Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of iron and copper chelating deferiprone derivatives as new agents active against Candida albicans.

Candida albicans, in specific conditions, is responsible of severe invasive systemic candidiasis that are related to its ability to produce biofilm on biological and artificial surfaces. Many studies reported the role of iron in fungal growth and virulence and the ability of metal chelating agents to interfere with C. albicans metabolism, virulence and biofilm formation. Here we report the activity of 3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4(1H)-pyridinone (deferiprone) derivatives against C. albicans planktonic cells and biofilm. Some of the studied compounds (2b and 3b) were able to chelate Fe(III) and Cu(II), and showed an interesting activity on planktonic cells (MIC50 of 32 µg/mL and 16 µg/mL respectively) and on biofilm formation (BMIC50 of 32 µg/mL and 16 µg/mL respectively) in cultured ATCC 10,231C. albicans; this activity was reduced, in a concentration dependent way, by the addition of Fe(III) and Cu(II) to the culture media. Furthermore, the most active compound 3b showed a low toxicity on Galleria mellonella larvae.

Prevention of adhesions post-abdominal surgery: Assessing the safety and efficacy of Chitogel with Deferiprone in a rat model.

INTRODUCTION: Adhesions are often considered to be an inevitable consequence of abdominal and pelvic surgery, jeopardizing the medium and long-term success of these procedures. Numerous strategies have been tested to reduce adhesion formation, however, to date, no surgical or medical therapeutic approaches have been successful in its prevention. This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of Chitogel with Deferiprone and/or antibacterial Gallium Protoporphyrin in different concentrations in preventing adhesion formation after abdominal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 112 adult (8-10 week old) male Wistar albino rats were subjected to midline laparotomy and caecal abrasion, with 48 rats having an additional enterotomy and suturing. Kaolin (0.005g/ml) was applied to further accelerate adhesion formation. The abrasion model rats were randomized to receive saline, Chitogel, or Chitogel plus Deferiprone (5, 10 or 20 mM), together with Gallium Protoporphyrin (250µg/mL). The abrasion with enterotomy rats were randomised to receive saline, Chitogel or Chitogel with Deferiprone (1 or 5 mM). At day 21, rats were euthanised, and adhesions graded macroscopically and microscopically; the tensile strength of the repaired caecum was determined by an investigator blinded to the treatment groups. RESULTS: Chitogel with Deferiprone 5 mM significantly reduced adhesion formation (p<0.01) when pathologically assessed in a rat abrasion model. Chitogel with Deferiprone 5 mM and 1 mM also significantly reduced adhesions (p<0.05) after abrasion with enterotomy. Def-Chitogel 1mM treatment did not weaken the enterotomy site with treated sites having significantly better tensile strength compared to control saline treated enterotomy rats. CONCLUSIONS: Chitogel with Deferiprone 1 mM constitutes an effective preventative anti-adhesion barrier after abdominal surgery in a rat model. Moreover, this therapeutic combination of agents is safe and does not weaken the healing of the sutured enterotomy site.

Developing an Analytical Method Based on Graphene Quantum Dots for Quantification of Deferiprone in Plasma.

In the world of nanotechnology, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been considerably employed in numerous optical sensing and bioanalytical applications. Herein, a simple and cost-efficient methodology was developed to the quantification of deferiprone in plasma samples by utilizing the selective interaction of the GQDs and drug in the presence of Fe3+ ions. GQDs were synthesized by a bottom-up technique as an advantageous fluorescent probe. Increasing levels of deferiprone ranging from 5 to 50 mg.L-1, leads to significant fluorescence quenching of GQDs. In addition, the calibration curve was revealed a linear response in this range with a sensitivity of 5 mg.L-1. The method validation was carried out according to the FDA guidelines to confirm the accuracy, precision, stability and selectivity of the developed method. The results show that this green and low-cost fluorescent probe could be used for the analysis of deferiprone.

Antiplatelet activity of deferiprone through cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition.

Thalassemia patients are susceptible to both iron overload and thromboembolism. Deferiprone is an iron chelator that shows an antiplatelet activity and thus may alleviate platelet hyperactivation in thalassemia. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of deferiprone on normal human platelets. The results illustrated that deferiprone inhibited platelet aggregation at the iron chelating concentrations (0.08-0.25 mmol/l). Deferiprone inhibited human platelet aggregation stimulated by arachidonic acid and ADP more potently than epinephrine and collagen, with the IC50 of 0.24 mmol/l and 0.25 mmol/l vs. 3.36 mmol/l and 3.73 mmol/l, respectively. Interestingly, deferiprone significantly inhibited COX-1 activity, with the IC50 of 0.33 mmol/l, and slightly increased cAMP level at the high concentration of 4 mmol/l. Moreover, the results from molecular docking showed that deferiprone interacted closely with key residues in the peroxidase active site of COX-1. These results suggested that deferiprone possessed antiplatelet activity mainly through the inhibition of COX-1 activity.

Effective inhibition of copper-catalyzed production of hydroxyl radicals by deferiprone.

Copper ions can catalyze the production of free oxygen radicals (•OH and •OOH) similar to iron ions. The capacity to initiate oxidative damage is most commonly attributed to Cu-induced toxicity in copper-related diseases where there is an increase in copper levels and also when Cu homeostasis and regulation are disrupted. An antioxidant/chelator inhibiting Cu-induced oxidative damage could play a significant role in the treatment of such Cu-related diseases. Deferiprone has high affinity for copper binding and can be considered for the potential treatment of copper toxicity and overloading conditions, such as Wilson's disease. In the present study, the ability of deferiprone to inhibit the production of hydroxyl radicals catalyzed by copper ions was elucidated using an Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spin trapping technique. The values of g-factors and hyperfine splitting constants were calculated for Cu(II)-deferiprone 1:1 complex: (a = 58.5 G, g = 2.1667) and 1:2 complex: (a = 73.0 G, g = 2.1378). The TMIO spin trap (2,2,4-trimethyl-2H-imidazole-1-oxide) was used for the detection of free radicals formed in Fenton-like copper-catalyzed reactions. It was demonstrated that the interaction of deferiprone with Cu2+ ions completely inhibited hydroxyl radical (•OH) production in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. It was found also that deferiprone inhibits Cu-induced oxidation of linoleic acid in micellar solution. In addition to existing data for water solutions, the affinity of deferiprone for copper binding in non-aqueous environment has been elucidated.

From small deferiprone to macromolecular micelles: Self-assembly enhances iron chelation.

We report a self-assembly-based approach for improved iron chelation of small chelators. A model chelator, deferiprone (DFP) is covalently linked to amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)-polypeptide block copolymer that can assemble into micelles. The free DFP generally coordinates with iron in a ratiometric manner (3:1). However, the assembly induces DFP packing in the micelle cores, which restricts its conformational freedom. Hence DFP/iron coordination ratio in micelles is reduced (< 3:1), which leads to an enhanced chelation performance of DFP. In addition, the micellar nanocarrier usually exhibits an extended systemic circulation in contrast to the free DFP. The current work opens new avenues for developing novel nanomedicines for iron overload diseases.

Tacrine-deferiprone hybrids as multi-target-directed metal chelators against Alzheimer's disease: a two-in-one drug.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a severe age-dependent neurodegenerative disorder affecting several million people worldwide. So far, there is no adequate medication to prevent or slow down the progression of the disease, only medication with palliative effects allowing temporary symptomatic reliefs. As part of our continuing efforts into the development of innovative drugs following a polypharmacological strategy, we decided to use a former anti-AD palliative drug (tacrine) and to reposition it by hybridization with a metal chelating drug (deferiprone, DFP). This combination endows the hybrids with good capacity to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (low micromolar range) and self-/Cu-induced Aß aggregation (up to ca. 90%) as well as a good radical scavenging ability (micromolar range) and metal (M) chelating capacity, with pM (pM = -log[M], CL/CM = 10, CM = 10-6 M at pH = 7.4, M = Fe, Cu, Zn) values close to those of DFP. The most promising compounds have 2-hydroxypropyl linkers, and a selection of compounds have demonstrated neuroprotective roles in neuroblastoma cells treated with Aß1-42 and ascorbate/iron stressors. Consequently, these hybrids can be considered as attractive multipotent therapeutic molecules that will eventually play key roles against AD progression, namely in the control of cholinergic dysfunction, amyloid peptide aggregation, oxidative stress, and metal modulation, besides presenting a good pharmacokinetic profile.

Iron chelator deferiprone rescues memory deficits, hippocampal BDNF levels and antioxidant defenses in an experimental model of memory impairment.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in neural development and physiology, as well as in pathological states. Post-mortem studies demonstrate that BDNF is reduced in the brains of patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases. Iron accumulation has also been associated to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In rats, iron overload induces persistent memory deficits, increases oxidative stress and apoptotic markers, and decreases the expression of the synaptic marker, synaptophysin. Deferiprone (DFP) is an oral iron chelator used for the treatment of systemic iron overload disorders, and has recently been tested for Parkinson's disease. Here, we investigated the effects of iron overload on BDNF levels and on mRNA expression of genes encoding TrkB, p75NTR, catalase (CAT) and NQO1. We also aimed at investigating the effects of DFP on iron-induced impairments. Rats received iron or vehicle at postnatal days 12-14 and when adults, received chronic DFP or water (vehicle). Recognition memory was tested 19 days after the beginning of chelation therapy. BDNF measurements and expression analyses in the hippocampus were performed 24 h after the last day of DFP treatment. DFP restored memory and increased hippocampal BDNF levels, ameliorating iron-induced effects. Iron overload in the neonatal period reduced, while treatment with DFP was able to rescue, the expression of antioxidant enzymes CAT and NQO1.