ABSTRACT
Schistosomiasis is a major neglected disease that imposes a substantial worldwide health burden, affecting approximately 250â million people globally. As praziquantel is the only available drug to treat schistosomiasis, there is a critical need to identify new anthelmintic compounds, particularly from natural sources. To enhance the activity of different natural products, one potential avenue involves its combination with silver nanoparticles (AgNP). Based on this approach, a one-step green method for the inâ situ preparation of dehydrodieugenol (DHDG) by oxidation coupling reaction using silver and natural eugenol is presented. AgNP formation was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy due to the appearance of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 430â nm which is characteristic of silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were spherical with sizes in the range of 40 to 50â nm. Bioassays demonstrated that the silver nanoparticles loaded with DHDG exhibited significant anthelmintic activity against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms without toxicity to mammalian cells and an inâ vivo animal model (Caenorhabditis elegans), contributing to the development of new prototypes based on natural products for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
Subject(s)
Anthelmintics , Anti-Infective Agents , Biological Products , Eugenol/analogs & derivatives , Lignans , Metal Nanoparticles , Schistosomiasis , Animals , Humans , Silver/pharmacology , Silver/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Anthelmintics/pharmacology , Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Schistosomiasis/drug therapy , Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use , Schistosoma mansoni , Biological Products/therapeutic use , MammalsABSTRACT
Twigs of Nectandra barbellata were extracted using a solution of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (BMImBr) in H2O, assisted by microwave (MAE). After successive chromatographic steps, one sesquiterpene, costic acid, and three new related lactones, (R)-3(7)-Z-3-hexadec-21-enylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (1), (R)-3(7)-Z-3-hexadecylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (2), and (R)-3(7)-Z-3-docosylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (3), were isolated. After structural elucidation using IR, UV, HRESIMS, NMR, ECD, and VCD, compounds 1-3 were tested against trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. The mechanism of action of bioactive isolated compounds was studied using different fluorescent-based approaches to investigate alterations of the plasma membrane, permeability/electric potential (ΔΨp), reactive oxygen species levels, mitochondria (electric membrane potential, ΔΨm/ATP levels), Ca2+ levels, and pH of the acidocalcisomes. In addition, in silico studies predicted no resemblance to pan assay interference compounds (PAINS).
Subject(s)
Lactones/pharmacology , Lauraceae/chemistry , Trypanocidal Agents/pharmacology , Brazil , Cell Membrane/drug effects , Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects , Molecular Structure , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology , Structure-Activity Relationship , Trypanosoma cruziABSTRACT
In this study, we report the production of a free-standing film of non-modified cellulose impregnated with 12â¯wt.% of MnO2 nanoparticles with less than 100â¯nm in size. The method here described can be applied to the immobilization of different types of nanoparticles. The film was prepared by dissolving microcrystalline cellulose in an ionic liquid followed by its regeneration by adding water to the former solution. Then, the wet film was impregnated with the nanoparticles by dipping it in a MnO2 dispersion. Electron microscopy images revealed manganese dioxide nanoparticles distributed not only at the film surface but also in its interior. The cellulose film impregnated with MnO2 nanoparticles was capable of efficiently discolouring an Indigo Carmine dye solution in 25â¯min upon ambient light. The film was easily removed from the dye solution and repeatedly reused for at least 10 times without losing its discolouring efficiency.
