RESUMEN

Schistosomiasis, caused by parasites of the genus Schistosoma, is a neglected disease with high global prevalence, affecting more than 240 million people in several countries. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug currently available for the treatment. S. mansoni NTPDases (known as SmNTPDases, ATP diphosphohydrolases or ecto-apyrases) are potential drug targets for the discovery of new antischistosomal drugs. In this study, we screen NTPDases inhibitors from Centella erecta (Apiaceae) using an ultrafiltration combined UHPLC-QTOF-MS method and potato apyrase, identifying asiaticoside as one of the apyrase-binding compounds. After isolation of asiaticoside from C. erecta extract, we assessed its in vivo antischistosomal activities against Schistosoma mansoni worms and its in vitro enzymatic apyrase inhibition. Also, molecular docking analysis of asiaticoside against potato apyrase, S. mansoni NTPDases 1 and 2 were performed. Asiaticoside showed a significant in vitro apyrase inhibition and molecular docking studies corroborate with its possible actions in potato apyrase and S. mansoni NTPDases. In mice harboring a patent S. mansoni infection, a single oral dose of asiaticoside (400 mg/kg. p.o.) showed significantly in vivo antischistosomal efficacy, markedly decreasing the total worm load and egg burden, giving support for further exploration of apyrase inhibitors as antischistosomal agents.

RESUMEN

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe and potentially fatal neglected tropical disease, being considered a public health concern in many countries worldwide. There are still no vaccines against human VL, and the existing chemotherapy is often toxic. Thereby, alternative treatments have been investigated, and byproducts from plant metabolism have been a source of promising pharmacological compounds. Terpenes are secondary metabolites that exhibit a large spectrum of therapeutic activities. Herein, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effects of terpenes in the treatment of VL in rodents. After an extensive search using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, we included 34 articles in this review. Our results revealed that triterpenes were the most used terpenes by the eligible studies. Overall, terpene treatment showed no or negligible toxicity, causing an increase in the Th1-type immune response profile and nitric oxide production. It also reduced the Th2 cytokines levels and parasite load (> 90% to > 99%). Moreover, terpenes induced apoptosis by damaging the plasma membrane and inhibiting DNA topoisomerases in the parasite. The use of terpene carriers increased the terpene bioavailability in the body, preventing their rapid excretion and promoting the drug delivery at the site of Leishmania infection. Terpene derivatives showed better pharmacokinetics than the original terpenes. Altogether, the benefits of VL treatment with terpenes in preclinical studies may open new directions for other preclinical and human trials.

Asunto(s)

Leishmaniasis Visceral , Triterpenos , Sistemas de Liberación de Medicamentos , Humanos , Leishmaniasis Visceral/tratamiento farmacológico , Fitoterapia , Terpenos/farmacología , Terpenos/uso terapéutico

RESUMEN

ABSTRACT The objective of the work was to validate the high performance liquid chromatography for simultaneous determination of stability of madecassoside and asiaticoside in Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., Apiaceae, extract-loaded film forming polymeric dispersions. High performance liquid chromatography method was validated in five topics: linearity and range, limit of detection and limit of quantitation, specificity, precision, and accuracy. Results showed the method had a good linearity (R2 > 0.9990) in the range of 5-150 µg/ml and specific. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation of madecassoside were 81 and 245 ng/ml and asiaticoside were 21 and 64 ng/ml, respectively. The percent relative standard deviation of intraday and interday precision were less than 1 and 3%, respectively. The accuracy presented as percent recovery was 101.54-103.29% for madecassoside and 100.39-102.58% for asiaticoside. This validated high performance liquid chromatography method was used to determine the stability of the formulation containing Centella asiatica extract. Centella asiatica extract-loaded film forming polymeric dispersions used Eudragit® RS 30D and Eudragit® RL 30D as film former, glycerin as plasticizer, and absolute ethanol as solvent and penetration enhancer. Three formulations with different ratio of Eudragit® RS 30D and Eudragit® RL 30D were prepared and stored for 90 days at 4 ºC, 25 ºC, and 40 ºC. Stability results showed that almost all of the formulations were unstable at 25 ºC and 40 ºC. Except, two of three formulations were stable at 4 ºC. However, the formulation was further developed to improve the stability of madecassoside and asiaticoside in the formulation.