RESUMEN
In previous studies, the artemisinin derivatives artemisone, its pro-drug artemiside and the bumped-kinase inhibitor BKI-1748 were effective against T. gondii via different modes of action. This suggests that they may act synergistically resulting in improved efficacies in vitro and in vivo. To test this hypothesis, the compounds were applied alone and in combination to T. gondii infected human fibroblast host cells in order to determine their inhibition constants and effects on cellular ultrastructure. In addition, the efficacy of either single- or combined treatments were assessed in an acute TgShSp1-oocyst infection model based on CD1 outbred mice. Whereas the IC50 of the compounds in combination (42 nM) was close to the IC50 of BKI-1748 alone (46 nM) and half of the IC50 of artemisone alone (92 nM), the IC90 of the combination was half of the values found with the single compounds (138 nM vs. ca. 270 nM). Another indication for synergistic effects in vitro were distinct alterations of the cellular ultrastructure of tachyzoites observed in combination, but not with the single compounds. These promising results could not be reproduced in vivo. There was no decrease in number of T. gondii positive brains by either treatment. However, the levels of infection in these brains, i. e. the number of tachyzoites, was significantly decreased upon BKI-1748 treatment alone, and the combination with artemiside did not produce any further decrease. The treatment with artemiside alone had no significant effects. A vertical transmission model could not be established since artemiside strongly interfered with pregnancy and caused abortion. These results show that is difficult to extrapolate from promising in vitro results to the situation in vivo.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos , Artemisininas , Toxoplasma , Toxoplasmosis , Embarazo , Femenino , Ratones , Humanos , Animales , Toxoplasmosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Artemisininas/farmacología , Artemisininas/uso terapéutico , Transmisión Vertical de Enfermedad Infecciosa , Antineoplásicos/farmacologíaRESUMEN
As artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) are compromised by resistance, we are evaluating triple combination therapies (TACTs) comprising an amino-artemisinin, a redox drug, and a third drug with a different mode of action. Thus, here we briefly review efficacy data on artemisone, artemiside, other amino-artemisinins, and 11-aza-artemisinin and conduct absorption, distribution, and metabolism and excretion (ADME) profiling in vitro and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiling in vivo via intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration to mice. The sulfamide derivative has a notably long murine microsomal half-life (t1/2 > 150 min), low intrinsic liver clearance and total plasma clearance rates (CLint 189.4, CLtot 32.2 ml/min/kg), and high relative bioavailability (F = 59%). Kinetics are somewhat similar for 11-aza-artemisinin (t1/2 > 150 min, CLint = 576.9, CLtot = 75.0 ml/min/kg), although bioavailability is lower (F = 14%). In contrast, artemether is rapidly metabolized to dihydroartemisinin (DHA) (t1/2 = 17.4 min) and eliminated (CLint = 855.0, CLtot = 119.7 ml/min/kg) and has low oral bioavailability (F) of 2%. While artemisone displays low t1/2 of <10 min and high CLint of 302.1, it displays a low CLtot of 42.3 ml/min/kg and moderate bioavailability (F) of 32%. Its active metabolite M1 displays a much-improved t1/2 of >150 min and a reduced CLint of 37.4 ml/min/kg. Artemiside has t1/2 of 12.4 min, CLint of 673.9, and CLtot of 129.7 ml/kg/min, likely a reflection of its surprisingly rapid metabolism to artemisone, reported here for the first time. DHA is not formed from any amino-artemisinin. Overall, the efficacy and PK data strongly support the development of selected amino-artemisinins as components of new TACTs.
Asunto(s)
Antimaláricos , Artemisininas , Animales , Antimaláricos/uso terapéutico , Arteméter , Disponibilidad Biológica , RatonesRESUMEN
The observations that the innate immune system employs copper to eliminate bacterial infection and that resistance to copper enhances virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) prompted us to examine the effects the anti-cancer agent elesclomol on Mtb. As a bis-thionohydrazide, elesclomol chelates with copper to form a copper complex in situ that via redox cycling of the metal ion greatly enhances oxidative stress in tumour cells. Here, we demonstrate that elesclomol is relatively potent against Mtb H37Rv with minimum inhibitory concentration of 10 µM (4 mg/L) and against multidrug resistant clinical isolates of Mtb, displays additive interactions with known tuberculosis drugs such as isoniazid and ethambutol, and a synergistic interaction with rifampicin. Controlled supplementation of elesclomol with copper in culture medium increased Mtb sensitivity by >65 fold. Overall, the activities of elesclomol in principle indicate the possibility of repurposing elesclomol or designing new thionohydrazides as potential drugs for use against Mtb. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(5):532-538, 2019.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Antituberculosos/farmacología , Quelantes/farmacología , Cobre/química , Hidrazinas/farmacología , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efectos de los fármacos , Tuberculosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Cobre/metabolismo , Reposicionamiento de Medicamentos , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana Múltiple/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Oxidación-Reducción , Tuberculosis/microbiologíaRESUMEN
The emergence of resistance toward artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has the potential to severely compromise malaria control. Therefore, the development of new artemisinins in combination with new drugs that impart activities toward both intraerythrocytic proliferative asexual and transmissible gametocyte stages, in particular, those of resistant parasites, is urgently required. We define artemisinins as oxidant drugs through their ability to oxidize reduced flavin cofactors of flavin disulfide reductases critical for maintaining redox homeostasis in the malaria parasite. Here we compare the activities of 10-amino artemisinin derivatives toward the asexual and gametocyte stages of P. falciparum parasites. Of these, artemisone and artemiside inhibited asexual and gametocyte stages, particularly stage V gametocytes, in the low-nanomolar range. Further, treatment of both early and late gametocyte stages with artemisone or artemiside combined with the pro-oxidant redox partner methylene blue displayed notable synergism. These data suggest that modulation of redox homeostasis is likely an important druggable process, particularly in gametocytes, and this finding thereby enhances the prospect of using combinations of oxidant and redox drugs for malaria control.
Asunto(s)
Antimaláricos/farmacología , Artemisininas/farmacología , Plasmodium falciparum/efectos de los fármacos , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Oxidación-Reducción/efectos de los fármacos , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Plasmodium falciparum/metabolismo , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/metabolismoRESUMEN
Artemisinin-ferrocene conjugates incorporating a 1,2-disubstituted ferrocene analogous to that embedded in ferroquine but attached via a piperazine linker to C10 of the artemisinin were prepared from the piperazine artemisinin derivative, and activities were evaluated against asexual blood stages of chloroquine (CQ) sensitive NF54 and CQ resistant K1 and W2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). The most active was the morpholino derivative 5 with IC50 of 0.86â¯nM against Pf K1 and 1.4â¯nM against Pf W2. The resistance indices were superior to those of current clinical artemisinins. Notably, the compounds were active against Pf NF54 early and late blood stage gametocytes - these exerted >86% inhibition at 1⯵M against both stages; they are thus appreciably more active than methylene blue (â¼57% inhibition at 1⯵M) against late stage gametocytes. The data portends transmission blocking activity. Cytotoxicity was determined against human embryonic kidney cells (Hek293), while human malignant melanoma cells (A375) were used to assess their antitumor activity.
Asunto(s)
Antimaláricos/síntesis química , Antimaláricos/farmacología , Artemisininas/química , Compuestos Ferrosos/química , Metalocenos/química , Plasmodium falciparum/efectos de los fármacos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Concentración 50 Inhibidora , Malaria Falciparum/transmisiónRESUMEN
Novel derivatives bearing a ferrocene attached via a piperazine linker to C-10 of the artemisinin nucleus were prepared from dihydroartemisinin and screened against chloroquine (CQ) sensitive NF54 and CQ resistant K1 and W2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) parasites. The overall aim is to imprint oxidant (from the artemisinin) and redox (from the ferrocene) activities. In a preliminary assessment, these compounds were shown to possess activities in the low nM range with the most active being compound 6 with IC50 values of 2.79â¯nM against Pf K1 and 3.2â¯nM against Pf W2. Overall the resistance indices indicate that the compounds have a low potential for cross resistance. Cytotoxicities were determined with Hek293 human embryonic kidney cells and activities against proliferating cells were assessed against A375 human malignant melanoma cells. The selectivity indices of the amino-artemisinin ferrocene derivatives indicate there is overall an appreciably higher selectivity towards the malaria parasite than mammalian cells.
Asunto(s)
Antimaláricos/farmacología , Artemisininas/farmacología , Citotoxinas/farmacología , Compuestos Ferrosos/farmacología , Metalocenos/farmacología , Plasmodium falciparum/efectos de los fármacos , Antimaláricos/síntesis química , Antimaláricos/química , Antimaláricos/toxicidad , Artemisininas/química , Línea Celular Tumoral , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Citotoxinas/síntesis química , Citotoxinas/química , Citotoxinas/toxicidad , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Ensayos de Selección de Medicamentos Antitumorales , Compuestos Ferrosos/química , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Metalocenos/química , Estructura Molecular , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Parasitaria , Relación Estructura-ActividadRESUMEN
According to the precepts that C-10 amino-artemisinins display optimum biological activities for the artemisinin drug class, and that attachment of a sugar enhances specificity of drug delivery, polarity and solubility so as to attenuate toxicity, we assessed the effects of attaching sugars to N-4 of the dihydroartemisinin (DHA)-piperazine derivative prepared in one step from DHA and piperazine. N-Glycosylated DHA-piperazine derivatives were obtained according to the Kotchetkov reaction by heating the DHA-piperazine with the sugar in a polar solvent. Structure of the D-glucose derivative is secured by X-ray crystallography. The D-galactose, L-rhamnose and D-xylose derivatives displayed IC50 values of 0.58â»0.87 nM against different strains of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and selectivity indices (SI) >195, on average, with respect to the mouse fibroblast WEHI-164 cell line. These activities are higher than those of the amino-artemisinin, artemisone (IC50 0.9â»1.1 nM). Notably, the D-glucose, D-maltose and D-ribose derivatives were the most active against the myelogenous leukemia K562 cell line with IC50 values of 0.78â»0.87 µM and SI > 380 with respect to the human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). In comparison, artemisone has an IC50 of 0.26 µM, and a SI of 88 with the same cell lines. Overall, the N-glycosylated DHA-piperazine derivatives display antimalarial activities that are greatly superior to O-glycosides previously obtained from DHA.
Asunto(s)
Antimaláricos , Artemisininas , Plasmodium falciparum/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Antimaláricos/síntesis química , Antimaláricos/química , Antimaláricos/farmacocinética , Antimaláricos/farmacología , Artemisininas/síntesis química , Artemisininas/química , Artemisininas/farmacocinética , Artemisininas/farmacología , Humanos , Células K562 , RatonesRESUMEN
The three anti-malarial drugs artemiside, artemisone, and mefloquine, and the naphthoquinone buparvaquone known to be active against theileriosis in cattle and Leishmania infections in rodents, were assessed for activity against Neospora caninum infection. All four compounds inhibited the proliferation of N. caninum tachyzoites in vitro with IC50 in the sub-micromolar range, but artemisone and buparvaquone were most effective (IC50 = 3 and 4.9 nM, respectively). However, in a neosporosis mouse model for cerebral infection comprising Balb/c mice experimentally infected with the virulent isolate Nc-Spain7, the three anti-malarial compounds failed to exhibit any activity, since treatment did not reduce the parasite burden in brains and lungs compared to untreated controls. Thus, these compounds were not further evaluated in pregnant mice. On the other hand, buparvaquone, shown earlier to be effective in reducing the parasite load in the lungs in an acute neosporosis disease model, was further assessed in the pregnant mouse model. Buparvaquone efficiently inhibited vertical transmission in Balb/c mice experimentally infected at day 7 of pregnancy, reduced clinical signs in the pups, but had no effect on cerebral infection in the dams. This demonstrates proof-of-concept that drug repurposing may lead to the discovery of an effective compound against neosporosis that can protect offspring from vertical transmission and disease.
Asunto(s)
Antiparasitarios/farmacología , Coccidiosis/veterinaria , Transmisión Vertical de Enfermedad Infecciosa/veterinaria , Naftoquinonas/farmacología , Neospora/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Coccidiosis/parasitología , Coccidiosis/prevención & control , Coccidiosis/transmisión , Femenino , Transmisión Vertical de Enfermedad Infecciosa/prevención & control , Masculino , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , EmbarazoRESUMEN
Efforts to develop new artemisinin triple combination therapies effective against artemisinin-tolerant strains of Plasmodium falciparum based on rational combinations comprising artemisone or other amino-artemisinins, a redox active drug and a third drug with a different mode of action have now been extended to evaluation of three potential redox partners. These are the diethyl analogue AD01 of methylene blue (MB), the benzo [α]phenoxazine PhX6, and the thiosemicarbazone DpNEt. IC50 values in vitro against CQ-sensitive and resistant P. falciparum strains ranged from 11.9 nM for AD01-41.8 nM for PhX6. PhX6 possessed the most favourable pharmacokinetic (PK) profile: intrinsic clearance rate CLint was 21.47 ± 1.76 mL/min/kg, bioavailability was 60% and half-life was 7.96 h. AD01 presented weaker, but manageable pharmacokinetic properties with a rapid CLint of 74.41 ± 6.68 mL/min/kg leading to a half-life of 2.51 ± 0.07 h and bioavailability of 15%. DpNEt exhibited a half-life of 1.12 h and bioavailability of 8%, data which discourage its further examination, despite a low CLint of 10.20 mL/min/kg and a high Cmax of 6.32 µM. Efficacies of AD01 and PhX6 were enhanced synergistically when each was paired with artemisone against asexual blood stages of P. falciparum NF54 in vitro. The favourable pharmacokinetics of PhX6 indicate this is the best partner among the compounds examined thus far for artemisone. Future work will focus on extending the drug combination studies to artemiside in vitro, and conducting efficacy studies in vivo for artemisone with each of PhX6 and the related benzo[α]phenoxazine SSJ-183.
RESUMEN
This research describes the use of novel antimalarial combinations of the new artemisinin derivative artemiside, a 10-alkylamino artemisinin. It is a stable, highly crystalline compound that is economically prepared from dihydroartemisinin in a one-step process. Artemiside activity was more pronounced than that of any antimalarial drug in use, both in Plasmodium falciparum culture and in vivo in a murine malaria model depicting cerebral malaria (CM). In vitro high-throughput testing of artemiside combinations revealed a large number of conventional antimalarial drugs with which it was additive. Following monotherapy in mice, individual drugs reduced parasitemias to nondetectable levels. However, after a period of latency, parasites again were seen and eventually all mice became terminally ill. Treatment with individual drugs did not prevent CM in mice with recrudescent malaria, except for piperaquine at high concentrations. Even when CM was prevented, the mice developed later of severe anemia. In contrast, most of the mice treated with drug combinations survived. A combination of artemiside and mefloquine or piperaquine may confer an optimal result because of the longer half life of both conventional drugs. The use of artemiside combinations revealed a significant safety margin of the effective artemiside doses. Likewise, a combination of 1.3 mg/kg of body weight artemiside and 10 mg/kg piperaquine administered for 3 days from the seventh day postinfection was completely curative. It appears possible to increase drug concentrations in the combination therapy without reaching toxic levels. Using the drug combinations as little as 1 day before the expected death of control animals, we could prevent further parasite development and death due to CM or anemic malaria. Earlier treatment may prevent cognitive dysfunctions which might occur after recovery from CM.
Asunto(s)
Artemisininas/administración & dosificación , Malaria Cerebral/tratamiento farmacológico , Malaria Falciparum/tratamiento farmacológico , Animales , Antimaláricos/administración & dosificación , Antimaláricos/uso terapéutico , Artemisininas/síntesis química , Artemisininas/uso terapéutico , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Esquema de Medicación , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Quimioterapia Combinada , Ensayos Analíticos de Alto Rendimiento , Humanos , Concentración 50 Inhibidora , Malaria Cerebral/mortalidad , Malaria Cerebral/parasitología , Malaria Falciparum/parasitología , Mefloquina/administración & dosificación , Mefloquina/uso terapéutico , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Microscopía , Parasitemia/tratamiento farmacológico , Parasitemia/mortalidad , Plasmodium berghei/efectos de los fármacos , Plasmodium berghei/crecimiento & desarrollo , Plasmodium falciparum/efectos de los fármacos , Plasmodium falciparum/crecimiento & desarrollo , Quinolinas/administración & dosificación , Quinolinas/uso terapéutico , Prevención Secundaria , Tasa de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
Artemisinin, isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant qing hao (Artemisia annua) and its derivatives are used for treatment of malaria. With treatment failures now being recorded for the derivatives and companion drugs used in artemisinin combination therapies new drug combinations are urgently required. The amino-artemisinins artemiside and artemisone display optimal efficacies in vitro against asexual and sexual blood stages of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and are active against tumour cell lines. In continuing the evolution of combinations of the amino-artemisinins with new drugs, we examine the triterpenoid quinone methide celastrol isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant léi gong téng (Tripterygium wilfordii). This compound is redox active, and has attracted considerable attention because of potent biological activities against manifold targets. We report that celastrol displays good IC50 activities ranging from 0.50-0.82 µM against drug-sensitive and resistant asexual blood stage Pf, and 1.16 and 0.28 µM respectively against immature and late stage Pf NF54 gametocytes. The combinations of celastrol with each of artemisone and methylene blue against asexual blood stage Pf are additive. Given that celastrol displays promising antitumour properties, we examined its activities alone and in combinations with amino-artemisinins against human liver HepG2 and other cell lines. IC50 values of the amino-artemisinins and celastrol against HepG2 cancer cells ranged from 0.55-0.94 µM. Whereas the amino-artemisinins displayed notable selectivities (SI > 171) with respect to normal human hepatocytes, in contrast, celastrol displayed no selectivity (SI < 1). The combinations of celastrol with artemiside or artemisone against HepG2 cells are synergistic. Given the promise of celastrol, judiciously designed formulations or structural modifications are recommended for mitigating its toxicity.
RESUMEN
Artemisone is one of the most promising artemisinin derivatives in clinical trials. Previous studies with radiolabeled artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin have measured uptake in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Uptake is much greater in infected than in uninfected erythrocytes, but the relative contributions of transport, binding, and metabolism to this process still await definition. In this study, we characterized mechanisms by which [(14)C]artemisone is taken up into uninfected and P. falciparum-infected human erythrocytes in vitro. Radiolabeled artemisone rapidly enters uninfected erythrocytes without much exceeding extracellular concentrations. Unlabeled artemisone does not compete in this process. Radiolabeled artemisone is concentrated greatly by a time- and temperature-dependent mechanism in infected erythrocytes. This uptake is abrogated by unlabeled artemisone. In addition, the uptake of artemisone into three subcellular fractions, and its distribution into these fractions, is examined as a function of parasite maturation. These data are relevant to an understanding of the mechanisms of action of this important class of drugs.
Asunto(s)
Antimaláricos/metabolismo , Artemisininas/metabolismo , Eritrocitos/metabolismo , Eritrocitos/parasitología , Plasmodium falciparum/crecimiento & desarrollo , Radioisótopos de Carbono/metabolismo , Eritrocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Plasmodium falciparum/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Because of the need to replace the current clinical artemisinins in artemisinin combination therapies, we are evaluating fitness of amino-artemisinins for this purpose. These include the thiomorpholine derivative artemiside obtained in one scalable synthetic step from dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and the derived sulfone artemisone. We have recently shown that artemiside undergoes facile metabolism via the sulfoxide artemisox into artemisone and thence into the unsaturated metabolite M1; DHA is not a metabolite. Artemisox and M1 are now found to be approximately equipotent with artemiside and artemisone in vitro against asexual P. falciparum (Pf) blood stage parasites (IC50 1.5-2.6 nM). Against Pf NF54 blood stage gametocytes, artemisox is potently active (IC50 18.9 nM early-stage, 2.7 nM late-stage), although against the late-stage gametocytes, activity is expressed, like other amino-artemisinins, at a prolonged incubation time of 72 h. Comparative drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) properties were assessed via po and iv administration of artemiside, artemisox, and artemisone in a murine model. Following oral administration, the composite Cmax value of artemiside plus its metabolites artemisox and artemisone formed in vivo is some 2.6-fold higher than that attained following administration of artemisone alone. Given that efficacy of short half-life rapidly-acting antimalarial drugs such as the artemisinins is associated with Cmax, it is apparent that artemiside will be more active than artemisone in vivo, due to additive effects of the metabolites. As is evident from earlier data, artemiside indeed possesses appreciably greater efficacy in vivo against murine malaria. Overall, the higher exposure levels of active drug following administration of artemiside coupled with its synthetic accessibility indicate it is much the preferred drug for incorporation into rational new artemisinin combination therapies.
RESUMEN
The most frequently occurring cancers are those of the skin, with melanoma being the leading cause of death due to skin cancer. Breakthroughs in chemotherapy have been achieved in certain cases, though only marginal advances have been made in treatment of metastatic melanoma. Strategies aimed at inducing redox dysregulation by use of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducers present a promising approach to cancer chemotherapy. Here we use a rational combination of an oxidant drug combined with a redox or pro-oxidant drug to optimize the cytotoxic effect. Thus we demonstrate for the first time enhanced activity of the amino-artemisinin artemisone and novel prenylated piperazine derivatives derived from dihydroartemisinin as the oxidant component, and elesclomol-Cu(II) as the redox component, against human malignant melanoma cells A375 in vitro. The combinations caused a dose dependent decrease in cell numbers and increase in apoptosis. The results indicate that oxidant-redox drug combinations have considerable potential and warrant further investigation.
RESUMEN
We have demonstrated previously that amino-artemisinins including artemiside and artemisone in which an amino group replaces the oxygen-bearing substituents attached to C-10 of the current clinical artemisinin derivatives dihydroartemisinin (DHA), artemether and artesunate, display potent activities in vitro against the asexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). In particular, the compounds are active against late blood stage Pf gametocytes, and are strongly synergistic in combination with the redox active drug methylene blue. In order to fortify the eventual selection of optimum amino-artemisinins for development into new triple combination therapies also active against artemisinin-resistant Pf mutants, we have prepared new amino-artemisinins based on the easily accessible and inexpensive DHA-piperazine. The latter was converted into alkyl- and aryl sulfonamides, ureas and amides. These derivatives were screened together with the comparator drugs DHA and the hitherto most active amino-artemisinins artemiside and artemisone against asexual and sexual blood stages of Pf and liver stage P. berghei (Pb) sporozoites. Several of the new amino-artemisinins bearing aryl-urea and -amide groups are potently active against both asexual, and late blood stage gametocytes (IC50 0.4-1.0 nM). Although the activities are superior to those of artemiside (IC50 1.5 nM) and artemisone (IC50 42.4 nM), the latter are more active against the liver stage Pb sporozoites (IC50 artemisone 28 nM). In addition, early results indicate these compounds tend not to display reduced susceptibility against parasites bearing the Pf Kelch 13 propeller domain C580Y mutation characteristic of artemisinin-resistant Pf. Thus, the advent of the amino-artemisinins including artemiside and artemisone will enable the development of new combination therapies that by virtue of the amino-artemisinin component itself will possess intrinsic transmission-blocking capabilities and may be effective against artemisinin resistant falciparum malaria.
RESUMEN
To evaluate the feasibility of developing drugs that may be active against both malaria and tuberculosis (TB) by using in part putative cholesterol transporters in the causative pathogens and through enhancement of passive diffusion in granulomatous TB, artemisinin-cholesterol conjugates were synthesized by connecting the component molecules through various linkers. The compounds were screened inâ vitro against Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Antimalarial activities (IC50 ) against Pf drug-sensitive NF54, and drug-resistant K1 and W2 strains ranged from 0.03-2.6, 0.03-1.9, and 0.02-1.7â µm. Although the compounds are less active than the precursor artemisinin derivatives, the cholesterol moiety renders the compounds relatively insoluble in the culture medium, and variation in solubilities among the different compounds may reflect in the range of efficacies observed. Activities against Mtb H37Rv were assessed using a standardized colony-forming unit (CFU) assay after 24â h pretreatment of cultures with each of the compounds. Percentage inhibition ranged from 3-38 % and 18-52 % at 10 and 80â µm, respectively. Thus, in contrast to the comparator drug artemether, the conjugates display enhanced activities. The immediate aims include the preparation of conjugates with enhanced aqueous solubilities, assays against malaria and TB inâ vivo, and for TB, assays using an infected macrophage model and assessment of granuloma influx.
Asunto(s)
Antimaláricos/síntesis química , Antituberculosos/síntesis química , Artemisininas/química , Colesterol/química , Antimaláricos/farmacología , Antimaláricos/uso terapéutico , Antituberculosos/farmacología , Antituberculosos/uso terapéutico , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Malaria/tratamiento farmacológico , Malaria/patología , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efectos de los fármacos , Plasmodium falciparum/efectos de los fármacos , Relación Estructura-Actividad , Tuberculosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Tuberculosis/patologíaRESUMEN
The current treatment of schistosomiasis is based on the anti-helminthic drug praziquantel (PZQ). PZQ affects only the adult stages of schistosomes. In addition, resistance to PZQ is emerging. We suggest a drug, which could serve as a potential alternative or complement to PZQ, and as a means of treating infections at earlier, pre-granuloma stage. Derivatives of the peroxidic antimalarial drug artemisinin have been indicated as alternatives, because both plasmodia and schistosomes are blood-feeding parasites. The mechanism of action of artemisinins is related to oxidative effects of the artemisinins on intracellular reductants leading to formation of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species. We used artemisone, which has improved pharmacokinetics and anti-plasmodial activity, and reduced toxicity compared to other artemisinins in clinical use against malaria. We infected adult mice by subcutaneous injection of S. mansoni cercariae (about 200) and treated them at various times post infection by the following methods: i. artemisone suspension administered by gavage (400-450 mg/kg); ii. subcutaneous injection of a gel containing a known concentration of artemisone (115-120 mg/kg); iii. subcutaneous insertion of the drug incorporated in a solid polymer (56-60 mg/kg); iv. intraperitoneal injection of the drug solubilized in DMSO (115-120 mg/kg). Drug administration in polymers was performed to enable slow release of the artemisone that was verified in vivo and in vitro bioassays using drug-sensitive malaria parasites. We found superior strong anti-schistosome effects up to a total reduction of worm number, mainly following repetitive treatments with the drug absorbed in the polymers (73.1% and 95.9% reduction in mice treated with artemisone in gel 7 and 14, and 21, 28 and 35 days post infection, respectively). The results indicate that artemisone has a potent anti-schistosome activity. Its main importance in this context is its effectiveness in treating hosts harboring juvenile schistosomes, before egg-deposition and induction of deleterious immune responses.
Asunto(s)
Antihelmínticos/administración & dosificación , Artemisininas/administración & dosificación , Preparaciones de Acción Retardada/administración & dosificación , Schistosoma mansoni/efectos de los fármacos , Esquistosomiasis mansoni/tratamiento farmacológico , Administración Oral , Animales , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Inyecciones Intraperitoneales , Inyecciones Subcutáneas , Ratones , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Neosporosis caused by the apicomplexan parasite Neospora caninum is an economically important disease that induces abortion in dairy and beef cattle. There are no vaccines or drugs available on the market for control or treatment of the disease in bovines. The peroxide artemisinin and its derivatives used clinically for treatment of malaria are active against N.â caninum and other apicomplexan parasites. We have now evaluated the activities of the readily accessible and chemically robust 11-azaartemisinin 5 and selected N-sulfonyl derivatives prepared as described in the accompanying paper against N.â caninum tachyzoites grown in infected human foreskin fibroblasts. Azaartemisinin elicited an IC50 value of 150â nm, and the 2',5'-dichloro-3'-thienylsulfonyl-11-azaartemisinin 17 was found to be the most active, with an IC50 value of 40â nm. Comparison with normal human fetal lung fibroblasts HFLF WI-38 revealed relatively benign cytotoxicity. The compounds were also screened inâ vitro against TK-10 (renal), UACC-62 (melanoma) and MCF-7 (breast) cancer cell lines; overall, in line with activities against HFLF cells, most compounds in the series were found to be inactive.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Antiprotozoarios/farmacología , Artemisininas/farmacología , Neospora/efectos de los fármacos , Sulfonas/farmacología , Antineoplásicos/síntesis química , Antineoplásicos/química , Antiprotozoarios/síntesis química , Antiprotozoarios/química , Artemisininas/síntesis química , Artemisininas/química , Línea Celular Tumoral , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Ensayos de Selección de Medicamentos Antitumorales , Fibroblastos/efectos de los fármacos , Prepucio/citología , Humanos , Masculino , Conformación Molecular , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Parasitaria , Relación Estructura-Actividad , Sulfonas/síntesis química , Sulfonas/químicaRESUMEN
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), either used in its own right or as the active drug generated inâ vivo from the other artemisinins in current clinical use-artemether and artesunate-induces quiescence in ring-stage parasites of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). This induction of quiescence is linked to artemisinin resistance. Thus, we have turned to structurally disparate artemisinins that are incapable of providing DHA on metabolism. Accordingly, 11-azaartemisinin 5 and selected N-sulfonyl derivatives were screened against intraerythrocytic asexual stages of drug-sensitive Pf NF54 and drug-resistant K1 and W2 parasites. Most displayed appreciable activities against all three strains, with IC50 values <10.5â nm. The p-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonyl-11-azaartemisinin derivative 11 [(4'-trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonylazaartemisinin] was the most active, with IC50 values between 2 and 3â nm. The compounds were screened against Pf NF54 early and transmissible late intraerythrocytic-stage gametocytes using luciferase and parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assays. The 2'-thienylsulfonyl derivative 16 (2'-thiophenesulfonylazaartemisinin) was notably active against late-stage (IV-V) gametocytes with an IC50 value of 8.7â nm. All compounds were relatively nontoxic to human fetal lung WI-38 fibroblasts, showing selectivity indices of >2000 toward asexual parasites. Overall, the readily accessible 11-azaartemisinin 5 and the sulfonyl derivatives 11 and 16 represent potential candidates for further development, in particular for transmission blocking of artemisinin-resistant parasites.
Asunto(s)
Antimaláricos/farmacología , Artemisininas/farmacología , Plasmodium falciparum/efectos de los fármacos , Sulfonas/farmacología , Antimaláricos/síntesis química , Antimaláricos/química , Artemisininas/síntesis química , Artemisininas/química , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Fibroblastos , Prepucio , Humanos , Masculino , Conformación Molecular , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Parasitaria , Relación Estructura-Actividad , Sulfonas/síntesis química , Sulfonas/químicaRESUMEN
We sought to establish if methylene homologues of artemisone are biologically more active and more stable than artemisone. The analogy is drawn with the conversion of natural O- and N-glycosides into more stable C-glycosides that may possess enhanced biological activities and stabilities. Dihydroartemisinin was converted into 10ß-cyano-10-deoxyartemisinin that was hydrolyzed to the α-primary amide. Reduction of the ß-cyanide and the α-amide provided the respective methylamine epimers that upon treatment with divinyl sulfone gave the ß- and α-methylene homologues, respectively, of artemisone. Surprisingly, the compounds were less active inâ vitro than artemisone against P.â falciparum and displayed no appreciable activity against A549, HCT116, and MCF7 tumor cell lines. This loss in activity may be rationalized in terms of one model for the mechanism of action of artemisinins, namely the cofactor model, wherein the presence of a leaving group at C10 assists in driving hydride transfer from reduced flavin cofactors to the peroxide during perturbation of intracellular redox homeostasis by artemisinins. It is noted that the carba analogue of artemether is less active inâ vitro than the O-glycoside parent toward P.â falciparum, although extrapolation of such activity differences to other artemisinins at this stage is not possible. However, literature data coupled with the leaving group rationale suggest that artemisinins bearing an amino group attached directly to C10 are optimal compounds.