scholarly journals Multiparameter Optimization of Trypanocidal Cruzain Inhibitors With In Vivo Activity and Favorable Pharmacokinetics

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivani Pauli ◽  
Celso de O. Rezende Jr. ◽  
Brian W. Slafer ◽  
Marco A. Dessoy ◽  
Mariana L. de Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Benzimidazole Derivatives ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Novel Drugs ◽  
Main Metabolic Pathway ◽  
Multiparameter Optimization

Cruzain, the main cysteine protease of Trypanosoma cruzi, plays key roles in all stages of the parasite’s life cycle, including nutrition acquisition, differentiation, evasion of the host immune system, and invasion of host cells. Thus, inhibition of this validated target may lead to the development of novel drugs for the treatment of Chagas disease. In this study, a multiparameter optimization (MPO) approach, molecular modeling, and structure-activity relationships (SARs) were employed for the identification of new benzimidazole derivatives as potent competitive inhibitors of cruzain with trypanocidal activity and suitable pharmacokinetics. Extensive pharmacokinetic studies enabled the identification of metabolically stable and permeable compounds with high selectivity indices. CYP3A4 was found to be involved in the main metabolic pathway, and the identification of metabolic soft spots provided insights into molecular optimization. Compound 28, which showed a promising trade-off between pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, caused no acute toxicity and reduced parasite burden both in vitro and in vivo.

scholarly journals Rescuing the Host Immune System by Targeting the Immune Evasion Complex ORF8-IRF3 in SARS-CoV-2 Infection with Natural Products Using Molecular Modeling Approaches

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Aqel Albutti
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Evasion ◽  
Simulation Analysis ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Structural Dynamic ◽  
Novel Drugs

The perennial emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and its new variants causing upper respiratory complexities since December 2019 has aggravated the pandemic situation around the world. SARS-CoV-2 encodes several proteins among which ORF8 is a novel factor that is unique to SARS-CoV-2 only and is reported to help the virus in disease severity and immune evasion. ORF8-IRF3 complex induces endoplasmic reticulum stress, thus helps in the evasion of immune response. Consequently, targeting the ORF8-IRF3 complex is considered as a prime target for the discovery of novel drugs against SARS-CoV-2. In this regard, computational methods are of great interest to fast track the identification and development of novel drugs. Virtual screening of South African Natural Compounds Database (SANCDB), followed by docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analysis, were performed to determine novel natural compounds. Computational molecular search and rescoring of the SANCDB database followed by induced-fit docking (IFD) protocol identified Quercetin 3-O-(6″-galloyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (SANC00850), Tribuloside (SANC01050), and Rutin (SANC00867) are the best scoring compounds. Structural-dynamic properties assessment revealed that these three compounds have stable dynamics, compactness, and a higher number of hydrogen bonds. For validation, we used MM/GBSA, in silico bioactivity estimation and dissociation constant (KD) approaches, which revealed that these compounds are the more potent inhibitors of the ORF8-IRF3 complex and would rescue the host immune system potentially. These compounds need further in vitro and in vivo validations to be used as therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 to rescue the host immune system during COVID-19 infection.

scholarly journals Repurposing Carvedilol as a Novel Inhibitor of the Trypanosoma cruzi Autophagy Flux That Affects Parasite Replication and Survival

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Vanesa Rivero ◽  
Santiago José Martínez ◽  
Paul Novick ◽  
Juan Agustín Cueto ◽  
Betiana Nebaí Salassa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Parasite Replication

T. cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, is a parasite able to infect different types of host cells and to persist chronically in the tissues of human and animal hosts. These qualities and the lack of an effective treatment for the chronic stage of the disease have contributed to the durability and the spread of the disease around the world. There is an urgent necessity to find new therapies for Chagas disease. Drug repurposing is a promising and cost-saving strategy for finding new drugs for different illnesses. In this work we describe the effect of carvedilol on T. cruzi. This compound, selected by virtual screening, increased the accumulation of immature autophagosomes characterized by lower acidity and hydrolytic properties. As a consequence of this action, the survival of trypomastigotes and the replication of epimastigotes and amastigotes were impaired, resulting in a significant reduction of infection and parasite load. Furthermore, carvedilol reduced the whole-body parasite burden peak in infected mice. In summary, in this work we present a repurposed drug with a significant in vitro and in vivo activity against T. cruzi. These data in addition to other pharmacological properties make carvedilol an attractive lead for Chagas disease treatment.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Enterovirus A71 by a Novel 2-Phenyl-Benzimidazole Derivative

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Roberta Ibba ◽  
Antonio Carta ◽  
Silvia Madeddu ◽  
Paola Caria ◽  
Gabriele Serreli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Benzimidazole Derivative ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Benzimidazole Derivatives ◽  
Viral Attachment ◽  
Enterovirus A71

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infection has emerged as a significant public health concern atthe global level. Epidemic events of EV-A71 have been reported worldwide, and this succession of outbreaks has heightened concern that EV-A71 may become a public health threat. In recent years, widespread A71 enterovirus also occurred in European countries. EV-A71 infection causes hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), herpangina, and fever. However, it can sometimes induce a variety of neurological complications, including encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, pulmonary edema, and acute flaccid paralysis. We identified new benzimidazole derivatives and described their in vitro cytotoxicity and broad-spectrum anti-enterovirus activity. Among them, derivative 2b resulted in interesting activity against EV-A71, and therefore it was selected for further investigations. Compound 2b proved to be able to protect cell monolayers from EV-A71-induced cytopathogenicity, with an EC50 of 3 µM. Moreover, Vero-76 cells resulted in being significantly protected from necrosis and apoptosis when treated with 2b at 20 and 80 µM. Compound 2b reduced viral adsorption to Vero-76 cells, and when evaluated in a time-of-addition assay, the derivative had the highest effect when added during the infection period. Moreover, derivative 2b reduced viral penetration into host cells. Besides, 2b did not affect intestinal monolayers permeability, showing no toxic effects. A detailed insight into the efficacy of compound 2b against EV-A71 showed a dose-dependent reduction in the viral titer, also at low concentrations. Mechanism of action investigations suggested that our derivative can inhibit viral endocytosis by reducing viral attachment to and penetration into host cells. Pharmacokinetic and toxicity predictions validated compound 2b as a good candidate for further in vivo assays.

Distinct courses of infection withLeishmania(L.)amazonensisare observed in BALB/c, BALB/c nude and C57BL/6 mice

Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 143 (6) ◽  
pp. 692-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
LEONARDO G. VELASQUEZ ◽  
MARIANA K. GALUPPO ◽  
ELOIZA DE REZENDE ◽  
WESLEY N. BRANDÃO ◽  
JEAN PIERRE PERON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Cutaneous Form ◽  
Inflammatory Infiltrates

SUMMARYLeishmania(L.)amazonensis[L.(L.)amazonensis] is widely distributed in Brazil and its symptomatic infections usually lead to few localized lesions and sometimes to diffuse cutaneous form, with nodules throughout the body, anergy to parasite antigens and poor therapeutic response. The variability of these manifestations draws attention to the need for studies on the pathophysiology of infection by this species. In this study, we analysed the course and immunological aspects ofL.(L.)amazonensisinfection in BALB/c and C57BL/6 strains, both susceptible, but displaying different clinical courses, and athymic BALB/c nude, to illustrate the role of T cell dependent responses. We analysed footpad thickness and parasite burden byin vivoimaging. Furthermore, we evaluated the cellular profile and cytokine production in lymph nodes and the inflammatory infiltrates of lesions. Nude mice showed delayed lesion development and less inflammatory cells in lesions, but higher parasite burden than BALB/c and C57BL/6. BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice had similar parasite burdens, lesion sizes and infiltrates until 6 weeks after infection, and after that C57BL/6 mice controlled the infection. Small differences in parasite numbers were observed in C57BL/6 macrophagesin vitro, indicating thatin vivomilieu accounts for most differences in infection. We believe our results shed light on the role of host immune system in the course ofL.(L.)amazonensisinfection by comparing three mouse strains that differ in parasitaemia and inflammatory cells.

Current Challenges in the Development of Vaccines and Drugs Against Emerging Vector-borne Diseases

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 2974-2986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwang-sun Kim
Keyword(s):  
New Host ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Novel Drugs ◽  
Huge Impact ◽  
Tick Borne Disease ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Living Organisms

Vectors are living organisms that transmit infectious diseases from an infected animal to humans or another animal. Biological vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies carry pathogens that multiply within their bodies prior to delivery to a new host. The increased prevalence of Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) such as Aedes-borne dengue, Chikungunya (CHIKV), Zika (ZIKV), malaria, Tick-Borne Disease (TBD), and scrub typhus has a huge impact on the health of both humans and livestock worldwide. In particular, zoonotic diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks place a considerable burden on public health. Vaccines, drugs, and vector control methods have been developed to prevent and treat VBDs and have prevented millions of deaths. However, development of such strategies is falling behind the rapid emergence of VBDs. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to fighting VBDs must be considered immediately. In this review, I focus on the challenges posed by emerging outbreaks of VBDs and discuss available drugs and vaccines designed to overcome this burden. Research into promising drugs needs to be upgraded and fast-tracked, and novel drugs or vaccines being tested in in vitro and in vivo models need to be moved into human clinical trials. Active preventive tactics, as well as new and upgraded diagnostics, surveillance, treatments, and vaccination strategies, need to be monitored constantly if we are to manage VBDs of medical importance.

The Role of nitro (NO2-), chloro (Cl), and fluoro (F) Substitution in the Design of Antileishmanial and Antichagasic Compounds

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boniface Pone ◽  
Ferreira Igne Elizabeth
Keyword(s):  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Antitrypanosomal Activity ◽  
Chemical Groups

: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are responsible for over 500,000 deaths annually and are characterized by multiple disabilities. Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are among the most severe NTDs, and are caused by the Leishmania sp, and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively. Glucantime, pentamidine and miltefosine are commonly used to treat leishmaniasis, whereas nifurtimox, benznidazole are current treatments for Chagas disease. However, these treatments are associated with drug resistance, and severe side effects. Hence, the development of synthetic products, especially those containing N02, F, or Cl, which chemical groups are known to improve the biological activity. The present work summarizes the information on the antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activity of nitro-, chloro-, and fluoro-synthetic derivatives. Scientific publications referring to halogenated derivatives in relation to antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities were hand searched in databases such as SciFinder, Wiley, Science Direct, PubMed, ACS, Springer, Scielo, and so on. According to the literature information, more than 90 compounds were predicted as lead molecules with reference to their IC50/EC50 values in in vitro studies. It is worth to mention that only active compounds with known cytotoxic effects against mammalian cells were considered in the present study. The observed activity was attributed to the presence of nitro-, fluoro- and chloro-groups in the compound backbone. All in all, nitro and h0alogenated derivatives are active antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal compounds and can serve as baseline for the development of new drugs against leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. However, efforts on in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies of the active synthetic compounds is still needed. Pharmacokinetic studies, and the mechanism of action of the promising compounds need to be explored. The use of new catalysts and chemical transformation can afford unexplored halogenated compounds with improved antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activity.

ACIS, A Novel KepTide™, Binds to ACE-2 Receptor and Inhibits the Infection of SARS-CoV2 Virus in vitro in Primate Kidney Cells: Therapeutic Implications for COVID-19 (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avik Sotira Scientific
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Plaque Assay ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Crystallographic Structure ◽  
Therapeutic Implications ◽  
Biochemical Assays ◽  
Targeted Medicine

UNSTRUCTURED Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by a virus known as SARS-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Without a targeted-medicine, this disease has been causing a massive humanitarian crisis not only in terms of mortality, but also imposing a lasting damage to social life and economic progress of humankind. Therefore, an immediate therapeutic strategy needs to be intervened to mitigate this global crisis. Here, we report a novel KepTide™ (Knock-End Peptide) therapy that nullifies SARS-CoV2 infection. SARS-CoV2 employs its surface glycoprotein “spike” (S-glycoprotein) to interact with angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor for its infection in host cells. Based on our in-silico-based homology modeling study validated with a recent X-ray crystallographic structure (PDB ID:6M0J), we have identified that a conserved motif of S-glycoprotein that intimately engages multiple hydrogen-bond (H-bond) interactions with ACE-2 enzyme. Accordingly, we designed a peptide, termed as ACIS (ACE-2 Inhibitory motif of Spike), that displayed significant affinity towards ACE-2 enzyme as confirmed by biochemical assays such as BLItz and fluorescence polarization assays. Interestingly, more than one biochemical modifications were adopted in ACIS in order to enhance the inhibitory action of ACIS and hence called as KEpTide™. Consequently, a monolayer invasion assay, plaque assay and dual immunofluorescence analysis further revealed that KEpTide™ efficiently mitigated the infection of SARS-CoV2 in vitro in VERO E6 cells. Finally, evaluating the relative abundance of ACIS in lungs and the potential side-effects in vivo in mice, our current study discovers a novel KepTide™ therapy that is safe, stable, and robust to attenuate the infection of SARS-CoV2 virus if administered intranasally. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.13.337584

scholarly journals Development and In Vitro-In Vivo Evaluation of a Novel Sustained-Release Loxoprofen Pellet with Double Coating Layer

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongwei Wan ◽  
Min Zhao ◽  
Jingjing Zhang ◽  
Libiao Luan
Keyword(s):  
Citric Acid ◽  
Drug Release ◽  
Sustained Release ◽  
Release Rate ◽  
Diffusion Rate ◽  
Immediate Release ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽  
Release Tablet

This study aimed to develop a novel sustained release pellet of loxoprofen sodium (LXP) by coating a dissolution-rate controlling sub-layer containing hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and citric acid, and a second diffusion-rate controlling layer containing aqueous dispersion of ethyl cellulose (ADEC) on the surface of a LXP conventional pellet, and to compare its performance in vivo with an immediate release tablet (Loxinon®). A three-level, three-factor Box-Behnken design and the response surface model (RSM) were used to investigate and optimize the effects of the citric acid content in the sub-layer, the sub-layer coating level, and the outer ADEC coating level on the in vitro release profiles of LXP sustained release pellets. The pharmacokinetic studies of the optimal sustained release pellets were performed in fasted beagle dogs using an immediate release tablet as a reference. The results illustrated that both the citric acid (CA) and ADEC as the dissolution- and diffusion-rate controlling materials significantly decreased the drug release rate. The optimal formulation showed a pH-independent drug release in media at pH above 4.5 and a slightly slow release in acid medium. The pharmacokinetic studies revealed that a more stable and prolonged plasma drug concentration profile of the optimal pellets was achieved, with a relative bioavaibility of 87.16% compared with the conventional tablets. This article provided a novel concept of two-step control of the release rate of LXP, which showed a sustained release both in vitro and in vivo.

scholarly journals Effective decellularisation of human saphenous veins for biocompatible arterial tissue engineering applications: Bench optimisation and feasibility in vivo testing

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204173142098752
Author(s):  
Nadiah S Sulaiman ◽  
Andrew R Bond ◽  
Vito D Bruno ◽  
John Joseph ◽  
Jason L Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Mechanical Strength ◽  
Vascular Tissue ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Replacement Model ◽  
In Vivo Testing ◽  
Vascular Scaffolds

Human saphenous vein (hSV) and synthetic grafts are commonly used conduits in vascular grafting, despite high failure rates. Decellularising hSVs (D-hSVs) to produce vascular scaffolds might be an effective alternative. We assessed the effectiveness of a detergent-based method using 0% to 1% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) to decellularise hSV. Decellularisation effectiveness was measured in vitro by nuclear counting, DNA content, residual cell viability, extracellular matrix integrity and mechanical strength. Cytotoxicity was assessed on human and porcine cells. The most effective SDS concentration was used to prepare D-hSV grafts that underwent preliminary in vivo testing using a porcine carotid artery replacement model. Effective decellularisation was achieved with 0.01% SDS, and D-hSVs were biocompatible after seeding. In vivo xeno-transplantation confirmed excellent mechanical strength and biocompatibility with recruitment of host cells without mechanical failure, and a 50% patency rate at 4-weeks. We have developed a simple biocompatible methodology to effectively decellularise hSVs. This could enhance vascular tissue engineering toward future clinical applications.

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