Synthesis, characterization and fluorescence studies of coumarins compounds containing transition metals of the first series: evaluation of their the antiparasitic potential

• Grant number: 12/14159-9
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: November 01, 2012 - June 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Regina Mara Silva Pereira
• Grantee: Regina Mara Silva Pereira
• Home Institution: Anhanguera Educacional S/A (AESA). São Bernardo do Campo , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Fábio Dupart Nascimento ; Marcia Regina Machado dos Santos

Abstract

Parasitic diseases such as visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or chalaza and Trypanosoma cruzi or Chagas disease are zoonotic infections that affect animals and humans. Leishmaniasis was originally disease of wild and rural environments, however with the growth of cities and proximity to conservation areas correctly have many cases occurring in urban centers. In Latin America this disease has been described in at least 12 countries with 90% of cases occur in Brazil, especially in the northeast. The disease has since been described in several regions of Brazil, except for the South Region. The lack of an effective vaccine against this disease and the use of the few existing chemotherapeutic agents is one of the only alternatives for treatment of infected individuals. Chagas disease (disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi) can be transmitted to humans by blood transfusion infected by the parasite, insect bite of the family of previously infected triatomines and some other less common routes. Chagas disease is a major cause of death in low-income areas of developing countries and is endemic in 21 countries in South America. Mortality associated with Chaga's disease is greater than the Malaria, Leishmaniasis and Schitosomose.The treatment of leishmaniasis and Chagas disease presents poor results so far. Side effects and drug resistance, as well as the increase of new cases have aroused great interest in obtaining new compounds more efficient and less harmful to the health of patients. Whereas the existing biodiversity in the flora and its potential as a source of bioactive molecules to be studied and exploited, we believe that among them coumarin and its derivatives and, if possible, the use of drugs in synergism with the usual treatment of parasitic diseases are promising. Therefore, it is important to emphasize the importance of synthesizing new compounds to study their potential for pest control in the direction of getting active and less toxic compounds for the treatment of diseases in both acute and chronic disease. (AU)