Antimalarial Activity of 77 Phospholipid Polar Head Analogs: Close Correlation Between Inhibition of Phospholipid Metabolism and In Vitro Plasmodium Falciparum Growth

Abstract Seventy-seven potential analogs of phospholipid polar heads, choline and ethanolamine, were evaluated in vitro as inhibitors ofPlasmodium falciparum growth. Their IC50 ranged from 10−3 to 10−7 mol/L. Ten compounds showed similar antimalarial activity when tested against three different parasite strains (2 chloroquine-sensitive strains and 1 chloroquine-resistant strain). Compounds showing marked antimalarial activity were assayed for their effects on phospholipid metabolism. The most active compounds (IC50 of 1 to 0.03 μmol/L) were inhibitors of de novo phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis from choline. For a series of 50 compounds, there was a close correlation between impairment of phospholipid biosynthesis and inhibition of in vitro malaria parasite growth. High choline concentrations caused a marked specific shift in the curves for PC biosynthesis inhibition. Concentrations inhibiting 50% PC metabolism from choline were in close agreement with the Ki of these compounds for the choline transporter inPlasmodium knowlesi-infected erythrocytes. By contrast, measurement of the effects of 12 of these compounds on rapidly dividing lymphoblastoid cells showed a total absence of correlation between parasite growth inhibition and human lymphoblastoid cell growth inhibition. Specific antimalarial effects of choline or ethanolamine analogs are thus likely mediated by their alteration of phospholipid metabolism. This indicates that de novo PC biosynthesis from choline is a very realistic target for new malaria chemotherapy, even against pharmacoresistant strains.

Download Full-text

Stage-dependent effect of deferoxamine on growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v76.6.1250.1250 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 76 (6) ◽

pp. 1250-1255 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

S Whitehead ◽

TE Peto

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Growth Inhibition ◽

Antimalarial Activity ◽

Clinical Malaria ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Parasite Development ◽

And Control ◽

Speed Of Onset

Abstract Deferoxamine (DF) has antimalarial activity that can be demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. This study is designed to examine the speed of onset and stage dependency of growth inhibition by DF and to determine whether its antimalarial activity is cytostatic or cytocidal. Growth inhibition was assessed by suppression of hypoxanthine incorporation and differences in morphologic appearance between treated and control parasites. Using synchronized in vitro cultures of Plasmodium falciparum, growth inhibition by DF was detected within a single parasite cycle. Ring and nonpigmented trophozoite stages were sensitive to the inhibitory effect of DF but cytostatic antimalarial activity was suggested by evidence of parasite recovery in later cycles. However, profound growth inhibition, with no evidence of subsequent recovery, occurred when pigmented trophozoites and early schizonts were exposed to DF. At this stage in parasite development, the activity of DF was cytocidal and furthermore, the critical period of exposure may be as short as 6 hours. These observations suggest that iron chelators may have a role in the treatment of clinical malaria.

Download Full-text

Extraction and Fractionation Effects on Antiplasmodial Activity and Phytochemical Composition of Palicourea hoffmannseggiana

Planta Medica International Open ◽

10.1055/a-1375-6456 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (01) ◽

pp. e34-e42

Author(s):

Leticia Hiromi Ohashi ◽

Douglas Costa Gontijo ◽

Maria Fernanda Alves do Nascimento ◽

Luciano Ferreira Margalho ◽

Geraldo Célio Brandão ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Inhibition ◽

Scale Up ◽

Indole Alkaloid ◽

Ethanol Extract ◽

Parasite Growth ◽

In Vitro Activity ◽

Acid Base ◽

Leaf Extracts ◽

Leaf Powder

AbstractThe present study on Palicourea hoffmannseggiana, which was collected at Marapanim, state of Pará, Brazil, comprises the preparation of different stem and leaf extracts and fractions. Ethanol, hydroethanol, and water extracts were prepared by several methods and evaluated for in vitro activity against resistant Plasmodium falciparum (W2 strain), disclosing a low parasite growth inhibition effect (< 50%). Dereplication by UPLC-DAD-ESI−MS of the leaf ethanol extract showed the presence of two known alkaloids, lyalosidic and strictosidinic acids, along with a sinapoyl ester of lyalosidic acid, with m/z 719.33 [M+H]+, which is possibly a new monoterpene indole alkaloid representative. Sequential liquid-liquid acid-base alkaloid separations from the leaf ethanol extract as well as directly from leaf powder afforded fractions of increased parasite growth inhibition, reaching up to 92.5±0.7%. The most bioactive fractions were shown to contain the β-carboline alkaloids harmane and 4-methyl-β-carboline, along with N-methyl-tryptamine and N-acetyl-tryptamine, while monoterpene indole alkaloids were detected in inactive fractions of these processes. The present results demonstrate that these preliminary fractionation methods can lead to significantly active fractions supporting an adequate scale-up to carrying out the isolation of anti-plasmodial compounds.

Download Full-text

Lead Optimization of Dehydroemetine for Repositioned Use in Malaria

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.01444-19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 64 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Priyanka Panwar ◽

Kepa K. Burusco ◽

Muna Abubaker ◽

Holly Matthews ◽

Andrey Gutnov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

De Novo ◽

Antimalarial Activity ◽

Drug Repositioning ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Cross Resistance ◽

Synthetic Analogue ◽

80S Ribosome ◽

Content Type ◽

Resistant Strains

ABSTRACT Drug repositioning offers an effective alternative to de novo drug design to tackle the urgent need for novel antimalarial treatments. The antiamoebic compound emetine dihydrochloride has been identified as a potent in vitro inhibitor of the multidrug-resistant strain K1 of Plasmodium falciparum (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], 47 nM ± 2.1 nM [mean ± standard deviation]). Dehydroemetine, a synthetic analogue of emetine dihydrochloride, has been reported to have less-cardiotoxic effects than emetine. The structures of two diastereomers of dehydroemetine were modeled on the published emetine binding site on the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure with PDB code 3J7A (P. falciparum 80S ribosome in complex with emetine), and it was found that (−)-R,S-dehydroemetine mimicked the bound pose of emetine more closely than did (−)-S,S-dehydroisoemetine. (−)-R,S-dehydroemetine (IC50 71.03 ± 6.1 nM) was also found to be highly potent against the multidrug-resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum compared with (−)-S,S-dehydroisoemetine (IC50, 2.07 ± 0.26 μM), which loses its potency due to the change of configuration at C-1′. In addition to its effect on the asexual erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum, the compound exhibited gametocidal properties with no cross-resistance against any of the multidrug-resistant strains tested. Drug interaction studies showed (−)-R,S-dehydroemetine to have synergistic antimalarial activity with atovaquone and proguanil. Emetine dihydrochloride and (−)-R,S-dehydroemetine failed to show any inhibition of the hERG potassium channel and displayed activity affecting the mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating a possible multimodal mechanism of action.

Download Full-text

Human-human hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies to the Mr 195,000 Plasmodium falciparum blood stage antigen.

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.163.1.179 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 163 (1) ◽

pp. 179-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

R Schmidt-Ullrich ◽

J Brown ◽

H Whittle ◽

P S Lin

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Growth Inhibition ◽

Protective Immunity ◽

Lymphoblastoid Cell Line ◽

In Vitro Growth ◽

Human Lymphoblastoid Cell ◽

Immune Precipitation ◽

Human Lymphoblastoid Cell Line ◽

Donor Lymphocytes

Using the human lymphoblastoid cell line, GM 4672, and PBL of Gambian adults immune to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria, we have produced human-human hybridomas and selected those that produce mAb against Pf antigens. The fusion frequency, using PWM-stimulated donor lymphocytes was between 6.8 X 10(-5) and 1.5 X 10(-6). Using immune fluorescence, immune precipitation, and Pf in vitro growth inhibition, we cloned four hybridomas that reacted with the Pf Mr 195,000 schizont/merozoite protein. The differences in proteins immune precipitated and in growth inhibition indicate that, during development of protective immunity against Pf malaria, a spectrum of antibodies is produced reacting with different epitopes on the same antigen. Only a portion of these antibodies exhibits biological activity, suggesting that the recognition of certain epitopes is required for the development of a protective immune response.

Download Full-text

In Vitro Antiplasmodium Effects of Dermaseptin S4 Derivatives

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.46.4.1059-1066.2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 1059-1066 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

Arie Dagan ◽

Leah Efron ◽

Leonid Gaidukov ◽

Amram Mor ◽

Hagai Ginsburg

Keyword(s):

Growth Inhibition ◽

Variable Structure ◽

Dose Dependence ◽

Parasite Growth ◽

Host Cells ◽

Antimalarial Agents ◽

Infected Cells ◽

Parasite Viability ◽

Acyl Derivatives

ABSTRACT The 13-residue dermaseptin S4 derivative K4S4(1-13)a (P) was previously shown to kill intraerythrocytic malaria parasites through the lysis of the host cells. In this study, we have sought peptides that will kill the parasite without lysing the erythrocyte. To produce such peptides, 26 compounds of variable structure and size were attached to the N terminus of P and screened for antiplasmodium and hemolytic activities in cultures of Plasmodium falciparum. Results from this screen indicated that increased hydrophobicity results in amplified antiplasmodium effect, irrespective of the linearity or bulkiness of the additive. However, increased hydrophobicity also was generally associated with increased hemolysis, with the exception of two derivatives: propionyl-P (C3-P) and isobutyryl-P (iC4-P). Both acyl-peptides were more effective than P, with 50% growth inhibition at 3.8, 4.3, and 7.7 μM, respectively. The antiparasitic effect was time dependent and totally irreversible, implying a cytotoxic effect. The peptides were also investigated in parallel for their ability to inhibit parasite growth and to induce hemolysis in infected and uninfected erythrocytes. Whereas the dose dependence of growth inhibition and hemolysis of infected cells overlapped when cells were treated with P, the acyl-peptides exerted 50% growth inhibition at concentrations that did not cause hemolysis. Noticeably, the acyl derivatives, but not P, were able to dissipate the parasite plasma membrane potential and cause depletion of intraparasite potassium under nonhemolytic conditions. These results clearly demonstrate that the acyl-peptides can affect parasite viability in a manner that is dissociated from lysis of the host cell. Overall, the data indicate the potential usefulness of this strategy for development of selective peptides as investigative tools and eventually as antimalarial agents.

Download Full-text

The Glutamate-Rich Protein (GLURP) of Plasmodium falciparum Is a Target for Antibody-Dependent Monocyte-Mediated Inhibition of Parasite Growth In Vitro

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.66.1.11-17.1998 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 11-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 86

Author(s):

Michael Theisen ◽

Soe Soe ◽

Claude Oeuvray ◽

Alan W. Thomas ◽

Jens Vuust ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Growth Inhibition ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Parasite Growth ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Inhibitory Effects ◽

Direct Invasion

ABSTRACT Monocyte-dependent as well as direct inhibitory effects of antimalarial antibodies point toward antigens accessible at the time of merozoite release as targets for biologically active antibodies capable of mediating protection against Plasmodium falciparum. The glutamate-rich protein (GLURP), being an antigen associated with mature schizont-infected erythrocytes, was therefore the object of the present investigation, in which we analyzed whether anti-GLURP antibodies can either interfere directly with merozoite invasion or act indirectly by promoting a monocyte-dependent growth inhibition, antibody-dependent cellular inhibition. GLURP-specific human immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, from pooled IgG of healthy Liberian adults who were clinically immune to malaria, were purified by affinity chromatography on columns containing R0 (N-terminal nonrepetitive region of GLURP) or R2 (C-terminal repetitive region of GLURP) recombinant protein or synthetic peptides as ligands. Analysis of the pattern of reactivity of highly purified anti-GLURP antibodies led to the definition of at least four B-cell epitopes. One epitope was specific for R0, two were specific for R2, and the fourth displayed cross-reactivity between R0 and R2. None of the purified IgG antibodies had direct invasion-inhibitory effects, even at high concentrations. In contrast, when allowed to cooperate with monocytes, all anti-GLURP IgG preparations mediated a strong monocyte-dependent parasite growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner.

Download Full-text

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND IN VITRO ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITY OF DIHYDROXYLATION DERIVATIVES OF TRICLOSAN

International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics ◽

10.22159/ijap.2020.v12s1.ff007 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 56-59

Author(s):

WAHYU FITRIANA ◽

ARRY YANUAR ◽

ADE ARSIANTI ◽

HIROKI TANIMOTO ◽

KIYOMI KAKIUCHI

Keyword(s):

Antimalarial Activity ◽

Enantiomeric Excess ◽

Vitro Assay ◽

Therapeutic Drugs ◽

Ofplasmodium Falciparum ◽

Ic50 Value ◽

Ic50 Values ◽

New Treatment ◽

Further Development

Objective: The emergence of malaria as a global health problem over the past few decades, accompanied by the rise of chemoresistant strains ofPlasmodium falciparum, has emphasized the need for the discovery of new therapeutic drugs against this disease. In this study, enantiomericallyenriched (enantioenriched) analogs of triclosan were synthesized and evaluated for antimalarial activity against P. falciparum cultures.Methods: Enantioselective dihydroxylation of the olefin in amide seven was performed efficiently using chiral quinine ligand (DHQ)2PHAL to yieldenantioenriched dihydroxy propionamide derivative (+)-1 in moderate yields. In a similar way, the chiral quinidine ligand (DHQD)2PHAL was used asstereoselectivity agent yielded the desired enantioenriched (−)-1. The enantioenriched products were used for further in vitro assay, and accordingly thepercent enantiomeric excess (% ee) was not determined. The structures of compounds were proven by spectral data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectra).Results: The phenol moiety at the C1 position of triclosan was chemically substituted with a methoxy group, in conjunction with an introducedstereocenter in a 2,3-dihydroxy-propionamide group at C2’ position. Unmodified triclosan inhibited the P. falciparum cultures with an IC50 value of27.2 μM. By contrast, the triclosan analogs, compounds (+)-1 and (−)-1, inhibited the P. falciparum cultures with IC50 values of 0.034 and 0.028 μM,respectively.Conclusion: Collectively, our preliminary in vitro results suggest that these triclosan analogs have potent antimalarial activity and represent apromising new treatment strategy on further development.

Download Full-text

Studies on the Mode of Action of the Antifungal Hexapeptide PAF26

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.00650-06 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 50 (11) ◽

pp. 3847-3855 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

Alberto Muñoz ◽

Belén López-García ◽

Jose F. Marcos

Keyword(s):

Growth Inhibition ◽

Mode Of Action ◽

Rna Binding ◽

De Novo ◽

Response Curves ◽

Mobility Shift ◽

Morphological Alterations ◽

Sytox Green

ABSTRACT The small antimicrobial peptide PAF26 (Ac-RKKWFW-NH2) has been identified by a combinatorial approach and shows preferential activity toward filamentous fungi. In this work, we investigated the mode of action and inhibitory effects of PAF26 on the fungus Penicillium digitatum. The dye Sytox Green was used to demonstrate that PAF26 induced cell permeation. However, microscopic observations showed that sub-MIC concentrations of PAF26 produced both alterations of hyphal morphology (such as altered polar growth and branching) and chitin deposition in areas of no detectable permeation. Analysis of dose-response curves of inhibition and permeation suggested that growth inhibition is not solely a consequence of permeation. In order to shed light on the mode of PAF26 action, its antifungal properties were compared with those of melittin, a well-known pore-forming peptide that kills through cytolysis. While the 50% inhibitory concentrations and MICs of the two peptides against P. digitatum mycelium were comparable, they differed markedly in their fungicidal activities toward conidia and their hemolytic activities toward human red blood cells. Kinetic studies showed that melittin quickly induced Penicillium cell permeation, while PAF26-induced Sytox Green uptake was significantly slower and less efficient. Therefore, the ultimate growth inhibition and morphological alterations induced by PAF26 for P. digitatum are not likely a result of conventional pore formation. Fluorescently labeled PAF26 was used to demonstrate its specific in vivo interaction and translocation inside germ tubes and hyphal cells, at concentrations as low as 0.3 μM (20 times below the MIC), at which no inhibitory, morphological, or permeation effects were observed. Interestingly, internalized PAF26 could bind to cellular RNAs, since in vitro nonspecific RNA binding activity of PAF26 was demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. We propose that PAF26 is a short, de novo-designed penetratin-type peptide that has multiple detrimental effects on target fungi, which ultimately result in permeation and killing.

Download Full-text

Lead optimisation of dehydroemetine for repositioned use in malaria

10.1101/538413 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Priyanka Panwar ◽

Kepa K. Burusco ◽

Muna Abubaker ◽

Holly Matthews ◽

Andrey Gutnov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

De Novo ◽

Antimalarial Activity ◽

Drug Repositioning ◽

Cross Resistance ◽

Synthetic Analogue ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Lead Optimisation ◽

Resistant Strains ◽

Drug Resistant Strains

AbstractDrug repositioning offers an effective alternative to de novo drug design to tackle the urgent need for novel anti-malarial treatments. The anti-amoebic compound, emetine dihydrochloride, has been identified as a potent in-vitro inhibitor of the multi-drug resistant strain K1 of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50: 47 nM + 2.1 nM). 2,3-dehydroemetine, a synthetic analogue of emetine dihydrochloride has been claimed to have less cardiotoxic effects than emetine. The structures of two diastereoisomers of 2,3-dehydroemetine were modelled on the reported emetine binding site on cryo-EM structure 3J7A and it was found that (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine mimicked the bound pose of emetine more closely than (-)-S,S-dehydroisoemetine. (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine was also found to be highly potent against the multi-drug resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum in comparison with (-)-S,S-dehydroisoemetine, which loses its potency due to the change of configuration at C-1’. In addition to its effect on the asexual erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum, the compounds exhibited gametocidal properties with no cross-resistance against any of the multi-drug resistant strains tested. Drug interaction studies showed (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine to have synergistic antimalarial activity with atovaquone and proguanil. Emetine dihydrochloride, and (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine failed to show any inhibition of the hERG potassium channel and displayed atovoquone-like activity on the mitochondrial membrane potential.

Download Full-text