Article
Microbiology
Chin-Fung Chan, Zhen Liu, Iris L. K. Wong, Xianliang Zhao, Zaofeng Yang, Jiale Zheng, Marianne M. Lee, Michael K. Chan, Tak Hang Chan, Larry M. C. Chow
Summary: A library of 38 novel flavonoid compounds linked with amines were synthesized, with the most promising candidate FM09h showing potent in vitro activity against parasites causing cutaneous leishmaniasis. In a mouse model, intralesional injection of FM09h demonstrated a promising effect in reducing footpad lesion thickness, comparable to sodium stibogluconate.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jennica Moller, Christina Kannigadu, Janine Aucamp, Moegamat C. Joseph, Andrew J. Swarts, David D. N'Da
Summary: Leishmaniasis is a widespread zoonotic disease that requires new and effective treatments. The current treatments have limitations such as toxicity, variable efficacy, and resistance. Ferrocenylazine derivatives show promising antileishmanial activity and could be potential new agents for treating leishmaniasis.
APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Janine Aucamp, David D. N'Da
Summary: The overlapping distribution of malaria and leishmaniasis increases the risk for comorbidity and there is a need for new anti-infective drugs to treat these diseases and coinfections.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soheila Molaei, Ghazaleh Farhadi, Mina Talezari, Negin Gholizadeh, Karim Mahnam, Ali Keivanloo, Saghi Sepehri
Summary: Novel hybrids with 1,2,3-triazole and polyhydroquinoline scaffolds were successfully synthesized by multicomponent reaction followed through click reaction. Their anti-leishmanial activity was evaluated and three hybrids showed the highest activity with low cytotoxicity. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations were performed to explore possible mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aishah E. Albalawi, Sobhy Abdel-Shafy, Amal Khudair Khalaf, Abdullah D. Alanazi, Parastoo Baharvand, Katrin Ebrahimi, Hossein Mahmoudvand
Summary: This study demonstrated the potential of copper nanoparticles green synthesized by Capparis spinosa fruit extract in treating leishmaniasis, especially when combined with meglumine antimoniate. The nanoparticles significantly reduced parasite numbers and lesion diameters in animal experiments. This treatment approach shows promise for improving clinical outcomes in leishmaniasis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alberto A. Robles-Loaiza, Edgar A. Pinos-Tamayo, Bruno Mendes, Catia Teixeira, Claudia Alves, Paula Gomes, Jose R. Almeida
Summary: Peptide-based drugs are recognized by the pharmaceutical industry for their potential in developing innovative therapies, including for conditions like leishmaniasis. This review details over one hundred peptides and their biochemical and structural characteristics, as well as their potential use in designing antileishmanial drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohini Soni, Gaurava Srivastava, Karthik Ramalingam, Anil Kumar Shakya, Mohammad Imran Siddiqi, J. Venkatesh Pratap
Summary: Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania, is a disease affecting millions of people in endemic areas. Current therapies have limitations and the need for novel therapeutic molecules is urgent. In this study, structure-based high throughput drug discovery was used to identify two potential inhibitors of Leishmania HSK, which effectively induced mortality in the parasite and showed promising specificity and efficacy.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Gustavo Goncalves, Monique Paiva Campos, Alessandra Silva Goncalves, Lia Carolina Soares Medeiros, Fabiano Borges Figueiredo
Summary: The study showed that treating a dog with Miltefosine and allopurinol resulted in increased resistance of L. infantum to Miltefosine and amphotericin B, as well as an increase in metacyclogenesis rate. Further research with a larger sample size of L. infantum strains is recommended.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Parasitology
Aishah E. Albalawi, Abdullah D. Alanazi, Iraj Sharifi, Fatemeh Ezzatkhah
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the antileishmanial effects of curcumin and its derivatives, finding significant in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity against different Leishmania spp. Curcumin and its derivatives could serve as alternative and complementary sources of valuable antileishmanial components with no significant toxicity, but further studies are needed in clinical settings.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Emilio Lopez-Trujillo, Monica Gonzalez-Farre, Ramon M. Pujol, Beatriz Bellosillo, Roser Fisa, Cristina Riera, Magdalena Alcover, Carlos Barranco, Gemma Martin-Ezquerra
Summary: The study demonstrated that the specific polyclonal anti-Leishmania antibodies and CD1a expression are valuable in identifying amastigotes in cutaneous Leishmaniasis, with high sensitivity and positive predictive value. Adding CD1a immunostaining to traditional staining methods can enhance the detection of amastigotes, particularly in cases where PCR confirmation is not available.
HISTOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ahmed H. E. Hassan, Kazem Mahmoud, Trong-Nhat Phan, Moataz A. Shaldam, Chae Hyeon Lee, Yeon Ju Kim, Soo Bin Cho, Waleed A. Bayoumi, Selwan M. El-Sayed, Yeonwoo Choi, Suyeon Moon, Joo Hwan No, Yong Sup Lee
Summary: Visceral leishmaniasis caused by L. donovani is highly fatal, and the discovery of new hit compounds can lead to the development of novel therapeutics. A small library of bestatin analogs-4-quinolone hybrids was designed and evaluated, revealing distinct profiles for different types of hybrids. Hybrid 1e and hybrid 2j were identified as potential hits that inhibit the growth of L. donovani promastigotes, and they showed excellent safety profiles in comparison to the drug erufosine. In silico studies and molecular dynamics simulations provided insights into the binding mode and impact of hybrid 1e on LdMetAP-1 and LdMetAP-2.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Valter Viana Andrade-Neto, Juliana da Silva Pacheco, Job Domingos Inacio, Elmo Eduardo Almeida-Amaral, Eduardo Caio Torres-Santos, Edezio Ferreira Cunha-Junior
Summary: Translation studies involving drug reuse and combination therapies can lead to higher success rates in drug development, as evidenced by the promising results of spironolactone in treating leishmaniasis. Further research is needed to explore the potential benefits of combining spironolactone with meglumine antimoniate for improved parasite load control.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Hossein Mahmoudvand, Amal Khudair Khalaf, Pouya Zareh Rajabi, Nooshin Karbasian, Javad Ghasemian Yadegari
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the leishmanicidal effects, cellular mechanisms, and cytotoxicity of formononetin (FMN) against Leishmania tropica. The MTT assay was used to evaluate the leishmanicidal effects of FMN on promastigotes, and its cytotoxicity effects on J774-A1 macrophage cells were examined. The levels of nitric oxide (NO), IFN-γ, and iNOS mRNA expression in infected J774-A1 macrophage cells were determined using the Griess reaction assay and quantitative real-time PCR.
BMC RESEARCH NOTES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
A. D. Alanazi, A. E. Albalawi, H. I. Almohammed, A. F. Shater
Summary: This study investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of the Stachys lavandulifolia methanolic extract (SLME) against Leishmania major infection. The results showed that SLME had potent effects in eliminating and controlling Leishmania parasites, making it a potential alternative medicine for treating Leishmaniasis.
TROPICAL BIOMEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Joana Pissarra, Juli Pagniez, Elodie Petitdidier, Martial Seveno, Oana Vigy, Rachel Bras-Goncalves, Jean-Loup Lemesre, Philippe Holzmuller
Summary: Leishmaniasis is a significant parasitic disease that threatens the lives of 1 billion people every year. In this study, the total protein content of the secretomes produced by seven different Leishmania species was analyzed, revealing the common core secretome and highlighting the importance of secreted proteins in the pathogenesis of the disease.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yosra Raziani, Koroush Cheraghipour, Mojtaba Shakibaie, Javad Ghasemian Yadegari, Hossein Mahmoudvand
Summary: This study synthesized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with PO (FOMNPsP) and evaluated their in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo effects against cystic echinococcosis. The FOMNPsP showed high protoscolicidal effect and disrupted the cell wall and induced apoptosis in protoscoleces. In an animal model, FOMNPsP significantly decreased the number, size, and weight of hydatid cysts. However, more investigations are needed to determine the toxicity and precise mechanisms of action of FOMNPsP.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zafer Saad Al Shehri, Abdullah D. Alanazi, Sultan F. Alnomasy
Summary: This study evaluated the anti-cancer effects and cellular mechanisms of queen bee acid (10-Hydroxy-2-Decenoic Acid, 10-HDA) on the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. The results showed that 10-HDA significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells, induced apoptosis, and upregulated the expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins. These findings confirmed the potent cytotoxic effects of 10-HDA on HepG2 cells with no significant toxicity on normal cells.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Aishah E. Albalawi, Abdullah D. Alanazi
Summary: This study evaluated the chemical composition and therapeutic effects of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil (CZEO) compared to metronidazole (MTZ) for Giardia lamblia infection treatment. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that CZEO reduced the viability of G. lamblia cysts and trophozoites, and decreased the number and viability of excreted cysts. The highest reduction of Giardia antigen was observed in mice treated with CZEO. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic effects of CZEO on Giardia infections.
PHARMACOGNOSY MAGAZINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Fatemeh Ezzatkhah, Hossein Mahmoudvand, Yosra Raziani
Summary: This study aimed to examine the in vitro and in vivo effects of Curcuma longa essential oil (CLE) on Toxoplasma gondii. The results showed that CLE had inhibitory effects on T. gondii in vitro and exhibited promising effects in vivo by improving the survival rate and reducing the parasite number in infected mice.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sana Ayub, Nosheen Malak, Raquel Cossio-Bayugar, Nasreen Nasreen, Afshan Khan, Sadaf Niaz, Adil Khan, Abdallah D. Alanazi, Mourad Ben Said
Summary: A recent study explored the effectiveness of Pinus roxburghii plant extract in controlling populations of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks. The study found that the plant extract showed high efficacy in vitro against different tick stages and demonstrated strong binding interaction between the plant's phytochemicals and the tick protein. This suggests the potential use of P. roxburghii as a promising anti-tick agent.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mahfuza Begum, A. K. M. Mizanur Rahman, H. A. Abdul-Rashid, Z. Yusoff, Zuhal Y. Hamd, Mayeen Uddin Khandaker, D. A. Bradley
Summary: This study focuses on the key thermoluminescent dosimetric responses of Ge-doped collapsed photonic crystal fiber (PCF), which offers higher sensitivity than conventional single-mode optical fibers. The results show a favorable comparison with ionization chamber values (typically within 5%) when using a linac operated at 6 and 10 MV. Threshold dose, reproducibility, and dose-rate dependency were also characterized.
JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH AND APPLIED SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Setareh Dastyar Haghighi, Hossein Mahmoudvand, Amal Khudair Khalaf, Ahmad Adineh, Ali Mohammad Maleki, Javad Ghasemian Yadegari
Summary: The natural isoflavone FMN has shown promising effects on protoscolices of hydatid cysts by increasing caspase-3 activity and cell membrane permeability. FMN can completely eliminate protoscolices at a certain concentration, indicating its potential as a valuable scolicidal agent. Further investigations are needed to evaluate its efficacy in animal models and human subjects.
JUNDISHAPUR JOURNAL OF NATURAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yosra Raziani, Pegah Shakib, Marzieh Rashidipour, Koroush Cheraghipour, Javad Ghasemian Yadegari, Hossein Mahmoudvand
Summary: Echinococcosis is an important zoonotic disease and surgery is the preferred treatment method. However, scolicidal agents used in hydatid cyst surgery often have side effects. This study synthesized green gold nanoparticles and found their effective scolicidal effects against hydatid cyst protoscoleces.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Javad Ghasemian Yadegari, Amal Khudair Khalaf, Fatemeh Ezzatkhah, Mojtaba Shakibaie, Hamid Reza Mohammadi, Hossein Mahmoudvand
Summary: The antileishmanial, cellular mechanisms, and cytotoxic effects of green synthesized Zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) alone and combined with glucantime were investigated against Leishmania major infection. The results showed that the combination of ZnNPs and glucantime displayed synergistic effects and effectively improved cutaneous leishmaniasis. The mechanisms of action of ZnNPs mainly involve triggering NO production and inhibiting infectivity rate, suggesting their potential as a new drug for CL therapy.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kourosh Cheraghipour, Amal Khudair Khalaf, Kobra Moradpour, Masoomeh Zivdari, Marjan Beiranvand, Pegah Shakib, Hossein Mahmoudvand, Abdolrazagh Marzban
Summary: In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles coated with eugenol were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-parasitic activity against Toxoplasma gondii. The results showed that the nanoformulation demonstrated antiparasitic activity with minimal toxic effects and high efficiency in increasing the survival of infected mice.
Article
Biology
Hossein Mahmoudvand, Amal Khudair Khalaf, Pouya Zareh Rajabi, Nooshin Karbasian, Javad Ghasemian Yadegari
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the leishmanicidal effects, cellular mechanisms, and cytotoxicity of formononetin (FMN) against Leishmania tropica. The MTT assay was used to evaluate the leishmanicidal effects of FMN on promastigotes, and its cytotoxicity effects on J774-A1 macrophage cells were examined. The levels of nitric oxide (NO), IFN-γ, and iNOS mRNA expression in infected J774-A1 macrophage cells were determined using the Griess reaction assay and quantitative real-time PCR.
BMC RESEARCH NOTES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Abdullah D. Alanazi, Qais A. H. Majeed, Sultan F. Alnomasy, Hamdan I. Almohammed
Summary: This study evaluated the in vitro, in vivo, and safety effects of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. methanolic extract (SLME) against acute toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii RH strain in mice. The results showed that SLME had significant in vitro anti-Toxoplasma effects and improved the survival rate and liver function of infected mice, suggesting its potential prophylactic effects against Toxoplasma infection.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Tropical Medicine
Hattan S. Gattan, Bassam M. Al-Ahmadi, Abdullah F. Shater, Qais A. H. Majeed, Maha S. Alazemi, Abdullah D. Alanazi
Summary: This study green synthesized and characterized copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using Astragalus sinicus, and evaluated the acaricidal, larvicidal, and repellent activities of CuNPs against Hyalomma anatolicum. CuNPs showed potent activities against adults and larvae of H. anatolicum, inhibiting their viability and affecting egg hatchability. CuNPs also suppressed acetylcholinesterase activity and altered oxidative enzyme activities in H. anatolicum larvae.
ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TROPICAL BIOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Tropical Medicine
Yosra Raziani, Kimia Karami, Hamid Mohammadi, Hossein Mahmoudvand, Mohammad Moradi, Javad Yadegari
Summary: The methanolic extract of Astragalus adscendens has been found to have significant antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. This extract effectively lowered blood glucose levels and improved liver and kidney function, as well as antioxidant enzyme activity. It also exhibited inhibitory effects on alpha-amylase.
ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TROPICAL BIOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Javad Ghasemian Yadegari, Ezatollah Fazeli Moghadam, Hazhir Golmohammadi, Setareh Dastyarhaghighi, Mehrdad Ghoulami, Hossein Mahmoudvand
Summary: This study evaluated the antinociceptive effects of Astragalus ecbatanus chloroform extract (AECE) in acute and chronic pain in male mice. The results showed that AECE at the concentrations of 400 and 800 mg/kg exhibited significant antinociceptive activity, reducing both acute and chronic pain behaviors.
RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY
(2023)