Antiamoebic Drugs Research Articles

Evaluation of a complete‐kill assay for anti‐acanthamoeba solutions

AbstractPurpose Acanthamoeba keratitis is a sight debilitating disease that requires effective topical drug therapy to eradicate the pathogenic agent.Methods An assay was created to determine whether 0.02% poly(hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride (PHMB), 0.02% chlorhexidinedigluconate (CHL), 0.1% c‐desomedine (DESO), and 1.0% c‐voriconazole (VOR) were effective in completely killing 15 different isolates of acanthamoeba at time points 24, 48, and 72 hours in comparison to a saline control. Each 0.5 ml volume of solution was inoculated with 0.1 ml of acanthamoeba cysts at a concentration of 1‐5 x 106 /ml determined with a hemacytometer and allowed to incubate at 30o C. At the time points listed, aliquots from each treatment group were inoculated onto non‐nutrient agar overlaid with Enterobacter aerogenes. The plates were microscopically examined for growth at time points 1 and 2 weeks. At 2 weeks, all plates were sub‐cultured onto fresh medium. At 7 days, growth in sub‐culture at each time point was graded 1 for growth and zero for no growth. The time points were combined for each drug with a possible grade from 0 to 3. The grades were non‐parametrically (Mann Whitney) compared to determine any significance in positive growth between the drugs.Results Complete–kill was determined more frequently with PHMB and DESO (p=1.0) than CHL (p=0.04). PHMB, DESO, and CHL demonstrated more complete‐kill than VOR (p=0.01) which was more effective than the saline control (p=0.0003).Conclusion The complete‐kill assay appears to provide separation in the effectiveness of different anti‐amoebic drug solutions, and may provide an alternative evaluation of possible new anti‐infectives in the treatment of acanthamoeba keratitis.

Virtual Screening, Identification and In Vitro Testing of Novel Inhibitors of O-Acetyl-L-Serine Sulfhydrylase of Entamoeba histolytica

The explosive epidemicity of amoebiasis caused by the facultative gastrointestinal protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is a major public health problem in developing countries. Multidrug resistance and side effects of various available antiamoebic drugs necessitate the design of novel antiamobeic agents. The cysteine biosynthetic pathway is the critical target for drug design due to its significance in the growth, survival and other cellular activities of E. histolytica. Here, we have screened 0.15 million natural compounds from the ZINC database against the active site of the EhOASS enzyme (PDB ID. 3BM5, 2PQM), whose structure we previously determined to 2.4 Å and 1.86 Å resolution. For this purpose, the incremental construction algorithm of GLIDE and the genetic algorithm of GOLD were used. We analyzed docking results for top ranking compounds using a consensus scoring function of X-Score to calculate the binding affinity and using ligplot to measure protein-ligand interactions. Fifteen compounds that possess good inhibitory activity against EhOASS active site were identified that may act as potential high affinity inhibitors. In vitro screening of a few commercially available compounds established their biological activity. The first ranked compound ZINC08931589 had a binding affinity of ∼8.05 µM and inhibited about 73% activity at 0.1 mM concentration, indicating good correlation between in silico prediction and in vitro inhibition studies. This compound is thus a good starting point for further development of strong inhibitors.

Evaluation of amoebicidal potential of Paneth cell cryptdin-2 against Entamoeba histolytica.

BackgroundAmoebiasis is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries. Currently, metronidazole is the gold choice medication for the treatment of this disease. However, reports have indicated towards the possibility of development of metronidazole-resistance in Entamoeba strains in near future. In view of the emergence of this possibility, in addition to the associated side effects and mutagenic ability of the currently available anti-amoebic drugs, there is a need to explore newer therapeutics against this disease. In this context, the present study evaluated the amoebicidal potential of cryptdin-2 against E. histolytica.Methods/Principal FindingsIn the present study, cryptdin-2 exhibited potent in-vitro amoebicidal activity against E. histolytica in a concentration dependent manner at a minimum amoebicidal concentration (MAC) of 4 mg/L. Scanning electron microscopy as well as phase contrast microscopic investigations of cryptdin-2 treated trophozoites revealed that the peptide was able to induce significant morphological alterations in terms of membrane wrinkling, leakage of the cytoplasmic contents and damaged plasma membrane suggesting a possible membrane dependent amoebicidal activity. N-phenyl napthylamine (NPN) uptake assay in presence of sulethal, lethal as well as twice the lethal concentrations further confirmed the membrane-dependent mode of action of cryptdin-2 and suggested that the peptide could permeabilize the plasma membrane of E. histolytica. It was also found that cryptdin-2 interfered with DNA, RNA as well as protein synthesis of E. histolytica exerting the highest effect against DNA synthesis. Thus, the macromolecular synthesis studies correlated well with the observations of membrane permeabilization studies.Significance/ConclusionsThe amoebicidal efficacy of cryptdin-2 suggests that it may be exploited as a promising option to combat amoebiasis or, at least, may act as an adjunct to metronidazole and/or other available anti-amoebic drugs.

In vitro amoebicidal activity of ethanol extracts of Arachis hypogaea L., Curcuma longa L. and Pancratium maritimum L. on Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts

Acanthamoeba castellanii causes amoebic keratitis which is a painful sight-threatening disease of the eyes. Its eradication is difficult because the amoebas encyst making it highly resistant to anti-amoebic drugs, but several medicinal plants have proven to be more effective than the usual therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro amoebicidal activity of ethanol extracts of Arachis hypogaea L. (peanut), Curcuma longa L. (turmeric), and Pancratium maritimum L. (sea daffodil) on A. castellanii cysts. Acanthamoeba were isolated from keratitic patients, cultivated on 1.5% non-nutrient agar, and then incubated with different concentrations of plant extracts which were further evaluated for their cysticidal activity. The results showed that all extracts had significant inhibitory effect on the multiplication of Acanthamoeba cysts as compared to the drug control (chlorhexidine) and non-treated control, and the inhibition was time and dose dependent. The ethanol extract of A. hypogaea had a remarkable cysticidal effect with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 100 mg/ml in all incubation periods, while the concentrations of 10 and 1 mg/ml were able to completely inhibit growth after 48 and 72 h, respectively. The concentrations 0.1 and 0.01 mg/ml failed to completely inhibit the cyst growth, but showed growth reduction by 64.4-82.6% in all incubation periods. C. longa had a MIC of 1 g and 100 mg/ml after 48 and 72 h, respectively, while the concentrations 10, 1, and 0.1 mg/ml caused growth reduction by 60-90.3% in all incubation periods. P. maritimum had a MIC of 200 mg/ml after 72 h, while the 20-, 2-, 0.2-, and 0.02-mg/ml concentrations showed growth reduction by 34-94.3% in all incubation periods. All extracts seemed to be more effective than chlorhexidine which caused only growth reduction by 55.3-80.2% in all incubation periods and failed to completely inhibit the cyst growth. In conclusion, ethanol extracts of A. hypogaea, C. longa, and P. maritimum could be considered a new natural agent against the Acanthamoeba cyst.

Iridoids as chemical markers of false ipecac (Ronabea emetica), a previously confused medicinal plant

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSeveral roots or rhizomes of rubiaceous species are reportedly used as the emetic and antiamoebic drug ipecac. True ipecac (Carapichea ipecacuanha) is chemically well characterized, in contrast to striated or false ipecac derived from the rhizomes of Ronabea emetica (syn. Psychotria emetica). Besides its previous use as substitute of ipecac, the latter species is applied in traditional medicine of Panama and fruits of its relative Ronabea latifolia are reported as curare additives from Colombia. Materials and methodsCompounds of Ronabea emetica were isolated using standard chromatographic techniques, and structurally characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Organ specific distribution in Ronabea emetica as well as in Ronabea latifolia was further assessed by comparative HPLC analysis. ResultsFour iridoid-glucosides, asperuloside (1), 6α-hydroxygeniposide (2), deacetylasperulosidic acid (3) and asperulosidic acid (4) were extracted from leaves of Ronabea emetica. Rhizomes, used in traditional medicine, were dominated by 3. HPLC profiles of Ronabea latifolia were largely corresponding. These results contrast to the general tendency of producing emetine-type and indole alkaloids in species of Psychotria and closely related genera and merit chemotaxonomic significance, characterizing the newly delimited genus Ronabea. ConclusionsThe aim of the work was to resolve the historic problem of adulteration of ipecac by establishing the chemical profile of Ronabea emetica, the false ipecac, as one of its less known sources. The paper demonstrates that different sources of ipecac can be distinguished by their phytochemistry, thus contributing to identifying adulterations of true ipecac.

Mechanism of trifluoromethionine resistance in Entamoeba histolytica

To determine the mechanism of trifluoromethionine resistance in Entamoeba histolytica and evaluate the impact of acquired drug resistance on virulence. Trifluoromethionine-resistant amoebae were selected in vitro and examined for cross-resistance to antiamoebic drugs, stability of resistance, methionine γ-lyase (MGL) activity, cell adhesion and virulence. Targeted gene silencing was performed to confirm the role of EhMGL. Trophozoites with a resistance index of 154 were obtained. The cells were susceptible to chloroquine, metronidazole, paromomycin and tinidazole, but remained resistant to trifluoromethionine in the absence of drug pressure. A complete lack of EhMGL activity accompanied by increased adhesion and decreased cytolysis were also observed. Silencing of the EhMGL genes resulted in trifluoromethionine resistance. This study provides the first demonstration of trifluoromethionine resistance in a parasitic protozoon. Repression of gene expression of drug targets represents a novel mechanism of resistance in E. histolytica. The information obtained from this work should help further development of trifluoromethionine derivatives that have lower chances of inducing resistance.

The effect of anti-amoebic drug therapy on the metabolism of butobarbitone.

The effect of anti-amoebic drug therapy on the metabolism of butobarbitone Get access Muhamed A Al Sharifi, Muhamed A Al Sharifi The School of Pharmacy, Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar John N T Gilbert, John N T Gilbert The School of Pharmacy, Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar John W Powell John W Powell The School of Pharmacy, Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Volume 34, Issue 2, February 1982, Pages 126–127, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1982.tb04203.x Published: 12 April 2011 Article history Received: 18 August 1981 Published: 12 April 2011

Structure–activity relationships of mononuclear metal–thiosemicarbazone complexes endowed with potent antiplasmodial and antiamoebic activities

A useful concept for the rational design of antiparasitic drug candidates is the complexation of bioactive ligands with transition metals. In view of this, an investigation was conducted into a new set of metal complexes as potential antiplasmodium and antiamoebic agents, in order to examine the importance of metallic atoms, as well as the kind of sphere of co-ordination, in these biological properties. Four functionalized furyl-thiosemicarbazones (NT1–4) treated with divalent metals (Cu, Co, Pt, and Pd) to form the mononuclear metallic complexes of formula [M(L)2Cl2] or [M(L)Cl2] were examined. The pharmacological characterization, including assays against Plasmodium falciparum and Entamoeba histolytica, cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, and interaction with pBR 322 plasmid DNA was performed. Structure–activity relationship data revealed that the metallic complexation plays an essential role in antiprotozoal activity, rather than the simple presence of the ligand or metal alone. Important steps towards identification of novel antiplasmodium (NT1Cu, IC50 of 4.6μM) and antiamoebic (NT2Pd, IC50 of 0.6μM) drug prototypes were achieved. Of particular relevance to this work, these prototypes were able to reduce the proliferation of these parasites at concentrations that are not cytotoxic to mammalian cells.

Major Role for Cysteine Proteases during the Early Phase of Acanthamoeba castellanii Encystment

Acanthamoeba castellanii is a facultative pathogen that has a two-stage life cycle comprising the vegetatively growing trophozoite stage and the dormant cyst stage. Cysts are formed when the cell encounters unfavorable conditions, such as environmental stress or food deprivation. Due to their rigid double-layered wall, Acanthamoeba cysts are highly resistant to antiamoebic drugs. This is problematic as cysts can survive initially successful chemotherapeutic treatment and cause relapse of the disease. We studied the Acanthamoeba encystment process by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and found that most changes in the protein content occur early in the process. Truncated actin isoforms were found to abound in the encysting cell, and the levels of translation elongation factor 2 (EF2) were sharply decreased, indicating that the rate of protein synthesis must be low at this stage. In the advanced stage of encystment, however, EF2 levels and the trophozoite proteome were partly restored. The protease inhibitors PMSF (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride) and E64d [(2S,3S)-trans-epoxysuccinyl-L-leucylamido-3-methylbutane ethyl ester] inhibited the onset of encystment, whereas the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide was ineffective. Changes in the protein profile, similar to those of encysting cells, could be observed with trophozoite homogenates incubated at room temperature for several hours. Interestingly, these changes could be inhibited significantly by cysteine protease inhibitors but not by inhibitors against other proteases. Taken together, we conclude that the encystment process in A. castellanii is of a bipartite nature consisting of an initial phase of autolysis and protein degradation and an advanced stage of restoration accompanied by the expression of encystment-specific genes.

Cytotoxic effect of amide derivatives of trifluoromethionine against the enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica

Amoebiasis, caused by infection with the enteric protist Entamoeba histolytica, is one of the major parasitic diseases. Although metronidazole and its derivatives are currently employed in therapy, the paucity of effective drugs and potential clinical resistance necessitate the development of a novel drug. Trifluoromethionine (TFM) is a promising lead compound for antiamoebic drugs. To potentiate the antiamoebic effect of TFM, we synthesised various amide derivatives of TFM and evaluated their cytotoxicity. The amide derivatives of TFM were observed to have a superior cytotoxic effect compared with TFM and metronidazole against E. histolytica in vitro. Although TFM showed cytotoxicity following degradation by methionine γ-lyase, the derivatives were degraded by the enzyme less efficiently compared with TFM. We further demonstrated that a representative derivative was hydrolysed by the amoebic cell lysate to first yield TFM, followed by degradation similar to TFM. Hydrolysis was partially inhibited by protease inhibitors. A single subcutaneous or oral administration of TFM and its amide derivatives also effectively prevented the formation of amoebic liver abscess in a rodent model. These data demonstrate the improved effectiveness of TFM derivatives against E. histolytica infection and elucidate the mechanisms underlining the mode of action of these compounds.

Thymidine kinase and uridine-cytidine kinase from Entamoeba histolytica: cloning, characterization, and search for specific inhibitors

Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal parasite and the causative agent of amoebiasis, which is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Although anti-amoebic drugs such as metronidazole, emetine, chloroquine and nitazoxanide are generally effective, there is always potential for development of drug resistance. In order to find novel targets to control E. histolytica proliferation we cloned, expressed and purified thymidine kinase (Eh-TK) and uridine-cytidine kinase (Eh-UCK) from E. histolytica. Eh-TK phosphorylates thymidine with a Km of 0.27 microm, whereas Eh-UCK phosphorylates uridine and cytidine with Km of 0.74 and 0.22 mM, respectively. For both enzymes, ATP acts as specific phosphate donor. In order to find alternative treatments of E. histolytica infection we tested numerous nucleoside analogues and related compounds as inhibitors and/or substrates of Eh-TK and Eh-UCK, and active compounds against E. histolytica in cell culture. Our results indicate that inhibitors or alternative substrates of the enzymes, although partially reducing protozoan proliferation, are reversible and not likely to become drugs against E. histolytica infections.

Antiamoebic drugs for treating amoebic colitis

Entamoeba histolytica infection is common in developing countries, and up to 100,000 individuals with severe disease die every year. Adequate therapy for amoebic colitis is necessary to reduce the severity of illness, prevent development of complicated disease and extraintestinal spread, and decrease transmission. To evaluate antiamoebic drugs for treating amoebic colitis. In September 2008, we searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL (2008, Issue 3), MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, mRCT, and conference proceedings. We contacted individual researchers, organizations, and pharmaceutical companies, and checked reference lists. Randomized controlled trials of antiamoebic drugs given alone or in combination, compared with placebo or another antiamoebic drug for treating adults and children diagnosed with amoebic colitis. Two authors independently assessed the eligibility and methodological quality of trials, and extracted and analysed the data. We calculated clinical and parasitological failure rates, relapse, and adverse events as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using a random-effects model. We determined statistical heterogeneity and explored possible sources of heterogeneity using subgroup analyses. We carried out sensitivity analysis using trial quality to assess the robustness of the results. Thirty-seven trials, enrolling 4487 participants, met the inclusion criteria. Only one trial used adequate methods for randomization and allocation concealment, was blinded, and analysed all randomized participants. Only one trial used a E. histolytica stool antigen test. Tinidazole reduced clinical failure compared with metronidazole (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.51; 477 participants, eight trials) and was associated with fewer adverse events. Compared with metronidazole, combination therapy resulted in fewer parasitological failures (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.86; 720 participants, 3 trials). Tinidazole is more effective in reducing clinical failure compared with metronidazole and has fewer associated adverse events. Combination drug therapy is more effective in reducing parasitological failure compared with metronidazole alone. However, these results are based on trials with poor methodological quality so there is uncertainty in these conclusions. Further trials of the efficacy of antiamoebic drugs, with better methodological quality, are recommended. More accurate tests to detect E. histolytica are needed, particularly in countries where concomitant infection with other bacteria and parasites is common.

Novel model for the in vivo study of central nervous system infection due to Acanthamoeba spp. (T4 genotype)

In this study it was shown for what is believed to be the first time that the African migratory locust can be used as a model for the study of Acanthamoeba pathogenesis. Mature adult locusts were injected intra-abdominally with 10 mul suspension of 10(6) Acanthamoeba (a clinical isolate of the T4 genotype) in culture medium, or with the same volume of sterile culture medium. Locusts injected with Acanthamoeba showed significant weight loss and reduced production of faeces compared with control locusts. Furthermore, injection of amoebae killed all of the locusts within 17 days at room temperature, although the speed of kill was temperature and dose dependent. When samples of faecal pellets and various tissues of infected locusts were cultured on non-nutrient agar plates containing bacterial lawns, live amoebae were recovered from haemolymph, flight muscle and fat body samples, but not from faeces. When brains dissected from locusts were incubated with an anti-amoebic drug (100 muM chlorhexidine) to kill extracellular amoebae, and then washed, homogenized and cultured on bacteria-seeded non-nutrient agar plates, only lysates from amoebae-infected locusts were positive for Acanthamoeba. This strongly suggests that amoebae invade the locust brain and, indeed, trophozoites of Acanthamoeba could be identified within the brain in histological sections of brains from infected locusts, but not from uninfected locusts. These findings support the view that locusts can be used as a model for the study of Acanthamoeba pathogenesis in vivo.

Antiamoebic coumarins from the root bark of Adina cordifolia and their new thiosemicarbazone derivatives

In continuation of our search for potential antiamoebic agents from folklore Indian medicinal plants, we found that the benzene and ethyl acetate extracts from the root bark of Adina cordifolia exhibited strong antiamoebic activity with IC 50 values of 2.92 and 2.50 μg/ml, respectively. Bioassay-guided fractionation of benzene and ethyl acetate extracts led to the isolation of 7-hydroxycoumarin (umbelliferone 1) and 7-β-D-glucosylcoumarin (skimmin 2), respectively. Umbelliferone 1 was converted into 7-acetoxycoumarin 1a, which on treatment with aluminium chloride afforded 7-hydroxy-8-acetylcoumarin 2a. A new series of thiosemicarbazones 3a– e of 7-hydroxy-8-acetylcoumarin with different thiosemicarbazides were synthesized. Umbelliferone was also converted into its methoxy derivative (7-methoxycoumarin 4). Subsequently, all the compounds were assessed for antiamoebic activity against HM1:IMMS strain of Entamoeba histolytica. Umbelliferone and skimmin were found to possess a very good activity with IC 50 values of 6.38 and 4.35 μM/ml, respectively. The activity drastically increased on converting compound 2a into its thiosemicarbazone derivatives 3a– e with IC 50 values ranging between 1.06 and 4.46 μM/ml. Compounds 3b, c and e with IC 50 values of 1.49, 1.56 and 1.06 μM/ml, respectively, exhibited even higher antiamoebic activity than the standard drug metronidazole (IC 50 = 2.62 μg/ml). The activity of 7-methoxycoumarin (IC 50 = 8.92 μM/ml) was less than umbelliferone. Compounds 3b, c and e were tested for toxicity using H9c2 cardiac myoblasts cell line. The compounds exhibit >80% viability at 3.125–200 μg/ml. It is apparent from these results that umbelliferone and skimmin may be a useful lead for the development of new antiamoebic drugs.

In vitro Sensitivity of Different Brands of Antiamoebic Drugs (Metronidazole Tablets) Against Clinical Isolates of Entamoeba histolytica in Bangladesh

Abstract 2 3 In vitro sensitivity of different brands of antiamoebic drugs (metronidazole 4 tablets) against clinical isolates of Entamoeba histolytica in Bangladesh. 5 6 Background: Entamoeba histolytica , associated with high morbidity and mortality is a 7 major public health problem. The major drug of choice for treating amoebiasis is 8 metronidazole. Inappropriate usage, overdosing, or treatment with substandard 9 metronidazole could lead to drug resistance. About 100 pharmaceuticals manufacture 10 metronidazoles in Bangladesh . Continued surveillance for possible emergence of 11 resistance of metronidazole among clinical isolates is necessary for control of 12 amoebiasis. The aim of the study was to evaluate in vitro sensitivity of different 13 metronidazole tablets from Bangladeshi pharmaceuticals against clinical isolates of E. 14 histolytica. 15 Methods: Metronidazole tablets of 12 different brands were randomized from some big 16 and small pharmaceuticals according to their business. The parasite count was adjusted 17 to 3×10

Morbid Parasitological and Histopathological Events in Hamsters Infected with Intestinal Amoebiasis Given Artesunate

<i>Objectives</i>. This work is a trial to elucidate the parasitological and histopathological sequelae of giving the antimalarial drug (artesunate) in experimental intestinal amoebiasis. <i>Methods.</i> A group of 24 hamsters was infected by <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> cysts orally using a canula. This group was subdivided into two main subgroups. Subgroup I: given 6000&#x2009;<i>E. histolytica</i> cysts orally by a canula, then sacrificed five weeks postinfection. Subgroup II : given the same infective dose, then two weeks later, treated with artesunate 10&#x2009;mgm/Kg b. wt/hamster over 3 consecutive days. Again sacrifice was performed five weeks postinfection. Multiple stool examinations, and histopathological examination of the caecal end of the large intestine were resorted to, in order to assess the antiamoebic effect of the drug. Faecal smear examination revealed absolute disappearance of <i>E. histolytica</i> cysts in the treated group. Again, histopathology of the mucosal scrapings of the caecum showed complete absence of <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> trophozoites in the treated group, when compared to the control animals (<inline-formula><mml:math id="M1" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>P</mml:mi><mml:mo>&#x3c;</mml:mo><mml:mn>.001</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math></inline-formula>). This study may be beneficial, especially in areas endemic with amoebiasis to help overcoming the emerging resistance to the usually available antiamoebic drugs.

Synthesis and antiamoebic activity of metronidazole thiosemicarbazone analogues

Repeated treatment of Entamoeba histolytica infection with commonly used antiamoebic drugs results in not only increasing the toxicity potential but also leads to the development of clinical resistance. Thus new effective agents with less toxicity against amoebiasis are urgently required. With this view, metronidazole thiosemicarbazone analogues 1– 11 were synthesized wherein thioamide moiety was substituted by different cyclic and aromatic amines. These compounds were screened against HM1:IMSS strain of E. histolytica parasite cultured in vitro and the sensitivity of the parasite to the metronidazole thiosemicarbazones was evaluated using the microdilution method. Eight compounds ( 1– 4, 7– 9 and 11) were found better inhibitors of E. histolytica growth since IC 50 values elicited by these compounds were much lower than metronidazole with compound 4 showing the most promising antiamoebic activity (IC 50 = 0.56 μM). The study suggests the beneficial potential of these leads that need to be further explored in order to discover and develop better and yet safer therapeutic agents for amoebiasis.

Development of a pharmacodynamic screening model with Entamoeba histolytica

Human amoebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics, but also occurring in neighbouring parts of the temperate zones. Invasive amoebiasis causes dysentery and, by haematogenous spread, also extra-intestinal hepatic, pulmonary or cerebral abscesses, not rarely fatal conditions. The available anti-amoebic drugs have shortcomings regarding tolerability and efficacy. To facilitate the screening of candidate material, an in vitro system has been developed that permits the determination of specific anti-amoebic activity. PYE medium, supplemented with bovine serum, proved to be suitable for the maintenance of the stock cultures of Entamoeba histolytica strain HM1:1MSS. For sensitivity testing, Waymouth medium and cultivation under aerobic conditions were most reliable. After adapting the system to the use of 96-well (8 x 12) tissue culture plates, sensitivity tests were carried out with metronidazole, dehydroemetine and dihydroartemisinin as active control drugs, and seven extracts from Stemona tuberosa, Aglaia edulis, Aglaia elaeagnoidea and Aglaia odorata. Stem bark extract from Aglaia elaeagnoidea was the most active material with an IC(99) of 496 ng/ml and a slope S of 1.1325, followed by leaf extract from Stemona tuberosa with an IC(99) of 638 ng/ml and a slope S of 1.5648. All seven extracts showed full activity at concentrations <4000 ng/ml and qualified for further investigation.

Inhibitors of Escherichia coli serine acetyltransferase block proliferation of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites

The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the etiologic agent of amebiasis, a major global public health problem, particularly in developing countries. There is an effective anti-amoebic drug available, however its long term use produces undesirable side effects. As E. histolytica is a micro-aerophilic organism, it is sensitive to high levels of oxygen and the enzymes that are involved in protecting against oxygen-stress are crucial for its survival. Therefore serine acetyltransferase, an enzyme involved in cysteine biosynthesis, was used as a target for identifying potential inhibitors. Virtual screening with Escherichia coli serine acetyltransferase was carried out against the National Cancer Institute chemical database utilizing molecular docking tools such as GOLD and FlexX. The initial analysis yielded 11 molecules of which three compounds were procured and tested for biological activity. The results showed that these compounds partially block activity of the E. coli enzyme and the growth of E. histolytica trophozoites but not mammalian cells.

Cellulose biosynthesis pathway is a potential target in the improved treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis

Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic protozoan pathogen that can cause blinding keratitis as well as fatal granulomatous encephalitis. One of the distressing aspects in combating Acanthamoeba infections is the prolonged and problematic treatment. For example, current treatment against Acanthamoeba keratitis requires early diagnosis followed by hourly topical application of a mixture of drugs that can last up to a year. The aggressive and prolonged management is due to the ability of Acanthamoeba to rapidly adapt to harsh conditions and switch phenotypes into a resistant cyst form. One possibility of improving the treatment of Acanthamoeba infections is to inhibit the ability of these parasites to switch into the cyst form. The cyst wall is partially made of cellulose. Here, we tested whether a cellulose synthesis inhibitor, 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB), can enhance the effects of the antiamoebic drug pentamidine isethionate (PMD). Our findings revealed that DCB can block Acanthamoeba encystment and may improve the antiamoebic effects of PMD. Using in vitro assays, the findings revealed that DCB enhanced the inhibitory effects of PMD on Acanthamoeba binding to and cytotoxicity of the host cells, suggesting the cellulose biosynthesis pathway as a novel target for the improved treatment of Acanthamoeba infections.