Article
Immunology
Raiza Raianne Luz Rodrigues, Thais Amanda Lima Nunes, Alyne Rodrigues de Araujo, Jose Delano Barreto Marinho Filho, Marcos Vinicius da Silva, Fernando Aecio de Amorim Carvalho, Otilia Deusdenia Loiola Pessoa, Hozana Patricia Silva Freitas, Klinger Antonio da Franca Rodrigues, Ana Jersia Araujo
Summary: The study demonstrated that CORe from Cordia polycephala has antileishmanial activity, being effective against the parasite while non-toxic to host cells. It showed greater efficacy in inhibiting amastigote growth and higher selectivity indexes compared to reference drugs.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Vagner T. de Queiroz, Bianca de O. Botelho, Natalia A. Guedes, Diana C. Cubides-Roman, Francisco de P. Careta, Jair C. C. Freitas, Daniel F. Cipriano, Adilson V. Costa, Angelo de Fatima, Sergio A. Fernandes
Summary: In this study, an inclusion complex (IC6HKTZ) of ketoconazole (KTZ) with p-sulfonic acid calix[6]arene (CX6SO3H) was prepared to improve the solubility and efficacy of KTZ against Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania infantum promastigotes. The solubility enhancement of KTZ by 120.00 mu M CX6SO3H was about 95 times. IC6HKTZ exhibited lower IC50 values compared to free KTZ for both Leishmania species, indicating improved anti-leishmanial activities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Alex Barbosa Alves, Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti, Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier, Ana Flavia Marques Ganaza, Manoela Daiele Goncalves, Amanda Cristina Machado Carloto, Ana Carolina Jacob Rodrigues, Taylon Felipe Silva, Gerson Nakazato, Renata Katsuko Takayama Kobayashi, Danielle Lazarin-Bidoia, Milena Menegazzo Miranda-Sapla, Idessania Nazareth Costa, Wander Rogerio Pavanelli, Ivete Conchon-Costa
Summary: American tegumentary leishmaniasis, caused by the Leishmania genus, is difficult to treat due to administration difficulty, low efficacy, and parasite resistance. Oregano essential oil (OEO) and silver nanoparticles (AgNp) have shown promising antiparasitic activity. In this study, OEO + AgNp exhibited a synergistic effect on killing L. amazonensis promastigotes and infected macrophages, inducing multiple death mechanisms including NO and ROS production, mitochondrial depolarization, and damage to the parasite's plasma membrane. It also reduced the percentage of infected cells and the number of amastigotes per macrophage.
Review
Parasitology
Taylon Felipe Silva, Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier, Aline Kuhn Sbruzzi Pasquali, Fernanda Pinto-Ferreira, Wander Rogerio Pavanelli, Ivete Conchon-Costa, Italmar Teodorico Navarro, Eloiza Teles Caldart
Summary: The study revealed that the exact mechanism leading to different clinical manifestations among strains of the same species is still uncertain, and future studies are needed to better elucidate this phenomenon.
Article
Biophysics
Daniela Coelho, Beatriz Veleirinho, Leticia Mazzarino, Thais Alberti, Elizandra Buzanello, Regina Eva Oliveira, Rosendo Augusto Yunes, Milene Moraes, Mario Steindel, Marcelo Maraschin
Summary: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a global public health issue, and the use of synthetic chalcones shows promise in developing molecules with anti-leishmaniasis activity.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ana Isabel Olias-Molero, Concepcion de la Fuente, Montserrat Cuquerella, Juan J. Torrado, Jose M. Alunda
Summary: Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania species, affects humans and animals with no available vaccine and relies mainly on chemotherapy. The currently used drugs are old, toxic, and expensive, with limited efficacy, facing challenges of growing resistance and therapeutic failure. The drug pipeline deconstruction impacts the high failure rate of potential drugs in the fight against this parasitic disease.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sara Garcia-Davis, Atteneri Lopez-Arencibia, Carlos J. Bethencourt-Estrella, Desiree San Nicolas-Hernandez, Ezequiel Viveros-Valdez, Ana R. Diaz-Marrero, Jose J. Fernandez, Jacob Lorenzo-Morales, Jose E. Pinero
Summary: In this study, it was found that five compounds isolated from the red alga Laurencia johnstonii exhibited leishmanicidal activity. Among them, laurequinone showed the strongest activity and was capable of inducing programmed cell death or apoptosis in the parasite. These findings highlight the potential of laurequinone as a novel therapeutic agent against kinetoplastid parasites.
Article
Parasitology
Amanda Mendonca Barros Costa, Audrey Rouse Soares Tavares Silva, Adriana de Jesus Santos, Juliana Gouveia Galvao, Valter Viana Andrade-Neto, Eduardo Caio Torres-Santos, Marcelo Massayoshi Ueki, Luis Eduardo Almeida, Victor Hugo Vitorino Sarmento, Silvio Santana Dolabella, Ricardo Scher, Ana Amelia Moreira Lira, Rogeria de Souza Nunes
Summary: The thermosensitive hydrogel developed from poloxamer triblock copolymers 407 (P407) and 188 (P188) with the addition of carvacrol has been proven to be a potential antileishmanial agent.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andreza do Socorro Silva da Veiga, Fernando Tobias Silveira, Edilene Oliveira da Silva, Jose Antonio Picanco Diniz Junior, Sanderson Correa Araujo, Marliane Batista Campos, Andrey Moacir do Rosario Marinho, Geraldo Celio Brandao, Valdicley Vieira Vale, Sandro Percario, Maria Fani Dolabela
Summary: This study evaluated the morphological changes caused by fractions and subfractions obtained from barks of Aspidosperna nitidum against L. (L.) amazonensis promastigotes. The results suggest that alkaloids isolated from A. nitidum show potential as leishmanicidal agents. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed changes in the parasites' morphology after treatment with the active fractions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kaio Maciel De Santiago-Silva, Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti, Laudicea do Nascimento Oliveira, Fernanda Lima de Azevedo Maia, Joyce Cristina Castro, Ivete Conchon Costa, Danielle Bidoia Lazarin, James L. Wardell, Solange M. S. Wardell, Magaly Girao Albuquerque, Camilo Henrique da Silva Lima, Wander Rogerio Pavanelli, Marcelle de Lima Ferreira Bispo, Raoni Schroeder B. Goncalves
Summary: Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease with limited therapeutic options. In this study, new compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their biological activity against different forms of Leishmania parasites. Compound 4f showed the most promising results, exhibiting potent inhibitory effects on promastigotes and low toxicity to cells.
Article
Immunology
Alonso da Silva Lira Filho, Emanuella Francisco Fajardo, Kwang Poo Chang, Pauline Clement, Martin Olivier
Summary: This study focuses on the role of GP63 in Leishmania spp.-derived exosomes/extracellular vesicles (EVs/LeishEXO) in modulating immune responses and exacerbating cutaneous leishmaniasis. The researchers confirmed the specificity of a novel model by analyzing the protein composition of the extracted EVs and found that GP63 was the primary virulence factor altered in the composition. They also demonstrated that EVs with different levels of GP63 cargo had distinct immunomodulatory capabilities and impact on the cutaneous pathology of Leishmania spp. infection. These findings provide new insights into the immune response and host-pathogen interaction in cutaneous leishmaniasis and have implications for the development of new treatments and vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Brenda Furtado Costa, Tarcisio Navegante de Queiroz Filho, Adeniele Lopes da Cruz Carneiro, Aline Semblano Carreira Falcao, Maria Sueli da Silva Kataoka, Joao de Jesus Viana Pinheiro, Ana Paula Drummond Rodrigues
Summary: This study examines the presence and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Leishmania parasites, particularly in two different Leishmania species, L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis. The results show that MMP-9 has significantly higher gelatinolytic activity in L. amazonensis compared to L. braziliensis. The study suggests that MMP-2 and MMP-9 may play a role in the infection dynamics of these Leishmania species and could be potential markers for severe leishmaniasis and therapeutic targets.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lais Alonso, Karlos Eduardo Pianoski, Antonio Alonso, Fernanda Andreia Rosa
Summary: The isoxazole core is essential in discovering new and potent leishmanicidal agents. In this study, 35 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazole derivatives were tested against L. amazonensis, with 8 compounds showing potent antileishmanial activity, particularly compounds 2e and 3de which also exhibited low toxicity for mammalian cells.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Patricia de A. Machado, Pollyanna S. Gomes, Monique P. D. Carneiro, Victor Midlej, Elaine S. Coimbra, Herbert L. de Matos Guedes
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of serine proteases in Leishmania and evaluates the antileishmanial effects of a serine protease inhibitor, TPCK. TPCK shows selectivity for the parasite and has significant activity against both promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms. The treated parasites exhibit various alterations, suggesting potential mechanisms contributing to their death. In vivo studies show that TPCK reduces lesion size and parasite loads, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for leishmaniasis.
Article
Immunology
Marco Antonio Cabrera Gonzalez, Ana Alice Maia Goncalves, Jennifer Ottino, Jaqueline Costa Leite, Lucilene Aparecida Resende, Otoni Alves Melo-Junior, Patricia Silveira, Mariana Santos Cardoso, Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara, Lilian Lacerda Bueno, Renato Lima Santos, Tatiane Furtado de Carvalho, Giani Martins Garcia, Paulo Ricardo de Oliveira Paes, Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino, Miguel Angel Chavez-Fumagalli, Marilia Martins Melo, Denise Silveira-Lemos, Olindo Assis Martins-Filho, Walderez Ornelas Dutra, Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira, Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
Summary: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal disease caused by Leishmania infantum, and dogs are the main reservoirs. A vaccine against canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is important in controlling human and CVL infections by reducing L. infantum infection. This study evaluated the potential of two polymeric nanoformulations loaded with Leishmania amazonensis antigens as a VL vaccine using golden hamsters as a model. The results showed that the vaccines had no adverse reactions and significantly reduced the parasitic load in the liver and spleen. These vaccines may be promising candidates for a VL vaccine.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edgard A. Ferreira, Sindy V. A. Rodezno, Alvaro T. Omori, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha
BIOCATALYSIS AND BIOTRANSFORMATION
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thaysa Paschoalin, Adam A. Martens, Alvaro T. Omori, Felipe V. Pereira, Luiz Juliano, Luiz R. Travassos, Glaucia M. Machado-Santelli, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2019)
Article
Oncology
Natalia Girola, Pedro T. Resende-Lara, Carlos R. Figueiredo, Mariana H. Massaoka, Ricardo A. Azevedo, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha, Luciano Polonelli, Luiz R. Travassos
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biophysics
Roseli H. Sato, Priscila M. Kosaka, Alvaro T. Omori, Edgard A. Ferreira, Denise F. S. Petri, Oscar Malvar, Carmen M. Dominguez, Valerio Pini, Oscar Ahumada, Javier Tamayo, Montserrat Calleja, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha, Pablo A. Fiorito
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fernanda M. Dalio, Mauricio F. M. Machado, Marcelo F. Marcondes, Maria A. Juliano, Jair R. Chagas, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha, Vitor Oliveira
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Oncology
Maria L. L. Barreto do Nascimento, Antonielly Campinho dos Reis, Jose V. O. Santos, Helber A. Negreiros, Felipe C. Carneiro da Silva, Paulo M. P. Ferreira, Juan C. R. Goncalves, Dalton Dittz, Debora C. Braz, Adriana M. V. Nunes, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha, Ana A. C. Melo-Cavalcante, Joao Marcelo de Castro e Sousa
Summary: The study evaluated the cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic activity of organoteluran RF07 in the S-180 cell line. Results showed significant cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of RF07, especially inducing apoptosis as the main cell death type at 5 mu M concentration.
ANTI-CANCER AGENTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Crystallography
Ignez Caracelli, Julio Zukerman-Schpector, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha, Edward R. T. Tiekink
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KRISTALLOGRAPHIE-NEW CRYSTAL STRUCTURES
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gabriela Dias-da-Silva, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha, Mauricio D. Coutinho-Neto
Summary: This study utilized density functional theory to investigate the active inhibitor form of hypervalent selenium and tellurium compounds in aqueous solution. The results suggest that the protonated selenoxide is the most probable active chemical species in biological media, leading to a covalent inhibition of cysteine proteases through exergonic reactions. Another pathway was also uncovered, with a direct reaction to chalcogenonium cation as the inhibition step.
JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Stella Hernandes Maganhi, Ignez Caracelli, Julio Zukerman-Schpector, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha, Mauricio Angel Veja-Teijido, Edward R. T. Tiekink
Summary: The molecular structures of three derivatives share similar coordination geometries, inhibiting cathepsin S to varying extents with compound 2 being the most effective. Molecular docking calculations show that compound 2 blocks the entrance to the channel and occupies a crucial subsite on the protein, leading to its higher experimental second order inactivation rate.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivanildo A. Brito, Fernanda Thevenard, Thais A. Costa-Silva, Samuel S. Oliveira, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha, Emerson A. de Oliveira, Patricia Sartorelli, Rafael C. Guadagnin, Maiara M. Romanelli, Andre G. Tempone, Joao Henrique G. Lago
Summary: This study describes the isolation of two natural acetylene acetogenins from Porcelia macrocarpa seeds and evaluates their activity against Leishmania infantum. The results suggest that seeds of Porcelia macrocarpa are a promising source for the discovery of new antileishmanial drugs.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Karina P. Morelli Frin, Leonardo Henrique de Macedo, Samuel Santos de Oliveira, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha, Jesus Calvo-Castro
Summary: Novel polypyridine rhenium(I) complexes coordinated with an organoselenide ligand show excellent photophysical properties, particularly in the generation of singlet oxygen, making them promising photosensitizer agents with significantly higher quantum yields compared to related complexes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adriana Maria Viana Nunes, Francisco das Chagas Pereira de Andrade, Livia Alves Filgueiras, Octavio Augusto de Carvalho Maia, Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha, Sindy V. A. Rodezno, Antonio Luiz Martins Maia Filho, Fernando Aecio de Amorim Carvalho, Debora Cavalcante Braz, Anderson Nogueira Mendes
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vitoria Isabela Montanhero, Luiz Fernando Ribeiro, Melina Cardoso dos Santos, Debora Sessa, Marcos Hikari Toyama, Rodrigo Luiz Cunha, Joao Henrique Lago, Luis Netto, Marcos Oliveira
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2020)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Laura Pires de Oliveira, Melina Santos, Carlos Tairum, Debora Sessa, Marcos Hikari Toyama, Rodrigo Luiz Cunha, Joao Henrique Lago, Luis Netto, Marcos Oliveira
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2020)
Meeting Abstract
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
O. A. D. Carvalho Maia, S. B. Cunha Fontele, D. Cavalcante Braz, A. M. Viana Nunes, R. L. Oliveira Rodrigues Cunha, J. M. de Castro e Sousa, A. A. Carvalho Melo Cavalcante, P. M. D. Almeida
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2018)