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Kumari D, Jamwal V, Singh A, Singh SK, Mujwar S, Ansari MY, Singh K. Repurposing FDA approved drugs against Sterol C-24 methyltransferase of Leishmania donovani: A dual in silico and in vitro approach. Acta Trop 2024; 258:107338. [PMID: 39084482 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107338] [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: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani affecting populations belonging to developing countries. The present study explores drug repurposing as an innovative strategy to identify new uses for approved clinical drugs, reducing the time and cost required for drug discovery. The three-dimensional structure of Leishmania donovani Sterol C-24 methyltransferase (LdSMT) was modeled and 1615 FDA-approved drugs from the ZINC database were computationally screened to identify the potent leads. Fulvestrant, docetaxel, indocyanine green, and iohexol were shortlisted as potential leads with the highest binding affinity and fitness scores for the concerned pathogenic receptor. Molecular dynamic simulation studies showed that the macromolecular complexes of indocyanine green and iohexol with LdSMT remained stable throughout the simulation and can be further evaluated experimentally for developing an effective drug. The proposed leads have further demonstrated promising safety profiles during cytotoxicity analysis on the J774.A1 macrophage cell line. Mechanistic analysis with these two drugs also revealed significant morphological alterations in the parasite, along with reduced intracellular parasitic load. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of drug repurposing in identifying new treatments for leishmaniasis and other diseases affecting developing countries, highlighting the importance of considering approved clinical drugs for new applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diksha Kumari
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Vishwani Jamwal
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Ajeet Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India; Pharmacology Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India
| | - Shashank K Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India; Pharmacology Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India
| | - Somdutt Mujwar
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, India
| | - Md Yousuf Ansari
- M.M. College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, 133207, India
| | - Kuljit Singh
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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Kumari D, Kour P, Singh CP, Choudhary R, Ali SM, Bhayye S, Bharitkar YP, Singh K. Anhydroparthenin as a dual-target inhibitor against Sterol C-24 methyltransferase and Sterol 14-α demethylase of Leishmania donovani: A comprehensive in vitro and in silico study. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 269:132034. [PMID: 38702006 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Parthenium hysterophorus plant has a diverse chemical profile and immense bioactive potential. It exhibits excellent pharmacological properties such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, microbicidal, and anti-trypanosomal. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-leishmanial potential and toxicological safety of anhydroparthenin isolated from P. hysterophorus. Anydroparthenin was extracted from the leaves of P. hysterophorus and characterized through detailed analysis of 1H, 13C NMR, and HRMS. Dye-based in vitro and ex vivo assays confirmed that anhydroparthenin significantly inhibited both promastigote and amastigote forms of the Leishmania donovani parasites. Both the cytotoxicity experiment and hemolytic assay revealed its non-toxic nature and safety index in the range of 10 to 15. Further, various mechanistic assays suggested that anhydroparthenin led to the generation of oxidative stress, intracellular ATP depletion, alterations in morphology and mitochondrial membrane potential, formation of intracellular lipid bodies, and acidic vesicles, ultimately leading to parasite death. As a dual targeting approach, computational studies and sterol quantification assays confirmed that anhydroparthenin inhibits the Sterol C-24 methyl transferase and Sterol 14-α demethylase proteins involved in the ergosterol biosynthesis in Leishmania parasites. These results suggest that anhydroparthenin could be a promising anti-leishmanial molecule and can be developed as a novel therapeutic stratagem against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diksha Kumari
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Parampreet Kour
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Chetan Paul Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Rinku Choudhary
- Department of Bioinformatics, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of I.T. and Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, Maharashtra 411046, India
| | - Syed Mudassir Ali
- Pharmacology Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Sagar Bhayye
- Department of Bioinformatics, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of I.T. and Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, Maharashtra 411046, India
| | - Yogesh P Bharitkar
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India.
| | - Kuljit Singh
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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Nieto-Meneses R, Castillo R, Hernández-Campos A, Nogueda-Torres B, López-Villegas EO, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Matadamas-Martínez F, Yépez-Mulia L. Characterization of the Effect of N-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1 H-benzimidazol-2-amine, Compound 8, against Leishmania mexicana and Its In Vivo Leishmanicidal Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:659. [PMID: 38203832 PMCID: PMC10779428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010659] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy currently available for leishmaniasis treatment has many adverse side effects and drug resistance. Therefore, the identification of new targets and the development of new drugs are urgently needed. Previously, we reported the synthesis of a N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine, named compound 8, with an IC50 value in the micromolar range against L. mexicana, it also inhibited 68.27% the activity of recombinant L. mexicana arginase. Herein, we report studies carried out to characterize the mechanism of action of compound 8, as well as its in vivo leishmanicidal activity. It was shown in our ultrastructural studies that compound 8 induces several changes, such as membrane blebbing, the presence of autophagosomes, membrane detachment and mitochondrial and kinetoplast disorganization, among others. Compound 8 triggers the production of ROS and parasite apoptosis. It reduced 71% of the parasite load of L. mexicana in an experimental model of cutaneous leishmaniasis in comparison with a control. Altogether, the data obtained suggest the potential use of compound 8 in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Nieto-Meneses
- Departamento de Parasitología, ENCB-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (R.N.-M.); (B.N.-T.)
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Rafael Castillo
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (R.C.); (A.H.-C.)
| | - Alicia Hernández-Campos
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (R.C.); (A.H.-C.)
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, ENCB-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (R.N.-M.); (B.N.-T.)
| | | | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico;
| | - Félix Matadamas-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Lilián Yépez-Mulia
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
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Synthesis, characterization, antioxidant and antiparasitic activities new naphthyl-thiazole derivatives. Exp Parasitol 2023; 248:108498. [PMID: 36907541 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108498] [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: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
In this work, 13 thiosemicarbazones (1a - m) and 16 thiazoles (2a - p) were obtained, which were properly characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. The pharmacokinetic properties obtained in silico revealed that the derivatives are in accordance with the parameters established by lipinski and veber, showing that such compounds have good bioavailability or permeability when administered orally. In assays of antioxidant activity, thiosemicarbazones showed moderate to high antioxidant potential when compared to thiazoles. In addition, they were able to interact with albumin and DNA. Screening assays to assess the toxicity of compounds to mammalian cells revealed that thiosemicarbazones were less toxic when compared to thiazoles. In relation to in vitro antiparasitic activity, thiosemicarbazones and thiazoles showed cytotoxic potential against the parasites Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi. Among the compounds, 1b, 1j and 2l stood out, showing inhibition potential for the amastigote forms of the two parasites. As for the in vitro antimalarial activity, thiosemicarbazones did not inhibit Plasmodium falciparum growth. In contrast, thiazoles promoted growth inhibition. This study shows in a preliminary way that the synthesized compounds have antiparasitic potential in vitro.
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Romano PS, Akematsu T, Besteiro S, Bindschedler A, Carruthers VB, Chahine Z, Coppens I, Descoteaux A, Alberto Duque TL, He CY, Heussler V, Le Roch KG, Li FJ, de Menezes JPB, Menna-Barreto RFS, Mottram JC, Schmuckli-Maurer J, Turk B, Tavares Veras PS, Salassa BN, Vanrell MC. Autophagy in protists and their hosts: When, how and why? AUTOPHAGY REPORTS 2023; 2:2149211. [PMID: 37064813 PMCID: PMC10104450 DOI: 10.1080/27694127.2022.2149211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic protists are a group of organisms responsible for causing a variety of human diseases including malaria, sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and toxoplasmosis, among others. These diseases, which affect more than one billion people globally, mainly the poorest populations, are characterized by severe chronic stages and the lack of effective antiparasitic treatment. Parasitic protists display complex life-cycles and go through different cellular transformations in order to adapt to the different hosts they live in. Autophagy, a highly conserved cellular degradation process, has emerged as a key mechanism required for these differentiation processes, as well as other functions that are crucial to parasite fitness. In contrast to yeasts and mammals, protist autophagy is characterized by a modest number of conserved autophagy-related proteins (ATGs) that, even though, can drive the autophagosome formation and degradation. In addition, during their intracellular cycle, the interaction of these pathogens with the host autophagy system plays a crucial role resulting in a beneficial or harmful effect that is important for the outcome of the infection. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on autophagy and other related mechanisms in pathogenic protists and their hosts. We sought to emphasize when, how, and why this process takes place, and the effects it may have on the parasitic cycle. A better understanding of the significance of autophagy for the protist life-cycle will potentially be helpful to design novel anti-parasitic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Silvia Romano
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y de la célula hospedadora. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. (IHEM-CONICET-UNCUYO). Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Av. Libertador 80 (5500), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Takahiko Akematsu
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Vern B Carruthers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Zeinab Chahine
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute. Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Baltimore 21205, MD, USA
| | - Albert Descoteaux
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Laval, QC
| | - Thabata Lopes Alberto Duque
- Autophagy Inflammation and Metabolism Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Cynthia Y He
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Volker Heussler
- Institute of Cell Biology.University of Bern. Baltzerstr. 4 3012 Bern
| | - Karine G Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Feng-Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Jeremy C Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | | | - Boris Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Patricia Sampaio Tavares Veras
- Laboratory of Host-Parasite Interaction and Epidemiology, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Fiocruz-Bahia
- National Institute of Science and Technology of Tropical Diseases - National Council for Scientific Research and Development (CNPq)
| | - Betiana Nebai Salassa
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y de la célula hospedadora. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. (IHEM-CONICET-UNCUYO). Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Av. Libertador 80 (5500), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Cristina Vanrell
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y de la célula hospedadora. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. (IHEM-CONICET-UNCUYO). Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Av. Libertador 80 (5500), Mendoza, Argentina
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Guhe V, Ingale P, Tambekar A, Singh S. Systems biology of autophagy in leishmanial infection and its diverse role in precision medicine. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1113249. [PMID: 37152895 PMCID: PMC10160387 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1113249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a contentious issue in leishmaniasis and is emerging as a promising therapeutic regimen. Published research on the impact of autophagic regulation on Leishmania survival is inconclusive, despite numerous pieces of evidence that Leishmania spp. triggers autophagy in a variety of cell types. The mechanistic approach is poorly understood in the Leishmania parasite as autophagy is significant in both Leishmania and the host. Herein, this review discusses the autophagy proteins that are being investigated as potential therapeutic targets, the connection between autophagy and lipid metabolism, and microRNAs that regulate autophagy and lipid metabolism. It also highlights the use of systems biology to develop novel autophagy-dependent therapeutics for leishmaniasis by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), mathematical modeling, network analysis, and other computational methods. Additionally, we have shown many databases for autophagy and metabolism in Leishmania parasites that suggest potential therapeutic targets for intricate signaling in the autophagy system. In a nutshell, the detailed understanding of the dynamics of autophagy in conjunction with lipids and miRNAs unfolds larger dimensions for future research.
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Santiago-Silva KMD, Bortoleti BTDS, Brito TDO, Costa IC, Lima CHDS, Macedo F, Miranda-Sapla MM, Pavanelli WR, Bispo MDLF. Exploring the antileishmanial activity of N1, N2-disubstituted-benzoylguanidines: synthesis and molecular modeling studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:11495-11510. [PMID: 34355671 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1959403] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In this report, we describe the synthesis and evaluation of nine N1,N2-disubstituted-benzoylguanidines against promastigotes and amastigotes forms of Leishmania amazonensis. The derivatives 2g and 2i showed low IC50 values against promastigote form (90.8 ± 0.05 µM and 68.4 ± 0.03 µM, respectively), low cytotoxicity profile (CC50 396 ± 0.02 µM and 857.9 ± 0.06 µM) for peritoneal macrophages cells and SI of 5.5 and 12.5, respectively. Investigations about the mechanism of action of 2g and 2i showed that both compounds cause mitochondrial depolarization, increase in ROS levels, and generation of autophagic vacuoles on free promastigotes forms. These compounds were also capable of reducing the number of infected macrophages with amastigotes forms (59.5% ± 0.08% and 98.1% ± 0.46%) and the number of amastigotes/macrophages (79.80% ± 0.05% and 96.0% ± 0.16%), through increasing induction of microbicide molecule NO. Additionally, ADMET-Tox in silico predictions showed drug-like features and free of toxicological risks. The molecular docking studies with arginase and gp63 showed that relevant intermolecular interactions could explain the experimental results. Therefore, these results reinforce that benzoylguanidines could be a starting scaffold for the search for new antileishmanial drugs.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaio Maciel de Santiago-Silva
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais (LaSMMed), Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia das Doenças Negligenciadas e Câncer (LIDNC), Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências e Biotecnologia, Instituto Carlos Chagas (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Tiago de Oliveira Brito
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Moléculas Bioativas (LPMBA), Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Ivete Conchon Costa
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia das Doenças Negligenciadas e Câncer (LIDNC), Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Macedo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Moléculas Bioativas (LPMBA), Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Milena Menegazzo Miranda-Sapla
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia das Doenças Negligenciadas e Câncer (LIDNC), Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Wander Rogério Pavanelli
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia das Doenças Negligenciadas e Câncer (LIDNC), Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Marcelle de Lima Ferreira Bispo
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais (LaSMMed), Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
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Pedra-Rezende Y, Macedo IS, Midlej V, Mariante RM, Menna-Barreto RFS. Different Drugs, Same End: Ultrastructural Hallmarks of Autophagy in Pathogenic Protozoa. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:856686. [PMID: 35422792 PMCID: PMC9002357 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.856686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites interact with a wide variety of organisms ranging from bacteria to humans, representing one of the most common causes of parasitic diseases and an important public health problem affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The current treatment for these parasitic diseases remains unsatisfactory and, in some cases, very limited. Treatment limitations together with the increased resistance of the pathogens represent a challenge for the improvement of the patient’s quality of life. The continuous search for alternative preclinical drugs is mandatory, but the mechanisms of action of several of these compounds have not been described. Electron microscopy is a powerful tool for the identification of drug targets in almost all cellular models. Interestingly, ultrastructural analysis showed that several classes of antiparasitic compounds induced similar autophagic phenotypes in trypanosomatids, trichomonadids, and apicomplexan parasites as well as in Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba spp. with the presence of an increased number of autophagosomes as well as remarkable endoplasmic reticulum profiles surrounding different organelles. Autophagy is a physiological process of eukaryotes that maintains homeostasis by the self-digestion of nonfunctional organelles and/or macromolecules, limiting redundant and damaged cellular components. Here, we focus on protozoan autophagy to subvert drug effects, discussing its importance for successful chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Pedra-Rezende
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela S Macedo
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Victor Midlej
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael M Mariante
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Mendes A, Armada A, Cabral LIL, Amado PSM, Campino L, Cristiano MLS, Cortes S. 1,2,4-Trioxolane and 1,2,4,5-Tetraoxane Endoperoxides against Old-World Leishmania Parasites: In Vitro Activity and Mode of Action. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040446. [PMID: 35455443 PMCID: PMC9024893 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis remains one of the ten Neglected Tropical Diseases with significant morbidity and mortality in humans. Current treatment of visceral leishmaniasis is difficult due to a lack of effective, non-toxic, and non-extensive medications. This study aimed to evaluate the selectivity of 12 synthetic endoperoxides (1,2,4-trioxolanes; 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes) and uncover their biochemical effects on Leishmania parasites responsible for visceral leishmaniasis. The compounds were screened for in vitro activity against L. infantum and L. donovani and for cytotoxicity in two monocytic cell lines (J774A.1 and THP-1) using the methyl thiazol tetrazolium assay. Reactive oxygen species formation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial impairment were measured by flow cytometry. The compounds exhibited fair to moderate anti-proliferative activity against promastigotes of the 2 Leishmania species, with IC50 values ranging from 13.0 ± 1.7 µM to 793.0 ± 37.2 µM. Tetraoxanes LC132 and LC138 demonstrated good leishmanicidal activity on L. infantum amastigotes (IC50 13.2 ± 5.2 and 23.9 ± 2.7 µM) with low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells (SIs 22.1 and 118.6), indicating selectivity towards the parasite. Furthermore, LC138 was able to induce late apoptosis and dose-dependent oxidative stress without affecting mithocondria. Compounds LC132 and LC138 can be further explored as potential antileishmanial chemotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Mendes
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.); (A.A.); (L.C.)
| | - Ana Armada
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.); (A.A.); (L.C.)
- Global Health Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lília I. L. Cabral
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (L.I.L.C.); (P.S.M.A.)
- Departamento de Química e Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Patrícia S. M. Amado
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (L.I.L.C.); (P.S.M.A.)
- Departamento de Química e Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Lenea Campino
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.); (A.A.); (L.C.)
| | - Maria L. S. Cristiano
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (L.I.L.C.); (P.S.M.A.)
- Departamento de Química e Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Correspondence: (M.L.S.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Sofia Cortes
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.); (A.A.); (L.C.)
- Global Health Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (M.L.S.C.); (S.C.)
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10
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das Chagas Almeida A, Meinel RS, Leal YL, Silva TP, Glanzmann N, Mendonça DVC, Perin L, Cunha-Júnior EF, Coelho EAF, Melo RCN, da Silva AD, Coimbra ES. Functionalized 1,2,3-triazolium salts as potential agents against visceral leishmaniasis. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1389-1406. [PMID: 35169883 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07431-9] [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: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe clinical form of leishmaniasis, being fatal if untreated. In search of a more effective treatment for VL, one of the main strategies is the development and screening of new antileishmanial compounds. Here, we reported the synthesis of seven new acetyl functionalized 1,2,3-triazolium salts, together with four 1,2,3-triazole precursors, and investigated their effect against different strains of L. infantum from dogs and humans. The 1,2,3-triazolium salts exhibited better activity than the 1,2,3-triazole derivatives with IC50 range from 0.12 to 8.66 μM and, among them, compound 5 showed significant activity against promastigotes (IC50 from 4.55 to 5.28 μM) and intracellular amastigotes (IC50 from 5.36 to 7.92 μM), with the best selective index (SI ~ 6-9) and reduced toxicity. Our findings, using biochemical and ultrastructural approaches, demonstrated that compound 5 targets the mitochondrion of L. infantum promastigotes, leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increase of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial alteration. Moreover, quantitative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that compound 5 induces the reduction of promastigote size and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Interestingly, the effect of compound 5 was not associated with apoptosis or necrosis of the parasites but, instead, seems to be mediated through a pathway involving autophagy, with a clear detection of autophagic vacuoles in the cytoplasm by using both a fluorescent marker and TEM. As for the in vivo studies, compound 5 showed activity in a mouse model of VL at 20 mg/kg, reducing the parasite load in both spleen and liver (59.80% and 26.88%, respectively). Finally, this compound did not induce hepatoxicity or nephrotoxicity and was able to normalize the altered biochemical parameters in the infected mice. Thus, our findings support the use of 1,2,3-triazolium salts as potential agents against visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayla das Chagas Almeida
- Núcleo de Pesquisas Em Parasitologia, Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, I.C.B., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Raíssa Soares Meinel
- SINTBIOMOL, Departamento de Química, I.C.E., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Yasmim Lopes Leal
- SINTBIOMOL, Departamento de Química, I.C.E., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago P Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nícolas Glanzmann
- SINTBIOMOL, Departamento de Química, I.C.E., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Débora Vasconcelos Costa Mendonça
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luísa Perin
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Edézio Ferreira Cunha-Júnior
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Unidade Integrada de Pesquisa Em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Campus UFRJ-Macaé, Macaé, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rossana C N Melo
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adilson David da Silva
- SINTBIOMOL, Departamento de Química, I.C.E., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elaine Soares Coimbra
- Núcleo de Pesquisas Em Parasitologia, Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, I.C.B., Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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11
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Glanzmann N, Antinarelli LMR, da Costa Nunes IK, Pereira HMG, Coelho EAF, Coimbra ES, da Silva AD. Synthesis and biological activity of novel 4-aminoquinoline/1,2,3-triazole hybrids against Leishmania amazonensis. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111857. [PMID: 34323702 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Quinoline and 1,2,3-triazoles are well-known nitrogen-based heterocycles presenting diverse pharmacological properties, although their antileishmanial activity is still poorly exploited. As an effort to contribute with studies involving these interesting chemical groups, in the present study, a series of compounds derived from 4-aminoquinoline and 1,2,3-triazole were synthetized and biological studies using L. amazonensis species were performed. The results pointed that the derivative 4, a hybrid of 4-aminoquinoline/1,2,3-triazole exhibited the best antileishmanial action, with inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of ~1 µM against intramacrophage amastigotes of L. amazonensis , and being 16-fold more active to parasites than to the host cell. The mechanism of action of derivative 4 suggest a multi-target action on Leishmania parasites, since the treatment of L. amazonensis promastigotes caused mitochondrial membrane depolarization, accumulation of ROS products, plasma membrane permeabilization, increase in neutral lipids, exposure of phosphatidylserine to the cell surface, changes in the cell cycle and DNA fragmentation. The results suggest that the antileishmanial effect of this compound is primarily altering critical biochemical processes for the correct functioning of organelles and macromolecules of parasites, with consequent cell death by processes related to apoptosis-like and necrosis. No up-regulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates was promoted by derivative 4 on L. amazonensis -infected macrophages, suggesting a mechanism of action independent from the activation of the host cell. In conclusion, data suggest that derivative 4 presents selective antileishmanial effect, which is associated with multi-target action, and can be considered for future studies for the treatment against disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nícolas Glanzmann
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36.036-900, Brazil
| | - Luciana Maria Ribeiro Antinarelli
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36.036-900, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30.130-100, Brazil
| | - Isabelle Karine da Costa Nunes
- Laboratório de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Polo de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21.941-598, Brazil
| | - Henrique Marcelo Gualberto Pereira
- Laboratório de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Polo de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21.941-598, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Antonio Ferraz Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30.130-100, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Elaine Soares Coimbra
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36.036-900, Brazil
| | - Adilson David da Silva
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36.036-900, Brazil.
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12
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Alonso L, Mendanha SA, Gomes RS, Dorta ML, Alonso A. Comparative EPR spectroscopy analysis of amphotericin B and miltefosine interactions with Leishmania, erythrocyte and macrophage membranes. Eur J Pharm Sci 2021; 163:105859. [PMID: 33894283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.105859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of spin labels was used to study the interactions of amphotericin B (AmB) with the plasma membrane of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigotes, human erythrocytes and J774.A1 murine macrophages, in comparison with reported and novel data for miltefosine (MIL). One of the objectives of this work is to look for the relationships between the activities of these two drugs in the Leishmania parasite with their changes in the cell membrane. A spin-labeled stearic acid inserted into the cell membranes showed strong interactions with putative AmB/sterol complexes, characterized by reductions in molecular dynamics. The concentration of the drugs in the plasma membrane that reduced the cell population by 50%, and the membrane-water partition coefficient of the drugs, were assessed. These biophysical parameters enabled estimates of possible therapeutic concentrations of these two drugs in the interstitial fluids of the tissues to be made. AmB displayed higher affinity for the plasma membrane of L. amazonensis than for that of the macrophage and erythrocyte, denoting a preference for a membrane that contains ergosterol. AmB also demonstrated higher hemolytic potential than MIL for measurements on erythrocytes in both PBS and whole blood. For MIL, the EPR technique detected membrane changes induced by the drug in the same concentration range that inhibited the growth of parasites, but in the case of AmB, an 8-fold higher concentration of the IC50 was necessary to observe a reduction in membrane fluidity, suggesting a better localized effect of AmB on the membrane. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of both drugs are associated with changes in cell membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lais Alonso
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Saar Gomes
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Publica, Departamento de Imunologia e Patologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Miriam Leandro Dorta
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Publica, Departamento de Imunologia e Patologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Antonio Alonso
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
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13
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Souza THS, Andrade CG, Cabral FV, Sarmento-Neto JF, Rebouças JS, Santos BS, Ribeiro MS, Figueiredo RCBQ, Fontes A. Efficient photodynamic inactivation of Leishmania parasites mediated by lipophilic water-soluble Zn(II) porphyrin ZnTnHex-2-PyP 4. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2021; 1865:129897. [PMID: 33811942 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.129897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is emerging as a promising alternative for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). The chemotherapy currently used presents adverse effects and cases of drug resistance have been reported. ZnTnHex-2-PyP4+ is a porphyrin with a high potential as a photosensitizer (PS) for PDI, due to its photophysical properties, structural stability, and cationic/amphiphilic character that can enhance interaction with cells. This study aimed to investigate the photodynamic effects mediated by ZnTnHex-2-PyP4+ on Leishmania parasites. METHODS ZnTnHex-2-PyP4+ stability was evaluated using accelerated solvolysis conditions. The photodynamic action on promastigotes was assessed by (i) viability assays, (ii) mitochondrial membrane potential evaluation, and (iii) morphological analysis. The PS-promastigote interaction was studied. PDI on amastigotes and the cytotoxicity on macrophages were also analyzed. RESULTS ZnTnHex-2-PyP4+, under submicromolar concentration, led to immediate inactivation of more than 95% of promastigotes. PDI promoted intense mitochondrial depolarization, loss of the fusiform shape, and plasma membrane wrinkling in promastigotes. Fluorescence microscopy revealed a punctate PS labeling in the parasite cytoplasm. PDI also led to reductions of ca. 64% in the number of amastigotes/macrophage and 70% in the infection index after a single treatment session. No noteworthy toxicity was observed on mammalian cells. CONCLUSIONS ZnTnHex-2-PyP4+ is stable against demetallation and more efficient as PS than the ethyl analogue ZnTE-2-PyP4+, indicating readiness for evaluation in in vivo studies as an alternative approach to CL. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This report highlighted promising photodynamic effects mediated by ZnTnHex-2-PyP4+ on Leishmania parasites, opening up perspectives for applications in CL pre-clinical assays and PDI of other microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago H S Souza
- Departamento de Biofísica e Radiobiologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil; Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Camila G Andrade
- Departamento de Biofísica e Radiobiologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Fernanda V Cabral
- Centro de Lasers e Aplicações, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN/SP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - José F Sarmento-Neto
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Júlio S Rebouças
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Beate S Santos
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Martha S Ribeiro
- Centro de Lasers e Aplicações, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN/SP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Regina C B Q Figueiredo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Adriana Fontes
- Departamento de Biofísica e Radiobiologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
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14
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Machado PDA, Gomes PS, Midlej V, Coimbra ES, de Matos Guedes HL. PF-429242, a Subtilisin Inhibitor, Is Effective in vitro Against Leishmania infantum. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:583834. [PMID: 33584607 PMCID: PMC7876069 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.583834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
PF-429242 is an inhibitor of subtilisin, an important protease found in Leishmania. However, studies regarding the effect of PF-429242 on Leishmania are scarce. In this work we evaluated the antileishmanial effect of PF-429242 against Leishmania infantum and the mechanism involved in the death of the parasite. PF-429242 had low toxicity against mammalian cells (peritoneal macrophages) (CC50 = 189.07 μM) and presented activity against L. infantum promastigotes (IC50 = 2.78 μM) and intracellular amastigotes (IC50 = 14.07 μM), indicating selectivity toward the parasite. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as staining of L. infantum promastigotes with MitoTracker® Red, rhodamine 123 and MitoSOX, revealed that the mitochondria was a potential target of PF-429242. In addition, PF-429242 caused an accumulation of neutral lipids in promastigotes, which was demonstrated by Nile Red staining and TEM, and induced oxidative stress (H2DCFDA staining). Furthermore the formation of autophagic vacuoles in L. infantum promastigotes was observed by MDC staining and TEM. However, the killing induced by PF-429242 in L. infantum promastigotes appeared to be unrelated to apoptosis and/or necrosis as there was no phosphatidylserine externalization, DNA fragmentation or alterations in the permeability of the parasite plasma membrane, as assessed by annexin V-FITC, TUNEL and propidium iodide staining, respectively. The morphological and ultrastructural evaluation of the promastigotes by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and TEM, revealed the presence of parasites with flagellar defects. TEM analysis of the intracellular amastigotes indicated that mitochondrial damage and autophagy could also be involved in the death of these forms after treatment with PF-429242. In addition, PF-429242 treatment stimulated NO production from infected macrophage, but only at a high concentration (100 μM), as well as an increase of TNF levels after treatment with 10 μM of PF-429242. The compound did not stimulate ROS or IL-10 production. Together, these data highlight the antileishmanial potential of PF-429242, inducing several cellular alterations in the parasite, such as mitochondrial damage, neutral lipids accumulation, oxidative stress and autophagy which culminate in the death of L. infantum, as well as modulating host cellular responses that favor the development of an immune response against the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia de Almeida Machado
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Núcleo de Pesquisa em Parasitologia (NUPEP), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - Pollyanna Stephanie Gomes
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Victor Midlej
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elaine Soares Coimbra
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Parasitologia (NUPEP), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - Herbert Leonel de Matos Guedes
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,UFRJ Campus Duque de Caxias Professor Geraldo Cidade - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, Brazil.,Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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15
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The ultimate fate determinants of drug induced cell-death mechanisms in Trypanosomatids. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2021; 15:81-91. [PMID: 33601284 PMCID: PMC7900639 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy constitutes a major part of modern-day therapy for infectious and chronic diseases. A drug is said to be effective if it can inhibit its target, induce stress, and thereby trigger an array of cell death pathways in the form of programmed cell death, autophagy, necrosis, etc. Chemotherapy is the only treatment choice against trypanosomatid diseases like Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness. Anti-trypanosomatid drugs can induce various cell death phenotypes depending upon the drug dose and growth stage of the parasites. The mechanisms and pathways triggering cell death in Trypanosomatids serve to help identify potential targets for the development of effective anti-trypanosomatids. Studies show that the key proteins involved in cell death of trypanosomatids are metacaspases, Endonuclease G, Apoptosis-Inducing Factor, cysteine proteases, serine proteases, antioxidant systems, etc. Unlike higher eukaryotes, these organisms either lack the complete set of effectors involved in cell death pathways, or are yet to be deciphered. A detailed summary of the existing knowledge of different drug-induced cell death pathways would help identify the lacuna in each of these pathways and therefore open new avenues for research and thereby new therapeutic targets to explore. The cell death pathway associated complexities in metazoans are absent in trypanosomatids; hence this summary can also help understand the trigger points as well as cross-talk between these pathways. Here we provide an in-depth overview of the existing knowledge of these drug-induced trypanosomatid cell death pathways, describe their associated physiological changes, and suggest potential interconnections amongst them.
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16
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Silva DKC, Teixeira JS, Moreira DRM, da Silva TF, Barreiro EJDL, de Freitas HF, Pita SSDR, Teles ALB, Guimarães ET, Soares MBP. In Vitro, In Vivo and In Silico Effectiveness of LASSBio-1386, an N-Acyl Hydrazone Derivative Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor, Against Leishmania amazonensis. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:590544. [PMID: 33390966 PMCID: PMC7772393 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.590544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis are group of neglected diseases with worldwide distribution that affect about 12 million people. The current treatment is limited and may cause severe adverse effects, and thus, the search for new drugs more effective and less toxic is relevant. We have previously investigated the immunomodulatory effects of LASSBio-1386, an N-acylhydrazone derivative. Here we investigated the in vitro and in vivo activity of LASSBio-1386 against L. amazonensis. LASSBio-1386 inhibited the proliferation of promastigotes of L. amazonensis (EC50 = 2.4 ± 0.48 µM), while presenting low cytotoxicity to macrophages (CC50 = 74.1 ± 2.9 µM). In vitro incubation with LASSBio-1386 reduced the percentage of Leishmania-infected macrophages and the number of intracellular parasites (EC50 = 9.42 ± 0.64 µM). Also, in vivo treatment of BALB/c mice infected with L. amazonensis resulted in a decrease of lesion size, parasitic load and caused histopathological alterations, when compared to vehicle-treated control. Moreover, LASSBio-1386 caused ultrastructural changes, arrested cell cycle in G0/G1 phase and did not alter the membrane mitochondrial potential of L. amazonensis. Aiming to its possible molecular interactions, we performed docking and molecular dynamics studies on Leishmania phosphodiesterase B1 (PDB code: 2R8Q) and LASSBio-1386. The computational analyses suggest that LASSBio-1386 acts against Leishmania through the modulation of leishmanial PDE activity. In conclusion, our results indicate that LASSBio-1386 is a promising candidate for the development of new leishmaniasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahara Keyse Carvalho Silva
- Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Histopatologia, Universidade Estadual da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil.,Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Jessicada Silva Teixeira
- Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Histopatologia, Universidade Estadual da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil.,Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Diogo Rodrigo Magalhães Moreira
- Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Tiago Fernandes da Silva
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio®), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eliezer Jesus de Lacerda Barreiro
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio®), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Humberto Fonseca de Freitas
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Modelagem Molecular (LaBiMM), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Samuel Silva da Rocha Pita
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Modelagem Molecular (LaBiMM), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - André Lacerda Braga Teles
- Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular Medicinal e Toxicológica, Universidade Estadual da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Elisalva Teixeira Guimarães
- Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Histopatologia, Universidade Estadual da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil.,Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil.,Instituto Senai de Inovação em Sistemas Avançados em Saúde, Senai/Cimatec, Salvador, Brazil
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17
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de Paula JC, Bakoshi ABK, Lazarin-Bidóia D, Ud Din Z, Rodrigues-Filho E, Ueda-Nakamura T, Nakamura CV. Antiproliferative activity of the dibenzylideneacetone derivate (E)-3-ethyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)but‑3-en-2-one in Trypanosoma cruzi. Acta Trop 2020; 211:105653. [PMID: 32777226 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is one of the most prevalent neglected diseases in the world. The illness is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite with a complex life cycle and three morphologically distinct developmental stages. Nowadays, the only treatment is based on two nitro-derivative drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, which cause serious side effects. Since the treatment is limited, the search for new treatment options for patients with Chagas disease is highly necessary. In this study we analyzed the substance A11K3, a dibenzylideneacetone (DBA). DBAs have an acyclic dienone attached to aryl groups in both β-positions and studies have shown that they have biological activity against tumors cells, bacteria, and protozoa such as T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. Here we show that A11K3 is active against all three T. cruzi evolutionary forms: the epimastigote (IC50 = 3.3 ± 0.8), the trypomastigote (EC50 = 24 ± 4.3) and the intracellular amastigote (IC50 = 9.3 ± 0.5 µM). A cytotoxicity assay in LLCMK2 cells showed a CC50 of 239.2 ± 15.7 µM giving a selectivity index (CC50/IC50) of 72.7 for epimastigotes, 9.9 for trypomastigotes and 25.9 for intracellular amastigotes. Morphological and ultrastructural analysis of the parasites treated with A11K3 by TEM and SEM revealed alterations in the Golgi complex, mitochondria, plasma membrane and cell body, with an increase of autophagic vacuoles and lipid bodies. Biochemical assays of A11K3-treated T. cruzi showed an increase of ROS, plasma membrane ruptures, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization with a decrease in ATP and accumulation of autophagic vacuoles. The results lead to the hypothesis that A11K3 causes death of the protozoan through events such as plasma membrane and mitochondrial alterations and autophagy, characteristic of cell collapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Carreira de Paula
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Bloco B-08, Av. Colombo 5790, Maringá, PR CEP 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Amanda Beatriz Kawano Bakoshi
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Bloco B-08, Av. Colombo 5790, Maringá, PR CEP 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Danielle Lazarin-Bidóia
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Bloco B-08, Av. Colombo 5790, Maringá, PR CEP 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Zia Ud Din
- LaBioMMi, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, CP 676, São Carlos, SP 13.565-905, Brazil
| | - Edson Rodrigues-Filho
- LaBioMMi, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, CP 676, São Carlos, SP 13.565-905, Brazil
| | - Tania Ueda-Nakamura
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Bloco B-08, Av. Colombo 5790, Maringá, PR CEP 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Bloco B-08, Av. Colombo 5790, Maringá, PR CEP 87020-900, Brazil.
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18
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Assolini JP, da Silva TP, da Silva Bortoleti BT, Gonçalves MD, Tomiotto-Pellissier F, Sahd CS, Carloto ACM, Feuser PE, Cordeiro AP, Sayer C, Hermes de Araújo PH, Costa IN, Conchon-Costa I, Miranda-Sapla MM, Pavanelli WR. 4-nitrochalcone exerts leishmanicidal effect on L. amazonensis promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes, and the 4-nitrochalcone encapsulation in beeswax copaiba oil nanoparticles reduces macrophages cytotoxicity. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 884:173392. [PMID: 32735985 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Leishmaniasis treatment currently available involves some difficulties, such as high toxicity, variable efficacy, high cost, therefore, it is crucial to search for new therapeutic alternatives. Over the past few years, research on new drugs has focused on the use of natural compounds such as chalcones and nanotechnology. In this context, this research aimed at assessing the in vitro leishmanicidal activity of free 4-nitrochalcone (4NC) on promastigotes and encapsulated 4NC on L. amazonensis-infected macrophages, as well as their action mechanisms. Free 4NC was able to reduce the viability of promastigotes, induce reactive oxygen species production, decrease mitochondrial membrane potential, increase plasma membrane permeability, and expose phosphatidylserine, in addition to altering the morphology and lowering parasite cellular volume. Treatment containing encapsulated 4NC in beeswax-copaiba oil nanoparticles (4NC-beeswax-CO Nps) did not alter the viability of macrophages. Furthermore, 4NC-beeswax-CO Nps reduced the percentage of infected macrophages and the number of amastigotes per macrophages, increasing the production of reactive oxygen species, NO, TNF-α, and IL-10. Therefore, free 4NC proved to exert anti-promastigote effect, while 4NC-beeswax-CO Nps showed a leishmanicidal effect on L. amazonensis-infected macrophages by activating the macrophage microbicidal machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Paulo Assolini
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil.
| | - Thais Peron da Silva
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil; Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | - Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil; Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Claudia Stoeglehner Sahd
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Emilio Feuser
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil
| | - Arthur Poester Cordeiro
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil
| | - Claudia Sayer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Idessania Nazareth Costa
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Ivete Conchon-Costa
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Wander Rogério Pavanelli
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil; Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil.
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19
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Membrane dynamics in Leishmania amazonensis and antileishmanial activities of β-carboline derivatives. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1863:183473. [PMID: 32937102 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Two β-carboline compounds, 8i and 6d, demonstrated in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigotes similar to that of miltefosine (MIL). Estimates of the membrane-water partition coefficient (KM/W) and the compound concentrations in the membrane (cm50) and aqueous phase (cw50) for half maximal inhibitory concentration were made. Whereas these biophysical parameters for 6d were not significantly different from those reported for MIL, 8i showed lower affinity for the parasite membrane (lower KM/W) and a lower concentration of the compound in the membrane required to inhibit the growth of the parasite (lower cm50). A 2-hour treatment of Leishmania promastigotes with the compounds 8i and 6d caused membrane rigidity in a concentration-dependent manner, as demonstrated by the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique and spin label method. This increased rigidity of the membrane was interpreted to be associated with the occurrence of cross-linking of oxidized cytoplasmic proteins to the parasite membrane skeleton. Importantly, the two β-carboline-oxazoline derivatives showed low hemolytic action, both in experiments with isolated red blood cells or with whole blood, denoting their great Leishmania/erythrocyte selectivity index. Using electron microscopy, changes in the membrane of both the amastigote and promastigote form of the parasite were confirmed, and it was demonstrated that compounds 8i and 6d decreased the number of amastigotes in infected murine macrophages. Furthermore, 8i and 6d were more toxic to the protozoa than to J774A.1 macrophages, with treated promastigotes exhibiting a decrease in cell volume, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, accumulation of lipid bodies, increased ROS production and changes in the cell cycle.
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20
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Jaafar A, Fix‐Tailler A, Mansour N, Allain M, Shebaby WN, Faour WH, Tokajian S, El‐Ghayoury A, Naoufal D, Bouchara J, Larcher G, Ibrahim G. Synthesis, characterization, antifungal and antibacterial activities evaluation of copper (II), zinc (II) and cadmium (II) chloride and bromide complexes with new (
E
)
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1‐(3,4‐dimethoxybenzylidene)‐4‐methylthiosemicarbazone ligand. Appl Organomet Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/aoc.5988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amani Jaafar
- Inorganic and Organometallic Coordination Chemistry laboratory Lebanese University, Faculty of Science, Section I Hadath Lebanon
- Groupe d’Etude des Interactions Hôte‐Pathogène UPRES‐EA 3142, SFR 132, Université d'Angers, Institut de Biologie en Santé CHU, 4 rue Larrey Angers cedex 49933 France
| | - Adeline Fix‐Tailler
- Groupe d’Etude des Interactions Hôte‐Pathogène UPRES‐EA 3142, SFR 132, Université d'Angers, Institut de Biologie en Santé CHU, 4 rue Larrey Angers cedex 49933 France
| | - Najwa Mansour
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences Lebanese American University PO Box 36 Byblos Lebanon
| | - Magali Allain
- Laboratoire MOLTECH‐Anjou UMR CNRS 6200, UNIV Angers, SFR MATRIX 2 Bd Lavoisier Angers Cedex 49045 France
| | - Wassim N. Shebaby
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences Lebanese American University PO Box 36 Byblos Lebanon
| | - Wissam H. Faour
- Gilbert & Rose‐Marie Chagoury School of Medicine Lebanese American University PO Box 36 Byblos Lebanon
| | - Sima Tokajian
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences Lebanese American University PO Box 36 Byblos Lebanon
| | - Abdelkrim El‐Ghayoury
- Laboratoire MOLTECH‐Anjou UMR CNRS 6200, UNIV Angers, SFR MATRIX 2 Bd Lavoisier Angers Cedex 49045 France
| | - Daoud Naoufal
- Inorganic and Organometallic Coordination Chemistry laboratory Lebanese University, Faculty of Science, Section I Hadath Lebanon
| | - Jean‐Philippe Bouchara
- Groupe d’Etude des Interactions Hôte‐Pathogène UPRES‐EA 3142, SFR 132, Université d'Angers, Institut de Biologie en Santé CHU, 4 rue Larrey Angers cedex 49933 France
| | - Gérald Larcher
- Groupe d’Etude des Interactions Hôte‐Pathogène UPRES‐EA 3142, SFR 132, Université d'Angers, Institut de Biologie en Santé CHU, 4 rue Larrey Angers cedex 49933 France
| | - Ghassan Ibrahim
- Inorganic and Organometallic Coordination Chemistry laboratory Lebanese University, Faculty of Science, Section I Hadath Lebanon
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21
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de Oliveira JK, Ueda-Nakamura T, Corrêa AG, Petrilli R, Lopez RFV, Nakamura CV, Auzely-Velty R. Liposome-based nanocarrier loaded with a new quinoxaline derivative for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2020; 110:110720. [PMID: 32204033 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.110720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The use of nanocarriers for drug delivery is a strategy aimed to improve therapeutic indices through changes in their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics. Liposomes are well-investigated nanocarriers for drug delivery to macrophage-targeted therapy, the main hosts of intracellular pathogens of some infectious diseases, such as leishmaniasis. In this study, we developed hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated liposomes by different methods that can encapsulate a new quinoxaline derivative, the LSPN331, to increase its solubility and improve its bioavailability. The surface modification of liposomes and their physicochemical characteristics may depend on the coating method, which may be a critical parameter with regard to the route of administration of the antileishmanial drug. Liposomes with identical phospholipid composition containing the same drug were developed, and different biological responses were verified, and our hypothesis is that it is related to the type of modification of the surface. Different physicochemical characterization techniques (dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis quantification of labeled-HA) were used to confirm the successful modification of liposomes as well as their stability upon storage. The encapsulation of LSPN331 was performed using HPLC method, and the entrapment efficiency (EE%) was satisfatory in all formulations, considering results of similar formulations in the literature. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies were carried out to evaluate the efficacy against the parasite Leishmania amazonensis. The in vitro activity was maintained or even improved and HA-coated liposomes showed the ability to target to the site of action by the proposed routes of administration, topically and intravenously. Both formulations are promising for future tests of antileishmania activity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tânia Ueda-Nakamura
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Raquel Petrilli
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
| | - Rachel Auzely-Velty
- Centre de Recherches sur les Macromolécules Végétales, Cermav, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.
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22
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Fernandes NDS, Desoti VC, Dias A, da Silva YC, de Azevedo Dos Santos AP, Passarini GM, Nakamura CV, da Veiga Junior VF. Styrylpyrone, isolated from an Amazon plant, induces cell cycle arrest and autophagy in Leishmania amazonensis. Nat Prod Res 2020; 35:4729-4733. [PMID: 31983230 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2020.1715395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The search for bioactive compounds against diseases is imperative and the richness of the Amazon provides a large source to be explored. Current therapies for the treatment of parasitic infections have severe side effects and low efficacy, which makes the development of an effective chemotherapy extremely important. In this study, we describe the isolation of styrylpyrone 4-methoxy-6-(11,12-methylenedioxy-trans-styryl)-2-pyrone (SP), from the Amazonian tree species, Aniba panurensis, the in vitro activity against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes, and its in silico pharmacokinetics properties. The results showed morphological and ultrastructural alterations, cell cycle impairment, increased reactive oxygen species production, accumulation of lipid bodies and formation of autophagic vacuoles in SP-treated parasites. In silico studies revealed that the compound has a high drug-score, which is encouraging for further investigation. Our results indicate that SP is a promising drug candidate, which induces alterations in L. amazonensis leading to parasite death through cell cycle arrest and autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilma de Souza Fernandes
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.,Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Vânia Cristina Desoti
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Alcilene Dias
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Paula de Azevedo Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil.,Plataforma de Bioensaios em Malária e Leishmaniose, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Matos Passarini
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil.,Plataforma de Bioensaios em Malária e Leishmaniose, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Valdir Florêncio da Veiga Junior
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil.,Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Militar de Engenharia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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23
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Alonso L, Cardoso ÉJS, Gomes RS, Mendanha SA, Dorta ML, Alonso A. Antileishmanial and cytotoxic activities of ionic surfactants compared to those of miltefosine. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2019; 183:110421. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2019.110421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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24
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Giri S, Shaha C. Leishmania donovani parasite requires Atg8 protein for infectivity and survival under stress. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:808. [PMID: 31649242 PMCID: PMC6813314 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-2038-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The importance of autophagy in parasites with a digenetic life cycle like Leishmania spp. is significant. The parasite survives as promastigotes in the insect gut and as immotile amastigotes in mammals. This study demonstrates increased autophagy in Leishmania parasite during progression of in vitro life cycle and upon exposure to stress stimuli like starvation, oxidative stress, and drugs. Autophagy inhibition during stress exposure increased cell death, indicating the importance of autophagy in cellular defense against adverse conditions. Atg8 protein, a homolog of mammalian autophagy protein LC3 is expressed in Leishmania parasite but its function remains unknown. Overexpression of Atg8 (Atg8-OE) rendered the parasites resistant to stress and capable of infecting macrophages in substantial numbers; however, disruption of the Atg8 gene (ΔAtg8) resulting in suppression of Atg8 protein expression, increased susceptibility to stress and reduced the capability to cause infection. A critical event in the Leishmania parasite lifecycle is the differentiation of promastigote forms to the disease causing amastigote forms. The failure of ΔAtg8 parasites lacking Atg8 protein to differentiate into amastigotes, unlike the Atg8-OE and vector-transfected parasites, clearly indicated Atg8 involvement in a crucial event. The inability of ΔAtg8 parasites to infect macrophages in vitro was verified in an in vivo mouse model of leishmaniases where infection could not be induced by the ΔAtg8 parasites. Autophagy is known to be involved in the remodeling of damaged organelles. The accumulation of Atg8 around damaged mitochondria suggested increase of autophagy in the vicinity of the organelle. This buildup was prevented when mitochondria generated reactive oxygen species that were quenched, suggesting them as possible signaling molecules for sensing mitochondrial instability. In summary, our study provides new evidences for a crucial role of Atg8 protein in sustaining Leishmania parasite survival during life cycle and stress exposure, differentiation to amastigotes, and their infective abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagnik Giri
- Cell Death and Differentiation Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Chandrima Shaha
- Cell Death and Differentiation Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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25
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Scariot DB, Volpato H, Fernandes NDS, Soares EFP, Ueda-Nakamura T, Dias-Filho BP, Din ZU, Rodrigues-Filho E, Rubira AF, Borges O, Sousa MDC, Nakamura CV. Activity and Cell-Death Pathway in Leishmania infantum Induced by Sugiol: Vectorization Using Yeast Cell Wall Particles Obtained From Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:208. [PMID: 31259161 PMCID: PMC6587907 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania infantum, is a neglected tropical disease, to which efforts in the innovation of effective and affordable treatments remain limited, despite the rising incidence in several regions of the world. In this work, the antileishmanial effects of sugiol were investigated in vitro. This compound was isolated from the bark of Cupressus lusitanica and showed promising activity against L. infantum. In spite of the positive results, it is known that the compound is a poorly water-soluble diterpene molecule, which hinders further investigation, especially in preclinical animal studies. Thus, in an alternative delivery method, sugiol was entrapped in glucan-rich particles obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell walls (YCWPs). To evaluate the activity of sugiol, the experiments were divided into two parts: (i) the in vitro investigation of antileishmanial activity of free sugiol against L. infantum promastigotes after 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment and (ii) the evaluation of antileishmanial activity of sugiol entrapped in glucan-rich particles against intracellular L. infantum amastigotes. Free sugiol induced the cell-death process in promastigotes, which was triggered by enhancing cytosolic calcium level and promoting the autophagy up to the first 24 h. Over time, the presence of autophagic vacuoles became rarer, especially after treatment with lower concentrations of sugiol, but other cellular events intensified, like ROS production, cell shrinkage, and phosphatidylserine exposure. Hyperpolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential was found at 72 h, induced by the mitochondria calcium uptake, causing an increase in ROS production and lipid peroxidation as a consequence. These events resulted in the cell death of promastigotes by secondary necrosis. Sugiol entrapped in glucan-rich particles was specifically recognized by dectin-1 receptor on the plasma membrane of macrophages, the main host cell of Leishmania spp. Electron micrographs revealed particles containing sugiol within the infected macrophages and these particles were active against the intracellular L. infantum amastigotes without affecting the host cell. Therefore, the YCWPs act like a Trojan horse to successfully deliver sugiol into the macrophage, presenting an interesting strategy to deliver water-insoluble drugs to parasitized cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Botura Scariot
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Hélito Volpato
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Nilma de Souza Fernandes
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | | | - Tânia Ueda-Nakamura
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Benedito Prado Dias-Filho
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Zia Ud Din
- Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | | | | | - Olga Borges
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Do Céu Sousa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
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26
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Miranda-Sapla MM, Tomiotto-Pellissier F, Assolini JP, Carloto ACM, Bortoleti BTDS, Gonçalves MD, Tavares ER, Rodrigues JHDS, Simão ANC, Yamauchi LM, Nakamura CV, Verri WA, Costa IN, Conchon-Costa I, Pavanelli WR. trans-Chalcone modulates Leishmania amazonensis infection in vitro by Nrf2 overexpression affecting iron availability. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 853:275-288. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.03.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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27
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Heffeter P, Pape VFS, Enyedy ÉA, Keppler BK, Szakacs G, Kowol CR. Anticancer Thiosemicarbazones: Chemical Properties, Interaction with Iron Metabolism, and Resistance Development. Antioxid Redox Signal 2019; 30:1062-1082. [PMID: 29334758 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2017.7487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE During the past decades, thiosemicarbazones were clinically developed for a variety of diseases, including tuberculosis, viral infections, malaria, and cancer. With regard to malignant diseases, the class of α-N-heterocyclic thiosemicarbazones, and here especially 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (Triapine), was intensively developed in multiple clinical phase I/II trials. Recent Advances: Very recently, two new derivatives, namely COTI-2 and di-2-pyridylketone 4-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (DpC) have entered phase I evaluation. Based on the strong metal-chelating/metal-interacting properties of thiosemicarbazones, interference with the cellular iron (and copper) homeostasis is assumed to play an important role in their biological activity. CRITICAL ISSUES In this review, we summarize and analyze the data on the interaction of (α-N-heterocyclic) thiosemicarbazones with iron, with the special aim of bridging the current knowledge on their mode of action from chemistry to (cell) biology. In addition, we highlight the difference to classical iron(III) chelators such as desferrioxamine (DFO), which are used for the treatment of iron overload. FUTURE DIRECTIONS We want to emphasize that thiosemicarbazones are not solely removing iron from the cells/organism. In contrast, they should be considered as iron-interacting drugs influencing diverse biological pathways in a complex and multi-faceted mode of action. Consequently, in addition to the discussion of physicochemical properties (e.g., complex stability, redox activity), this review contains an overview on the diversity of cellular thiosemicarbazone targets and drug resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Heffeter
- 1 Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center of the Medical University, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria .,2 Research Cluster "Translational Cancer Therapy Research," Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika F S Pape
- 3 Institute of Enzymology , Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary .,4 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University , Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva A Enyedy
- 5 Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Szeged , Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bernhard K Keppler
- 2 Research Cluster "Translational Cancer Therapy Research," Vienna, Austria .,6 Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria
| | - Gergely Szakacs
- 1 Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center of the Medical University, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria .,3 Institute of Enzymology , Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Christian R Kowol
- 2 Research Cluster "Translational Cancer Therapy Research," Vienna, Austria .,6 Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria
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Costa MS, Gonçalves YG, Teixeira SC, Nunes DCDO, Lopes DS, da Silva CV, da Silva MS, Borges BC, Silva MJB, Rodrigues RS, Rodrigues VDM, Von Poelhsitz G, Yoneyama KAG. Increased ROS generation causes apoptosis-like death: Mechanistic insights into the anti-Leishmania activity of a potent ruthenium(II) complex. J Inorg Biochem 2019; 195:1-12. [PMID: 30861423 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Some metallodrugs that exhibit interesting biological activity contain transition metals such as ruthenium, and have been extensively exploited because of their antiparasitic potential. In previous study, we reported the remarkable anti-Leishmania activity of precursor cis-[RuIICl2(dppm)2], where dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, and new ruthenium(II) complexes, cis-[RuII(η2-O2CC10H13)(dppm)2]PF6 (bbato), cis-[RuII(η2-O2CC7H7S)(dppm)2]PF6 (mtbato) and cis-[RuII(η2-O2CC7H7O2)(dppm)2]PF6 (hmxbato) against some Leishmania species. In view of the promising activity of the hmxbato complex against Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis promastigotes, the present work investigated the possible parasite death mechanism involved in the action of this hmxbato and its precursor. We report, for the first time, that hmxbato and precursor promoted an increase in reactive oxygen species production, depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, DNA fragmentation, formation of a pre-apoptotic peak, alterations in parasite morphology and formation of autophagic vacuoles. Taken together, our results suggest that these ruthenium complexes cause parasite death by apoptosis. Thus, this work provides relevant knowledge on the activity of ruthenium(II) complexes against L. (L.) amazonensis. Such information will be essential for the exploitation of these complexes as future candidates for cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mônica Soares Costa
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Toxinas Animais, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Laboratório de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Débora Cristina de Oliveira Nunes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Toxinas Animais, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Daiana Silva Lopes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Toxinas Animais, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Claudio Vieira da Silva
- Laboratório de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Santos da Silva
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular (LECC), Centro de Toxinas, Resposta imune e Sinalização Celular (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruna Cristina Borges
- Laboratório de Osteoimunologia e Imunologia dos Tumores, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo José Barbosa Silva
- Laboratório de Osteoimunologia e Imunologia dos Tumores, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Renata Santos Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Toxinas Animais, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Veridiana de Melo Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Toxinas Animais, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Von Poelhsitz
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Kelly Aparecida Geraldo Yoneyama
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Toxinas Animais, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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Menna-Barreto RFS. Cell death pathways in pathogenic trypanosomatids: lessons of (over)kill. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:93. [PMID: 30700697 PMCID: PMC6353990 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1370-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Especially in tropical and developing countries, the clinically relevant protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease), Trypanosoma brucei (sleeping sickness) and Leishmania species (leishmaniasis) stand out and infect millions of people worldwide leading to critical social-economic implications. Low-income populations are mainly affected by these three illnesses that are neglected by the pharmaceutical industry. Current anti-trypanosomatid drugs present variable efficacy with remarkable side effects that almost lead to treatment discontinuation, justifying a continuous search for alternative compounds that interfere with essential and specific parasite pathways. In this scenario, the triggering of trypanosomatid cell death machinery emerges as a promising approach, although the exact mechanisms involved in unicellular eukaryotes are still unclear as well as the controversial biological importance of programmed cell death (PCD). In this review, the mechanisms of autophagy, apoptosis-like cell death and necrosis found in pathogenic trypanosomatids are discussed, as well as their roles in successful infection. Based on the published genomic and proteomic maps, the panel of trypanosomatid cell death molecules was constructed under different experimental conditions. The lack of PCD molecular regulators and executioners in these parasites up to now has led to cell death being classified as an unregulated process or incidental necrosis, despite all morphological evidence published. In this context, the participation of metacaspases in PCD was also not described, and these proteases play a crucial role in proliferation and differentiation processes. On the other hand, autophagic phenotype has been described in trypanosomatids under a great variety of stress conditions (drugs, starvation, among others) suggesting that this process is involved in the turnover of damaged structures in the protozoa and is not a cell death pathway. Death mechanisms of pathogenic trypanosomatids may be involved in pathogenesis, and the identification of parasite-specific regulators could represent a rational and attractive alternative target for drug development for these neglected diseases.
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Scarim CB, Jornada DH, Machado MGM, Ferreira CMR, Dos Santos JL, Chung MC. Thiazole, thio and semicarbazone derivatives against tropical infective diseases: Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), leishmaniasis, and malaria. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 162:378-395. [PMID: 30453246 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Thiazole, thiosemicarbazone and semicarbazone moieties are privileged scaffolds (acting as primary pharmacophores) in many compounds that are useful to treat several diseases, mainly tropical infectious diseases. In this review article, we critically analyzed the contribution of these scaffolds to medicinal chemistry in the last five years, focusing on tropical infectious diseases, such as Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), leishmaniasis, and malaria. We also present perspectives for their use in drug design in order to contribute to the development of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cauê Benito Scarim
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | - Jean Leandro Dos Santos
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Man Chin Chung
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
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Isobenzofuranone derivative JVPH3, an inhibitor of L. donovani topoisomerase II, disrupts mitochondrial architecture in trypanosomatid parasites. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11940. [PMID: 30093616 PMCID: PMC6085290 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30405-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) bearing unusual mitochondrion of trypanosomatid parasites offers a new paradigm in chemotherapy modality. Topoisomerase II of Leishmania donovani (LdTopII), a key enzyme associated with kDNA replication, is emerging as a potential drug target. However, mode of action of LdTopII targeted compounds in the parasites at sub-cellular level remains largely unknown. Previously, we reported that an isobenzofuranone derivative, namely 3,5-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-7-hydroxyisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (JVPH3), targets LdTopII and induces apoptosis-like cell death in L. donovani. Here, we elucidate the phenotypic changes and the events occurring at sub-cellular level caused by JVPH3 in L. donovani. In addition, we have evaluated the cytotoxicity and ultrastructural alterations caused by JVPH3 in two brazilian trypanosomatid pathogens viz. L. amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi. Despite killing these parasites, JVPH3 caused significantly different phenotypes in L. donovani and L. amazonensis. More than 90% population of parasites showed altered morphology. Mitochondrion was a major target organelle subsequently causing kinetoplast network disorganization in Leishmania. Altered mitochondrial architecture was evident in 75–80% Leishmania population being investigated. Quantification of mitochondrial function using JC-1 fluorophore to measure a possible mitochondrial membrane depolarization further confirmed the mitochondrion as an essential target of the JVPH3 corroborating with the phenotype observed by electron microscopy. However, the impact of JVPH3 was lesser on T. cruzi than Leishmania. The molecule caused mitochondrial alteration in 40% population of the epimastigotes being investigated. To our knowledge, this is the first report to evaluate the proliferation pattern and ultrastructural alterations caused in Brazilian kinetoplastid pathogens by a synthetic LdTopII inhibitor previously established to have promising in vivo activity against Indian strain of L. donovani.
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Andrade CG, Figueiredo RCBQ, Ribeiro KRC, Souza LIO, Sarmento-Neto JF, Rebouças JS, Santos BS, Ribeiro MS, Carvalho LB, Fontes A. Photodynamic effect of zinc porphyrin on the promastigote and amastigote forms ofLeishmania braziliensis. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2018; 17:482-490. [DOI: 10.1039/c7pp00458c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Zn(ii)meso-tetrakis(N-ethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin was applied in the photodynamic inactivation ofLeishmania braziliensis, leading to considerable cell damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. G. Andrade
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
- Recife
- Brazil
| | - R. C. B. Q. Figueiredo
- Departamento de Microbiologia
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães – Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IAM-FIOCRUZ)
- Recife
- Brazil
| | - K. R. C. Ribeiro
- Departamento de Parasitologia
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães – Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IAM-FIOCRUZ)
- Recife
- Brazil
| | - L. I. O. Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães – Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IAM-FIOCRUZ)
- Recife
- Brazil
| | | | - J. S. Rebouças
- Departamento de Química
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba
- João Pessoa
- Brazil
| | - B. S. Santos
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
- Recife
- Brazil
| | - M. S. Ribeiro
- Centro de Lasers e Aplicações
- IPEN-CNEN/SP
- São Paulo
- Brazil
| | - L. B. Carvalho
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
- Recife
- Brazil
| | - A. Fontes
- Departamento de Biofísica e Radiobiologia
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
- Recife
- Brazil
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Antileishmanial activity of a naphthoquinone derivate against promastigote and amastigote stages of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania amazonensis and its mechanism of action against L. amazonensis species. Parasitol Res 2017; 117:391-403. [PMID: 29248978 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5713-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis has become a significant public health issue in several countries in the world. New products have been identified to treat against the disease; however, toxicity and/or high cost is a limitation. The present work evaluated the antileishmanial activity of a new naphthoquinone derivate, Flau-A [2-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-deoxy-β-L-galactopyranosyloxy)-1,4-naphthoquinone], against promastigote and amastigote-like stages of Leishmania amazonensis and L. infantum. In addition, the cytotoxicity in murine macrophages and human red cells was also investigated. The mechanism of action of Flau-A was assessed in L. amazonensis as well as its efficacy in treating infected macrophages and inhibiting infection of pretreated parasites. Results showed that Flau-A was effective against promastigotes and amastigote-like forms of both parasite species, as well as showed low toxicity in mammalian cells. Results also highlighted the morphological and biochemical alterations induced by Flau-A in L. amazonensis, including loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as increased reactive oxygen species production, cell shrinkage, and alteration of the plasma membrane integrity. The present study demonstrates for the first time the antileishmanial activity of Flau-A against two Leishmania species and suggests that the mitochondria of the parasites may be the main target organelle. Data shown here encourages the use of this molecule in new studies concerning treatment against Leishmania infection in mammalian hosts.
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Acyclic Sesquiterpenes from the Fruit Pericarp of Sapindus saponaria Induce Ultrastructural Alterations and Cell Death in Leishmania amazonensis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2017; 2017:5620693. [PMID: 28904555 PMCID: PMC5585602 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5620693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies reported antiprotozoal activities of Sapindus saponaria L. The aim of this work was the evaluation of antileishmanial activity and mechanism of action of extract and fractions of S. saponaria L. Hydroethanolic extract (EHA) obtained from fruit pericarps was fractionated using solid-phase extraction in a reversed phase, resulting in fractions enriched with saponins (SAP fraction) and acyclic sesquiterpene oligoglycosides (OGSA fraction). The activities of EHA, SAP, and OGSA were evaluated by antiproliferative assays with promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms. Cytotoxicity on macrophages and hemolytic activity were also analyzed. Morphological and ultrastructural changes in Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes were evaluated by electron microscopy. Flow cytometry was used to investigate mitochondrial dysfunction and phosphatidylserine exposure. OGSA was more selective for parasites than mammalian J774A1 macrophage cells, with selectivity indices of 3.79 and 7.35, respectively. Our results showed that only the OGSA fraction did not present hemolytic activity at its IC50 for promastigote growth. Electron microscopy revealed changes in parasite flagellum, cell body shape, and organelle size, mainly mitochondria. Flow cytometry analysis indicated mitochondrial membrane and cell membrane dysfunction. OGSA showed antileishmanial activity, resulting in several changes to protozoa cells, including mitochondrial depolarization and early phosphatidylserine exposure, suggesting a possible apoptotic induction.
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