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Dephospho-Coenzyme A Kinase Is an Exploitable Drug Target against Plasmodium falciparum: Identification of Selective Inhibitors by High-Throughput Screening of a Large Chemical Compound Library. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0042022. [DOI: 10.1128/aac.00420-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a mosquito-borne fatal infectious disease that affects humans and is caused by
Plasmodium
parasites, primarily
Plasmodium falciparum
. Widespread drug resistance compels us to discover novel compounds and alternative drug discovery targets.
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2
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Akampurira D, Akala HM, Derese S, Heydenreich M, Yenesew A. A new C-C linked benzophenathridine-2-quinoline dimer, and the antiplasmodial activity of alkaloids from Zanthoxylum holstzianum. Nat Prod Res 2022:1-11. [PMID: 35139708 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2022.2034810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The CH2Cl2/MeOH (1:1) extract of Zanthoxylum holstzianum stem bark showed good antiplasmodial activity (IC50 2.5 ± 0.3 and 2.6 ± 0.3 µg/mL against the W2 and D6 strains of Plasmodium falciparum, respectively). From the extract five benzophenanthridine alkaloids [8-acetonyldihydrochelerythrine (1), nitidine (2), dihydrochelerythine (3), norchelerythrine (5), arnottianamide (8)]; a 2-quinolone alkaloid [N-methylflindersine (4)]; a lignan [4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxylignan-9,9'-diyl diacetate (7)] and a dimer of a benzophenanthridine and 2-quinoline [holstzianoquinoline (6)] were isolated. The CH2Cl2/MeOH (1:1) extract of the root bark afforded 1, 3-6, 8, chelerythridimerine (9) and 9-demethyloxychelerythrine (10). Holstzianoquinoline (6) is new, and is the second dimer linked by a C-C bond of a benzophenanthridine and a 2-quinoline reported thus far. The compounds were identified based on spectroscopic evidence. Amongst five compounds (1-5) tested against two strains of P. falciparum, nitidine (IC50 0.11 ± 0.01 µg/mL against W2 and D6 strains) and norchelerythrine (IC50 value of 0.15 ± 0.01 µg/mL against D6 strain) were the most active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Akampurira
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Chemistry, Kyambogo University, Kyambogo, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Hoseah M Akala
- Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) Program, United States Army Medical Research Unit-Kenya (USAMRD-A/K), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Walter Reed Project, Kisumu and Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Solomon Derese
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Abiy Yenesew
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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3
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Izere C, Niyigena J, Tuyishime JDD, Nshimiyimana A, Habyarimana T, Ndishimye P, Yadufashije C, Niyonzima FN. Correlation of Malaria Rapid Test and Peripheral Blood Smear Microscopy among Patients attending Byumba Health Centre. East Afr Health Res J 2022; 6:203-207. [PMID: 36751677 PMCID: PMC9887511 DOI: 10.24248/eahrj.v6i2.700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria presents a diagnostic challenge in most tropical countries including Rwanda. Microscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosing malaria, however, it is labour intensive and depends upon the skill of the examiner. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (MRDTs) have been developed as an easy, convenient alternative to microscopy. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted from October to November 2019 on 130 febrile patients who were directed to the laboratory department for blood screening for malaria parasites at Byumba Health centre. The main objective of this study was to correlate Microscopy and MRDTs in diagnosis of malaria. Results After signing a consent form, blood samples were collected and screened for malaria parasites microscopically and by using MRDTs. Data collection forms were filled with relevant information and obtained results for MRDTs and for peripheral blood smear were recorded. The collected data were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism 9 software. The mean age found to be 16 years old. In this study peripheral blood smear microscopy was considered as a reference method. The sensitivity and specificity of RDT Histidine-Rich Protein 2 (HRP-2) were calculated and found to be 96.6% and 60% respectively. The negative predictive value was found to be 92.85% where positive predictive value was 73.3%. Conclusion MRDTs should be used along with microscopy to avert complications associated with delayed diagnosis and similar studies are required to identify alternative techniques with high specificity for the diagnosis of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedrick Izere
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Ines-Ruhengeri Institute of Applied Sciences, Musanze district, Northern Province, Rwanda,Correspondence to Cedrick Izere ()
| | - Joyce Niyigena
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Ines-Ruhengeri Institute of Applied Sciences, Musanze district, Northern Province, Rwanda
| | - Jean de Dieu Tuyishime
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Ines-Ruhengeri Institute of Applied Sciences, Musanze district, Northern Province, Rwanda
| | - Alexis Nshimiyimana
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Ines-Ruhengeri Institute of Applied Sciences, Musanze district, Northern Province, Rwanda
| | - Thierry Habyarimana
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Ines-Ruhengeri Institute of Applied Sciences, Musanze district, Northern Province, Rwanda
| | - Pacifique Ndishimye
- Department of Medical Research Center, Rwanda Biomedical Center, Kigali City, Rwanda
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4
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Khairallah A, Ross CJ, Tastan Bishop Ö. GTP Cyclohydrolase I as a Potential Drug Target: New Insights into Its Allosteric Modulation via Normal Mode Analysis. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:4701-4719. [PMID: 34450011 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Guanosine triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) catalyzes the conversion of GTP into dihydroneopterin triphosphate (DHNP). DHNP is the first intermediate of the folate de novo biosynthesis pathway in prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic microorganisms and the tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) biosynthesis pathway in higher eukaryotes. The de novo folate biosynthesis provides essential cofactors for DNA replication, cell division, and synthesis of key amino acids in rapidly replicating pathogen cells, such as Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), a causative agent of malaria. In eukaryotes, the product of the BH4 biosynthesis pathway is essential for the production of nitric oxide and several neurotransmitter precursors. An increased copy number of the malaria parasite P. falciparum GCH1 gene has been reported to influence antimalarial antifolate drug resistance evolution, whereas mutations in the human GCH1 are associated with neuropathic and inflammatory pain disorders. Thus, GCH1 stands as an important and attractive drug target for developing therapeutics. The GCH1 intrinsic dynamics that modulate its activity remains unclear, and key sites that exert allosteric effects across the structure are yet to be elucidated. This study employed the anisotropic network model to analyze the intrinsic motions of the GCH1 structure alone and in complex with its regulatory partner protein. We showed that the GCH1 tunnel-gating mechanism is regulated by a global shear motion and an outward expansion of the central five-helix bundle. We further identified hotspot residues within sites of structural significance for the GCH1 intrinsic allosteric modulation. The obtained results can provide a solid starting point to design novel antineuropathic treatments for humans and novel antimalarial drugs against the malaria parasite P. falciparum GCH1 enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afrah Khairallah
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
| | - Caroline J Ross
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
| | - Özlem Tastan Bishop
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
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5
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Norwood VM, Murillo-Solano C, Goertzen MG, Brummel BR, Perry DL, Rocca JR, Chakrabarti D, Huigens RW. Ring Distortion of Vincamine Leads to the Identification of Re-Engineered Antiplasmodial Agents. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:20455-20470. [PMID: 34395993 PMCID: PMC8359148 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c02480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
There is a significant need for new agents to combat malaria, which resulted in ∼409,000 deaths globally in 2019. We utilized a ring distortion strategy to create complex and diverse compounds from vincamine with the goal of discovering molecules with re-engineered biological activities. We found compound 8 (V3b) to target chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum Dd2 parasites (EC50 = 1.81 ± 0.09 μM against Dd2 parasites; EC50 > 40 μM against HepG2 cells) and established structure-activity relationships for 25 related analogues. New analogue 30 (V3ss, Dd2, EC50 = 0.25 ± 0.004 μM; HepG2, EC50 > 25 μM) was found to demonstrate the most potent activity, which prevents exit on the parasite from the schizont stage of intraerythrocytic development and requires >24 h to kill P. falciparum Dd2 cells. These findings demonstrate the potential that vincamine ring distortion has toward the discovery of novel antimalarial agents and other therapies significant to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verrill M. Norwood
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery
and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Claribel Murillo-Solano
- Division
of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, 12722 Research Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Michael G. Goertzen
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery
and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Beau R. Brummel
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery
and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - David L. Perry
- Division
of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, 12722 Research Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - James R. Rocca
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery
and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
- McKnight
Brain Institute, J H Miller Health Center, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100015, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Debopam Chakrabarti
- Division
of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, 12722 Research Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
- . Phone: (407) 882-2256
| | - Robert William Huigens
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery
and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
- . Phone: (352) 273-7718
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6
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Nurkanto A, Jeelani G, Santos HJ, Rahmawati Y, Mori M, Nakamura Y, Goto K, Saikawa Y, Annoura T, Tozawa Y, Sakura T, Inaoka DK, Shiomi K, Nozaki T. Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum Pantothenate Kinase and Identification of Its Inhibitors From Natural Products. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:639065. [PMID: 33768012 PMCID: PMC7985445 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.639065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme A (CoA) is a well-known cofactor that plays an essential role in many metabolic reactions in all organisms. In Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly among Plasmodium species that cause malaria, CoA and its biosynthetic pathway have been proven to be indispensable. The first and rate-limiting reaction in the CoA biosynthetic pathway is catalyzed by two putative pantothenate kinases (PfPanK1 and 2) in this parasite. Here we produced, purified, and biochemically characterized recombinant PfPanK1 for the first time. PfPanK1 showed activity using pantetheine besides pantothenate, as the primary substrate, indicating that CoA biosynthesis in the blood stage of P. falciparum can bypass pantothenate. We further developed a robust and reliable screening system to identify inhibitors using recombinant PfPanK1 and identified four PfPanK inhibitors from natural compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Nurkanto
- Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Cibinong, Indonesia.,Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ghulam Jeelani
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Herbert J Santos
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yulia Rahmawati
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mihoko Mori
- Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan.,Biological Resource Center, National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE), Chiba, Japan
| | - Yumi Nakamura
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kana Goto
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yoko Saikawa
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Annoura
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Tozawa
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takaya Sakura
- Department of Molecular Infection Dynamics, School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Daniel Ken Inaoka
- Department of Molecular Infection Dynamics, School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuro Shiomi
- Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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7
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Novel Harmicines with Improved Potency against Plasmodium. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25194376. [PMID: 32977642 PMCID: PMC7583898 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25194376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Harmicines represent hybrid compounds composed of β-carboline alkaloid harmine and cinnamic acid derivatives (CADs). In this paper we report the synthesis of amide-type harmicines and the evaluation of their biological activity. N-harmicines 5a–f and O-harmicines 6a–h were prepared by a straightforward synthetic procedure, from harmine-based amines and CADs using standard coupling conditions, 1-[bis(dimethylamino)methylene]-1H-1,2,3-triazolo [4,5-b]pyridinium 3-oxid hexafluorophosphate (HATU) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIEA). Amide-type harmicines exerted remarkable activity against the erythrocytic stage of P. falciparum, in low submicromolar concentrations, which was significantly more pronounced compared to their antiplasmodial activity against the hepatic stages of P. berghei. Furthermore, a cytotoxicity assay against the human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) revealed favorable selectivity indices of the most active harmicines. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the binding of ligands within the ATP binding site of PfHsp90, while the calculated binding free energies confirmed higher activity of N-harmicines 5 over their O-substituted analogues 6. Amino acids predominantly affecting the binding were identified, which provided guidelines for the further derivatization of the harmine framework towards more efficient agents.
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8
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Antiplasmodial and Antipyretic Activity and Safety Evaluation of the Methanolic Leaf Extract of Murraya exotica (L.). J Parasitol Res 2020; 2020:1308541. [PMID: 32832131 PMCID: PMC7426767 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1308541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The increasing mortality and morbidity of malaria in Africa coupled with the recent reports of antimalarial drug resistance reinforces the need for novel antimalarial agents from natural plant products with folkloric use for the disease. Murraya exotica (L.) (Rutaceae) is widely used as an ornamental plant used indigenously to treat fever, cough, and infectious wounds and eliminate pain from injury and trauma. This study was conducted to evaluate extracts of the leaves of Murraya exotica (L.) (Rutaceae) for its safety and antipyretic and antimalarial activity in rodent models. Method In this study, the Peters 4-day suppressive and curative test in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice was used to demonstrate the antiplasmodial activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Murraya exotica (L.) (MEE). The study also evaluated the subacute toxicity study and the antipyretic activity of MEE on baker's yeast-induced hyperthermia in rodent models. Results Murraya exotica (L.) extract demonstrated curative antimalarial activity, with a percentage suppression of 45.84, 64.32 ± 0.33, 56.74 ± 2.16, and 64.61 ± 0.67 at doses of 50, 100, 300, and 600 mg/kg, respectively. In the Peters 4-day suppressive test, MEE at dose 600 mg/kg had the highest chemosuppression (76.02 ± 1.38%) compared with artesunate (2 mg/kg, p.o.) (82.56 ± 0.97%). Subacute oral toxicity studies in Sprague-Dawley rats documented no deaths, with no significant changes in clinical signs, organ weights, and hematological and biochemical parameters. The LD50 of MEE was estimated to be above 1000 mg/kg in Sprague-Dawley rats. All doses of MEE and paracetamol reduced pyrexia in 1 h and 2 h after their administration. The percentage reduction of rectal temperature (TR) for the positive control (paracetamol, 150 mg/kg, p.o.) was 44.36% while the Murraya exotica extract at doses 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg recorded 67.74%, 40.78%, 66.42%, and 59.42%, respectively. Murraya exotica at dose 100 mg/kg exhibited significant reduction (p < 0.05) in baker's yeast-induced pyrexia. Conclusions The findings in this study show the antipyretic, curative, and suppressive antiplasmodial activity as well as the safety of the methanolic leaf extract of Murraya exotica (L.) supporting its traditional use for malaria and fever.
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9
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Paciaroni NG, Perry DL, Norwood VM, Murillo-Solano C, Collins J, Tenneti S, Chakrabarti D, Huigens RW. Re-Engineering of Yohimbine's Biological Activity through Ring Distortion: Identification and Structure-Activity Relationships of a New Class of Antiplasmodial Agents. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:159-167. [PMID: 31913597 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Select natural products are ideal starting points for ring distortion, or the dramatic altering of inherently complex molecules through short synthetic pathways, to generate an array of novel compounds with diverse skeletal architectures. A major goal of our ring distortion approach is to re-engineer the biological activity of indole alkaloids to identify new compounds with diverse biological activities in areas of significance to human health and medicine. In this study, we re-engineered the biological activity of the indole alkaloid yohimbine through ring rearrangement and ring cleavage synthesis pathways to discover new series of antiplasmodial agents. One new compound, Y7j, was found to demonstrate good potency against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum Dd2 cells (EC50 = 0.33 μM) without eliciting cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells (EC50 > 40 μM). Y7j demonstrated stage-specific action against parasites at the late ring/trophozoite stage. A series of analogues was synthesized to gain structure-activity relationship insights, and we learned that both benzyl groups of Y7j are required for activity and fine-tuning of antiplasmodial activities could be accomplished by changing substitution patterns on the benzyl moieties. This study demonstrates the potential for ring distortion to drive new discoveries and change paradigms in chemical biology and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas G. Paciaroni
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - David L. Perry
- Division of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, 12722 Research Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Verrill M. Norwood
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Claribel Murillo-Solano
- Division of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, 12722 Research Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Jennifer Collins
- Division of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, 12722 Research Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Srinivasarao Tenneti
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Debopam Chakrabarti
- Division of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, 12722 Research Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Robert W. Huigens
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
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Islam MO, Palit P, Shawon J, Hasan MK, Mahmud A, Mahfuz M, Ahmed T, Mondal D. Exploring novel therapeutic strategies against vivax malaria through an integrated computational investigation to inhibit the merozoite surface protein−1 of Plasmodium vivax. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2020.100471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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11
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Evaluation of Antimalarial Activity of the Leaf Latex and TLC Isolates from Aloe megalacantha Baker in Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 2019:6459498. [PMID: 31110551 PMCID: PMC6487133 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6459498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a devastating parasitic disease which caused around 216 million cases and 445,000 deaths worldwide in 2016. This might be attributed to a wide spread of drug resistant parasites. The plant Aloe megalacantha is indigenous to Ethiopia where the sap of the leaves is traditionally used for the treatment of malaria. This study was aimed at evaluating the antimalarial effect of leaf latex and isolates obtained from Aloe megalacantha against chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain in Swiss albino mice. Peters' 4-day suppressive test method was used to test the antimalarial activity of both leaves latex and isolates. Three isolates were obtained using thin layer chromatography and were coded as AM1, AM2, and AM3 in ascending order of their retention factor. After treatment of Plasmodium berghei infected mice with leaf latex of Aloe megalacantha for four days at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, it shows 30.3%, 43.4%, and 56.4% suppression of the parasite growth, respectively. 32.3%, 51.3%, and 67.4% chemosuppression after treatment with AM1, 39.8%, 50.6%, and 64.2% chemosuppression after treatment with AM2, and 52.6%, 69.4%, and 79.6% chemosuppression after treatment with AM3 were observed at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day, respectively. The observed parasite suppression of leaves latex and isolates was statistically significant (P<0.05) as compared to negative control. Moreover, both the leaves latex and isolates were also observed to prevent Plasmodium berghei induced body weight loss and hypothermia and increased the survival time of Plasmodium berghei infected mice as compared to the negative control. Hence, the present study supports the traditional claim of the plant for the treatment of malaria.
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12
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Identification of Bis-Cyclic Guanidines as Antiplasmodial Compounds from Positional Scanning Mixture-Based Libraries. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24061100. [PMID: 30897744 PMCID: PMC6471430 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24061100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The screening of more than 30 million compounds derived from 81 small molecule libraries built on 81 distinct scaffolds identified pyrrolidine bis-cyclic guanidine library (TPI-1955) to be one of the most active and selective antiplasmodial libraries. The screening of the positional scanning library TPI-1955 arranged on four sets of sublibraries (26 + 26 + 26 + 40), totaling 120 samples for testing provided information about the most important groups of each variable position in the TPI-1955 library containing 738,192 unique compounds. The parallel synthesis of the individual compounds derived from the deconvolution of the positional scanning library led to the identification of active selective antiplasmodial pyrrolidine bis-cyclic guanidines.
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13
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Gilson RC, Deissler RJ, Bihary RF, Condit WC, Thompson ME, Blankenship D, Grimberg KO, Brown RW, Grimberg BT. Growth of Plasmodium falciparum in response to a rotating magnetic field. Malar J 2018; 17:190. [PMID: 29724219 PMCID: PMC5934852 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2333-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest strain of malaria and the mortality rate is increasing because of pathogen drug resistance. Increasing knowledge of the parasite life cycle and mechanism of infection may provide new models for improved treatment paradigms. This study sought to investigate the paramagnetic nature of the parasite’s haemozoin to inhibit parasite viability. Results Paramagnetic haemozoin crystals, a byproduct of the parasite’s haemoglobin digestion, interact with a rotating magnetic field, which prevents their complete formation, causing the accumulation of free haem, which is lethal to the parasites. Plasmodium falciparum cultures of different stages of intraerythrocytic growth (rings, trophozoites, and schizonts) were exposed to a magnetic field of 0.46 T at frequencies of 0 Hz (static), 1, 5, and 10 Hz for 48 h. The numbers of parasites were counted over the course of one intraerythrocytic life cycle via flow cytometry. At 10 Hz the schizont life stage was most affected by the rotating magnetic fields (p = 0.0075) as compared to a static magnetic field of the same strength. Parasite growth in the presence of a static magnetic field appears to aid parasite growth. Conclusions Sequestration of the toxic haem resulting from haemoglobin digestion is key for the parasites’ survival and the focus of almost all existing anti-malarial drugs. Understanding how the parasites create the haemozoin molecule and the disruption of its creation aids in the development of drugs to combat this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Gilson
- Department of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and Sciences, 2076 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7079, USA.,Department of Pathology, Center for Global Health and Diseases, Biomedical Research Building, Room 427, 2109 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Robert J Deissler
- Department of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and Sciences, 2076 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7079, USA
| | - Richard F Bihary
- Department of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and Sciences, 2076 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7079, USA
| | - William C Condit
- Department of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and Sciences, 2076 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7079, USA
| | - Mary E Thompson
- Department of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and Sciences, 2076 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7079, USA
| | - D'Arbra Blankenship
- Department of Pathology, Center for Global Health and Diseases, Biomedical Research Building, Room 427, 2109 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Kerry O Grimberg
- Department of Pathology, Center for Global Health and Diseases, Biomedical Research Building, Room 427, 2109 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Robert W Brown
- Department of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and Sciences, 2076 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7079, USA
| | - Brian T Grimberg
- Department of Pathology, Center for Global Health and Diseases, Biomedical Research Building, Room 427, 2109 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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Badshah SL, Ullah A, Ahmad N, Almarhoon ZM, Mabkhot Y. Increasing the Strength and Production of Artemisinin and Its Derivatives. Molecules 2018; 23:E100. [PMID: 29301383 PMCID: PMC6017432 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23010100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin is a natural sesquiterpene lactone obtained from the Artemisia annua herb. It is widely used for the treatment of malaria. In this article, we have reviewed the role of artemisinin in controlling malaria, spread of resistance to artemisinin and the different methods used for its large scale production. The highest amount of artemisinin gene expression in tobacco leaf chloroplast leads to the production of 0.8 mg/g of the dry weight of the plant. This will revolutionize the treatment and control of malaria in third world countries. Furthermore, the generations of novel derivatives of artemisinin- and trioxane ring structure-inspired compounds are important for the treatment of malaria caused by resistant plasmodial species. Synthetic endoperoxide-like artefenomel and its derivatives are crucial for the control of malaria and such synthetic compounds should be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Lal Badshah
- Department of Chemistry, Islamia College University Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan.
| | - Asad Ullah
- Department of Chemistry, Islamia College University Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan.
| | - Nasir Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, Islamia College University Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan.
| | - Zainab M Almarhoon
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Yahia Mabkhot
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
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Bartels F, Hong YJ, Ueda D, Weber M, Sato T, Tantillo DJ, Christmann M. Bioinspired synthesis of pentacyclic onocerane triterpenoids. Chem Sci 2017; 8:8285-8290. [PMID: 29619174 PMCID: PMC5858022 DOI: 10.1039/c7sc03903d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The first chemical synthesis of pentacyclic onocerane triterpenoids (+)-cupacinoxepin and (+)-onoceranoxide is described.
The first chemical synthesis of pentacyclic onocerane triterpenoids has been achieved. A putative biomimetic tricyclization cascade is employed to forge a fused decalin-/oxepane ring system. The synthetic route proceeds to (+)-cupacinoxepin in seven steps and to (+)-onoceranoxide in eight steps in the longest linear sequence, when starting from geranyl chloride and (+)-sclareolide. The bioinspired epoxypolyene cyclization is supported by computational and enzymatic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Bartels
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Takustraße 3 , 14195 Berlin , Germany .
| | - Young J Hong
- Department of Chemistry , University of California-Davis , Davis , California 95616 , USA .
| | - Daijiro Ueda
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry , Graduate School of Science and Technology , Niigata University , Ikarashi 2-8050, Nishi-ku , Niigata 950-2181 , Japan .
| | - Manuela Weber
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Takustraße 3 , 14195 Berlin , Germany .
| | - Tsutomu Sato
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry , Graduate School of Science and Technology , Niigata University , Ikarashi 2-8050, Nishi-ku , Niigata 950-2181 , Japan .
| | - Dean J Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry , University of California-Davis , Davis , California 95616 , USA .
| | - Mathias Christmann
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Takustraße 3 , 14195 Berlin , Germany .
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16
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Fletcher S, Lucantoni L, Sykes ML, Jones AJ, Holleran JP, Saliba KJ, Avery VM. Biological characterization of chemically diverse compounds targeting the Plasmodium falciparum coenzyme A synthesis pathway. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:589. [PMID: 27855724 PMCID: PMC5114727 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1860-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In the fight against malaria, the discovery of chemical compounds with a novel mode of action and/or chemistry distinct from currently used drugs is vital to counteract the parasite’s known ability to develop drug resistance. Another desirable aspect is efficacy against gametocytes, the sexual developmental stage of the parasite which enables the transmission through Anopheles vectors. Using a chemical rescue approach, we previously identified compounds targeting Plasmodium falciparum coenzyme A (CoA) synthesis or utilization, a promising target that has not yet been exploited in anti-malarial drug development. Results We report on the outcomes of a series of biological tests that help to define the species- and stage-specificity, as well as the potential targets of these chemically diverse compounds. Compound activity against P. falciparum gametocytes was determined to assess stage-specificity and transmission-reducing potential. Against early stage gametocytes IC50 values ranging between 60 nM and 7.5 μM were obtained. With the exception of two compounds with sub-micromolar potencies across all intra-erythrocytic stages, activity against late stage gametocytes was lower. None of the compounds were specific pantothenate kinase inhibitors. Chemical rescue profiling with CoA pathway intermediates demonstrated that most compounds acted on either of the two final P. falciparum CoA synthesis enzymes, phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase (PPAT) or dephospho CoA kinase (DPCK). The most active compound targeted either phosphopantothenoylcysteine synthetase (PPCS) or phosphopantothenoylcysteine decarboxylase (PPCDC). Species-specificity was evaluated against Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei brucei. No specific activity against T. cruzi amastigotes was observed; however three compounds inhibited the viability of trypomastigotes with sub-micromolar potencies and were confirmed to act on T. b. brucei CoA synthesis. Conclusions Utilizing the compounds we previously identified as effective against asexual P. falciparum, we demonstrate for the first time that gametocytes, like the asexual stages, depend on CoA, with two compounds exhibiting sub-micromolar potencies across asexual forms and all gametocytes stages tested. Furthermore, three compounds inhibited the viability of T. cruzi and T. b. brucei trypomastigotes with sub-micromolar potencies and were confirmed to act on T. b. brucei CoA synthesis, indicating that the CoA synthesis pathway might represent a valuable new drug target in these parasite species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1860-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Fletcher
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Leonardo Lucantoni
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Melissa L Sykes
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Amy J Jones
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - John P Holleran
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Kevin J Saliba
- Medical School and Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.
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Grimberg BT, Grimberg KO. Hemozoin detection may provide an inexpensive, sensitive, 1-minute malaria test that could revolutionize malaria screening. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2016; 14:879-83. [PMID: 27530228 PMCID: PMC5224914 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2016.1222900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains widespread throughout the tropics and is a burden to the estimated 3.5 billion people who are exposed annually. The lack of a fast and accurate diagnostic method contributes to preventable malaria deaths and its continued transmission. In many areas diagnosis is made solely based on clinical presentation. Current methods for malaria diagnosis take more than 20 minutes from the time blood is drawn and are frequently inaccurate. The introduction of an accurate malaria diagnostic that can provide a result in less than 1 minute would allow for widespread screening and treatment of endemic populations, and enable regions that have gained a foothold against malaria to prevent its return. Using malaria parasites' waste product, hemozoin, as a biomarker for the presence of malaria could be the tool needed to develop this rapid test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Grimberg
- a School of Medicine - Center for Global Health and Diseases , Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA
| | - Kerry O Grimberg
- b School of Medicine, Department of Radiology , Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA
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18
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Fungal naphtho-γ-pyrones: Potent antibiotics for drug-resistant microbial pathogens. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24291. [PMID: 27063778 PMCID: PMC4827027 DOI: 10.1038/srep24291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Four naphtho-γ-pyrones (fonsecinones A and C and aurasperones A and E) were identified as potential antibacterial agents against Escherichia coli, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an in vitro antibacterial screen of 218 fungal metabolites. Fonsecinone A (2) exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 4.26, 17.04, and 4.26 μg/mL against ESBL-producing E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and E. faecalis, respectively. The inhibitory effects of fonsecinones A (2) and C (3) against E. coli and ESBL-producing E. coli were comparable to those of amikacin. Molecular docking-based target identification of naphtho-γ-pyrones 1–8 revealed bacterial enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (FabI) as an antibacterial target, which was further validated by FabI affinity and inhibition assays. Fonsecinones A (2) and C (3) and aurasperones A (6) and E (7) bound FabI specifically and produced concentration-dependent inhibition effects. This work is the first report of anti-drug-resistant bacterial activities of naphtho-γ-pyrones 1–8 and their possible antibacterial mechanism of action and provides an example of the successful application of in silico methods for drug target identification and validation and the identification of new lead antibiotic compounds against drug-resistant pathogens.
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Roberts BF, Iyamu ID, Lee S, Lee E, Ayong L, Kyle DE, Yuan Y, Manetsch R, Chakrabarti D. Spirocyclic chromanes exhibit antiplasmodial activities and inhibit all intraerythrocytic life cycle stages. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2016; 6:85-92. [PMID: 27054067 PMCID: PMC4805781 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We screened a collection of synthetic compounds consisting of natural-product-like substructural motifs to identify a spirocyclic chromane as a novel antiplasmodial pharmacophore using an unbiased cell-based assay. The most active spirocyclic compound UCF 201 exhibits a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 350 nM against the chloroquine-resistant Dd2 strain and a selectivity over 50 using human liver HepG2 cells. Our analyses of physicochemical properties of UCF 201 showed that it is in compliance with Lipinski's parameters and has an acceptable physicochemical profile. We have performed a limited structure-activity-relationship study with commercially available chromanes preserving the spirocyclic motif. Our evaluation of stage specificities of UCF 201 indicated that the compound is early-acting in blocking parasite development at ring, trophozoite and schizont stages of development as well as merozoite invasion. SPC is an attractive lead candidate scaffold because of its ability to act on all stages of parasite's aexual life cycle unlike current antimalarials. SPC is a novel antiplasmodial scaffold. SPC has an EC50 of 350 nM against chloroquine-resistant parasite and is selective. SPC inhibits all stages of parasite growth in erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bracken F Roberts
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Iredia D Iyamu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sukjun Lee
- Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunyoung Lee
- Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Lawrence Ayong
- Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Dennis E Kyle
- Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Yu Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Roman Manetsch
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Debopam Chakrabarti
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
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20
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Lacerda AF, Pelegrini PB, de Oliveira DM, Vasconcelos ÉAR, Grossi-de-Sá MF. Anti-parasitic Peptides from Arthropods and their Application in Drug Therapy. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:91. [PMID: 26903970 PMCID: PMC4742531 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Africa, Asia, and Latin America are regions highly affected by endemic diseases, such as Leishmaniasis, Malaria, and Chagas' disease. They are responsible for the death of 1000s of patients every year, as there is not yet a cure for them and the drugs used are inefficient against the pathogenic parasites. During the life cycle of some parasitic protozoa, insects become the most important host and disseminator of the diseases triggered by these microorganisms. As infected insects do not develop nocive symptoms, they can carry the parasites for long time inside their body, enabling their multiplication and life cycle completion. Eventually, parasites infect human beings after insect's transmission through their saliva and/or feces. Hence, host insects and general arthropods, which developed a way to coexist with such parasites, are a promising source for the prospection of anti-parasitic compounds, as alternative methods for the treatment of protozoa-related diseases. Among the molecules already isolated and investigated, there are proteins and peptides with high activity against parasites, able to inhibit parasite activity in different stages of development. Although, studies are still taking their first steps, initial results show new perspectives on the treatment of parasitic diseases. Therefore, in this report, we describe about peptides from host insect sources with activity against the three most endemic parasites: Leishmania sp., Plasmodium sp., and Trypanosomes. Moreover, we discuss the future application insect peptides as anti-parasitic drugs and the use of non-hosts insect transcriptomes on the prospection of novel molecules for the treatment of parasitic neglected diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane F. Lacerda
- Plant-Pest Interaction Laboratory, PBI, Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationBrasilia, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do NorteNatal, Brazil
| | - Patrícia B. Pelegrini
- Plant-Pest Interaction Laboratory, PBI, Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationBrasilia, Brazil
| | - Daiane M. de Oliveira
- Plant-Pest Interaction Laboratory, PBI, Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationBrasilia, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of BrasiliaBrasilia, Brazil
| | - Érico A. R. Vasconcelos
- Plant-Pest Interaction Laboratory, PBI, Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationBrasilia, Brazil
- Department of Health Sciences, Integrated College of Educational Union’s Central PlateauGama, Brazil
| | - Maria F. Grossi-de-Sá
- Plant-Pest Interaction Laboratory, PBI, Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationBrasilia, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do NorteNatal, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of BrasiliaBrasilia, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Genomics Science and Biotechnology, Catholic University of BrasiliaBrasilia, Brazil
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21
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Muluye AB, Melese E, Adinew GM. Antimalarial activity of 80 % methanolic extract of Brassica nigra (L.) Koch. (Brassicaceae) seeds against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2015; 15:367. [PMID: 26471058 PMCID: PMC4608310 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0893-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Resistances to currently available drugs and insecticides, significant drug toxicities and costs and lack of vaccines currently complicated the treatment of malaria. A continued search for safe, effective and affordable plant-based antimalarial agents thus becomes crucial and vital in the face of these difficulties. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimalarial activity of 80 % methanolic extract of the seeds of Brassica nigra against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice. Method Chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain) was used to test the antimalarial activity of the extract. In suppressive and prophylactic models, Swiss albino male mice were randomly grouped into five groups of five mice each. Group I mice were treated with the vehicle, group II, III and IV were treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the extract, respectively and the last group (V) mice were treated with chloroquine (10 mg/kg). The level of parasitemia, survival time and variation in weight of mice were used to determine the antimalarial activity of the extract. Results Chemosuppressive activities produced by the extract of the seeds of Brassica nigra were 21.88, 50.00 (P < 0.01) and 53.13 % (P < 0.01), while the chemoprophylactic activities were 17.42, 21.21 and 53.79 % (P < 0.05) at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract, respectively as compared to the negative control. Mice treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg extract were significantly (P < 0.05) lived longer and gained weight as compared to negative control in 4-day suppressive test. Conclusion From this study, it can be concluded that the seed extract of Brassica nigra showed good chemosuppressive and moderate chemoprophylactic activities and the plant may contain biologically active principles which are relevant in the treatment and prophylaxis of malaria, thus supporting further studies of the plant for its active components.
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Soares RR, da Silva JMF, Carlos BC, da Fonseca CC, de Souza LSA, Lopes FV, de Paula Dias RM, Moreira POL, Abramo C, Viana GHR, de Pila Varotti F, da Silva AD, Scopel KKG. New quinoline derivatives demonstrate a promising antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro and Plasmodium berghei in vivo. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2015; 25:2308-13. [PMID: 25920564 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2015.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Malaria continues to be an important public health problem in the world. Nowadays, the widespread parasite resistance to many drugs used in antimalarial therapy has made the effective treatment of cases and control of the disease a constant challenge. Therefore, the discovery of new molecules with good antimalarial activity and tolerance to human use can be really important in the further treatment of the disease. In this study we have investigated the antiplasmodial activity of 10 synthetic compounds derived from quinoline, five of them combined to sulfonamide and five to the hydrazine or hydrazide group. The compounds were evaluated according to their cytotoxicity against HepG2 and HeLa cell lines, their antimalarial activity against CQ-sensitive and CQ-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains and, finally, their schizonticide blood action in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65. The compounds exhibited no cytotoxic action in HepG2 and HeLa cell lines when tested up to a concentration of 100 μg/mL. In addition, the hydrazine or hydrazide derivative compounds were less cytotoxic against cell lines and more active against CQ-sensitive and CQ-resistant P. falciparum strains, showing high SI (>1000 when SI was calculated using the CC50 from the 3D7 strain as reference). When tested in vivo, the hydrazine derivative 1f compound showed activity against the development of blood parasites similar to that observed with CQ, the reference drug. Interestingly, the 1f compound demonstrated the best LipE value (4.84) among all those tested in vivo. Considering the in vitro and in vivo activities of the compounds studied here and the LipE values, we believe the 1f compound to be the most promising molecule for further studies in antimalarial chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Reis Soares
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Martelos, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
| | - José Marcio Fernandes da Silva
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Martelos, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
| | - Bianca Cecheto Carlos
- Instituto de Biotecnologia (IBTEC), Universidade Estadual Paulista, Alameda dos Tecomarias, s/n, 18607-440 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
| | - Camila Campos da Fonseca
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Martelos, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
| | - Laila Salomé Araújo de Souza
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Martelos, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Valério Lopes
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Martelos, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
| | - Rafael Mafra de Paula Dias
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo. Avenida João Dagnone, n° 1100, Jardim Santa Angelina, 13563-120 São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Paulo Otávio Lourenço Moreira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Química Biológica (NQBio), Universidade de São João Del Rei, Rua Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, Chanadour, 35501-296 Divinópolis, MG, Brazil.
| | - Clarice Abramo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Martelos, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Henrique Ribeiro Viana
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Química Biológica (NQBio), Universidade de São João Del Rei, Rua Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, Chanadour, 35501-296 Divinópolis, MG, Brazil.
| | - Fernando de Pila Varotti
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Química Biológica (NQBio), Universidade de São João Del Rei, Rua Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, Chanadour, 35501-296 Divinópolis, MG, Brazil.
| | - Adilson David da Silva
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Martelos, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
| | - Kézia Katiani Gorza Scopel
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Martelos, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil; Departamento of Global Health, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrun Blvd, suit 304, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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Sahar S, Tanveer A, Ali A, Bilal H, Muhammad Saleem R. Pfcrt Gene in Plasmodium falciparum Field Isolates from Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. J Arthropod Borne Dis 2015; 9:204-14. [PMID: 26623432 PMCID: PMC4662792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of different species of Plasmodium and haplotypes of pfcrt in Plasmodium falciparum from the selected area. METHODS Overall, 10,372 blood films of suspected malarial patients were examined microscopically from rural health center Sinawan, district Muzaffargarh, Pakistan from November 2008 to November 2010. P. falciparum positive samples (both whole blood and FTA blood spotted cards) were used for DNA extraction. Nested PCR was used to amplify the pfcrt (codon 72-76) gene fragment. Sequencing was carried out to find the haplotypes in the amplified fragment of pfcrt gene. RESULT Over all slide positivity rate (SPR), P. vivax and P. falciparum positivity rate was 21.40 %, 19.37 % and 2.03% respectively. FTA blood spotted cards were equally efficient in the blood storage for PCR and sequencing. Analysis of sequencing results of pfcrt showed only one type of haplotype SagtVMNT (AGTGTAATGAATACA) from codon 72-76 in all samples. CONCLUSION The results show high prevalence of CQ resistance and AQ resistant genes. AQ is not recommended to be used as a partner drug in ACT in this locality, so as to ward off future catastrophes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumrin Sahar
- Lab of Parasitology, Zoology Department, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan,Corresponding author: Dr Sumrin Sahar, E-mail:
| | - Akhtar Tanveer
- Lab of Parasitology, Zoology Department, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Akbar Ali
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hazrat Bilal
- Medical Entomology and Disease Vector Control, Health Services Academy, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Rana Muhammad Saleem
- Medical Entomology and Disease Vector Control, Health Services Academy, Lahore, Pakistan
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Alemán Resto Y, Fernández Robledo JA. Identification of MMV Malaria Box inhibitors of Perkinsus marinus using an ATP-based bioluminescence assay. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111051. [PMID: 25337810 PMCID: PMC4206467 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
"Dermo" disease caused by the protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus (Perkinsozoa) is one of the main obstacles to the restoration of oyster populations in the USA. Perkinsus spp. are also a concern worldwide because there are limited approaches to intervention against the disease. Based on the phylogenetic affinity between the Perkinsozoa and Apicomplexa, we exposed Perkinsus trophozoites to the Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box, an open access compound library comprised of 200 drug-like and 200 probe-like compounds that are highly active against the erythrocyte stage of Plasmodium falciparum. Using a final concentration of 20 µM, we found that 4 days after exposure 46% of the compounds were active against P. marinus trophozoites. Six compounds with IC50 in the µM range were used to compare the degree of susceptibility in vitro of eight P. marinus strains from the USA and five Perkinsus species from around the world. The three compounds, MMV666021, MMV665807 and MMV666102, displayed a uniform effect across Perkinsus strains and species. Both Perkinsus marinus isolates and Perkinsus spp. presented different patterns of response to the panel of compounds tested, supporting the concept of strain/species variability. Here, we expanded the range of compounds available for inhibiting Perkinsus proliferation in vitro and characterized Perkinsus phenotypes based on their resistance to six compounds. We also discuss the implications of these findings in the context of oyster management. The Perkinsus system offers the potential for investigating the mechanism of action of the compounds of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesmalie Alemán Resto
- Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) NSF Program - 2013 - Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Boothbay, Maine, United States of America
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Johnston KL, Ford L, Umareddy I, Townson S, Specht S, Pfarr K, Hoerauf A, Altmeyer R, Taylor MJ. Repurposing of approved drugs from the human pharmacopoeia to target Wolbachia endosymbionts of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2014; 4:278-86. [PMID: 25516838 PMCID: PMC4266796 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to discover a macrofilaricide for filariasis. The A·WOL approach is to target the Wolbachia bacteria of filarial nematodes. The human pharmacopoeia was screened against Wolbachia for potential repurposing. 69 orally available hits from different drug categories were identified in vitro. In vivo, the tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones and rifamycins were the most active.
Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are debilitating diseases caused by parasitic filarial nematodes infecting around 150 million people throughout the tropics with more than 1.5 billion at risk. As with other neglected tropical diseases, classical drug-discovery and development is lacking and a 50 year programme of macrofilaricidal discovery failed to deliver a drug which can be used as a public health tool. Recently, antibiotic targeting of filarial Wolbachia, an essential bacterial symbiont, has provided a novel drug treatment for filariasis with macrofilaricidal activity, although the current gold-standard, doxycycline, is unsuitable for use in mass drug administration (MDA). The anti-Wolbachia (A·WOL) Consortium aims to identify novel anti-Wolbachia drugs, compounds or combinations that are suitable for use in MDA. Development of a Wolbachia cell-based assay has enabled the screening of the approved human drug-pharmacopoeia (∼2600 drugs) for a potential repurposing. This screening strategy has revealed that approved drugs from various classes show significant bacterial load reduction equal to or superior to the gold-standard doxycycline, with 69 orally available hits from different drug categories being identified. Based on our defined hit criteria, 15 compounds were then selectively screened in a Litomosoides sigmodontis mouse model, 4 of which were active. These came from the tetracycline, fluoroquinolone and rifamycin classes. This strategy of repurposing approved drugs is a promising development in the goal of finding a novel treatment against filariasis and could also be a strategy applicable for other neglected tropical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L Johnston
- Filariasis Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Louise Ford
- Filariasis Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Indira Umareddy
- CombinatoRx-Singapore Ptd Ltd, 11 Biopolis Way, 138667 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Simon Townson
- Tropical Parasitic Diseases Unit, Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3UJ, UK
| | - Sabine Specht
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Kenneth Pfarr
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Ralf Altmeyer
- CombinatoRx-Singapore Ptd Ltd, 11 Biopolis Way, 138667 Singapore, Singapore ; Institut Pasteur Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031 Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Mark J Taylor
- Filariasis Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
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Fletcher S, Avery VM. A novel approach for the discovery of chemically diverse anti-malarial compounds targeting the Plasmodium falciparum Coenzyme A synthesis pathway. Malar J 2014; 13:343. [PMID: 25174342 PMCID: PMC4168161 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria is a devastating parasitic disease, causing more than 600,000 deaths annually. Drug resistance has rendered previous generation anti-malarials ineffective and is also rapidly emerging against the current therapeutics of choice, artemisinin and its derivatives, making the discovery of new anti-malarials with novel mechanisms of action a priority. The Coenzyme A (CoA) synthesis pathway, a well-known anti-microbial drug target that is also essential for the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, has not yet been exploited in anti-malarial drug development. A novel high throughput approach for the identification of chemically diverse inhibitors of the CoA synthesis pathway is reported. METHODS To identify novel CoA synthesis pathway inhibitors, a chemical rescue screening approach was developed. In short, a test compound was considered likely to inhibit the P. falciparum CoA synthesis pathway, if addition of the end product of the pathway, CoA, was able to negate the growth-inhibitory action of the compound on P. falciparum parasites. RESULTS The chemical rescue approach was employed to screen the Medicines for Malaria Venture malaria box and a small focussed compound library. This resulted in the identification of 12 chemically diverse potential inhibitors of the CoA pathway. To ascertain accurate potency and selectivity, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 value) of these compounds was determined for both P. falciparum and a human cell line. Seven compounds showed submicromolar activity against the parasite, with selectivity indices ranging between six and greater than 300. CoA supplementation was confirmed to alleviate the effects on parasite growth and cell viability in a dose dependent manner. Microscopic investigation into the stage of effect and phenotype of treated parasites was performed on a selection of the active compounds. CONCLUSIONS The chemical rescue approach described resulted in the identification of a set of chemically diverse CoA synthesis pathway inhibitors with IC50 values ranging between 120 nM and 6 μM. The identified compounds will be utilized as tools for further investigating the parasite CoA synthesis pathway to define their exact mechanism of action. Furthermore, the chemical diversity of the compounds identified substantiates the suitability of this approach to identify novel starting points for future anti-malarial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Fletcher
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, 4111 Australia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, 4111 Australia
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Lee S, Lim D, Lee E, Lee N, Lee HG, Cechetto J, Liuzzi M, Freitas-Junior LH, Song JS, Bae MA, Oh S, Ayong L, Park SB. Discovery of Carbohybrid-Based 2-Aminopyrimidine Analogues As a New Class of Rapid-Acting Antimalarial Agents Using Image-Based Cytological Profiling Assay. J Med Chem 2014; 57:7425-34. [DOI: 10.1021/jm5009693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sukjun Lee
- Early
Discovery Program, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-400, Korea
| | - Donghyun Lim
- WCU
Department of Biophysics and Chemical Biology, Seoul National University, San 56-1, Shilim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-747, Korea
| | - Eunyoung Lee
- Early
Discovery Program, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-400, Korea
| | - Nakyung Lee
- Center
for Neglected Diseases Drug Discovery (CND3), Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-400, Korea
| | - Hong-gun Lee
- Center
for Core Technologies, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-400, Korea
| | - Jonathan Cechetto
- Center
for Core Technologies, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-400, Korea
| | - Michel Liuzzi
- Early
Discovery Program, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-400, Korea
| | - Lucio H. Freitas-Junior
- Center
for Neglected Diseases Drug Discovery (CND3), Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-400, Korea
| | - Jin Sook Song
- Drug
Discovery Platform Technology Group, Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 305-600, Korea
| | - Myung Ae Bae
- Drug
Discovery Platform Technology Group, Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 305-600, Korea
| | - Sangmi Oh
- Medicinal
Chemistry and Chemical Biology Group, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-400, Korea
| | - Lawrence Ayong
- Early
Discovery Program, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-400, Korea
| | - Seung Bum Park
- WCU
Department of Biophysics and Chemical Biology, Seoul National University, San 56-1, Shilim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-747, Korea
- Department
of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea
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Keiser J, Silué KD, Adiossan LK, N'Guessan NA, Monsan N, Utzinger J, N'Goran EK. Praziquantel, mefloquine-praziquantel, and mefloquine-artesunate-praziquantel against Schistosoma haematobium: a randomized, exploratory, open-label trial. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2975. [PMID: 25033291 PMCID: PMC4102459 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment and morbidity control of schistosomiasis relies on a single drug, praziquantel. Hence, there is a pressing need to develop additional therapeutics against schistosomiasis. The antimalarial drug mefloquine shows antischistosomal activity in animal models and clinical trials, which calls for further investigations. Methodology We comparatively assessed the efficacy and tolerability of the following treatments against Schistosoma haematobium in school-aged children in Côte d'Ivoire: (i) praziquantel (40 mg/kg; standard treatment); (ii) mefloquine (25 mg/kg) combined with praziquantel (40 mg/kg); and (iii) mefloquine-artesunate (3× (100 mg artesunate +250 mg mefloquine)) combined with praziquantel (40 mg/kg) (treatments administered on subsequent days). Two urine samples were collected before, and on days 21–22 and 78–79 after the first dosing. Principal Findings Sixty-one children were present on all examination time points and had complete datasets. No difference in efficacy was observed between the three treatment groups on either follow-up. On the 21–22 day posttreatment follow-up, based on available case analysis, cure rates of 33% (95% confidence interval (CI) 11–55%), 29% (95% CI 8–50%), and 26% (95% CI 5–48%) were observed for praziquantel, mefloquine-artesunate-praziquantel, and mefloquine-praziquantel, respectively. The corresponding egg reduction rates were 94% and above. On the second follow-up, observed cure rates ranged from 19% (praziquantel) to 33% (mefloquine-artesunate-praziquantel), and egg reduction rates were above 90%. Praziquantel monotherapy was the best tolerated treatment. In the mefloquine-artesunate-praziquantel group, adverse events were reported by 91% of the participants, and in the mefloquine-praziquantel group, 95% experienced adverse events. With the exception of abdominal pain at moderate severity, adverse events were mild. Conclusions/Significance The addition of mefloquine or mefloquine-artesunate does not increase the efficacy of praziquantel against chronic S. haematobium infection. Additional studies are necessary to elucidate the effect of the combinations against acute schistosomiasis. The antimalarial drug mefloquine shows activity against blood flukes that cause the disease schistosomiasis. In animal studies it has been found that a mefloquine-praziquantel combination kills blood flukes more effectively than praziquantel alone. Combining praziquantel with another drug might therefore increase efficacy, broaden the spectrum of activity, and delay the development of drug resistance. We designed a study in Ivorian school children to assess the efficacy and tolerability of mefloquine and mefloquine-artesunate combined with praziquantel against the blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium. The administration of the antimalarials and praziquantel was spaced by a day. Treatment outcomes were assessed twice, on days 21–22 and 78–79 after the first dosing to determine the effect against adult and juvenile S. haematobium, respectively. At both follow-ups, high reduction in the intensity of infection (egg reduction rates of 94–96%), but low cure rates (26–33%) were observed in the three treatment groups. Adverse events were common, particularly in children treated with mefloquine-praziquantel and mefloquine-artesunate-praziquantel. Our study suggests that the addition of mefloquine and mefloquine-artesunate to praziquantel has no benefit in the treatment of chronic S. haematobium infection. However, further investigations are warranted to evaluate the effect of combination therapy on juvenile flukes and longer-term morbidity profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Kigbafori D. Silué
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | | | - Nicaise A. N'Guessan
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - N'Chou Monsan
- Institut National de la Santé Publique, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eliézer K. N'Goran
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
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Wong W, Bai XC, Brown A, Fernandez IS, Hanssen E, Condron M, Tan YH, Baum J, Scheres SHW. Cryo-EM structure of the Plasmodium falciparum 80S ribosome bound to the anti-protozoan drug emetine. eLife 2014; 3. [PMID: 24913268 PMCID: PMC4086275 DOI: 10.7554/elife.03080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria inflicts an enormous burden on global human health. The emergence of parasite resistance to front-line drugs has prompted a renewed focus on the repositioning of clinically approved drugs as potential anti-malarial therapies. Antibiotics that inhibit protein translation are promising candidates for repositioning. We have solved the cryo-EM structure of the cytoplasmic ribosome from the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, in complex with emetine at 3.2 Å resolution. Emetine is an anti-protozoan drug used in the treatment of ameobiasis that also displays potent anti-malarial activity. Emetine interacts with the E-site of the ribosomal small subunit and shares a similar binding site with the antibiotic pactamycin, thereby delivering its therapeutic effect by blocking mRNA/tRNA translocation. As the first cryo-EM structure that visualizes an antibiotic bound to any ribosome at atomic resolution, this establishes cryo-EM as a powerful tool for screening and guiding the design of drugs that target parasite translation machinery. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03080.001 Each year, malaria kills more than 600,000 people, mostly children younger than 5 years old. Humans who have been bitten by mosquitoes infected with malaria-causing parasites become ill as the parasites rapidly multiply in blood cells. Although there are several drugs that are currently used to treat malaria, the parasites are rapidly developing resistance to them, setting off an urgent hunt for new malaria drugs. Developing new antimalarial medications from scratch is likely to take decades—too long to combat the current public health threat posed by emerging strains of drug-resistant parasites. To speed up the process, scientists are investigating whether drugs developed for other illnesses may also act as therapies for malaria, either when used alone or in combination with existing malaria drugs. Certain antibiotics—including one called emetine—have already shown promise as antimalarial drugs. These antibiotics prevent the parasites from multiplying by interfering with the ribosome—the part of a cell that builds new proteins. However, humans become ill after taking emetine for long periods because it also blocks the production of human proteins. Tweaking emetine so that it acts only against the production of parasite proteins would make it a safer malaria treatment. To do this, scientists must first map the precise interactions between the drug and the ribosomes in parasites. Wong et al. have now used a technique called cryo-electron microscopy to examine the ribosome of the most virulent form of malaria parasite. This technique uses very cold temperatures to rapidly freeze molecules, allowing scientists to look at molecular-level details without distorting the structure of the molecule—a problem sometimes encountered in other techniques. The images of the parasitic ribosome taken by Wong, Bai, Brown et al. show that emetine binds to the end of the ribosome where the instructions for how to assemble amino acids into a protein are copied from strands of RNA. In addition, the images revealed features of the parasitic ribosome that are not found in the human form. Drug makers could exploit these features to improve emetine so that it more specifically targets the production of proteins by the parasite and is less toxic to humans. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03080.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Wong
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Xiao-chen Bai
- Structural Studies, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Brown
- Structural Studies, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Israel S Fernandez
- Structural Studies, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Eric Hanssen
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Melanie Condron
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yan Hong Tan
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jake Baum
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sjors H W Scheres
- Structural Studies, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Mishra A, Batchu H, Srivastava K, Singh P, Shukla PK, Batra S. Synthesis and evaluation of new diaryl ether and quinoline hybrids as potential antiplasmodial and antimicrobial agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2014; 24:1719-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Cragg GM, Grothaus PG, Newman DJ. New horizons for old drugs and drug leads. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2014; 77:703-23. [PMID: 24499205 DOI: 10.1021/np5000796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
There is mounting urgency to find new drugs for the treatment of serious infectious diseases and cancer that are rapidly developing resistance to previously effective drugs. One approach to addressing this need is through drug repurposing, which refers to the discovery of new useful activities for "old" clinically used drugs through screening them against relevant disease targets. A large number of potential drug that, for various reasons, have failed to advance to clinical and commercial use can be added to the candidates available for such purposes. The application of new techniques and methodology developed through the impressive progress made in multidisciplinary, natural product-related research in recent years should aid substantially in expediting the discovery and development process. This review briefly outlines some of these developments as applied to a number of selected natural product examples, which may also include advances in chemical synthesis of derivatives with extended biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon M Cragg
- Natural Products Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Frederick National Laboratory , P.O. Box B, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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Venkatesan M, Alifrangis M, Roper C, Plowe CV. Monitoring antifolate resistance in intermittent preventive therapy for malaria. Trends Parasitol 2013; 29:497-504. [PMID: 23948432 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2013.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Revised: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum genes Pfdhfr and Pfdhps have rendered sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) ineffective for malaria treatment in most regions of the world. Yet, SP is efficacious as intermittent preventive therapy in pregnant women (IPTp) and infants (IPTi) and as seasonal malaria control in children (SMC). SP-IPTp is being widely implemented in sub-Saharan Africa. SP-IPTi is recommended where the prevalence of SP-resistant malaria parasites is low, whereas SMC is recommended for areas of intense seasonal malaria transmission. The continuing success of these interventions depends largely on the prevalence of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps resistance mutations in the target population. Here we review the relationship between resistance mutations and SP-IPT within target populations in the context of monitoring and informing implementation of this intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera Venkatesan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute/Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, HSF1-480, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) Molecular Module(*)
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Better drug therapy for the children of Africa: current impediments to success and potential strategies for improvement. Paediatr Drugs 2013; 15:259-69. [PMID: 23580345 DOI: 10.1007/s40272-013-0015-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A commentary is presented on the urgent need for a comprehensive effort to improve the practice of pediatric therapeutics in Africa. A call for action is addressed to a variety of practitioners internationally, many of whom possess skills that could be fruitfully applied to the improvement of health outcomes for African children. Successful engagement with the many challenges requires the complementary effort of researchers in basic and clinical pharmacology and toxicology, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, clinical pharmacologists, clinical pharmacists, and political leaders and civil servants. While a comprehensive or systematic review of the relevant literature has not been attempted, the authors have highlighted promising initiatives driven by international agencies and academic networks. Two African perspectives are presented to reinforce the prospect of child health gains that can be achieved through consistent pursuit of optimal therapy for conditions such as respiratory infection, diarrhea, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. There is an imperative for development of north-south and south-south partnerships that will amplify current research efforts and mobilize existing knowledge concerning pediatric drugs. The overall goal is a multidisciplinary commitment to making essential medicines available at the right time, the right place, and in the right formulation for African children from infancy to adolescence.
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Quantitative assessment of the proliferation of the protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus using a bioluminescence assay for ATP content. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2013; 3:85-92. [PMID: 24533297 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2013.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Revised: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 03/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Perkinsus marinus is a protozoan parasite that causes "Dermo" disease in the eastern oyster Crasssostrea virginica in coastal areas of the USA. Until now, intervention strategies against the parasite have found limited success, and Dermo still remains one of the main hurdles for the restoration of oyster populations. We adapted a commercial adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) content-based assay to assess the in vitro proliferation of P. marinus in a 96-well plate format, and validated the method by measuring the effects of potential anti-proliferative compounds. The sensitivity (1.5-3.1 × 10(4) cells/well), linearity (R (2) = 0.983), and signal stability (60 min) support the reliability of the assay for assessing cell proliferation. Validation of the assay by culturing P. marinus in the presence of increasing concentrations of triclosan showed a dose-response profile. The IC50 value obtained was higher than that reported earlier, possibly due to the use of different viability assay methods and a different P. marinus strain. The antibiotics G418 and tetracycline and the herbicide fluridone were active against P. marinus proliferation; the IC50 of chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and atrazine was relatively high suggesting either off-target effects or inability to reach the targets. The validation of the ATP-based assay, together with significant advantages of the Perkinsus culture methodology (homogeneity, reproducibility, and high cell densities), underscores the value of this assay for developing high-throughput screens for the identification of novel leader compounds against Perkinsus species, and most importantly, for the closely-related apicomplexan parasites.
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35
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David-Bosne S, Florent I, Lund-Winther AM, Hansen JB, Buch-Pedersen M, Machillot P, le Maire M, Jaxel C. Antimalarial screening via large-scale purification of Plasmodium falciparum Ca2+-ATPase 6 and in vitro studies. FEBS J 2013; 280:5419-29. [PMID: 23497141 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The most severe form of human malaria is caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Despite the current need, there is no effective vaccine and parasites are becoming resistant to most of the antimalarials available. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover new drugs from targets that have not yet suffered from drug pressure with the aim of overcoming the problem of new emerging resistance. Membrane transporters, such as P. falciparum Ca(2+)-ATPase 6 (PfATP6), the P. falciparum sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA), have been proposed as potentially good antimalarial targets. The present investigation focuses on: (a) the large-scale purification of PfATP6 for maintenance of its enzymatic activity; (b) screening for PfATP6 inhibitors from a compound library; and (c) the selection of the best inhibitors for further tests on P. falciparum growth in vitro. We managed to heterologously express in yeast and purify an active form of PfATP6 as previously described, although in larger amounts. In addition to some classical SERCA inhibitors, a chemical library of 1680 molecules was screened. From these, we selected a pool of the 20 most potent inhibitors of PfATP6, presenting half maximal inhibitory concentration values in the range 1-9 μm. From these, eight were chosen for evaluation of their effect on P. falciparum growth in vitro, and the best compound presented a half maximal inhibitory concentration of ~ 2 μm. We verified the absence of an inhibitory effect of most of the compounds on mammalian SERCA1a, representing a potential advantage in terms of human toxicity. The present study describes a multidisciplinary approach allowing the selection of promising PfATP6-specific inhibitors with good antimalarial activity.
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PharmGKB summary: very important pharmacogene information for cytochrome P-450, family 2, subfamily A, polypeptide 6. Pharmacogenet Genomics 2013; 22:695-708. [PMID: 22547082 DOI: 10.1097/fpc.0b013e3283540217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Hasenkamp S, Sidaway A, Devine O, Roye R, Horrocks P. Evaluation of bioluminescence-based assays of anti-malarial drug activity. Malar J 2013; 12:58. [PMID: 23394077 PMCID: PMC3571881 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transgenic Plasmodium falciparum expressing luciferase offers an attractive bioluminescence-based assay platform for the investigation of the pharmacological properties of anti-malarial drugs. Here a side-by-side comparison of bioluminescence and fluorescence-based assays, utilizing a luciferase reporter cassette that confers a strong temporal pattern of luciferase expression during the S-phase of intraerythrocytic development, is reported. Methods Key assay parameters for a range of commercially available luminogenic substrates are determined and compared to those measured using a Malaria Sybr Green I fluorescence assay. In addition, the short-term temporal effects of anti-malarial compounds are evaluated using both bioluminescent and fluorescent assay platforms. Results The Z’, % coefficient of variation and 50% inhibition concentrations are essentially the same for bioluminescent and fluorescent assays in transgenic parasites generated in both chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant genetic backgrounds. Bioluminescent assays, irrespective of the luminogenic agent employed, do, however, offer significantly enhanced signal-to-noise ratios. Moreover, the bioluminescent assay is more dynamic in terms of determining temporal effects immediately following drug perturbation. Conclusion This study suggests that opportunities for bioluminescence-based assays lie not in the measurement of 50% inhibition concentrations, where the cheaper fluorescence assay performs excellently and is not restricted by the need to genetically modify the parasite clone under investigation. Instead, assays that use the dynamic response of the luciferase reporter for semi-automated screening of additional pharmacological properties, such as relative rate-of-kill and lethal dose estimation, are a more attractive development opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Hasenkamp
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
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Yenesew A, Akala HM, Twinomuhwezi H, Chepkirui C, Irungu BN, Eyase FL, Kamatenesi-Mugisha M, Kiremire BT, Johnson JD, Waters NC. The antiplasmodial and radical scavenging activities of flavonoids of Erythrina burttii. Acta Trop 2012; 123:123-7. [PMID: 22575309 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2011] [Revised: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The acetone extract of the root bark of Erythrina burttii showed in vitro antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive (D6) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum with IC(50) values of 0.97 ± 0.2 and 1.73 ± 0.5 μg/ml respectively. The extract also had radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical with an EC(50) value of 12.0 μg/ml. The isoflav-3-enes burttinol-A and burttinol-C, and the 2-arylbenzofuran derivative burttinol-D were identified as the most active antiplasmodial (IC(50)<10 μM) and free radical scavenging (EC(50)ca. 10 μM) principles. The acetone extract of E. burttii at 800 mg/kg/day, in a 4-day Plasmodium berghei ANKA suppressive test, showed in vivo antimalarial activity with 52% chemosuppression. In the same in vivo test, marginal activities were also observed for the extracts of the root and stem bark of Erythrina abyssinica and the root bark of Erythrina sacleuxii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abiy Yenesew
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Code 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Peyton DH. Reversed chloroquine molecules as a strategy to overcome resistance in malaria. Curr Top Med Chem 2012; 12:400-7. [PMID: 22242848 PMCID: PMC3355467 DOI: 10.2174/156802612799362968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2011] [Revised: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 10/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This short review tells the story of how Reversed Chloroquine drugs (RCQs) were developed. These are hybrid molecules, made by combining the quinoline nucleus from chloroquine (CQ) with moieties which are designed to inhibit efflux via known transporters in the membrane of the digestive vacuole of the malaria parasite. The resulting RCQ drugs can have potencies exceeding that of CQ, while at the same time having physical chemical characteristics that may make them favorable as partner drugs in combination therapies. The need for such novel antimalarial drugs will continue for the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Peyton
- Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207-0751, USA.
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van Heerden L, Cloete TT, Breytenbach JW, de Kock C, Smith PJ, Breytenbach JC, N'Da DD. Synthesis and in vitro antimalarial activity of a series of bisquinoline and bispyrrolo[1,2a]quinoxaline compounds. Eur J Med Chem 2012; 55:335-45. [PMID: 22889556 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2012.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Revised: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 07/19/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Series of bisquinolines 4-15 and bispyrrolo[1,2a]quinoxalines 16-20 containing various polyamine linkers were synthesized. The aqueous solubility and distribution coefficient were experimentally determined. The compounds were screened for antimalarial activity alongside chloroquine against D10 and Dd2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The growth inhibitory effects of biscompounds 4-9 were assessed against various cancer cell lines. The aqueous solubility was found to increase with an increase in potential protonation sites. Bisquinolines 8 and 9 featuring triethylenetetramine and N,N'-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene-diamine linkers, respectively, were the most active of all synthesized compounds. They were found as potent as chloroquine against D10 but significantly more potent against the Dd2 strain, with good selectivity towards parasitic cells. Compound 4 containing a diethylenetriamine bridge displayed the most important anticancer activity of the series, and was a more effective antiproliferative inhibitor than etoposide against all three TK10, UACC62 and MCF7 cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lezanne van Heerden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
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Summers RL, Nash MN, Martin RE. Know your enemy: understanding the role of PfCRT in drug resistance could lead to new antimalarial tactics. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 69:1967-95. [PMID: 22286067 PMCID: PMC11115045 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0906-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2011] [Revised: 11/22/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The prevention and treatment of malaria is heavily dependent on antimalarial drugs. However, beginning with the emergence of chloroquine (CQ)-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites 50 years ago, efforts to control the disease have been thwarted by failed or failing drugs. Mutations in the parasite's 'chloroquine resistance transporter' (PfCRT) are the primary cause of CQ resistance. Furthermore, changes in PfCRT (and in several other transport proteins) are associated with decreases or increases in the parasite's susceptibility to a number of other antimalarial drugs. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of CQ resistance and discuss these in the broader context of the parasite's susceptibilities to other quinolines and related drugs. We suggest that PfCRT can be viewed both as a 'multidrug-resistance carrier' and as a drug target, and that the quinoline-resistance mechanism is a potential 'Achilles' heel' of the parasite. We examine a number of the antimalarial strategies currently undergoing development that are designed to exploit the resistance mechanism, including relatively simple measures, such as alternative CQ dosages, as well as new drugs that either circumvent the resistance mechanism or target it directly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L. Summers
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Megan N. Nash
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Rowena E. Martin
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
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Triterpenoids as inhibitors of erythrocytic and liver stages of Plasmodium infections. Bioorg Med Chem 2011; 19:7474-81. [PMID: 22071523 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2011.10.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2011] [Revised: 10/07/2011] [Accepted: 10/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanol extract of Momordica balsamina led to the isolation of two new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, balsaminol F (1) and balsaminoside B (2), along with the known glycosylated cucurbitacins, cucurbita-5,24-diene-3β,23(R)-diol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3) and kuguaglycoside A (4). Compound 1 was acylated yielding two new triesters, triacetylbalsaminol F (5) and tribenzoylbalsaminol F (6). The structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR experiments (COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY). Compounds 1-6, were evaluated for their antimalarial activity against the erythrocytic stages of the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-sensitive strain 3D7 and the chloroquine-resistant clone Dd2. Assessment of compounds (1-3 and 5, 6) activity against the liver stage of Plasmodium berghei was also performed, measuring the luminescence intensity in Huh-7 cells infected with a firefly luciferase-expressing P. berghei line, PbGFP-Luc(con). Active compounds were shown to inhibit the parasite's intracellular development rather than its ability to invade hepatic cells. Toxicity of compounds (1-3 and 5, 6) was assessed on the same cell line and on mouse primary hepatocytes through the fluorescence measurement of cell confluency. Furthermore, toxicity of compounds 1-6 towards human cells was also investigated in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, showing that they were not toxic or exhibited weak toxicity. In blood stages of P. falciparum, compounds 1-5 displayed antimalarial activity, revealing triacetylbalsaminol F (5) the highest antiplasmodial effects (IC(50) values: 0.4μM, 3D7; 0.2μM, Dd2). The highest antiplasmodial activity against the liver stages of P.berghei was also displayed by compound 5, with high inhibitory activity and no toxicity.
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