RESUMO
Basing on a library of thiadiazole derivatives showing anti-trypanosomatidic activity, we have considered the thiadiazoles opened forms and reaction intermediates, thiosemicarbazones, as compounds of interest for phenotypic screening against Trypanosoma brucei (Tb), intracellular amastigote form of Leishmania infantum (Li) and Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc). Similar compounds have already shown interesting activity against the same organisms. The compounds were particularly effective against T. brucei and T. cruzi. Among the 28 synthesized compounds, the best one was (E)-2-(4-((3.4-dichlorobenzyl)oxy)benzylidene) hydrazinecarbothioamide (A14) yielding a comparable anti-parasitic activity against the three parasitic species (TbEC50=231 mu M, LiEC50 = 6.14 mu M, TcEC50 = 1.31 mu M) and a Selectivity Index higher than 10 with respect to human macrophages, therefore showing a pan-anti-trypanosomatidic activity. (E)-2-((3'.4'-dimethoxy-[1.1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyle ne) hydrazinecarbothioamide (A12) and (E)-2-(4-((3.4-dichlorobenzyl)oxy)benzylidene)hydrazine carbothioamide (A14) were able to potentiate the anti parasitic activity of methotrexate (MTX) when evaluated in combination against T. brucei, yielding a 6 fold and 4-fold respectively Dose Reduction Index for MTX. The toxicity profile against four human cell lines and a panel of in vitro early-toxicity assays (comprising hERG, Aurora B, five cytochrome P450 isoforms and mitochondrial toxicity) demonstrated the low toxicity for the thosemicarbazones class in comparison with known drugs. The results confirmed thiosemicarbazones as a suitable chemical scaffold with potential for the development of properly decorated new anti-parasitic drugs.
RESUMO
Tecoma stans is a plant traditionally used in Mexico for the control of diabetes. Amongst the alkaloids isolated from the plant harvested in Egypt, Tecomine was shown to be one of the compounds responsible for the hypoglycemic action. Given the interest in substances able to treat type II diabetes, we isolated the main alkaloids present in the plant growing in Egypt and Brazil and tested them in vivo on db/db mice. Contrary to previous literature reports on different animal models, Tecomine was unable to modify glycemia; the only effect seen being a decrease in plasma cholesterol levels. On the contrary, when tested in vitro on glucose uptake in white adipocytes, the compound showed a marked effect. The two other alkaloids isolated, namely 5beta-Hydroxyskitanthine, early called Base C, and Boschniakine were inactive both in vivo and in vitro assays.