Dihydroethanoanthracene derivatives reverse in vitro quinoline resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

The capacity of ten molecules for reversing resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in vitro to quinoline antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine (CQ), quinine (QN), mefloquine (MQ) and monodesethylamodiaquine (MDAQ), was assessed against 27 Plasmodium falciparum isolates. Four of these compounds were 9,10-dihydroethanoanthracene derivatives (DEAs). These DEAs reversed 75 to 92% of the CQ resistant strains. These synthetic compounds were more effective in combination with CQ than verapamil, ketotifen, chlorpromazine, reserpine or nicardipine, which reversed less than 50% of the CQ resistant strains. DEAs significantly reversed 67 to 100% of MDAQ resistant parasites. These compounds were more effective in combination with MDAQ than ketotifen (60% of reversal), chlorpromazine (45%), verapamil (33%), reserpine (30%) or nicardipine (9%). The reversal activity of MQ resistance was less pronounced, regardless of the molecule tested, and was homogeneous with a rate ranging from 42% for ketotifen to 58% for reserpine, nicardipine, verapamil and cyproheptadine. The four DEAs significantly reversed 50 to 55% of the parasites resistant to MQ. Fifty-six to 78 % of the QN resistant parasites were reversed by the synthetic DEAs. There were few differences in the rate of reversal activity on QN resistant strains between the ten compounds, with rates ranging between 56 to 78% for the ten chemosensitizers. The use of DEAs in combination with quinoline seems to be thus a promising strategy for limiting the development of drug resistant strains and for treating patients in drug resistant areas.

Inhibition of efflux of quinolines as new therapeutic strategy in malaria.

Plasmodium falciparum is one of the most lethal parasite responsible for human malaria. Until now, the only one solution to counter malaria is the use of antimalarial drugs. Unfortunately, the extensively use of drugs, such as quinolines (i.e. chloroquine, quinine or mefloquine), have led to the emergence of drug resistance. Chloroquine and probably other quinolines act in interfering in the detoxification of hematin in the digestive vacuole. Quinolines are accumulated in P. falciparum digestive vacuole and the accumulation varies from a susceptible strain to a resistant one. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of quinoline resistance are still investigating. Genetic polymorphisms in some strains have been linked to drug resistance. The modifications observed are mutations on genes that encode transport proteins localized in the membrane of digestive vacuole. Three transporters were involved in quinoline resistance: PfCRT (Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter), Pgh1 (P-glycoprotein homologue 1) and PfMRP (Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein). They could be involved in accumulation or efflux mechanisms of drugs. In order to understand their role in resistance, localization, encoding gene structure, protein structure and endogenous function of these three transporters are reported. Some molecules that have no intrinsic antimalarial effect have been shown to reverse drug resistance when they are combined to chloroquine, quinine or mefloquine. These molecules are a solution to counter resistance but also they are precious tools to elucidate the resistance mechanisms. The molecules that have already shown a capacity to reverse chloroquine, quinine or mefloquine resistances were reported. Some of them could act on one of the three transporters involved in drug resistance, by confirming their role in quinoline resistance. Here we summarize the main elements of quinoline resistance and reversion of quinoline resistance related to malaria.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling studies of arylidene-thiazolidinediones with potential hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities.

New arylidene-thiazolidinediones (ATZDs) were synthesized and evaluated in the alloxan-induced hyperglycemia mice model. The molecular target taken into consideration is the nuclear PPAR-gamma whose crystallographic structure is available on the PDB database as 2PRG. Thus the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of compounds were compared with the result of their docking after removal of the co-crystallized ligand present in the 2PRG structure. Molecular modeling studies were carried out using the Autodock 3.0.5 and ADT 1.1 programs.

Chloroquine resistance reversal agents as promising antimalarial drugs.

The development and spread of resistance to antimalarial drugs poses a severe and increasing public health threat. Failures of prophylaxis or treatment with quinolines, hydroxynaphthoquinones, sesquiterpene lactones, antifolate drugs and sulfamides are involved in a return malaria-related morbidity and mortality. Resistance is associated with a decrease in accumulation of drugs into the vacuole, which results from a reduced uptake of the drug, an increased efflux or a combination of both. A number of candidate genes in P. falciparum have been proposed to be involved in antimalarial resistance, each concerned in membrane transport. Weaker or stronger associations are seen in P. falciparum between the resistance to quinolines or artemisinin derivatives and codon changes in Pfmdr1, a gene which encodes Pgh-1, an ortholog of one of the P-glycoproteins expressed in multi-drug resistant human cancer cells (ABC transporter). Further analysis has revealed a new gene, Pfcrt, encoding a PfCRT protein, which resembles an anion channel. Codon changes found in the Pfcrt sequence in drug resistant isolates could facilitate the drug efflux through a putative channel. It has been proposed that the reversal of quinoline resistance by verapamil is due to hydrophobic binding to the mutated PfCRT protein. Several compounds have demonstrated in the past decade a promising capability to reverse the antimalarial drug resistance in vitro in parasite isolates, in animal models and in human malaria. These drugs belong to different pharmacological classes such as calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotic calmodulin antagonists, histamine H1-receptor antagonists, analgesic and antipyretic drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and to different chemical classes such as synthetic surfactants, alkaloids from plants used in traditional medicine, pyrrolidinoaminoalkanes and anthracenic derivatives. Here we summarize the progress made in biochemical and genetic basis of antimalarial resistance, emphasizing the recent developments on drugs, which interfere with trans membrane proteins involved in drug efflux or uptake.

Quinoline derivatives as promising inhibitors of antibiotic efflux pump in multidrug resistant Enterobacter aerogenes isolates.

Efflux pumps protect the bacterial cell by expelling toxic compounds before they reach intracellular targets. Because this mechanism actively contributes to the resistance of a given bacterium to more than one class of antibiotics, molecules that are able to block the relevant efflux pump are of potential significance to combat drug resistance caused by efflux pumps. Different quinoline derivatives including alkoxy, alkylamino, thioalkoxy and chloroquinolines have been previously reported to make Enterobacter aerogenes resistant isolates that over express the mechanism of efflux, noticeably more susceptible to structurally unrelated antibiotics. In addition, various quinoline derivatives significantly increase the intracellular concentration of chloramphenicol as reported with other inhibitors, thereby suggesting the inhibition of the drug transport by AcrAB-TolC pump, which is fully active in the clinicaly resistant isolates investigated. Here, we discuss the respective properties of this molecular family, taking into account the recent insights into the structural data of AcrB pump.

[In vivo study of effects of some alkyl-phenyl-pyridinium compounds after their exposure to optical UV beams]. / Studiu in vivo al efectelor unor compusi alchilfenilpiridinici expusi la radiatia optica.

The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of some alkyl-phenyl-pyridinium compounds (which are in fact cytostatics) on the pseudotumoral tissues after their exposure to optical UV- vis beams.

Chloroquinolines block antibiotic efflux pumps in antibiotic-resistant Enterobacter aerogenes isolates.

Efflux mechanisms protect bacterial cells by pumping out toxic compounds and actively contribute to bacterial multidrug resistance. Agents inhibiting efflux pumps are of interest for the control of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Herein we report the effects of new chloroquinoline derivatives that render resistant Enterobacter aerogenes isolates noticeably more susceptible to structurally unrelated antibiotics. In addition, some of these chloroquinolines increase the intracellular concentration of chloramphenicol. Some of the molecules tested in this work are able to inhibit the main efflux pump (AcrAB-TolC), which is involved in E. aerogenes antibiotic resistance.

Inhibitors of efflux pumps in Gram-negative bacteria.

In Gram-negative bacteria, efflux complexes, consisting of an inner-membrane pump, a periplasmic adaptor protein and outer-membrane channel, provide an efficient means for the export of structurally unrelated drugs, causing the multidrug-resistance phenotype. Resistance due to this antibiotic efflux is an increasing problem worldwide. A new molecular challenge is to combat this transport by searching for new molecules to block efflux and thus restore drug susceptibility to resistant clinical strains. Recent data shed new light on the structure and activity of the archetypal efflux pumps AcrAB-TolC and MexAB-OprM. Here, we describe recent insights into the molecular mechanisms of bacterial efflux pumps and their inhibitors. Current progress for the clinical use of efflux-pump inhibitors and new strategies to combat the drug-efflux mechanisms will be discussed.

Beta-lactam screening by specific residues of the OmpF eyelet.

Beta-lactams use aqueous channels of porins to penetrate Gram-negative bacteria. The L3 loop of Escherichia coli OmpF porin is a key feature that actively contributes to both channel size and electrostatic properties. Acid residues D113, E117, and D121 are responsible for the negative part of the local electrostatic field on this loop. Two substitutions, D113A and D121A, located in the negatively charged cluster of the OmpF eyelet, increase the likelihood of producing bacteria susceptible to several beta-lactams. D113A substitution results in an increase in the ampicillin, cefoxitin, and ceftazidime susceptibility. Molecular modeling suggests that the charges harbored by the beta-lactam molecules interact with the charged residues located inside the porin eyelet.

The interaction between resistance modifiers such as pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline, aza-oxafluorene and pregnane derivatives with DNA, plasmid DNA and tRNA.

Various resistance mechanisms such as complex formation with DNA, tRNA and MDR1 p-glycoprotein were modified in bacteria and cancer cells in presence of pregnane, pyridoquinoline, and aza-oxafluorene derivatives. Interaction between the compounds, plasmid DNA and tRNA was shown and compared to the interaction with calf thymus DNA. Complex formation with MDR1 p-glycoprotein and drug accumulation increased in cancer cells. Both plasmid DNA and p-gp complex formation were related to the chemical structures of the resistance modifiers.

Chemosensitizers in drug transport mechanisms involved in protozoan resistance.

The emergence and spread of antiparasitic drug resistance pose a severe and increasing public health threat. Failures in prophylaxis or those in treatment with quinolines, hydroxynaphtoquinones, sesquiterpenic lactones, antifolate drugs, arsenic and antimony containing drugs sulfamides induce reemergence of parasitic-related morbidity and mortality. Resistance is often associated with alteration of drug accumulation into parasites, which results from a reduced uptake of the drug, an increased efflux or, a combination of the two processes. Resistance to quinolines, artemisinin derivatives and arsenicals and expression of an active efflux mechanism are more or less correlated in protozoa like Plasmodium spp., Leishmania spp., and Trypanosoma spp. Various parasite candidate genes have been proposed to be involved in drug resistance, each concerned in membrane transport. Genes encoding membrane glycoproteins, orthologue to the P-glycoproteins identified in MDR human cancer cells, have been described in these resistant pathogens in addition to various membrane proteins involved in drug transport. Several compounds have demonstrated, in the past decade, promising capability to reverse the drug resistance in parasite isolates in vitro, in animal models and for human malaria. These drugs belong to different pharmacological classes such as calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotic calmodulin antagonists, histamine H1-receptor antagonists, analgesic antipyretic drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and to different chemical classes such as synthetic surfactants, alkaloids from plants used in traditional medicine, pyrrolidinoaminoalkanes and derivatives, and anthracene derivatives. Here, are summarized the molecular bases of antiparasitic resistance emphasizing recent developments with compounds acting on trans-membrane proteins involved in drug efflux or uptake.

Synthesis of 9-acridinyl sulfur derivatives: sulfides, sulfoxides and sulfones. Comparison of their activity on tumour cells.

The synthesis of several acridine thioethers is described. These compounds were oxidized to give new sulfoxides and sulfones. Among 23 compounds prepared, 19 were tested in vitro against the human cancer cell lines panel of NCI screening. Activity is increased 5-10 times from sulfides to sulfoxides. Among substituted groups in the side chain, sulfur mustard, epoxy sulfide and sulfoxide displayed the most interesting activity.

Polymorphism in plasmodium falciparum drug transporter proteins and reversal of in vitro chloroquine resistance by a 9,10-dihydroethanoanthracene derivative.

BG958 reverses resistance in chloroquine-resistant isolates from different countries. Five mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum crt (pfcrt) gene resulting in the amino acid changes K76T, M74I, N75E, A220S, and R371I are systematically identified in resistance-reversed Asian, African, and Brazilian parasites which possess the pfcrt (CIET) haplotype. In combination with BG958, the activity of chloroquine is increased in parasites with the N86Y mutation in pfmdr1.

Arylsulfonyl acridinyl derivatives acting on Plasmodium falciparum.

Several arylacridinyl sulfones have been synthesized and their antimalarial action was tested on Plasmodium falciparum. PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) has no antagonistic effect with these compounds as opposed to the observed effect with dapsone and sulfonamides previously studied. A possible relationship between the ability of cleavage of the S-9C acridinic bond and activity is suggested.

Dihydroethanoanthracene derivatives as in vitro malarial chloroquine resistance reversal agents.

The ability of four 9,10-dihydroethanoanthracene derivatives (BG920, BG932, BG958, and BG996), as well as verapamil and promethazine, to reverse chloroquine resistance was assessed against 24 chloroquine-resistant and 10 chloroquine-susceptible strains of Plasmodium falciparum from different countries. The 9,10-dihydroethanoanthracene derivatives clearly increase chloroquine susceptibility only in chloroquine-resistant isolates.

Inhibitors of antibiotic efflux in resistant Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains.

In Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae, efflux provides efficient extrusion of antibiotics and contributes to the multidrug resistance phenotype. One of the alkoxyquinoline derivatives studied here, 2,8-dimethyl-4-(2'-pyrrolidinoethyl)-oxyquinoline, restores noticeable drug susceptibility to resistant clinical strains. Analyses of energy-dependent chloramphenicol efflux indicate that this compound inhibits the efflux pump mechanism and improves the activity of structurally unrelated antibiotics on multidrug-resistant E. aerogenes and K. pneumoniae isolates.

Alkylaminoquinolines inhibit the bacterial antibiotic efflux pump in multidrug-resistant clinical isolates.

Over the last decade, MDR (multidrug resistance) has increased worldwide in microbial pathogens by efflux mechanisms, leading to treatment failures in human infections. Several Gram-negative bacteria efflux pumps have been described. These proteinaceous channels are capable of expelling structurally different drugs across the envelope and conferring antibiotic resistance in various bacterial pathogens. Combating antibiotic resistance is an urgency and the blocking of efflux pumps is an attractive response to the emergence of MDR phenotypes in infectious bacteria. In the present study, various alkylaminoquinolines were tested as potential inhibitors of drug transporters. We showed that alkylaminoquinolines are capable of restoring susceptibilities to structurally unrelated antibiotics in clinical isolates of MDR Gram-negative bacteria. Antibiotic efflux studies indicated that 7-nitro-8-methyl-4-[2'-(piperidino)ethyl]aminoquinoline acts as an inhibitor of the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump and restores a high level of intracellular drug concentration. Inhibitory activity of this alkylaminoquinoline is observed on clinical isolates showing different resistance phenotypes.

4-alkoxy and 4-thioalkoxyquinoline derivatives as chemosensitizers for the chloramphenicol-resistant clinical Enterobacter aerogenes 27 strain.

Enterobacter aerogenes is a Gram-negative bacteria frequently responsible for nosocomial respiratory tract infections. Strains resistant to chloramphenicol are frequently isolated. Alkoxy and thio-alkoxyquinolines have a potential to act as chemosensitizers that would render multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections susceptible to antibiotics to which they were originally resistant. Several new quinoline derivatives have been prepared, characterized and studied for their ability to increase chloramphenicol sensitivity of E. aerogenes 27, a clinical strain that exhibits the MDR phenotype. Drugs investigated were either quinoline ethers or quinoline thio-ethers. Thio-ethers are much more efficient in increasing chloramphenicol sensitivity than other corresponding ethers. In particular, 4-piperidinoethylthio-quinoline increases the strain sensitivity to chloramphenicol by about 20 times at 2 mM concentration. Similarly, sensitivity to quinolone antibiotics dramatically increases. Because these quinoline derivatives act as inhibitors of the drug efflux pump responsible for bacterial resistance to chloramphenicol, they may serve as adjunct to conventional therapy of E. aerogenes infections.

Synthesis of 4-octyl-2H-1,4-benzo-thiazin-3-ones.

Synthesis, physical and analytical properties of 6-alkylacylamino-4-octyl-2H-1,4-benzo-thiazin-3-ones derivatives are described. These new compounds were prepared by acylation and/or alkylation of the amino group under phase transfer catalysis conditions. Acid hydrolysis of the alkylacylamino-2H-1,4-benzo-thiazin-3-ones afforded N-alkylamino-benzothiazin-3-ones. Some of these compounds were evaluated in vitro for possible bacteriostatic activity.

Effects of a series of dihydroanthracene derivatives on drug efflux in multidrug resistant cancer cells.

A set of 9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethano and ethenoanthracene derivatives was tested with the aim to quantify the effect observed on drug efflux. Structure activity relationships and molecular modeling studies allowed to define topological display of pharmacophoric groups for these reversal agents.