scholarly journals Antileishmanial and Immunomodulatory Effect of Babassu-Loaded PLGA Microparticles: A Useful Drug Target to Leishmania amazonensis Infection

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayara Cristina Pinto da Silva ◽  
Jefferson Mesquita Brito ◽  
Amalia dos Santos Ferreira ◽  
Andre Alvares Marques Vale ◽  
Ana Paula Azevedo dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Macrophage Polarization ◽  
Leishmania Amazonensis ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effect ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Neglected Diseases ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Plga Microparticles ◽  
Great Relevance

The immunological and the anti-Leishmania amazonensis activity of babassu-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) [PLGA] microparticles was evaluated. The anti-Leishmania activity was evaluated against promastigotes or amastigotes forms, in Balb/c macrophages. The size of the microparticles ranged from 3 to 6.4 μm, with a zeta potential of −25 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 48%. The anti-Leishmania activity of the PLGA microparticles loaded with the aqueous extract of babassu mesocarp (MMP) (IC50) was 10-fold higher than that free extract (Meso). MMP exhibited overall bioavailability and was very effective in eliminating intracellular parasites. MMP also reduced ex vivo parasite infectivity probably by the increased production of nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, and TNF-α indicating the activation of M1 macrophages. The overexpression of TNF-α did not impair cell viability, suggesting antiapoptotic effects of MMP. In conclusion, babassu-loaded microparticles could be useful for drug targeting in the treatment of leishmaniasis, due to the immunomodulatory effect on macrophage polarization and the increased efficacy as an anti-Leishmania product after the microencapsulation. These findings are of great relevance since the development of new drugs for the treatment of neglected diseases is desirable, mainly if we consider the high morbidity and mortality rates of leishmaniasis worldwide.

Potential Triazole-based Molecules for the Treatment of Neglected Diseases

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (23) ◽  
pp. 4403-4434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susimaire Pedersoli Mantoani ◽  
Peterson de Andrade ◽  
Talita Perez Cantuaria Chierrito ◽  
Andreza Silva Figueredo ◽  
Ivone Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Medicinal Chemistry ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Neglected Diseases ◽  
Triazole Derivatives ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Great Relevance ◽  
The Moment

Neglected Diseases (NDs) affect million of people, especially the poorest population around the world. Several efforts to an effective treatment have proved insufficient at the moment. In this context, triazole derivatives have shown great relevance in medicinal chemistry due to a wide range of biological activities. This review aims to describe some of the most relevant and recent research focused on 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazolebased molecules targeting four expressive NDs: Chagas disease, Malaria, Tuberculosis and Leishmaniasis.

scholarly journals Leishmanicidal Activity of Betulin Derivatives in Leishmania amazonensis; Effect on Plasma and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential, and Macrophage Nitric Oxide and Superoxide Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 320
Author(s):  
Wilmer Alcazar ◽  
Sami Alakurtti ◽  
Maritza Padrón-Nieves ◽  
Maija Liisa Tuononen ◽  
Noris Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Leishmania Amazonensis ◽  
Superoxide Production ◽  
In Vitro Susceptibility ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Betulin Derivatives

Herein, we evaluated in vitro the anti-leishmanial activity of betulin derivatives in Venezuelan isolates of Leishmania amazonensis, isolated from patients with therapeutic failure. Methods: We analyzed promastigote in vitro susceptibility as well as the cytotoxicity and selectivity of the evaluated compounds. Additionally, the activity of selected compounds was determined in intracellular amastigotes. Finally, to gain hints on their potential mechanism of action, the effect of the most promising compounds on plasma and mitochondrial membrane potential, and nitric oxide and superoxide production by infected macrophages was determined. Results: From the tested 28 compounds, those numbered 18 and 22 were chosen for additional studies. Both 18 and 22 were active (GI50 ≤ 2 µM, cytotoxic CC50 > 45 µM, SI > 20) for the reference strain LTB0016 and for patient isolates. The results suggest that 18 significantly depolarized the plasma membrane potential (p < 0.05) and the mitochondrial membrane potential (p < 0.05) when compared to untreated cells. Although neither 18 nor 22 induced nitric oxide production in infected macrophages, 18 induced superoxide production in infected macrophages. Conclusion: Our results suggest that due to their efficacy and selectivity against intracellular parasites and the potential mechanisms underlying their leishmanicidal effect, the compounds 18 and 22 could be used as tools for designing new chemotherapies against leishmaniasis.

scholarly journals 231 Impact of Brachyspira hyodysentariae on intestinal function and integrity

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 116-116
Author(s):  
Emma T Helm ◽  
Susanne J Lin ◽  
Nicholas Gabler ◽  
Eric R Burrough
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Potato Starch ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Post Inoculation ◽  
Intestinal Function ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Intestinal Integrity ◽  
Beet Pulp ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Swine dysentery (SD) induced by Brachyspira hyodysentariae (Bhyo) causes colitis and mucohemorrhagic diarrhea in grow-finish pigs, however little is known about the physiological changes that occur to the gastrointestinal tract during Bhyo infection. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a Bhyo challenge on intestinal function and integrity of pigs fed two divergent diets. A total of 36 Bhyo negative gilts (24.3 ± 3.6 kg BW) were selected and assigned to one of three treatment groups (n=12 pigs/trt): 1) Bhyo negative, 20% DDGS diet (CON), 2) Bhyo challenged, 20% DDGS diet (DDGS), and 3) Bhyo challenged, 10% DDGS, 5% beet pulp and 5% resistant potato starch diet (RS). Pigs were fed diets 21 days prior to challenge and on days post inoculation (dpi) 0 and 1, pigs were inoculated with Bhyo or sham. Fecal samples were collected for ATTD and pigs were euthanized for colon collection within 72 hours of initial observation of clinical SD, or at the end of the study (dpi 10-16). Tissues were assessed for ex vivo measures of intestinal integrity and mitochondrial function. The challenge resulted in high morbidity, with 88% of DDGS and RS pigs developing clinical SD. Colon transepithelial resistance was increased in DDGS pigs compared with CON and RS pigs (P=0.005), and colon macromolecule permeability was reduced in both DDGS and RS pigs compared with CON pigs (P=0.006), likely due to mucoid discharge. Colonic mitochondrial oxygen consumption was not impacted by treatment (P &gt;0.10). Further, ATTD of DM, OM, N, and GE were reduced in DDGS pigs compared with CON pigs (P&lt; 0.001), whilst nutrient digestibility was not reduced in RS pigs. Taken together, these data show Bhyo does not appear to reduce ex vivo colonic integrity. Further, the RS diet may reduce severity of a Bhyo challenge.

scholarly journals Immune Adherence–mediated Opsonophagocytosis:  The Mechanism of Leishmania Infection

1999 ◽  
Vol 189 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Domínguez ◽  
Alfredo Toraño
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Ex Vivo Model ◽  
Blood Leukocytes ◽  
Classical Complement Pathway ◽  
Host Interaction ◽  
Immune Adherence ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Adherence Mechanism ◽  
Leishmania Promastigotes

To mimic the sandfly pool feeding process and characterize the cellular and biochemical events that occur during the early stages of promastigote–host interaction, we developed an ex vivo model of human blood infection with Leishmania promastigotes. Within 30 s of blood contact, Leishmania promastigotes bind natural anti–Leishmania antibodies, which then activate the classical complement pathway and opsonization by the third component of complement. The opsonized promastigotes undergo an immune adherence reaction and bind quantitatively to erythrocyte CR1 receptors; opsonized Leishmania amastigotes also bind to erythrocytes. Progression of infection implies promastigote transfer from erythrocytes to acceptor blood leukocytes. After 10 min of ex vivo infection, 25% of all leukocytes contain intracellular parasites, indicating that blood cells are the early targets for the invading promastigotes. We propose that adaptation to the immune adherence mechanism aids Leishmania survival, promoting rapid promastigote phagocytosis by leukocytes. This facilitates host colonization and may represent the parasite's earliest survival strategy. In light of this mechanism, it is unlikely that infection-blocking vaccines can be developed.

scholarly journals The toxic effect of Vu-Defr, a defensin from Vigna unguiculata seeds, on Leishmania amazonensis is associated with reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial dysfunction, and plasma membrane perturbation

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Géssika Silva Souza ◽  
Lais Pessanha de Carvalho ◽  
Edésio José Tenório de Melo ◽  
Valdirene Moreira Gomes ◽  
André de Oliveira Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Leishmania Amazonensis ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Membrane Perturbation ◽  
Plant Defensins

Plant defensins are plant antimicrobial peptides that present diverse biological activities in vitro, including the elimination of Leishmania amazonensis. Plant defensins are considered promising candidates for the development of new drugs. This protozoan genus has great epidemiological importance and the mechanism behind the protozoan death by defensins is unknown, thus, we chose L. amazonensis for this study. The aim of the work was to analyze the possible toxic mechanisms of Vu-Defr against L. amazonensis. For analyses, the antimicrobial assay was repeated as previously described, and after 24 h, an aliquot of the culture was tested for viability, membrane perturbation, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) inductions. The results of these analyses indicated that after interaction with L. amazonensis, the Vu-Defr causes elimination of promastigotes from culture, membrane perturbation, mitochondrial membrane collapse, and ROS induction. Our analysis demonstrated that NO is not produced after Vu-Defr and L. amazonensis interaction. In conclusion, our work strives to help to fill the gap relating to effects caused by plant defensins on protozoan and thus better understand the mechanism of action of this peptide against L. amazonensis.

scholarly journals ANTI-CANDIDA ALBICANS ACTIVITY OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CITRONELAL WITH ANFOTERICIN B OR WITH CETOCONAZOLE

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (31) ◽  
pp. 250-257
Author(s):  
Patrícia Duarte Costa SILVA ◽  
Brenda Lavínia Calixto dos SANTOS ◽  
Gustavo Lima SOARES ◽  
Wylly Araújo de OLIVEIRA
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Inhibitory Concentration ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Isolated Species

Fungal infections caused by species of the genus Candida are responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates, mainly affecting immunocompromised individuals. Among fungi, Candida albicans is the most frequently isolated species of clinical specimens. A problem associated with increased resistance of pathogenic fungi to the agents used in the therapeutic regimen and the limited number of drugs to cure these infections. As a result, the search for new drugs with antifungal activity has become increasingly important. The aim of this study is to study the antifungal activity of citronellal alone and in combination with amphotericin B or ketoconazole. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration of citronellal, amphotericin B and ketoconazole against strains of Candida albicans were evaluated by the microdilution technique, and the Minimum Fungicide Concentration of citronellal against the same strains was also performed. Through the checkerboard methodology the effect of the combination of citronelal with amphotericin B or with ketoconazole was determined. This study showed that the association of citronellal with ketoconazole was shown to be an additive against one of the strains of C. albicans and indifferent to another strain. While the combined activity of citronellal and amphotericin B demonstrated an indifferent effect on the strains tested.

scholarly journals Newly developed dual topoisomerase inhibitor P8-D6 is highly active in ovarian cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175883592110598
Author(s):  
Inken Flörkemeier ◽  
Tamara N. Steinhauer ◽  
Nina Hedemann ◽  
Magnus Ölander ◽  
Per Artursson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Topoisomerase I ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Chemotherapy Resistance ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Gynaecologic Neoplasms

Background: Ovarian cancer (OvCa) constitutes a rare and highly aggressive malignancy and is one of the most lethal of all gynaecologic neoplasms. Due to chemotherapy resistance and treatment limitations because of side effects, OvCa is still not sufficiently treatable. Hence, new drugs for OvCa therapy such as P8-D6 with promising antitumour properties have a high clinical need. The benzo[ c]phenanthridine P8-D6 is an effective inductor of apoptosis by acting as a dual topoisomerase I/II inhibitor. Methods: In the present study, the effectiveness of P8-D6 on OvCa was investigated in vitro. In various OvCa cell lines and ex vivo primary cells, the apoptosis induction compared with standard therapeutic agents was determined in two-dimensional monolayers. Expanded by three-dimensional and co-culture, the P8-D6 treated cells were examined for changes in cytotoxicity, apoptosis rate and membrane integrity via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Likewise, the effects of P8-D6 on non-cancer human ovarian surface epithelial cells and primary human hepatocytes were determined. Results: This study shows a significant P8-D6-induced increase in apoptosis and cytotoxicity in OvCa cells which surpasses the efficacy of well-established drugs like cisplatin or the topoisomerase inhibitors etoposide and topotecan. Non-cancer cells were affected only slightly by P8-D6. Moreover, no hepatotoxic effect in in vitro studies was detected. Conclusion: P8-D6 is a strong and rapid inductor of apoptosis and might be a novel treatment option for OvCa therapy.

scholarly journals Molecular docking analysis of an isoflavone derivative with the phosphatase 1 protein from Leishmania donovani

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 942-948
Author(s):  
Rahila Qureshi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Neglected Diseases ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Pentanoic Acid ◽  
Docking Analysis ◽  
Parasite Survival ◽  
Molecular Docking Analysis

Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected diseases with high morbidity and mortality rate. Severe side effects with existing drug and lack of proper vaccine encouraged us to design alternative models to combat the disease. We showed that PP1 of Leishmania donovani mediates immunomodulation in host macrophages needed for parasite survival. Therefore, it is of interest to report the molecular docking analysis of 512 isoflavone derivatives with the phosphatase 1 protein from Leishmania donovani to highlight compound 362 (5-hydroxy-5-{9-[2-methoxy-2-(2-methylfuran-3-yl) ethyl]-1H,3H,4H,10bH-pyrano[4,3-c]chromen-3-yl}pentanoic acid) having good binding features and acceptable ADMET properties for further consideration.

scholarly journals Macrophage Polarization in the Skin Lesion Caused by Neotropical Species of Leishmania sp

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Carmen M. Sandoval Pacheco ◽  
Gabriela V. Araujo Flores ◽  
Kadir Gonzalez ◽  
Claudia M. de Castro Gomes ◽  
Luiz F. D. Passero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Macrophage Polarization ◽  
Leishmania Species ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
M2 Macrophage ◽  
M2 Macrophages ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Skin Biopsies ◽  
Acquired Immune Responses

Macrophages play important roles in the innate and acquired immune responses against Leishmania parasites. Depending on the subset and activation status, macrophages may eliminate intracellular parasites; however, these host cells also can offer a safe environment for Leishmania replication. In this sense, the fate of the parasite may be influenced by the phenotype of the infected macrophage, linked to the subtype of classically activated (M1) or alternatively activated (M2) macrophages. In the present study, M1 and M2 macrophage subsets were analyzed by double-staining immunohistochemistry in skin biopsies from patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) caused by L. (L.) amazonensis, L. (V.) braziliensis, L. (V.) panamensis ,and L. (L.) infantum chagasi. High number of M1 macrophages was detected in nonulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis (NUCL) caused by L. (L.) infantum chagasi ( M 1 = 112 ± 12 , M 2 = 43 ± 12 cells/mm2). On the other side, high density of M2 macrophages was observed in the skin lesions of patients with anergic diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (ADCL) ( M 1 = 195 ± 25 , M 2 = 616 ± 114 ), followed by cases of localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) caused by L. (L.) amazonensis ( M 1 = 97 ± 24 , M 2 = 219 ± 29 ), L. (V.) panamensis ( M 1 = 71 ± 14 , M 2 = 164 ± 14 ), and L. (V.) braziliensis ( M 1 = 50 ± 13 , M 2 = 53 ± 10 ); however, low density of M2 macrophages was observed in NUCL. The data presented herein show the polarization of macrophages in skin lesions caused by different Leishmania species that may be related with the outcome of the disease.

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