Antileishmanial activities and mechanisms of action of indole-based azoles

Two 3-(α-azolylbenzyl)indoles were evaluated against Leishmania amastigotes. Both compounds proved to be very active against intracellular and axenic amastigotes. The IC₅₀ values of the imidazole derivative, PM17, and the triazole analogue, PM19, against L. mexicana axenic amastigotes, were 4.4 ± 0.1 and 6.4 ± 0.1 μM, respectively. Against intracellular amastigotes, PM17 produced a 66% decrease of leishmanial burden at 1 μM and PM19 had an IC₅₀ of 1.3 μM. In a Balb/c mice model of L. major leishmaniasis, administration of PM17 led to a clear-cut parasite burden reduction: 98.9% in the spleen, 79.0% in the liver and 49.9% in the popliteal node draining the cutaneous lesion. As anticipated, it was brought to the fore that PM17 decreases ergosterol biosynthesis leading to membrane fungal cell alterations. Moreover it was proved that this imidazole antifungal agent induces a parasite burden-correlated decrease in interleukine-4 production both in the splenocyte and the popliteal node of the mouse.     

In vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity of 2-amino-4,6-dimethylpyridine derivatives against Leishmania mexicana

Leishmania mexicana promastigote and intracellular amastigote growths were inhibited by the water-soluble furan-2-carboxamide issued from the pharmacophore 2-amino-4,6-dimethylpyridine with IC50 values of 69 +/- 2 and 89 +/- 9 microM, respectively. This compound was also tested against established L. mexicana infection in susceptible BALB/c mice; an intraperitoneal administration of 10 mg/Kg/day during five consecutive days induced a high reduction in the amastigote burden of the poplitea lymph node (81 +/- 6.4%), the spleen (80 +/- 1.6%) and the liver (73 +/- 9%). Approach of the mechanism of antileishmanial activity of this compound, assessed by the flow cytometry, showed a reduction in the protein and DNA synthesis. Finally, an actual increase of the in vitro antileishmanial activity was obtained by replacement of the amidic function by an imidazolidin-2-one moiety. In this new series, two of the N-substituted derivatives showed IC50 values of 13 +/- 0.5 and 7 +/- 3 microM in intracellular amastigotes constituting new promising compounds for further studies.     

Synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a range of potent benzyl imidazole-based compounds as potential inhibitors of the enzyme complex 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450(17alpha))

The cytochrome P-450 enzyme, 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450(17alpha)), is a potential target in hormone-dependent cancers. Here, we report the synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a range of benzyl imidazole-based compounds which have been targeted against the two components of this enzyme, that is, 17alpha-hydroxylase (17alpha-OHase) and 17,20-lyase (lyase). The results from the biochemical testing suggest that the compounds synthesised are good inhibitors, with N-4-iodobenzyl imidazole (5) (IC50=10.06 microM against 17alpha-OHase and IC50=1.58 microM against lyase) showing equipotent activity against lyase compared to the standard compound, ketoconazole (KTZ) (IC50=3.76+/-0.01 microM against 17alpha-OHase and IC50=1.66+/-0.15 microM against lyase). Furthermore, the compounds tested are less potent towards the 17alpha-OHase component, a desirable property in the development of novel inhibitors of P450(17alpha).     

Arylfurans as potential trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase inhibitors

The natural lignans veraguensin and grandisin have been reported to be active against Trypanosoma cruzi bloodstream forms. Aiming at the total synthesis of these and related compounds, we prepared three 2-arylfurans and eight 2,5-diarylfurans. They were evaluated for their potential as T. cruzi trypanothione reductase (TR) inhibitors as well against the parasite's intracellular (amastigote) and bloodstream (trypomastigote) forms. Compound 12 was the most effective against TR with an IC50 of 48.5 microM while 7 and 14 were active against amastigotes, inhibiting the parasite development by 60% at 20 microg/ml (59 and 90 microM, respectively). On the other hand, none of the compounds was significantly active against the parasite bloodstream forms even at 250 microg/ml (0.6-1.5 mM).     

Effects of protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase inhibitors on growth and ultrastructure of Trypanosoma cruzi

An increasing number of protein kinases (PKs) of parasitic protozoa are being evaluated as drug targets. Some PK inhibitors display antiproliferative effects on protozoa. We tested three PK inhibitors on the growth and ultrastructure of epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi and the effect of these drugs on intracellular amastigotes. They were staurosporine (serine/threonine kinase inhibitor), genistein (tyrosine kinase inhibitor), and wortmannin (phosphatidylinositol 3' (PI3) kinase inhibitor). All drugs inhibited epimastigote growth at the concentrations tested. Wortmannin inhibited parasite growth at the lowest concentrations. However, staurosporine was the most effective after 24 h treatment and genistein caused the stronger inhibition during the whole treatment (60-70% inhibition). The IC50 were: staurosporine: 6.43+/-1.28 microM; genistein: 6.54+/-1.86 microM; and wortmannin: 0.056+/-0.014 microM. These PK inhibitors had strong ultrastructural effects on the epimastigotes: abnormal chromatin condensation of the nucleus; loose flagellar membrane with the formation of blebs; incomplete cell division; autophagosomes and myelin-like figures. These drugs did not interfere with the division of intracellular amastigotes or with its differentiation to trypomastigotes. However, as trypanosomes have kinomes that contain a large set of protein kinases and phosphatases, PKs should not be disregarded as an important target for chemotherapy of Chagas disease.     

Synthesis and antileishmanial activity of 3-(alpha-azolylbenzyl)indoles

The goal of the present study was to evaluate several azolyl-substituted indoles as new antileishmanial agents. Ten 3-(alpha-azolylbenzyl)indoles have been synthesized using Friedel-Crafts acylation as a key-step. All the target compounds were found to display high levels of activity when tested against Leishmania mexicana promastigotes in vitro. The most active compounds, showing an IC50 < 1 microM, were 5-bromo-1-ethyl-3-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-indole 15 and its triazole analogue 17. Four representative compounds 15, 17, 22 and, 23 were also tested against intracellular amastigotes of L. mexicana using ketoconazole and meglumine antimoniate as reference compounds, the results of which are discussed.     

Synthesis, biochemical evaluation of a range of potent 4-substituted phenyl alkyl imidazole-based inhibitors of the enzyme complex 17alpha-Hydroxylase/17,20-Lyase (P45017alpha)

We report the synthesis, biochemical evaluation and rationalisation of the inhibitory activity of a number of azole-based compounds as inhibitors of the two components of the cytochrome P-450 enzyme 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450(17alpha)), i.e. 17alpha-hydroxylase (17alpha-OHase) and 17,20-lyase (lyase). The results suggest that the compounds synthesised are potent inhibitors, with 7-phenyl heptyl imidazole (11) (IC(50)=320 nM against 17alpha-OHase and IC(50)=100 nM against lyase); 1-[7-(4-fluorophenyl) heptyl] imidazole (14) (IC(50)=170 nM against 17alpha-OHase and IC(50)=57 nM against lyase); 1-[5-(4-bromophenyl) pentyl] imidazole (19) (IC(50)=500 nM against 17alpha-OHase and IC(50)=58 nM against lyase) being the most potent inhibitors within the current study, in comparison to ketoconazole (KTZ) (IC(50)=3.76 microM against 17alpha-OHase and IC(50)=1.66 microM against lyase). Furthermore, consideration of the inhibitory activity against the two components shows that all of the compounds tested are less potent towards the 17alpha-OHase in comparison to the lyase component, a desirable property in the development of novel inhibitors of P450(17alpha). From the modelling of these compounds onto the novel substrate heme complex (SHC) for the overall enzyme complex, the length of the compound, along with its ability to undergo interaction with the active site corresponding to the C(3) area of the steroidal backbone, are suggested to play a key role in determining the overall inhibitory activity.     

Antileishmanial and trypanocidal activity of Brazilian Cerrado plants

The side effects and the emerging resistance to the available drugs against leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis led to the urgent need for new therapeutic agents against these diseases. Thirty one extracts of thirteen medicinal plants from the Brazilian Cerrado were therefore evaluated in vitro for their antiprotozoal activity against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani, and amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. Among the selected plants, Casearia sylvestris var. lingua was the most active against both L. donovani and T. cruzi. Fifteen extracts were active against promastigotes of L. donovani with concentrations inhibiting 50% of parasite growth (IC50) between 0.1-10 microg/ml, particularly those of Annona crassiflora (Annonaceae), Himatanthus obovatus (Apocynaceae), Guarea kunthiana (Meliaceae), Cupania vernalis (Sapindaceae), and Serjania lethalis (Sapindaceae). With regard to amastigotes of T. cruzi, extracts of A. crassiflora, Duguetia furfuracea (Annonaceae), and C. sylvestris var. lingua were active with IC50 values between 0.3-10 microg/ml. Bioassay fractionations of the more active extracts are under progress to identify the active antiparasite compounds.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-alkylaminoethyl-1,1-bisphosphonic acids against Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii targeting farnesyl diphosphate synthase

The effect of a series of 2-alkylaminoethyl-1,1-bisphosphonic acids against proliferation of the clinically more relevant form of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease), and against tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii has been studied. Most of these drugs exhibited an extremely potent inhibitory action against the intracellular form of T. cruzi, exhibiting IC(50) values at the low micromolar level. This cellular activity was associated with a strong inhibition of the enzymatic activity of T. cruzi farnesyl diphosphate synthase (TcFPPS), which constitutes a valid target for Chagas' disease chemotherapy. Compound 17 was an effective agent against amastigotes exhibiting an IC(50) value of 0.84 microM, while this compound showed an IC(50) value of 0.49 microM against the target enzyme TcFPPS. Interestingly, compound 19 was very effective against both T. cruzi and T. gondii exhibiting IC(50) values of 4.1 microM and 2.6 microM, respectively. In this case, 19 inhibited at least two different enzymes of T. cruzi (TcFPPS and solanesyl diphosphate synthase (TcSPPS); 1.01 microM and 0.25 microM, respectively), while it inhibited TgFPPS in T. gondii. In general, this family of drugs was less effective against the activity of T. cruzi SPPS and against T. gondii growth in vitro. As bisphosphonate-containing compounds are FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of bone resorption disorders, their potential low toxicity makes them good candidates to control tropical diseases.     

Quantitative proteome profiling informs on phenotypic traits that adapt Leishmania donovani for axenic and intracellular proliferation

Protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania are important human pathogens that differentiate inside host macrophages into an amastigote life cycle stage. Although this stage causes the pathogenesis of leishmaniasis, only few proteins have been implicated in amastigote intracellular survival. Here we compare morphology, infectivity and protein expression of L. donovani LD1S grown in host free (axenic) culture, or exclusively propagated in infected hamsters, with the aim to reveal parasite traits absent in axenic but selected for in hamster-derived amastigotes through leishmanicidal host activities. Axenic and splenic amastigotes showed a striking difference in virulence and the ability to cause experimental hepato-splenomegaly in infected hamsters. 2D-DIGE analysis revealed statistically significant differences in abundance for 152 spots, with 14 spots showing fivefold or higher abundance in splenic amastigotes. Proteins identified by MS analysis include the anti-oxidant enzyme tryparedoxin peroxidase, and enzymes implicated in protein and amino acid metabolism. Analysis of parasite growth in vitro in minimal medium demonstrated increased survival of hamster-derived compared with axenic parasites under conditions that mimic the nutrient poor, cytotoxic phagolysosome. Thus, our comparative proteomics analysis sheds important new light on the biochemistry of bona fide amastigotes and informs on survival factors relevant for intracellular L. donovani infection.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-(azolylmethyl)-1H-indoles and 3-(alpha-azolylbenzyl)-1H-indoles as selective aromatase inhibitors

This present study identifies a number of azolyl-substituted indoles as potent inhibitors of aromatase. In the sub-series of 3-(azolylmethyl)-1H-indoles, four imidazole derivatives and their triazole analogues were tested. Imidazole derivatives 11 and 14 in which the benzyl moiety was substituted by 2-chloro and 4-cyano groups, respectively, were the most active, with IC50 values ranging between 0.054 and 0.050 microM. In the other sub-series, eight 3-(alpha-azolylbenzyl)-1H-indoles were prepared and tested. Compound 30, the N-ethyl imidazole derivative, proved to be an aromatase inhibitor, showing an IC50 value of 0.052 microM. All target compounds were further evaluated against 17alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase to determine their selectivity profile.     

Trypanosoma cruzi: characterization of an intracellular epimastigote-like form.

Almeida-de-Faria, M., Freymüller, E., Colli, W., and Alves, M. J. M. 1999. Trypanosoma cruzi: Characterization of an intracellular epimastigote-like form. Experimental Parasitology 92, 263-274. A detailed study of transient epimastigote-like forms as intermediates in the differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes to trypomastigotes inside the host cell cytoplasm was undertaken using the CL-14 clone grown in cells maintained at 33 degrees C. Several parameters related to these forms have been compared with epimastigotes and other stages of the parasite. Consequently, the designation of intracellular epimastigotes is proposed for these forms. Despite being five times shorter (5.4 +/- 0.7 micrometer) than the extracellular epimastigote (25.2 +/- 2.1 micrometer), the overall morphology of the intracellular epimastigote is very similar to a bona fide epimastigote, when cell shape, position, and general aspect of organelles are compared by transmission electron microscopy. Epimastigotes from both sources are lysed by human complement and bind to DEAE-cellulose, in contrast to amastigotes and trypomastigote forms. A monoclonal antibody (3C5) reacts with both epimastigotes either isolated from axenic media or intracellular and very faintly with amastigotes, but not with trypomastigotes. Some differences of a quantitative nature are apparent between the two epimastigote forms when reactivities with lectins or stage-specific antibodies are compared, revealing the transient nature of the intracellular epimastigote. The epitope recognized by 3C5 monoclonal antibody reacts slightly more intensely with extracellular than with intracellular epimastigotes, as detected by immunoelectron microscopy. Also a very faint reaction of the intracellular epimastigotes was observed with monoclonal antibody 2C2, an antibody which recognizes a glycoprotein specific for the amastigote stage. Biological parameters as growth curves in axenic media and inhability to invade nonphagocytic tissue-cultured cells are similar in the epimastigotes from both origins. It is proposed that the epimastigote-like forms are an obligatory transitional stage in the transformation of amastigotes to trypomastigotes with a variable time of permanency in the host cell cytoplasm depending on environmental conditions.     

Identification of amastigote-specific antigens of Leishmania donovani using kala-azar patient sera

Antigenic characterization of the soluble fraction of axenic amastigotes of Leishmania donovani ( strain Dd8, causative agent of Indian kala-azar) and their comparison with promastigotes is reported. The axenic amastigotes were assessed for their immunological status employing anti-A2 monoclonal antibody which is extremely specific for L. donovani amastigotes. SDS-PAGE of 35[S] methionine labeled proteins of the two parasite stages exhibited few stage specific and some conserved antigens in both the stages. An increased synthesis of heat shock proteins was observed in axenic amastigotes. Western blot experiments employing sera of kala azar positive patients identified immunodominent antigens of 116,83,26 and 12 kDa in axenic amastigotes which were not present in promastigotes. These amastigote stage specific antigens may have immense potential in immunodiagnosis and prophylaxis of kala-azar.     

Synthesis, biochemical evaluation and rationalisation of the inhibitory activity of a range of 4-substituted phenyl alkyl imidazole-based inhibitors of the enzyme complex 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450(17alpha))

We report the preliminary results of the synthesis, biochemical evaluation and rationalisation of the inhibitory activity of a number of phenyl alkyl imidazole-based compounds as inhibitors of the two components of 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450(17alpha)), that is, 17alpha-hydroxylase (17alpha-OHase) and 17,20-lyase (lyase). The results show that N-3-(4-bromophenyl) propyl imidazole (12) (IC50 = 2.95 microM against 17alpha-OHase and IC50 = 0.33 microM against lyase) is the most potent compound within the current study, in comparison to ketoconazole (KTZ) (IC50 = 3.76 microM against 17alpha-OHase and IC50 = 1.66 microM against lyase). Modelling of these compounds suggests that the length of the alkyl chain enhances the interaction between the inhibitor and the area of the active site corresponding to the C3 area of the steroid backbone, thereby increasing potency.     

Aspects of the cytological activity of edelfosine, miltefosine, and ilmofosine in Leishmania donovani

To discover the mode of action of alkyl-lysophospholipids in Leishmania donovani, we studied the effects of edelfosine, miltefosine, and ilmofosine on intracellular pH, the parasite's cell cycle, and the induction of apoptosis. The effect of the alkyl-lysophospholipids was combined with that of inhibitors of some pumps and exchange regulators of intracellular pH (Na+/ H+; Cl-/CO- 3; and the Na+/K+ ATPase). The effect of the 3 alkyl-lysophospholipids on intracellular pH was indirect; the primary action occurred in the parasite's cell membrane. To determine intracellular pH, we used flow cytometry for the macrophages and axenic amastigotes and spectrofluorometry for the promastigote forms. Apoptosis and the cell cycle were studied by flow cytometry. Treatment of the extracellular promastigote form of L. donovani with the 3 alkyl-lysophospholipids induced death by apoptosis, whereas in the infected cell they caused necrosis rather than apoptosis. Miltefosine and ilmofosine at doses of 38 microM caused G2/M cell cycle inhibition in L. donovani promastigotes.     

Inhibition of parasite protein kinase C by new antileishmanial imidazolidin-2-one compounds

The protein kinase C (PKC) family of isoenzymes mediate a wide range of signal transduction pathways in many different cells lines. Little is known regarding the presence and functional roles of PKC in Leishmania spp. Here we report the inhibition of parasite PKC by new imidazolidinone compounds. The most active derivative 7 showed an important activity (IC50 = 9.9 microM) against the clinical relevant stage of parasites in comparison with Glucantime (IC50 = 464.5 microM), without inducing toxicity on human fibroblast cells (IC50 = 102 microM). Pretreatment of intact parasites with 10 microM of compound 7 inhibited 80% of PKC activity. At the same concentration, this compound inhibited 70% of the parasite-host cell invasion process. An in vivo model showed that compound 7 reduced the liver parasite burden by 25% and spleen parasite burden by 44%. These results provide the first evidence that PKC plays a critical role in the invasion process. Thus Leishmania PKC activity could be a relevant therapeutic target and the imidazolidinones novel antileishmanial candidates.     

Centrin gene disruption impairs stage-specific basal body duplication and cell cycle progression in Leishmania

Centrin is a calcium-binding cytoskeletal protein involved in the duplication of centrosomes in higher eukaryotes. To explore the role of centrin in the protozoan parasite Leishmania, we created Leishmania deficient in the centrin gene (LdCEN). Remarkably, centrin null mutants (LdCEN(-/-)) showed selective growth arrest as axenic amastigotes but not as promastigotes. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that the mutant axenic amastigotes have a cell cycle arrest at the G(2)/M stage. The axenic amastigotes also showed failure of basal body duplication and failure of cytokinesis resulting in multinucleated "large" cells. Increased terminal deoxy uridine triphosphate nick end labeling positivity was observed in centrin mutant axenic amastigotes compared with wild type cells, suggesting the activation of a programmed cell death pathway. Growth of LdCEN(-/-) amastigotes in infected macrophages in vitro was inhibited and also resulted in large multinucleated parasites. Normal basal body duplication and cell division in the LdCEN knockout promastigote is unique and surprising. Further, this is the first report where disruption of a centrin gene displays stage-specific/cell type-specific failure in cell division in a eukaryote. The centrin null mutant defective in amastigote growth could be useful as a vaccine candidate against leishmaniasis.     

Leishmania donovani: long-term culture of axenic amastigotes at 37 degrees C

L. donovani promastigotes were subjected to heat treatment yielding an axenic amastigote stage which was long-term cultured at 37 degrees C. No differences were observed between the growth rates of axenic amastigotes and promastigotes. Flow cytometry-derived DNA histograms of axenic amastigotes and promastigotes were typical of exponentially growing cell populations. Moreover, axenic amastigotes were metabolically active as evidenced by the release of an immunoprecipitable extracellular acid phosphatase (SAcP) into their culture supernatant. Cell transformation was confirmed by transmission electronmicroscopic examination of thin sections and extended by fracture-flip survey which allowed differentiation of cell membranes. The ultrastructure and nanoanatomy of axenic amastigotes was identical to that of intracellular amastigotes. The production of large amounts of heat-shock axenic amastigotes suitable for biochemical and biological studies of differentiation in Leishmania donovani may have important implications in the development of prevention and/or treatment strategies.     

In vitro and in vivo anti-Leishmania activity of polysubstituted synthetic chalcones

The in vitro screening of 43 polysubstituted chalcones against Leishmania amazonensis axenic amastigotes, led to the evaluation of 9 of them in a macrophage-infected model with the two other most infectious Leishmania species prevalent in Peru (L. braziliensis and L. peruviana). The five most active and selective chalcones were studied in vivo, resulting on the identification of two chalcones with high reduction parasite burden percentages.     

Leishmania major amastigotes initiate the L-arginine-dependent killing mechanism in IFN-gamma-stimulated macrophages by induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Macrophages exposed to IFN-gamma and infected with amastigotes of Leishmania major develop the capacity to eliminate the intracellular pathogen. This antimicrobial activity of activated macrophages correlates with the initiation of nitrogen oxidation of L-arginine, yet other reports suggest that two signals are required for induction of this biochemical pathway for effector activity. In the present studies, macrophages treated with up to 100 U/ml IFN-gamma, or 100 ng LPS, or 10(7) amastigotes produced minimal quantities (less than 9 microM) of NO2- and failed to develop cytotoxic effector activities. In contrast, the combination of IFN-gamma and either LPS (greater than 0.1 ng) or amastigotes (10(6) induced high concentrations (much greater than 30 microM) of NO2- and macrophage cytotoxicity against intra- and extracellular targets. The induction of nitrogen oxidation by amastigotes could be dissociated from LPS-induced events by 1) performing the assays in the presence of polymyxin B (which blocked LPS effects, but not amastigote effects), 2) determining the threshold of IFN-gamma required to prime cells for subsequent trigger (1 U/ml for LPS trigger effects; 10-fold higher for amastigotes), and 3) determining the heat sensitivity of the two trigger agents (amastigote effects abolished at 100 degrees C; LPS effects unaffected at this temperature). Further, culture fluids from amastigote-infected macrophages did not contain detectable LPS (less than 6 pg/ml). Possible parasite and cell-associated factors that could contribute to the induction of nitrogen oxidation and cytotoxic activity of IFN-gamma treated macrophages were examined: only certain intact microorganisms, LPS from a variety of bacteria, and the cytokine TNF alpha were effective. Both NO2- production and intracellular killing were abolished by the addition of anti-TNF-alpha mAb in the assay. TNF-alpha was produced by amastigote-infected macrophages and IFN-gamma dramatically enhanced secretion of this cytokine; IFN-gamma alone had no effect. Endogenous TNF-alpha produced during infection of macrophages with L. major acted in an autocrine fashion to trigger the production of L-arginine-derived toxic nitrogen intermediates that killed the intracellular parasites.