAZIL
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Federal University of Minas Gerais: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Biochemistry and immunology, BRAZIL
| | - Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rene Rachou Institute: Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz Instituto Rene Rachou, René Rachou Institute, BRAZIL
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
5-Nitroindazole-based compounds: further studies for activity optimization as anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents. Acta Trop 2022; 234:106607. [PMID: 35907502 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106607] [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: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a new series of eleven 5-nitroindazole derivatives (10-20) and a related 6-nitroquinazoline (21) was synthesized and tested in vitro against different forms of the kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, etiological agent of Chagas disease. Among these compounds, derivatives 11-14 and 17 showed trypanocidal profiles on epimastigotes (IC50 = 1.00-8.75 µM) considerably better than that of the reference drug benznidazole, BZ (IC50 = 25.22 µM). Furthermore, the lack of cytotoxicity observed for compounds 11, 12, 14, 17 and 18 over L929 fibroblasts, led to a notable selectivity (SI) on the extracellular replicative form of the parasite: SIEPI > 12.41 to > 256 µM. Since these five derivatives overpassed the cut-off value established by BZ (SIEPI ≥ 10), they were moved to a more specific assay against the intracellular and replicative form of T. cruzi, i.e, amastigotes. These molecules were not as active as BZ (IC50 = 0.57 µM) against this parasite form; however, all of them showed remarkable IC50 values lower than 7 µM. Special mention deserve compounds 12 and 17, whose SIAMA were > 246.15 and > 188.23, respectively. The results compiled in the present work, point to a positive impact over the trypanocidal activity of the electron withdrawing substituents introduced at position 2 of the N-2 benzyl moiety of these compounds, especially fluorine, i.e., derivatives 12 and 17. These outcomes, supported by the in silico prediction of good oral bioavailability and suitable risk profile, reinforce the 5-nitroindazole scaffold as an adequate template for preparing potential antichagasic agents.
Collapse
|
42
|
Gulin JEN, Bisio MMC, Rocco D, Altcheh J, Solana ME, García-Bournissen F. Miltefosine and Benznidazole Combination Improve Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:855119. [PMID: 35865815 PMCID: PMC9294734 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.855119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repurposing and combination therapy have been proposed as cost-effective strategies to improve Chagas disease treatment. Miltefosine (MLT), a synthetic alkylphospholipid initially developed for breast cancer and repositioned for leishmaniasis, is a promising candidate against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. This study evaluates the efficacy of MLT as a monodrug and combined with benznidazole (BZ) in both in vitro and in vivo models of infection with T. cruzi (VD strain, DTU TcVI). MLT exhibited in vitro activity on amastigotes and trypomastigotes with values of IC50 = 0.51 µM (0.48 µM; 0,55 µM) and LC50 = 31.17 µM (29.56 µM; 32.87 µM), respectively. Drug interaction was studied with the fixed-ration method. The sum of the fractional inhibitory concentrations (ΣFICs) resulted in ∑FIC= 0.45 for trypomastigotes and ∑FIC= 0.71 for amastigotes, suggesting in vitro synergistic and additive effects, respectively. No cytotoxic effects on host cells were observed. MLT efficacy was also evaluated in a murine model of acute infection alone or combined with BZ. Treatment was well tolerated with few adverse effects, and all treated animals displayed significantly lower mean peak parasitemia and mortality than infected non-treated controls (p<0.05). The in vivo studies showed that MLT led to a dose-dependent parasitostatic effect as monotherapy which could be improved by combining with BZ, preventing parasitemia rebound after a stringent immunosuppression protocol. These results support MLT activity in clinically relevant stages from T. cruzi, and it is the first report of positive interaction with BZ, providing further support for evaluating combined schemes using MLT and exploring synthetic alkylphospholipids as drug candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julián Ernesto Nicolás Gulin
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)-Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (GCBA), Servicio de Parasitología y Enfermedad de Chagas, Hospital de Niños “Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) – CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Margarita María Catalina Bisio
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)-Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (GCBA), Servicio de Parasitología y Enfermedad de Chagas, Hospital de Niños “Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología (INP) ‘Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben’-Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS) ‘Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán’, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Rocco
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)-Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (GCBA), Servicio de Parasitología y Enfermedad de Chagas, Hospital de Niños “Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jaime Altcheh
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)-Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (GCBA), Servicio de Parasitología y Enfermedad de Chagas, Hospital de Niños “Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Elisa Solana
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Facundo García-Bournissen
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)-Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (GCBA), Servicio de Parasitología y Enfermedad de Chagas, Hospital de Niños “Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Division of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Facundo García-Bournissen,
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Di Bello E, Noce B, Fioravanti R, Zwergel C, Valente S, Rotili D, Fianco G, Trisciuoglio D, Mourão MM, Sales P, Lamotte S, Prina E, Späth GF, Häberli C, Keiser J, Mai A. Effects of Structurally Different HDAC Inhibitors against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania, and Schistosoma mansoni. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1356-1366. [PMID: 35732073 PMCID: PMC9274761 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Neglected tropical
diseases (NTDs), including trypanosomiasis,
leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis, result in a significant burden
in terms of morbidity and mortality worldwide every year. Current
antiparasitic drugs suffer from several limitations such as toxicity,
no efficacy toward all of the forms of the parasites’ life
cycle, and/or induction of resistance. Histone-modifying enzymes play
a crucial role in parasite growth and survival; thus, the use of epigenetic
drugs has been suggested as a strategy for the treatment of NTDs.
We tested structurally different HDACi 1–9, chosen from our in-house library or newly synthesized,
against Trypanosoma cruzi,
Leishmania spp, and Schistosoma mansoni. Among them, 4 emerged as the most potent against all
of the tested parasites, but it was too toxic against host cells,
hampering further studies. The retinoic 2′-aminoanilide 8 was less potent than 4 in all parasitic assays,
but as its toxicity is considerably lower, it could be the starting
structure for further development. In T. cruzi, compound 3 exhibited a single-digit micromolar inhibition of parasite
growth combined with moderate toxicity. In S. mansoni, 4’s close analogs 17–20 were tested in new transformed schistosomula (NTS) and
adult worms displaying high death induction against both parasite
forms. Among them, 17 and 19 exhibited very
low toxicity in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, thus
being promising compounds for further optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Di Bello
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Noce
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Clemens Zwergel
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Fianco
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council (CNR), Via degli Apuli 4, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Trisciuoglio
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council (CNR), Via degli Apuli 4, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marina M Mourão
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, 30190-002 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Policarpo Sales
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, 30190-002 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Suzanne Lamotte
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, 25-28 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Eric Prina
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, 25-28 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Gerald F Späth
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, 25-28 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Häberli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002 Allschwil, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Peterspl. 1, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002 Allschwil, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Peterspl. 1, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.,Pasteur Institute, Cenci-Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Martín-Escolano J, Marín C, Rosales MJ, Tsaousis AD, Medina-Carmona E, Martín-Escolano R. An Updated View of the Trypanosoma cruzi Life Cycle: Intervention Points for an Effective Treatment. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1107-1115. [PMID: 35652513 PMCID: PMC9194904 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Chagas disease (CD)
is a parasitic, systemic, chronic, and often
fatal illness caused by infection with the protozoan Trypanosoma
cruzi. The World Health Organization classifies CD as the
most prevalent of poverty-promoting neglected tropical diseases, the
most important parasitic one, and the third most infectious disease
in Latin America. Currently, CD is a global public health issue that
affects 6–8 million people. However, the current approved treatments
are limited to two nitroheterocyclic drugs developed more than 50
years ago. Many efforts have been made in recent decades to find new
therapies, but our limited understanding of the infection process,
pathology development, and long-term nature of this disease has made
it impossible to develop new drugs, effective treatment, or vaccines.
This Review aims to provide a comprehensive update on our understanding
of the current life cycle, new morphological forms, and genetic diversity
of T. cruzi, as well as identify intervention points
in the life cycle where new drugs and treatments could achieve a parasitic
cure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martín-Escolano
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, E41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - María J. Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Anastasios D. Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
| | - Encarnación Medina-Carmona
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
| | - Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Andrade JS, Junior PAS, Pereira FJ, Murta SMF, Correa RS, Taylor JG. Trypanocidal activity of chromenepyrazole derivatives. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02283-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
46
|
Hickson J, Athayde LFA, Miranda TG, Junior PAS, Dos Santos AC, da Cunha Galvão LM, da Câmara ACJ, Bartholomeu DC, de Souza RDCM, Murta SMF, Nahum LA. Trypanosoma cruzi iron superoxide dismutases: insights from phylogenetics to chemotherapeutic target assessment. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:194. [PMID: 35668508 PMCID: PMC9169349 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05319-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Components of the antioxidant defense system in Trypanosoma cruzi are potential targets for new drug development. Superoxide dismutases (SODs) constitute key components of antioxidant defense systems, removing excess superoxide anions by converting them into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The main goal of the present study was to investigate the genes coding for iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD) in T. cruzi strains from an evolutionary perspective. Methods In this study, molecular biology methods and phylogenetic studies were combined with drug assays. The FeSOD-A and FeSOD-B genes of 35 T. cruzi strains, belonging to six discrete typing units (Tcl–TcVI), from different hosts and geographical regions were amplified by PCR and sequenced using the Sanger method. Evolutionary trees were reconstructed based on Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods. Drugs that potentially interacted with T. cruzi FeSODs were identified and tested against the parasites. Results Our results suggest that T. cruzi FeSOD types are members of distinct families. Gene copies of FeSOD-A (n = 2), FeSOD-B (n = 4) and FeSOD-C (n = 4) were identified in the genome of the T. cruzi reference clone CL Brener. Phylogenetic inference supported the presence of two functional variants of each FeSOD type across the T. cruzi strains. Phylogenetic trees revealed a monophyletic group of FeSOD genes of T. cruzi TcIV strains in both distinct genes. Altogether, our results support the hypothesis that gene duplication followed by divergence shaped the evolution of T. cruzi FeSODs. Two drugs, mangafodipir and polaprezinc, that potentially interact with T. cruzi FeSODs were identified and tested in vitro against amastigotes and trypomastigotes: mangafodipir had a low trypanocidal effect and polaprezinc was inactive. Conclusions Our study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular biodiversity of T. cruzi FeSODs. Herein we provide a successful approach to the study of gene/protein families as potential drug targets. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05319-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Hickson
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Functional genomics of parasites group; Biosystems informatics, bioengineering and genomic group), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lucas Felipe Almeida Athayde
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Functional genomics of parasites group; Biosystems informatics, bioengineering and genomic group), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Thainá Godinho Miranda
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Functional genomics of parasites group; Biosystems informatics, bioengineering and genomic group), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Policarpo Ademar Sales Junior
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Functional genomics of parasites group; Biosystems informatics, bioengineering and genomic group), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Anderson Coqueiro Dos Santos
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lúcia Maria da Cunha Galvão
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte State, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Antônia Cláudia Jácome da Câmara
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte State, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cássia Moreira de Souza
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Functional genomics of parasites group; Biosystems informatics, bioengineering and genomic group), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Functional genomics of parasites group; Biosystems informatics, bioengineering and genomic group), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Laila Alves Nahum
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Functional genomics of parasites group; Biosystems informatics, bioengineering and genomic group), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. .,Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. .,Promove College of Technology, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Kratz JM, Gonçalves KR, Romera LM, Moraes CB, Bittencourt-Cunha P, Schenkman S, Chatelain E, Sosa-Estani S. The translational challenge in Chagas disease drug development. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e200501. [PMID: 35613156 PMCID: PMC9128742 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. There is an urgent need for safe, effective, and accessible new treatments since the currently approved drugs have serious limitations. Drug development for Chagas disease has historically been hampered by the complexity of the disease, critical knowledge gaps, and lack of coordinated R&D efforts. This review covers some of the translational challenges associated with the progression of new chemical entities from preclinical to clinical phases of development, and discusses how recent technological advances might allow the research community to answer key questions relevant to the disease and to overcome hurdles in R&D for Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jadel M Kratz
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karolina R Gonçalves
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Lavínia Md Romera
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Carolina Borsoi Moraes
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Diadema, SP, Brasil
| | - Paula Bittencourt-Cunha
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Sergio Schenkman
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Sosa-Estani
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland.,Epidemiology and Public Health Research Centre, CIESP-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Assessment of a combined treatment with a therapeutic vaccine and benznidazole for the Trypanosoma cruzi chronic infection. Acta Trop 2022; 229:106334. [PMID: 35101415 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The difficulties encountered in achieving treatments for chronic Chagas disease have promoted the investigation of new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we used two murine models of Trypanosoma cruzi chronic infection to determine the usefulness of applying a therapeutic vaccine alone or followed by benznidazole (Bz) chemotherapy. A vaccine formulation based on an N-terminal fragment of Trans-sialidase (TS) and Immunostimulant Particle Adjuvant (ISPA) - TSNt-ISPA was obtained. Firstly, the immunogenicity and protective capacity of TSNt-ISPA was demonstrated as a prophylactic formulation in an acute model of infection. Later, the formulation was assessed as a therapeutic vaccine alone or combined with (Bz) using two models of chronic infection. BALB/c mice chronically infected with Sylvio X10/4 or Tulahuen cl2 T. cruzi strains were not treated as control or treated only with the therapeutic vaccine TSNt-ISPA, with a combined treatment TSNt-ISPA+Bz (Bz applied after the vaccine), or only with Bz. The vaccination schedule consisted of TSNt-ISPA administration at days110, 120, and 130 post-infection (pi) and Bz administration was performed daily from day 140 to 170 pi. At day 273 pi, electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters, heart parasite load, myocarditis, and heart fibrosis were assessed. In both models, therapeutic administration of TSNt-ISPA reduced ECG alterations and the cardiac tissue damage observed in the chronic phase. Moreover, vaccine treatment significantly decreased heart parasite load in both Sylvio X10/4 and Tulahuen cl2 infected mice. The combined treatment, but not Bz or vaccine administration alone, allowed to restore ECG parameters in Tulahuen cl2 infected mice. The results indicate the usefulness of the therapeutic TSNt-ISPA formulation in BALB/c mice chronically infected with Sylvio X10/4 or Tulahuen cl2 strain. For the mice infected with T. cruzi Tulahuen cl2 strain, the combined treatment with the vaccine and Bz had a more positive effect on the course of heart disease than the individual treatments with the vaccine or Bz alone.
Collapse
|
49
|
Santos CC, Zhang H, Batista MM, de Oliveira GM, Demarque KC, da Silva NL, Moreira OC, Ogungbe IV, Soeiro MDNC. Phenotypic investigation of 4-nitrophenylacetyl- and 4-nitro-1 H-imidazoyl-based compounds as antileishmanial agents. Parasitology 2022; 149:490-495. [PMID: 35109958 PMCID: PMC11010507 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021002079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a spectrum of clinical manifestations characterized by severe skin ulcerations that leads to social stigma. There are limited treatment options for CL, and the available drugs are becoming less efficacious due to drug resistance. More efficacious and safer antileishmanial drugs are needed. In this study, the biological effect of seven synthetically accessible nitroaromatic compounds was evaluated in vitro against amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis, followed by in vivo evaluation using mouse models of CL. Two compounds (6 and 7) were active against amastigotes in vitro [half-maximal effective concentration (EC50): 4.57 ± 0.08 and 9.19 ± 0.68 μm, respectively], with selectivity indexes >50, and the other compounds were not selective. In vivo, compounds 6 and 7 (10 mg kg−1, twice a day for 14 days) failed to reduce skin lesion sizes and parasite loads determined by light microscopy of lesion imprints and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Nevertheless, the in vitro leishmanicidal efficacy sustained their use as templates for nitroimidazole-based antileishmanial drug discovery programmes focusing on analogues with more suitable properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila C. Santos
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology (LBC), Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Huaisheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS39217-0510, USA
| | - Marcos M. Batista
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology (LBC), Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriel M. de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology (LBC), Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Kelly C. Demarque
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology (LBC), Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Natália L. da Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Otacílio C. Moreira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Soeiro MDNC. Perspectives for a new drug candidate for Chagas disease therapy. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e220004. [PMID: 35293439 PMCID: PMC8923671 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), a neglected tropical illness caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affects more than 6 million people mostly in poor areas of Latin America. CD has two phases: an acute, short phase mainly oligosymptomatic followed to the chronic phase, a long-lasting stage that may trigger cardiac and/or digestive disorders and death. Only two old drugs are available and both present low efficacy in the chronic stage, display side effects and are inactive against parasite strains naturally resistant to these nitroderivatives. These shortcomings justify the search for novel therapeutic options considering the target product profile for CD that will be presently reviewed besides briefly revisiting the data on phosphodiesterase inhibitors upon T. cruzi.
Collapse
|