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Elgendy DI, Elmahy RA, Amer AIM, Ibrahim HA, Eltantawy AF, Mansour FR, Salama AM. Efficacy of artemether against toxocariasis in mice: parasitological and immunopathological changes in brain, liver, and lung. Pathog Glob Health 2024; 118:47-64. [PMID: 37978995 PMCID: PMC10769145 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2023.2285182] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxocariasis is a zoonosis that represents a serious threat to public health particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. Currently, albendazole, the most effective drug for treating visceral toxocariasis, shows moderate efficacy against the larvae in tissues and has some adverse effects. Artemether is an antiparasitic drug mainly used in the treatment of malaria and showed effectiveness against numerous helminthic infections. Besides, it possesses potent anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antifibrotic, and neuroprotective properties. Thus, the study's aim was to investigate artemether's effects in comparison with albendazole on the therapeutic outcome of experimental toxocariasis. For this aim, 140 laboratory-bred mice were divided into four main groups: uninfected control, treatment control, albendazole-treated, and artemether-treated groups. The treatment regimens were started at the 15th dpi (early treatment), and at the 35th dpi (late treatment). The effectiveness of treatment was determined by brain larval count, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical examination. Artemether showed more effectiveness than albendazole in reducing brain larval counts, markers of brain injury including NF-κB, GFAP, and caspase-3, the diameter and number of hepatic granulomas, hepatic oxidative stress, hepatic IL-6, and TG2 mRNA, and pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. The efficacy of artemether was the same when administered early or late in the infection. Finally, our findings illustrated that artemether might be a promising therapy for T. canis infection and it could be a good substitution for albendazole in toxocariasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina I. Elgendy
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Rasha A. Elmahy
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | | | - Hoda A. Ibrahim
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Fawzy Eltantawy
- Medical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Fotouh Rashed Mansour
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Amina M. Salama
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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Huang Y, Yang Y, Liu G, Xu M. New clinical application prospects of artemisinin and its derivatives: a scoping review. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:115. [PMID: 38072951 PMCID: PMC10712159 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01152-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent research has suggested that artemisinin and its derivatives may have therapeutic effects on parasites, viruses, tumors, inflammation and skin diseases. This study aimed to review clinical research on artemisinin and its derivatives except anti-malaria and explore possible priority areas for future development. METHODS Relevant articles in English and Chinese published before 28 October 2021 were reviewed. All articles were retrieved and obtained from databases including WanFang, PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge International, Embase, OpenGrey, the Grey Literature Report, Grey Horizon, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Studies were selected for final inclusion based on predefined criteria. Information was then extracted and analyzed by region, disease, outcome, and time to identify relevant knowledge gaps. RESULTS Seventy-seven studies on anti-parasitic (35), anti-tumor (16), anti-inflammatory (12), anti-viral (8), and dermatological treatments (7) focused on the safety and efficacy of artemisinin and its derivatives. The anti-parasitic clinical research developed rapidly, with a large number of trials, rapid clinical progress, and multiple research topics. In contrast, anti-viral research was limited and mainly stayed in phase I clinical trials (37.50%). Most of the studies were conducted in Asia (60%), followed by Africa (27%), Europe (8%), and the Americas (5%). Anti-parasite and anti-inflammatory research were mainly distributed in less developed continents such as Asia and Africa, while cutting-edge research such as anti-tumor has attracted more attention in Europe and the United States. At the safety level, 58 articles mentioned the adverse reactions of artemisinin and its derivatives, with only one study showing a Grade 3 adverse event, while the other studies did not show any related adverse reactions or required discontinuation. Most studies have discovered therapeutic effects of artemisinin or its derivatives on anti-parasitic (27), anti-tumor (9), anti-inflammatory (9) and dermatological treatment (6). However, the efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) for parasitic diseases (non-malaria) is still controversial. CONCLUSIONS Recent clinical studies suggest that artemisinin and its derivatives may be safe and effective candidates for anti-tumor, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory and dermatological drugs. More phase II/III clinical trials of artemisinin and its derivatives on antiviral effects are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangmu Huang
- School of Public Health, Peking University, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Public Health, Peking University, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Guangqi Liu
- Energy Saving and Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, China Academy of Railway Sciences Co., Ltd, No. 2 Daliushu Road, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Ming Xu
- School of Public Health, Peking University, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
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Obonyo CO, Were VO, Wamae P, Muok EMO. SCHISTOACT: a protocol for an open-label, five-arm, non-inferiority, individually randomized controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of praziquantel plus artemisinin-based combinations in the treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infection. Trials 2023; 24:763. [PMID: 38012787 PMCID: PMC10683197 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07790-3] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis control relies on praziquantel for preventive chemotherapy. Alternative drugs are needed for the treatment and control of schistosomiasis. Praziquantel is effective against adult schistosome worms but ineffective against larval stages of the parasite and cannot prevent re-infection or interrupt the transmission of infection. Continued reliance on praziquantel for wide-scale schistosomiasis control will likely accelerate the emergence of drug resistance. Artemisinin derivatives are effective against the juvenile stages but ineffective against adult worms. The SCHISTOACT study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of praziquantel plus one of four artemisinin-based combinations in treating Schistosoma mansoni infection in Kenya. METHODS The SCHISTOACT study is an open-label, head-to-head, five-arm, proof-of-concept, non-inferiority, individually randomized controlled trial with a follow-up of 12 weeks. A total of 540 primary school-aged children from the Mwea area, Kirinyaga County in central Kenya, diagnosed with S. mansoni infection (by Kato-Katz method) are randomly allocated (1:1:1:1:1) to a single dose of praziquantel plus a 3-day course of artesunate-sulfalene/pyrimethamine, or artesunate-amodiaquine, or artesunate plus mefloquine, or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, or praziquantel control arm. The primary endpoints are efficacy (cure rate, assessed by microscopy) and safety (adverse events) of each study arm 6 weeks after treatment. Secondary endpoints include cumulative cure rate, egg reduction rate, and re-infection 12 weeks after treatment. The non-inferiority margin is set at - 10 for the risk difference in cure rates between praziquantel and the combined treatment. DISCUSSION This study assesses a strategy for repurposing artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) for treating schistosomiasis. It adopts a head-to-head comparison of four different ACTs to test a non-inferiority hypothesis and to strengthen local capacity to conduct clinical trials for interventions against neglected tropical diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry PACTR202001919442161 . Retrospectively registered on 6 January 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles O Obonyo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Vincent O Were
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Peter Wamae
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Erick M O Muok
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
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Zhong M, Sun C, Zhou B. Anti-Mitochondrial and Insecticidal Effects of Artemisinin against Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24086912. [PMID: 37108079 PMCID: PMC10138759 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin (ART) is an endoperoxide molecule derived from the medicinal plant Artemisia annua L. and is clinically used as an antimalarial drug. As a secondary metabolite, the benefit of ART production to the host plant and the possible associated mechanism are not understood. It has previously been reported that Artemisia annua L. extract or ART can inhibit both insect feeding behaviors and growth; however, it is not known whether these effects are independent of each other, i.e., if growth inhibition is a direct outcome of the drug's antifeeding activity. Using the lab model organism Drosophila melanogaster, we demonstrated that ART repels the feeding of larvae. Nevertheless, feeding inhibition was insufficient to explain its toxicity on fly larval growth. We revealed that ART provoked a strong and instant depolarization when applied to isolated mitochondria from Drosophila while exerting little effect on mitochondria isolated from mice tissues. Thus, ART benefits its host plant through two distinct activities on the insect: a feeding-repelling action and a potent anti-mitochondrial action which may underlie its insect inhibitory activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjiao Zhong
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chen Sun
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Bing Zhou
- Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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Abedi B, Tayefi-Nasrabadi H, Kianifard D, Basaki M, Shahbazfar AA, Piri A, Dolatyarieslami M. The effect of co-administration of artemisinin and N-acetyl cysteine on antioxidant status, spermatological parameters and histopathology of testis in adult male mice. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2023:hmbci-2022-0050. [PMID: 36749578 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2022-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This in vivo study aimed to evaluate the effect of various concentrations of artemisinin (Art) alone or together with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on spermatological indices, antioxidant status, and histopathological parameters of testicular tissue in adult male mice. METHODS Six groups of five healthy male mice (25-30 g) were randomly assigned to different experimental groups. These groups received DMSO and corn oil (0.1%) as an Art solvent (Control), 50 mg kg-1 Art (Art-50), 250 mg kg-1 Art (Art-250), 50 mg kg-1 Art + 150 mg kg-1 NAC (Art-50+NAC-150), 250 mg kg-1 Art + 150 mg kg-1 NAC (Art-250+NAC-150) and 150 mg kg-1 NAC (NAC-150) for a period of 7 days. Testes and epididymis were prepared to evaluate the malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), spermatological indices, and histological parameters. RESULTS We showed that the high dose of Art (Art-250) significantly reduced the sperm count, motility, viability, and the activity of CAT and increased the levels of MDA compared to the control group. Also, the overdose of Art caused adverse changes in testicular tissue. Co-administration of NAC with Art (Art-250+NAC-150) corrected the adverse effects of Art. CONCLUSIONS The current study reports that a high dose of Art affects, spermatological parameters, antioxidant/stress oxidative status of the male reproductive system, and NAC is capable neutralize all adverse effects caused by Art.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnaz Abedi
- Department of Basic sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Tayefi-Nasrabadi
- Department of Basic sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Davoud Kianifard
- Department of Basic sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Basaki
- Department of Basic sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Ali Shahbazfar
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Aiyoub Piri
- Department of Basic sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahdi Dolatyarieslami
- Department of Basic sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
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Ullah H, Arbab S, Li K, Khan MIU, Qadeer A, Muhammad N. Schistosomiasis related circulating cell-free DNA: A useful biomarker in diagnostics. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 251:111495. [PMID: 35835258 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma is a genus of trematodes causing schistosomiasis, a major neglected tropical disease infecting more than 240 million people and with 700 million people at the risk of infection in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, especially low-income countries. For the elimination of the disease, accurate diagnostic tools are needed. Besides allowing early treatment, early detection prevents environmental contamination and in turn ensures safe water sources in the endemic areas. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) biomarker detection is a relatively new tool, used for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis in the early stages of infection from non-invasive clinical or experimental samples. cfDNA can be detected in Schistosoma infected host body fluids such as urine, serum, saliva and tissues, mainly in blood offering significant benefits for accurate diagnosis. In the current review, we described different characteristics of cfDNA, evidencing and supporting its potential uses in Schistosoma diagnosis and the improvement of treatment effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanif Ullah
- West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Safia Arbab
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou, China; Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China; Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ka Li
- West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Muhammad Inayat Ullah Khan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Abdul Qadeer
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Nehaz Muhammad
- Department of Zoology, University of Swabi, Swabi 23561, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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Mtemeli FL, Ndlovu J, Mugumbate G, Makwikwi T, Shoko R. Advances in schistosomiasis drug discovery based on natural products. ALL LIFE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2022.2080281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- F. L. Mtemeli
- Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - J. Ndlovu
- Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - G. Mugumbate
- Department of Chemical Technology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - T. Makwikwi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - R. Shoko
- Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
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Ndegwa FK, Kondam C, Aboagye SY, Esan TE, Waxali ZS, Miller ME, Gikonyo NK, Mbugua PK, Okemo PO, Williams DL, Hagen TJ. Traditional Kenyan herbal medicine: exploring natural products' therapeutics against schistosomiasis. J Helminthol 2022; 96:e16. [PMID: 35238288 PMCID: PMC10030042 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x22000074] [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] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Praziquantel (PZQ) remains the only drug of choice for the treatment of schistosomiasis, caused by parasitic flatworms. The widespread use of PZQ in schistosomiasis endemic areas for about four decades raises concerns about the emergence of resistance of Schistosoma spp. to PZQ under drug selection pressure. This reinforces the urgency in finding alternative therapeutic options that could replace or complement PZQ. We explored the potential of medicinal plants commonly used by indigenes in Kenya for the treatment of various ailments including malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea for their antischistosomal properties. Employing the Soxhlet extraction method with different solvents, seven medicinal plants Artemisia annua, Ajuga remota, Bredilia micranta, Cordia africana, Physalis peruviana, Prunus africana and Senna didymobotrya were extracted. Qualitative phytochemical screening was performed to determine the presence of various phytochemicals in the plant extracts. Extracts were tested against Schistosoma mansoni newly transformed schistosomula (NTS) and adult worms and the schistosomicidal activity was determined by using the adenosine triphosphate quantitation assay. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed different classes of compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, terpenes, etc., in plant extracts active against S. mansoni worms. Seven extracts out of 22 resulted in <20% viability against NTS in 24 h at 100 μg/ml. Five of the extracts with inhibitory activity against NTS showed >69.7% and ≥72.4% reduction in viability against adult worms after exposure for 24 and 48 h, respectively. This study provides encouraging preliminary evidence that extracts of Kenyan medicinal plants deserve further study as potential alternative therapeutics that may form the basis for the development of the new treatments for schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fidensio K. Ndegwa
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical & Industrial Pharmacy, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Chaitanya Kondam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Samuel Y. Aboagye
- Department of Microbial Pathogens & Immunity, Rush University Medical Center Chicago IL, USA
| | - Taiwo E. Esan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Zohra Sattar Waxali
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Margaret E. Miller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Nicholas K. Gikonyo
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical & Industrial Pharmacy, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Paul K. Mbugua
- Department of Plant Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Paul O. Okemo
- Department of Microbiology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David L. Williams
- Department of Microbial Pathogens & Immunity, Rush University Medical Center Chicago IL, USA
| | - Timothy J. Hagen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
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Drug associations as alternative and complementary therapy for neglected tropical diseases. Acta Trop 2022; 225:106210. [PMID: 34687644 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The present paper aims to establish different treatments for neglected tropical disease by a survey on drug conjugations and possible fixed-dose combinations (FDC) used to obtain alternative, safer and more effective treatments. The source databases used were Science Direct and PubMed/Medline, in the intervals between 2015 and 2021 with the drugs key-words or diseases, like "schistosomiasis", "praziquantel", "malaria", "artesunate", "Chagas' disease", "benznidazole", "filariasis", diethylcarbamazine", "ivermectin", " albendazole". 118 works were the object of intense analysis, other articles and documents were used to increase the quality of the studies, such as consensuses for harmonizing therapeutics and historical articles. As a result, an effective NTD control can be achieved when different public health approaches are combined with interventions guided by the epidemiology of each location and the availability of appropriate measures to detect, prevent and control disease. It was also possible to verify that the FDCs promote a simplification of the therapeutic regimen, which promotes better patient compliance and enables a reduction in the development of parasitic resistance, requiring further studies aimed at resistant strains, since the combined APIs usually act by different mechanisms or at different target sites. In addition to eliminating the process of developing a new drug based on the identification and validation of active compounds, which is a complex, long process and requires a strong long-term investment, other advantages that FDCs have are related to productive gain and gain from the industrial plant, which can favor and encourage the R&D of new FDCs not only for NTDs but also for other diseases that require the use of more than one drug.
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Cheuka PM. Drug Discovery and Target Identification against Schistosomiasis: a Reality Check on Progress and Future Prospects. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 22:1595-1610. [PMID: 34565320 DOI: 10.2174/1568026621666210924101805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis ranks among the most important infectious diseases, with over 200 million people currently being infected and > 280,000 deaths reported annually. Chemotherapeutic treatment has relied on one drug, praziquantel, for four decades, while other drugs, such as oxamniquine and metrifonate, are no longer preferred for clinical use due to their narrow spectrum of activity - these are only active against S. mansoni and S. haematobium, respectively. Despite being cheap, safe, and effective against all schistosome species, praziquantel is ineffective against immature worms, which may lead to reinfections and treatment failure in endemic areas; a situation that necessitates repeated administration besides other limitations. Therefore, novel drugs are urgently needed to overcome this situation. In this paper, an up to date review of drug targets identified and validated against schistosomiasis while also encompassing promising clinical and preclinical candidate drugs is presented. While there are considerable efforts aimed at identifying and validating drug targets, the pipeline for new antischistosomals is dry. Moreover, the majority of compounds evaluated preclinically are not really advanced because most of them were evaluated in very small preclinical species such as mice alone. Overall, it appears that although a lot of research is going on at discovery phases, unfortunately, it does not translate to advanced preclinical and clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Mubanga Cheuka
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka. Zambia
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11
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Efferth T, Oesch F. The immunosuppressive activity of artemisinin-type drugs towards inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Med Res Rev 2021; 41:3023-3061. [PMID: 34288018 DOI: 10.1002/med.21842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin from Artemisia annua L. is well established for malaria therapy, but its bioactivity spectrum is much broader. In this review, we give a comprehensive and timely overview of the literature regarding the immunosuppressive activity of artemisinin-type compounds toward inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Numerous receptor-coupled signaling pathways are inhibited by artemisinins, including the receptors for interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), β3-integrin, or RANKL, toll-like receptors and growth factor receptors. Among the receptor-coupled signal transducers are extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K), AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK), phospholipase C γ1 (PLCγ), and others. All these receptors and signal transduction molecules are known to contribute to the inhibition of the transcription factor nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB). Artemisinins may inhibit NF-κB by silencing these upstream pathways and/or by direct binding to NF-κB. Numerous NF-κB-regulated downstream genes are downregulated by artemisinin and its derivatives, for example, cytokines, chemokines, and immune receptors, which regulate immune cell differentiation, apoptosis genes, proliferation-regulating genes, signal transducers, and genes involved in antioxidant stress response. In addition to the prominent role of NF-κB, other transcription factors are also inhibited by artemisinins (mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR], activating protein 1 [AP1]/FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homologue [FOS]/JUN oncogenic transcription factor [JUN]), hypoxia-induced factor 1α (HIF-1α), nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NF-ATC1), Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT), NF E2-related factor-2 (NRF-2), retinoic-acid-receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γ (ROR-γt), and forkhead box P-3 (FOXP-3). Many in vivo experiments in disease-relevant animal models demonstrate therapeutic efficacy of artemisinin-type drugs against rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus erythematosus, arthrosis, and gout), lung diseases (asthma, acute lung injury, and pulmonary fibrosis), neurological diseases (autoimmune encephalitis, Alzheimer's disease, and myasthenia gravis), skin diseases (dermatitis, rosacea, and psoriasis), inflammatory bowel disease, and other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Randomized clinical trials should be conducted in the future to translate the plethora of preclinical results into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Franz Oesch
- Oesch-Tox Toxicological Consulting and Expert Opinions, Ingelheim, Germany and Institute of Toxicology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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12
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Traditional application and modern pharmacological research of Artemisia annua L. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 216:107650. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Botanical Products in the Treatment and Control of Schistosomiasis: Recent Studies and Distribution of Active Plant Resources According to Affected Regions. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9080223. [PMID: 32823660 PMCID: PMC7464741 DOI: 10.3390/biology9080223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma, is the second most prevalent parasitic disease in the world. It affects around 200 million people. Clinical treatment, prophylaxis, and prevention are performed in countries susceptible to schistosomiasis. In the pharmacological treatment for an acute form of schistosomiasis, the use of antiparasitics, mainly praziquantel, is more common. As an alternative way, prevention methods such as reducing the population of intermediate hosts (mollusks) with molluscicides are important in the control of this disease by interrupting the biological cycle of this etiological parasite. Despite the importance of pharmacological agents and molluscicides, they have side effects and environmental toxicity. In addition, they can lead to the development of resistance enhancing of parasites, and lead to the search for new and effective drugs, including resources of vegetal origin, which in turn, are abundant in the affected countries. Thus, the purpose of this review is to summarize recent studies on botanical products with potential for the control of schistosomiasis, including anti-Schistosoma and molluscicide activities. In addition, species and plant derivatives according to their origin or geographical importance indicating a possible utility of local resources for countries most affected by the disease are presented.
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Chama MA, Onyame HA, Fleischer C, Osei-Safo D, Waibel R, Otchere J, Addae-Mensah I, Wilson M. In vitro activities of crude extracts and triterpenoid constituents of Dichapetalum crassifolium Chodat against clinical isolates of Schistosoma haematobium. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04460. [PMID: 32760823 PMCID: PMC7393437 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Dichapetalum crassifolium Chodat (Dichapetalaceae) is widely distributed in Africa, Tropical Asia and Latin America. As part of our quest for potential bioactive lead compounds for various neglected tropical diseases, we report the anti-schistosomal potential of the crude extracts and chemical constituents of the stems and roots of Dichapetalum crassifolium. Column chromatography of extracts of the stems and roots led to the isolation and identification of three oleanane-type triterpenoids, friedelan-3β-ol (1), friedelan-3-one (2), and maslinic acid (3); the ursane-type tritepenoid, pomolic acid (4) and the dammarane-type tetracyclic triterpenoids, dichapetalin A (5) and dichapetalin M (6). Dichapetalin A was isolated from only the roots. Isolated compounds were identified by comparison of their physico-chemical and spectral data with published data. The highest in vitro anti-schistosomal activity (IC50) of the crude extracts against clinical isolates of Schistosoma haematobium (Bilharz 1852) was 248.6 μg/ml for the ethyl acetate extract of the root while dichapetalin A gave the highest activity at 151.1 μg/ml among the compounds compared with the 15.5 μg/ml for the standard drug, praziquantel. The rest of the compounds showed activities in the order 177.9, 191.0, and 378.1 μg/ml respectively for mixture of β-sitosterol/stigmasterol, dichapetalin M and friedelan-3-one. The least active extract was the methanol extract of the stem (893.7 μg/ml). The constituents of D. crassifolium showed activity against the S. haematobium that are below praziquantel. It is envisaged that the presence of multiple layers and the minute sizes of pores in the egg shells, may preclude penetration of eggs by the compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Anti Chama
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, P.O Box LG 56, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Henry Akwaffo Onyame
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, P.O Box LG 56, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Claudine Fleischer
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, P.O Box LG 56, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Dorcas Osei-Safo
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, P.O Box LG 56, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Reiner Waibel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friederich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Schuhstrasse 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Joseph Otchere
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Ivan Addae-Mensah
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, P.O Box LG 56, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Michael Wilson
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
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Andrade CH, Neves BJ, Melo-Filho CC, Rodrigues J, Silva DC, Braga RC, Cravo PVL. In Silico Chemogenomics Drug Repositioning Strategies for Neglected Tropical Diseases. Curr Med Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180309114824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Only ~1% of all drug candidates against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
have reached clinical trials in the last decades, underscoring the need for new, safe and effective
treatments. In such context, drug repositioning, which allows finding novel indications
for approved drugs whose pharmacokinetic and safety profiles are already known,
emerging as a promising strategy for tackling NTDs. Chemogenomics is a direct descendent
of the typical drug discovery process that involves the systematic screening of chemical
compounds against drug targets in high-throughput screening (HTS) efforts, for the identification
of lead compounds. However, different to the one-drug-one-target paradigm, chemogenomics
attempts to identify all potential ligands for all possible targets and diseases. In
this review, we summarize current methodological development efforts in drug repositioning
that use state-of-the-art computational ligand- and structure-based chemogenomics approaches.
Furthermore, we highlighted the recent progress in computational drug repositioning
for some NTDs, based on curation and modeling of genomic, biological, and chemical data.
Additionally, we also present in-house and other successful examples and suggest possible solutions
to existing pitfalls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Horta Andrade
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Bruno Junior Neves
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Cleber Camilo Melo-Filho
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Juliana Rodrigues
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Diego Cabral Silva
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Rodolpho Campos Braga
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Pedro Vitor Lemos Cravo
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Centro Universitario de Anapolis (UniEVANGELICA), Anapolis, GO, 75083-515, Brazil
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Weber CJ, Hargan-Calvopiña J, Graef KM, Manner CK, Dent J. WIPO Re:Search-A Platform for Product-Centered Cross-Sector Partnerships for the Elimination of Schistosomiasis. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:E11. [PMID: 30634429 PMCID: PMC6473617 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic disease that affects over 200 million people worldwide, and with over 700 million people estimated to be at risk of contracting this disease, it is a pressing issue in global health. However, research and development (R&D) to develop new approaches to preventing, diagnosing, and treating schistosomiasis has been relatively limited. Praziquantel, a drug developed in the 1970s, is the only agent used in schistosomiasis mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns, indicating a critical need for a diversified therapeutic pipeline. Further, gaps in the vaccine and diagnostic pipelines demonstrate a need for early-stage innovation in all areas of schistosomiasis product R&D. As a platform for public-private partnerships (PPPs), the WIPO Re:Search consortium engages the private sector in early-stage R&D for neglected diseases by forging mutually beneficial collaborations and facilitating the sharing of intellectual property (IP) assets between the for-profit and academic/non-profit sectors. The Consortium connects people, resources, and ideas to fill gaps in neglected disease product development pipelines by leveraging the strengths of these two sectors. Using WIPO Re:Search as an example, this article highlights the opportunities for the PPP model to play a key role in the elimination of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callie J Weber
- BIO Ventures for Global Health, 2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1950, Seattle, WA 98121, USA.
| | | | - Katy M Graef
- BIO Ventures for Global Health, 2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1950, Seattle, WA 98121, USA.
| | - Cathyryne K Manner
- BIO Ventures for Global Health, 2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1950, Seattle, WA 98121, USA.
| | - Jennifer Dent
- BIO Ventures for Global Health, 2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1950, Seattle, WA 98121, USA.
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Aruleba RT, Adekiya TA, Oyinloye BE, Masamba P, Mbatha LS, Pretorius A, Kappo AP. PZQ Therapy: How Close are we in the Development of Effective Alternative Anti-schistosomal Drugs? Infect Disord Drug Targets 2019; 19:337-349. [PMID: 30599112 PMCID: PMC7046992 DOI: 10.2174/1871526519666181231153139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Today schistosomiasis, caused mainly by the three major schistosome species (S. mansoni, S. haematobium and S. japonicum), has for many decades and still continues to be on a rapid and swift rise globally, claiming thousands of lives every year and leaving 800 million people at the risk of infection. Due to the high prevalence of this disease and the steady increase in the infection rates, praziquantel (PZQ) remains the only effective drug against this acute disease although it has no effect on the juvenile schistosome parasite. However, no significant approaches have been made in recent years in the discovery of new or alternative drugs and unfortunately, resistance to this drug has been reported in some parts of the world. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a new drug for this debilitating disease. In this review, a brief history of past, present, and new promising anti-schistosomal drugs is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Taiwo Aruleba
- Biotechnology and Structural Biology (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
| | - Tayo Alex Adekiya
- Biotechnology and Structural Biology (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
| | - Babatunji Emmanuel Oyinloye
- Biotechnology and Structural Biology (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
- Department of Biochemistry, Afe Babalola University, PMB 5454, Ado-Ekiti 360001, Nigeria
| | - Priscilla Masamba
- Biotechnology and Structural Biology (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
| | - Londiwe Simphiwe Mbatha
- Biotechnology and Structural Biology (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
| | - Ashley Pretorius
- Bioinformatics Research Group (BRG), DST/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Abidemi Paul Kappo
- Biotechnology and Structural Biology (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
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Mäder P, Rennar GA, Ventura AMP, Grevelding CG, Schlitzer M. Chemotherapy for Fighting Schistosomiasis: Past, Present and Future. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:2374-2389. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Mäder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Philipps-Universität Marburg; Marbacher Weg 6 35032 Marburg Germany
| | - Georg A. Rennar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Philipps-Universität Marburg; Marbacher Weg 6 35032 Marburg Germany
| | - Alejandra M. Peter Ventura
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Philipps-Universität Marburg; Marbacher Weg 6 35032 Marburg Germany
| | - Christoph G. Grevelding
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS; Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen; Schubertstraße 81 35392 Gießen Germany
| | - Martin Schlitzer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Philipps-Universität Marburg; Marbacher Weg 6 35032 Marburg Germany
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19
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Nisar M, Sung HHY, Puschmann H, Lakerveld R, Haynes RK, Williams ID. 11-Azaartemisinin cocrystals with preserved lactam : acid heterosynthons. CrystEngComm 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ce01875d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The R22(8) lactam : acid hetero-synthon, found in several new 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 cocrystals between the anti-malarial 11-azaartemisinin and organic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madiha Nisar
- Department of Chemistry
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Kowloon
- China
| | - Herman H.-Y. Sung
- Department of Chemistry
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Kowloon
- China
| | | | - Richard Lakerveld
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Kowloon
- China
| | - Richard K. Haynes
- Department of Chemistry
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Kowloon
- China
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences
| | - Ian D. Williams
- Department of Chemistry
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Kowloon
- China
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20
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Abstract
Praziquantel has remained the drug of choice for schistosomiasis chemotherapy for almost 40 years. The pressing need to develop a new antischistosomal drug may necessitate exploring and filtering chemotherapeutic history to search for the most promising ones. In this context, this review attempts to summarize all progress made in schistosomiasis chemotherapy from the early 20th century (mid-1910s) to 2016. We gathered almost 100 compounds providing information on therapeutic action, specifically covering at least first in vivo studies in animal model and in vitro. Pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles of antischistosomal agents were also described. Preclinical studies indicate a handful of promising future candidates.
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21
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Farwa A, He C, Xia L, Zhou H. Immune modulation of Th1, Th2, and T-reg transcriptional factors differing from cytokine levels in Schistosoma japonicum infection. Parasitol Res 2017; 117:115-126. [PMID: 29188369 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5678-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In spite of long-term integrated control programs for Schistosoma japonicum infection in China, the infection is still persistent due to its zoonotic transmission and disease severity which further complicate its control. Th1, Th2, and T-reg cells are involved in S. japonicum immunity; however, their exact roles in immunopathology of this infection are still questionable. Therefore, the monitoring of these T cell subsets' immune responses during a primary infection of S. japonicum at both transcriptional (mRNA) and protein (cytokines) levels would be essential to point out. In experimentally infected white New Zealand rabbits, mRNA expression levels of TBX2, IRF8, GATA3, STAT6, FoxP3, and MAFF were evaluated using qPCR, whereas Th1 (IFN-γ and TNF-α), Th2 (IL4 and IL13), and T-reg (IL10 and TGF-β1) cytokines were measured by ELISA test. Those parameters were estimated at two phases: the first being 4 and 8 weeks post-infection and the second phase at 12 weeks post-infection. The infected rabbits were categorized into group1 which was treated with praziquantel after the 8th week of infection and group 2 which was left untreated. In the first stage of infection, Th1 was superior to the other types at both mRNA (TBX2 and IRF8) and protein (IFN-γ and TNF-α) levels, but at the late stage, Th2 cytokines (IL4 and IL13) were surprisingly dominated without comparable change in Th2 transcriptional level in group 1. Concisely, the evaluation of T cell transcriptional factors provided clearer evidence about T cellular roles which would be a valuable supplement to control this disease in terms of protective and therapeutic vaccinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amel Farwa
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Hematology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, People's Republic of China
- Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Chao He
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Hematology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Longfei Xia
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Hematology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Hematology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, People's Republic of China.
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22
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Wang WL, Song LJ, Hu BC, Miao L, Chen XY, Fan WH, Yin XR, Shen S, Ding ZF, Yu CX. Decoquinate derivatives: A new class of potent antischistosomal agents against Schistosoma japonicum. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2017.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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23
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Abood S, Eichelbaum S, Mustafi S, Veisaga ML, López LA, Barbieri M. Biomedical Properties and Origins of Sesquiterpene Lactones, with a Focus on Dehydroleucodine. Nat Prod Commun 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x1701200638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dehydroleucodine, a sesquiterpene lactone, belongs to the terpenoid class of secondary metabolites. Dehydroleucodine and other Artemisia-derived phytochemicals evolved numerous biodefenses that were first co-opted for human pharmacological use by traditional cultures in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Later, these phytochemicals were modified through the use of medicinal chemical techniques to increase their potency. All sesquiterpene lactones contain an α-methylene-γ-lactone group, which confers thiol reactivity, which is responsible, in part, for their therapeutic effects. A wide range of therapeutic uses of sequiterpene lactones has been found, including anti-adipogenic, cytoprotective, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-malarial and, anti-migraine effects. Dehydroleucodine significantly inhibits differentiation of murine preadipocytes and also significantly decreases the accumulation of lipid content by a dramatic down regulation of adipogenic-specific transcriptional factors PPARγ and C-EBPα. Dehydroleucodine also inhibits secretion of matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2), which is a known protease involved in migration and invasion of B16 cells. In addition to these anti-adipogenic and anti-cancer effects, dehydroleucodine effectively neutralizes several bacterial species, including Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aueus (MRSA) and S. epidermis (MRSE). The compound also inhibits the growth and secretion of several toxins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, possesses gastro-protective qualities and possesses anti-parasitic properties against Trypanosoma cruzi, responsible for Chagas disease. Other sesquiterpene lactones, such as parthenolide, costunolide, and helanin, also possess significant therapeutic utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Abood
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Steven Eichelbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Sushmita Mustafi
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Maria-Luisa Veisaga
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute; Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Luis A. López
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cell Cycle, Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Cuyo, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Manuel Barbieri
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute; Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156, USA
- International Center of Tropical Botany, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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24
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de Oliveira RN, Dos Santos KR, Mendes TMF, Garcia VL, Santos Oliveira AS, de Lourdes Sierpe Jeraldo V, Allegretti SM. Sesquiterpenes evaluation on Schistosoma mansoni: Survival, excretory system and membrane integrity. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 90:813-820. [PMID: 28437885 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.04.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The main challenge in schistosomiasis control has been the emergence of drug-resistant parasites. Since the 1970's, praziquantel (PZQ) is the single drug for treatment. This fact highlights the importance to research news chemotherapeutic agents. In the last years, S. mansoni excretory system and tegument have been major targets for drug development. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sesquiterpenes, alpha-humulene and trans-caryophyllene on S. mansoni survival, excretory system and membrane integrity, after in vitro exposure. The in vitro studies, showed that sesquiterpenes reduced egg production and motor activity of worms at sublethal concentrations, and caused death in a concentration-dependent manner (100 and 200μg/mL). Tegumental analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), showed tegument damage. Additionally, it was possible to observe lesions, evidenced by intense marking trough Hoechst probe, in the tegument and suckers of worms exposed to 200μg/mL. In this study, we also showed that resorufin is only capable of identifying the interaction of sesquiterpenes in males excretory system, Pgp expression and inferring that females are more tolerant to treatments. Thus, the present study results contribute to an understanding of alpha-humulene and trans-caryophyllene effect over these targets, contributing for the development of schistosomicidal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosimeire Nunes de Oliveira
- Department of Animal Biology, Post-Graduation Program in Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), SP, Brazil.
| | - Karina Rodrigues Dos Santos
- Department of Animal Biology, Post-Graduation Program in Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), SP, Brazil
| | - Tiago Manuel Fernandes Mendes
- Department of Animal Biology, Post-Graduation Program in Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), SP, Brazil
| | - Vera Lúcia Garcia
- Multidisciplinary Center for Biological Chemical and Agricultural, CPQBA, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Silmara Marques Allegretti
- Department of Animal Biology, Post-Graduation Program in Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), SP, Brazil.
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25
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Borges CHG, Cruz MG, Carneiro LJ, da Silva JJM, Bastos JK, Tavares DC, de Oliveira PF, Rodrigues V, Veneziani RCS, Parreira RLT, Caramori GF, Nagurniak GR, Magalhães LG, Ambrósio SR. Copaifera duckei Oleoresin and Its Main Nonvolatile Terpenes: In Vitro Schistosomicidal Properties. Chem Biodivers 2017; 13:1348-1356. [PMID: 27450131 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201600065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In this article, the in vitro schistosomicidal effects of three Brazilian Copaifera oleoresins (C. duckei, C. langsdorffii, and C. reticulata) are reported. From these botanical sources, the oleoresin of C. duckei (OCd) demonstrated to be the most promising, displaying LC50 values of 75.8, 50.6, and 47.2 μg/ml at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation, respectively, against adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni, with a selectivity index of 10.26. Therefore, the major compounds from OCd were isolated, and the diterpene, (-)-polyalthic acid (PA), showed to be active (LC50 values of 41.7, 36.2, and 33.4 μg/ml, respectively, at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation). Moreover, OCd and PA affected the production and development of eggs, and OCd modified the functionality of the tegument of S. mansoni. Possible synergistic and/or additive effects of this balsam were also verified when a mixture of the two of its main compounds (PA and ent-labd-8(17)-en-15,18-dioic acid) in the specific proportion of 3:1 (w/w) was tested. The obtained results indicate that PA should be considered for further investigations against S. mansoni, such as, synergistic (combination with praziquantel (PZQ)) and in vivo studies. It also shows that diterpenes are an important class of natural compounds for the investigation of agents capable of fighting the parasite responsible for human schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly H G Borges
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Franca, 14404-600,, SP, Brazil
| | - Michele G Cruz
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Franca, 14404-600,, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiza J Carneiro
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Franca, 14404-600,, SP, Brazil
| | - Jonas J M da Silva
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 14040-020,, SP, Brazil
| | - Jairo K Bastos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 14040-020,, SP, Brazil
| | - Denise C Tavares
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Franca, 14404-600,, SP, Brazil
| | - Pollyanna F de Oliveira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Franca, 14404-600,, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanderlei Rodrigues
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo C S Veneziani
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Franca, 14404-600,, SP, Brazil
| | - Renato L T Parreira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Franca, 14404-600,, SP, Brazil
| | - Giovanni F Caramori
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário Trindade, CP 476, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Gláucio R Nagurniak
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário Trindade, CP 476, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Lizandra G Magalhães
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Franca, 14404-600,, SP, Brazil.
| | - Sérgio R Ambrósio
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Franca, 14404-600,, SP, Brazil.
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A simplified and scalable synthesis of artesunate. MONATSHEFTE FUR CHEMIE 2016; 148:63-68. [PMID: 28127092 PMCID: PMC5225229 DOI: 10.1007/s00706-016-1865-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Abstract An efficient and economically viable approach for the large-scale conversion of artemisinin into the antimalarial frontline drug artesunate was developed. This advanced synthesis includes an NaBH4-induced reduction, followed by an esterification with succinic anhydride under basic conditions. The entire conversion follows the principles of green chemistry, i.e., application of reusable solvents. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Wang C, Zhao Q, Vargas M, Jones JO, White KL, Shackleford DM, Chen G, Saunders J, Ng ACF, Chiu FCK, Dong Y, Charman SA, Keiser J, Vennerstrom JL. Revisiting the SAR of the Antischistosomal Aryl Hydantoin (Ro 13-3978). J Med Chem 2016; 59:10705-10718. [PMID: 27933964 PMCID: PMC5150661 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The aryl hydantoin 1 (Ro 13-3978) was identified in
the early 1980s as a promising antischistosomal lead compound. However,
this series of aryl hydantoins produced antiandrogenic side effects
in the host, a not unexpected outcome given their close structural
similarity to the antiandrogenic drug nilutamide. Building on the
known SAR of this compound series, we now describe a number of analogs
of 1 designed to maximize structural diversity guided
by incorporation of substructures and functional groups known to diminish
ligand–androgen receptor interactions. These analogs had calculated
polar surface area (PSA), measured LogD7.4, aqueous kinetic
solubility, and estimated plasma protein binding values in ranges
predictive of good ADME profiles. The principal SAR insight was that
the hydantoin core of 1 is required for high antischistosomal
activity. We identified several compounds with high antischistosomal
efficacy that were less antiandrogenic than 1. These
data provide direction for the ongoing optimization of antischistosomal
hydantoins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunkai Wang
- College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center , 986125 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Qingjie Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center , 986125 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Mireille Vargas
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical Institute , Socinstrasse 57, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel , CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy O Jones
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center , Duarte, California 91010, United States
| | - Karen L White
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus) , 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - David M Shackleford
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus) , 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Gong Chen
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus) , 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jessica Saunders
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus) , 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Alice C F Ng
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus) , 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Francis C K Chiu
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus) , 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Yuxiang Dong
- College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center , 986125 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Susan A Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus) , 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical Institute , Socinstrasse 57, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel , CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan L Vennerstrom
- College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center , 986125 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
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Abou Rayia DM, Saad AE, Ashour DS, Oreiby RM. Implication of artemisinin nematocidal activity on experimental trichinellosis: In vitro and in vivo studies. Parasitol Int 2016; 66:56-63. [PMID: 27894908 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Benzimidazole drugs are used for treatment of trichinellosis, but they have a limited effect against encapsulated larval stages of Trichinella spiralis. Hence, there is a considerable interest in developing new anthelmintic drugs. Our aim is to investigate the possible effect of artemisinin on T. spiralis in in vitro and in vivo studies. T. spiralis worms were isolated from infected mice and transferred to 3 culture media; group I: with no drugs, group II: contained artemisinin and group III: contained mebendazole, then they were subjected to electron microscopic study. An in vivo study was done where mice were divided into three groups; group I: infected and untreated, group II: received artemisinin and group III: received mebendazole. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by adult and total larval counts, histopathological study of the small intestinal and muscle tissues and immunohistochemical staining of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in muscles. Adult worm teguments showed significant degeneration and destruction with both drugs. Also, significant reduction of total adult and larval counts occurred in treated groups in comparison to the control group. Histopathological examination of the small intestine and muscles showed marked improvement with reduction in the inflammatory infiltrates with both drugs. COX-2 and VEGF expressions were reduced in both treated groups with more reduction in the artemisinin-treated group. This study revealed that artemisinin has the potential to be an alternative drug against trichinellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina M Abou Rayia
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Abeer E Saad
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt.
| | - Dalia S Ashour
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Radwa M Oreiby
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt
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Barda B, Coulibaly JT, Puchkov M, Huwyler J, Hattendorf J, Keiser J. Efficacy and Safety of Moxidectin, Synriam, Synriam-Praziquantel versus Praziquantel against Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni Infections: A Randomized, Exploratory Phase 2 Trial. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005008. [PMID: 27636542 PMCID: PMC5026339 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis affects millions of people, yet treatment options are limited. The antimalarial Synriam (piperaquine 150 mg/arterolane 750 mg) and the anthelminthic moxidectin revealed promising antischistosomal properties in preclinical or clinical studies. Methodology We conducted two single-blind, randomized exploratory Phase 2 trials in Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium-infected adolescents in northern and central Côte d’Ivoire. Our primary endpoints were cure rates (CRs) and egg reduction rates (ERRs) based on geometric mean and safety. Each subject was asked to provide two stool samples (S. mansoni trial) for Kato-Katz analysis or three urine samples (S. haematobium trial) for urine filtration and one finger prick for malaria screening at baseline and follow-up. Participants were randomly assigned to either moxidectin, Synriam, Synriam plus praziquantel or praziquantel. Principal Findings 128 adolescents (age: 12–17 years) were included in each study. Against S. haematobium moxidectin and Synriam revealed low efficacy. On the other hand, Synriam plus praziquantel and praziquantel yielded CRs of 60.0% and 38.5% and ERRs of 96.0% and 93.5%, respectively. CRs observed in the treatment of S. mansoni were 13.0%, 6.7%, 27.0%, and 27.6% for moxidectin, Synriam, Synriam plus praziquantel and praziquantel, respectively. ERRs ranged from 64.9% (Synriam) to 87.5% (praziquantel). Conclusion/Significance Synriam and moxidectin show low efficacy against S. haematobium, hence an ancillary benefit is not expected when these drugs are used for treating onchocerciasis and malaria in co-endemic settings. Further studies are needed to corroborate our findings that moxidectin and Synriam show moderate ERRs against S. mansoni. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that affects millions of people all over the world and it is due to schistosomes, helminths (worms) that infect the intestine and the urinary bladder. Treatment options are limited, with praziquantel being the only used drug. The antimalarial Synriam and the anthelminthic moxidectin revealed good action against this worm in previous studies. We conducted two studies in Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium-infected adolescents in Côte d’Ivoire. Subjects positive for the infection were allocated by chance to the four groups of treatment (moxidectin, Synriam, Synriam plus praziquantel or praziquantel); participants did not know which drug they took. Our aim was to calculate how many participants were negative after the treatment and how did the intensity of infection change before and after treatment. Each subject provided stools and urines for examination. 128 adolescents were included in each study. Moxidectin and Synriam did not work well against S. haematobium. Against S. mansoni, only a small part of the participants were negative after treatment in all treatment groups, but the intensity of infections were reduced. Further studies are needed to better understand this result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Barda
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean T. Coulibaly
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Unite´ de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Universite´ Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Maxim Puchkov
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Huwyler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jan Hattendorf
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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30
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Bergquist R. Tribendimidine: great expectations. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2016; 16:1089-1091. [PMID: 27472950 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(16)30231-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Bergquist
- Geospatial Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80137, Italy; Ingerod, Brastad, Sweden.
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31
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Vicente B, López-Abán J, Rojas-Caraballo J, del Olmo E, Fernández-Soto P, Muro A. Protection against Schistosoma mansoni infection using a Fasciola hepatica-derived fatty acid binding protein from different delivery systems. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:216. [PMID: 27090442 PMCID: PMC4836169 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1500-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is a water-borne disease afflicting over 261 million people in many areas of the developing countries with high morbidity and mortality. The control relies mainly on treatment with praziquantel. Fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) have demonstrated high levels of immune-protection against trematode infections. This study reports the immunoprotection induced by cross-reacting Fasciola hepatica FABP, native (nFh12) and recombinantly expressed using two different expression systems Escherichia coli (rFh15) and baculovirus (rFh15b) against Schistosoma mansoni infection. Methods BALB/c mice were vaccinated with native nFh12 or recombinant rFh15 and rFh15 FABP from F. hepatica formulated in adjuvant adaptation (ADAD) system with natural or chemical synthesised immunomodulators (PAL and AA0029) and then challenged with 150 cercariae of S. mansoni. Parasite burden, hepatic lesions and antibody response were studied in vaccination trials. Furthermore differences between rFh15 and rFh15b immunological responses (cytokine production, splenocyte population and antibody levels) were studied. Results Vaccination with nFh12 induced significant reductions in worm burden (83 %), eggs in tissues (82–92 %) and hepatic lesions (85 %) compared to infected controls using PAL. Vaccination with rFh15 showed lower total worm burden (56–64 %), eggs in the liver (21–61 %), eggs in the gut (30–77 %) and hepatic damage (67–69 %) using PAL and AA0029 as immunomodulators. In contrast, mice vaccinated with rFh15b showed only reductions in eggs trapped in the liver and intestine (53 and 60 %, respectively), and hepatic lesions (45 %). We observed a significant rise in TNFα, IL-6, IL-2, IL-4 and high antibody response (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgM and IgE) in mice immunised with either rFh15 or rFh15b. Moreover, mice immunised with rFh15b showed an increase in IFNγ and a decrease in B220 cells compared to untreated mice, and less production of IgG1 and IgM than in mice immunised by rFh15. Conclusions Higher level of protection is obtained by using Fasciola hepatica-derived FABP protein against Schistosoma mansoni infection. Native FABP is more effective than both recombinant systems. It could be due to post-translational modifications or FABP isoform or changes in the recombinant proteins. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1500-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Vicente
- Parasite and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Tropical Disease Research Centre, Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Avda. Licenciado Méndez Nieto s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Julio López-Abán
- Parasite and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Tropical Disease Research Centre, Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Avda. Licenciado Méndez Nieto s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Jose Rojas-Caraballo
- Parasite and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Tropical Disease Research Centre, Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Avda. Licenciado Méndez Nieto s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Present address: Centro de Investigación en Salud para el Trópico (CIST), Carretera Troncal del Caribe, Sector Mamatoco, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia.,Present address: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Carretera Troncal del Caribe, Sector Mamatoco, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia
| | - Esther del Olmo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, IBSAL-CIETUS, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro Fernández-Soto
- Parasite and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Tropical Disease Research Centre, Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Avda. Licenciado Méndez Nieto s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Antonio Muro
- Parasite and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Tropical Disease Research Centre, Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Avda. Licenciado Méndez Nieto s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
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32
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Sun C, Zhou B. The molecular and cellular action properties of artemisinins: what has yeast told us? MICROBIAL CELL 2016; 3:196-205. [PMID: 28357355 PMCID: PMC5349147 DOI: 10.15698/mic2016.05.498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Artemisinin (ART) or Qinghaosu is a natural compound possessing superior anti-malarial activity. Although intensive studies have been done in the medicinal chemistry field to understand the structure-effect relationship, the biological actions of artemisinin are poorly understood and controversial. Due to the current lack of a genetic amiable model to address this question, and an accidental finding made more than a decade ago during our initial exploratory efforts that yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be inhibited by artemisinin, we have since been using the baker's yeast as a model to probe the molecular and cellular properties of artemisinin and its derivatives (ARTs) in living cells. ARTs were found to possess potent and specific anti-mitochondrial properties and, to a lesser extent, the ability to generate a relatively general oxidative damage. The anti-mitochondrial effects of artemisinin were later confirmed with purified mitochondria from malaria parasites. Inside some cells heme appears to be a primary reducing agent and reduction of ARTs by heme can induce a relatively nonspecific cellular damage. The molecular basis of the anti-mitochondrial properties of ARTs remains not well elucidated yet. We propose that the anti-mitochondrial and heme-mediated ROS-generating properties constitute two cellcidal actions of ARTs. This review summarizes what we have learned from yeast about the basic biological properties of ARTs, as well as some key unanswered questions. We believe yeast could serve as a window through which to peek at some of the biological action secrets of ARTs that might be difficult for us to learn otherwise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Xu J, Steinman P, Maybe D, Zhou XN, Lv S, Li SZ, Peeling R. Evolution of the National Schistosomiasis Control Programmes in The People's Republic of China. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2016; 92:1-38. [PMID: 27137441 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis japonica is caused by the parasitic trematode Schistosoma japonicum. It is endemic in The People's Republic of China and has significant impact on human health and socioeconomic development in certain regions. Over the last six decades, the national control programmes evolved in remarkable ways and brought schistosomiasis japonica largely under control. We describe the history and evolution of schistosomiasis control in The People's Republic of China, with an emphasis on shifts in control strategies that evolved with new insights into the biology of the parasite and its intermediate hosts, and the epidemiology of the disease in the country. We also highlight the achievements in controlling the disease in different socioecological settings, and identify persisting challenges to fully eliminate schistosomiasis japonica from the country. To reach the goal of schistosomiasis elimination, further integration of interventions, multisector collaboration, sensitive and effective surveillance are needed to strengthen.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China
| | - P Steinman
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; Basel Universities, Basel, Switzerland
| | - D Maybe
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - X-N Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China
| | - S Lv
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China
| | - S-Z Li
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China
| | - R Peeling
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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JIA JIANGUANG, QIN YIYU, ZHANG LIGONG, GUO CHENXU, WANG YAGUO, YUE XICHENG, QIAN JUN. Artemisinin inhibits gallbladder cancer cell lines through triggering cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mol Med Rep 2016; 13:4461-8. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Weerakoon KG, Gordon CA, Gobert GN, Cai P, McManus DP. Optimisation of a droplet digital PCR assay for the diagnosis of Schistosoma japonicum infection: A duplex approach with DNA binding dye chemistry. J Microbiol Methods 2016; 125:19-27. [PMID: 27021661 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a chronically debilitating helminth infection with a significant socio-economic and public health impact. Accurate diagnostics play a pivotal role in achieving current schistosomiasis control and elimination goals. However, many of the current diagnostic procedures, which rely on detection of schistosome eggs, have major limitations including lack of accuracy and the inability to detect pre-patent infections. DNA-based detection methods provide a viable alternative to the current tests commonly used for schistosomiasis diagnosis. Here we describe the optimisation of a novel droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) duplex assay for the diagnosis of Schistosoma japonicum infection which provides improved detection sensitivity and specificity. The assay involves the amplification of two specific and abundant target gene sequences in S. japonicum; a retrotransposon (SjR2) and a portion of a mitochondrial gene (nad1). The assay detected target sequences in different sources of schistosome DNA isolated from adult worms, schistosomules and eggs, and exhibits a high level of specificity, thereby representing an ideal tool for the detection of low levels of parasite DNA in different clinical samples including parasite cell free DNA in the host circulation and other bodily fluids. Moreover, being quantitative, the assay can be used to determine parasite infection intensity and, could provide an important tool for the detection of low intensity infections in low prevalence schistosomiasis-endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosala G Weerakoon
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia; School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Sri Lanka.
| | - Catherine A Gordon
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Geoffrey N Gobert
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
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Analytical purification of a 60-kDa target protein of artemisinin detected in Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Data Brief 2016; 5:383-7. [PMID: 26958596 PMCID: PMC4773405 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2015.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we describe the isolation and purity determination of Trypanosoma brucei (T. b.) brucei candidate target proteins of artemisinin. The candidate target proteins were detected and purified from their biological source (T. b. brucei lysate) using the diazirine-free biotinylated probe 5 for an affinity binding to a streptavidin-tagged resin and, subsequently, the labeled target proteins were purified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). We herein showed the electrophoresis gel and the immunoblotting film containing the 60-kDa trypanosomal candidate target protein of artemisinin as a single band, which was visualized on-gel by the reverse-staining method and on a Western blotting film by enhanced chemiluminescence. The data provided in this article are related to the original research article "Biotinylated probes of artemisinin with labeling affinity toward Trypanosoma brucei brucei target proteins", by Konziase (Anal. Biochem., vol. 482, 2015, pp. 25-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ab.2015.04.020).
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Weerakoon KG, McManus DP. Cell-Free DNA as a Diagnostic Tool for Human Parasitic Infections. Trends Parasitol 2016; 32:378-391. [PMID: 26847654 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Parasites often cause devastating diseases and represent a significant public health and economic burden. More accurate and convenient diagnostic tools are needed in support of parasite control programmes in endemic regions, and for rapid point-of-care diagnosis in nonendemic areas. The detection of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a relatively new concept that is being applied in the current armamentarium of diagnostics. Here, we review the application of cfDNA detection with nucleic acid amplification tests for the diagnosis and evaluation of different human parasitic infections and highlight the significant benefits of the approach using non-invasive clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosala G Weerakoon
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Sri Lanka.
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease that afflicts more than 240 million people, including many children and young adults, in the tropics and subtropics. The disease is characterized by chronic infections with significant residual morbidity and is of considerable public health importance, with substantial socioeconomic impacts on impoverished communities. Morbidity reduction and eventual elimination through integrated intervention measures are the focuses of current schistosomiasis control programs. Precise diagnosis of schistosome infections, in both mammalian and snail intermediate hosts, will play a pivotal role in achieving these goals. Nevertheless, despite extensive efforts over several decades, the search for sensitive and specific diagnostics for schistosomiasis is ongoing. Here we review the area, paying attention to earlier approaches but emphasizing recent developments in the search for new diagnostics for schistosomiasis with practical applications in the research laboratory, the clinic, and the field. Careful and rigorous validation of these assays and their cost-effectiveness will be needed, however, prior to their adoption in support of policy decisions for national public health programs aimed at the control and elimination of schistosomiasis.
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Mucke HA. Drug Repurposing Patent Applications April–June 2015. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2015; 13:654-60. [DOI: 10.1089/adt.2015.29030.pq2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Abstract
In recent years, natural product groups have been gaining prominence as possible sources of new drugs for schistosomiasis. This review attempts to update the antischistosomal natural compounds, or natural product-derived compounds, from the mid-1980s. Some of the main metabolites obtained from plants (e.g., terpenes, alkaloids, phenolic compounds and peptides) with in vitro and/or in vivo antischistosomal properties are discussed. Less thoroughly, due to scarcity of data in the literature, molecules from animals (e.g., peptides) are also described. Special mention of the anthelmintic activity against different parasitic stages of schistosomes is made; the mechanism of action of most of the metabolites is discussed, and a number of bioassay procedures are listed.
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Neves BJ, Andrade CH, Cravo PVL. Natural products as leads in schistosome drug discovery. Molecules 2015; 20:1872-903. [PMID: 25625682 PMCID: PMC6272663 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20021872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 12/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected parasitic tropical disease that claims around 200,000 human lives every year. Praziquantel (PZQ), the only drug recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment and control of human schistosomiasis, is now facing the threat of drug resistance, indicating the urgent need for new effective compounds to treat this disease. Therefore, globally, there is renewed interest in natural products (NPs) as a starting point for drug discovery and development for schistosomiasis. Recent advances in genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and cheminformatics have brought about unprecedented opportunities for the rapid and more cost-effective discovery of new bioactive compounds against neglected tropical diseases. This review highlights the main contributions that NP drug discovery and development have made in the treatment of schistosomiasis and it discusses how integration with virtual screening (VS) strategies may contribute to accelerating the development of new schistosomidal leads, especially through the identification of unexplored, biologically active chemical scaffolds and structural optimization of NPs with previously established activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno J Neves
- LabMol-Laboratory for Drug Design and Molecular Modeling, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-170, Brazil.
| | - Carolina H Andrade
- LabMol-Laboratory for Drug Design and Molecular Modeling, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-170, Brazil.
| | - Pedro V L Cravo
- GenoBio-Laboratory of Genomics and Biotechnology, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brazil.
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