Antileishmanial activity of amphiphilic chlorin derivatives mediated by photodynamic therapy

Author(s)

Linares, Irwin A. P. ; Velasquez, Angela M. A. ; Graminha, Marcia A. S. ; de Oliveira, Kleber T. ; Perussi, Janice Rodrigues

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy; v. 31, p. 9-pg., 2020-09-01.

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a serious and neglected disease that affects 14 million people around the World. The currently available drugs for treatment present several drawbacks such as low efficacy and severe side effects, contributing to patients' low compliance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is rising as a promising treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, mainly considering its topical administration that circumvents any potential adverse effects commonly related to oral/parenteral administration. PDT depends on the interaction between a light-sensitive compound (photosensitizer - PS), light and molecular oxygen. The reaction generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) which induce cell death by oxidative stress. The main goal of this study is to demonstrate the antileishmanial effect of three chlorin derivatives (CHL-OH-A, CHL-OH-B, CHL-TRISMA) using PDT, as well as to investigate their cell death pathway on Leishmania amazonensis promastigote forms after chlorin-PDT application. The chlorin derivatives herein studied did not exhibit aggregates in aqueous medium and showed fast accumulation in Leishmania acidic compartments. CHL-OH-A exhibited the highest antiparasitic activity at 24 h (0.33 mu mol L-1) and 48 h (0.14 mu mol L-1) after irradiation at 660 nm (6.0 Jcm(-2)). CHL-OH-A, CHL-OH-B and CHL-TRISMA molecules induced the cell death of parasites mainly by an apoptotic-like process in the presence of light. These chlorin derivatives are 80-fold more active against Leishmania when compared to other PSs reported in the literature. In this study, we have shown that these amphiphilic chlorins, and in particular, CHL-OH-A, exert an interesting leishmanicidal activity suggesting that the use of these PSs associated with PDT could be a promising strategy for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/00106-7 - Photocatalyzed Reactions by using porphyrins and continuous flow conditions: Arylations of heterocycles and activated olefins.
• Grantee: Kleber Thiago de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/03552-5 - Leishmaniasis: from screening to the study of mechanisms of action, a contribution to the discovery of new bioactive molecules
• Grantee: Marcia Aparecida Silva Graminha
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center
• Grantee: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 19/21661-1 - New insight into the mechanism of action of CP2 in Leishmania: analysis of calcium homeostasis and the respiratory chain
• Grantee: Angela Maria Arenas Velásquez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor