Identification of natural cytochalasins as leads for neglected tropical diseases drug discovery

Author(s)

Valli, Marilia ; Souza, Julia Medeiros ; Chelucci, Rafael Consolin ; Biasetto, Carolina Rabal ; Araujo, Angela Regina ; Bolzani, Vanderlan da Silva ; Andricopulo, Adriano Defini

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 17, n. 10, p. 13-pg., 2022-10-03.

Abstract

Investigating the chemical diversity of natural products from tropical environments is an inspiring approach to developing new drug candidates for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In the present study, phenotypic screenings for antiprotozoal activity and a combination of computational and biological approaches enabled the identification and characterization of four cytochalasins, which are fungal metabolites from Brazilian biodiversity sources. Cytochalasins A-D exhibited IC50 values ranging from 2 to 20 mu M against intracellular Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum amastigotes, values comparable to those of the standard drugs benznidazole and miltefosine for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, respectively. Furthermore, cytochalasins A-D reduced L. infantum infections by more than 80% in THP-1 cells, most likely due to the inhibition of phagocytosis by interactions with actin. Molecular modelling studies have provided useful insights into the mechanism of action of this class of compounds. Furthermore, cytochalasins A-D showed moderate cytotoxicity against normal cell lines (HFF-1, THP-1, and HepG2) and a good overall profile for oral bioavailability assessed in vitro. The results of this study support the use of natural products from Brazilian biodiversity sources to find potential drug candidates for two of the most important NTDs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/06034-0 - Pharmacokinetic and Biological Properties Evaluation of Drug Candidates
• Grantee: Julia Medeiros Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/07600-3 - CIBFar - Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery
• Grantee: Glaucius Oliva
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 14/50926-0 - INCT 2014: biodiversity and natural products
• Grantee: Vanderlan da Silva Bolzani
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/05967-3 - Understanding the biological function of Natural Products' scaffolds from Databases for the design of active compounds for the treatment of infectious diseases
• Grantee: Marilia Valli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral