Biodistribuition study of new boron based compounds as anti-chagas agents using DESI-MS imaging

• Grant number: 23/15774-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Chung Man Chin
• Grantee: Diogo Boreski
• Supervisor: Demian Rocha Ifa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: York University, Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/08687-7 - Planning and synthesis of boronic derivatives acylhydrazones as antichagasic agents, BP.IC

Abstract

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is currently considered one of the 17 neglected tropical diseases, causing approximately 8-10 millions of infections worldwide. The parasite responsible for the infection is Trypanosoma cruzi, which leads to various lesions in the host's organism, such as cardiomegaly, megacolon, and hepatosplenomegaly. Currently, new boron-derived compounds have been successfully tested against the parasite infection and various other diseases. Thus, pharmacological studies have a great importance for understanding the dynamic and kinetic aspects of new drug candidates within an organism. Based on imaging techniques obtained through Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (DESI-MS), it can be gather valuable information about the behavior of a molecule within a tissue of interest. The technique is responsible for providing a vast amount of information about the different molecules and biomolecules present in a tissue or sample with high sensitivity. Therefore, studies involving DESI-MS significantly contribute to the elucidation of the pharmacological behavior of a new compound, potentially indicating the need for adjustments in various facets of new drug development, such as drug design, dosage, or administration route. Thus, it characterizes a powerful tool in research and the search for new drugs.