Publications by authors named "Maria V Papadopoulou"

Twenty three 3-nitrotriazole- and five nitroimidazole-based compounds, mostly amides, were screened for antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis HRv (Mtb HRv) under aerobic or low oxygen conditions, intracellular activity in murine J774 macrophages or THP-1 cells, activity against resistant Mtb strains as well as cytotoxicity in normal cells. Compounds with a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) less than 10μM and 10-50μM were characterized as active and moderately active, respectively, whereas compounds with a MIC >50μM were characterized inactive. Fifteen 3-nitrotriazole-based compounds were active or moderately active against aerobic Mtb and thirteen of them were bactericidal, however, only four 3-nitrotriazoles were moderately active against anaerobic Mtb.

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A limited number of novel 3-nitrotriazole- and 2-nitroimidazole-linked quinolines and quinazolines were synthesized and screened for in vitro antitrypanosomal and antitubercular activities as well as cytotoxicity in normal cells. All compounds were active against T. cruzi amastigotes, while all but one were active or moderately active against T.

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3-Nitrotriazole-based compounds belonging to various chemical subclasses were found to be very effective against Chagas disease both and after a short administration schedule. In this study, five compounds with specific characteristics were selected to be administered for longer periods of time to mice infected with the virulent Y strain to further evaluate their effectiveness as antichagasic agents and whether or not potential adverse effects occur. Benznidazole was included for comparison purposes.

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3-Nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based acetamides bearing a biphenyl- or a phenoxyphenyl moiety have shown remarkable antichagasic activity both in vitro and in an acute murine model, as well as substantial in vitro antileishmanial activity but lacked activity against human African trypanosomiasis. We have shown now that by inserting a methylene group in the linkage to obtain the corresponding propanamides, both antichagasic and in particular anti-human African trypanosomiasis potency was increased. Therefore, IC50 values at low nM concentrations against both T.

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A small series of 5-nitro-2-aminothiazole-based amides containing arylpiperazine-, biphenyl- or aryloxyphenyl groups in their core were synthesized and evaluated as antitrypanosomatid agents. All tested compounds were active or moderately active against Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes in infected L6 cells and Trypanosoma brucei brucei, four of eleven compounds were moderately active against Leishmania donovani axenic parasites while none were deemed active against T. brucei rhodesiense.

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Novel linear 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based piperazides were synthesized and evaluated as antitrypanosomal agents. In addition, some bisarylpiperazine-ethanones which were formed as by-products were also screened for antiparasitic activity. Most 3-nitrotriazole-based derivatives were potent and selective against Trypanosoma cruzi parasites, but only one displayed these desired properties against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense.

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3-Nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole- and 2-nitro-1H-imidazole-based amides with an aryloxy-phenyl core were synthesized and evaluated as antitrypanosomal agents. All 3-nitrotriazole-based derivatives were extremely potent anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents at sub nM concentrations and exhibited a high degree of selectivity for the parasite. The 2-nitroimidazole analogs were only moderately active against T.

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3-Nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based amides with a linear, rigid core and 3-nitrotriazole-based fluconazole analogues were synthesized as dual functioning antitrypanosomal agents. Such compounds are excellent substrates for type I nitroreductase (NTR) located in the mitochondrion of trypanosomatids and, at the same time, act as inhibitors of the sterol 14α-demethylase (T. cruzi CYP51) enzyme.

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We have previously shown that 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based arylamides and arylsulfonamides demonstrate significant activity in vitro against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative parasite of Chagas disease. More importantly, several such analogs displayed significant antichagasic activity in vivo, superior to that of benznidazole, the current clinical standard. We now report the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of a small series of novel nitro(triazole/imidazole)-based heteroarylamides/sulfonamides (including 3-nitrotriazole-, 2- and 4-nitroimidazole-based compounds) as potential antitrypanosomal agents.

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Twenty-three 3-nitrotriazole-based and 2-nitroimidazole-based amides and sulfonamides were screened for antitubercular (anti-TB) activity in aerobic Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv by using the BacTiter-Glo (BTG) microbial cell viability assay. In general, 3-nitrotriazole-based sulfonamides demonstrated anti-TB activity, whereas 3-nitrotriazole-based amides and 2-nitroimidazole-based amides and sulfonamides were inactive. Three 3-nitrotriazole-based sulfonamides (compounds 4, 2, and 7) demonstrated 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), IC90, and MIC values of 0.

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Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of potential renoprotective interventions such as the administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC; antioxidant) and furosemide (diuretic) on intrarenal oxygenation as evaluated by blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) measurements.

Materials And Methods: Rats received nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (10 mg/kg) and cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10 mg/kg) to induce the risk for developing iodinated contrast-induced acute kidney injury before receiving one of the interventions: NAC, furosemide, or placebo. One of the 3 iodinated contrast agents (iohexol, ioxaglate, or iodixanol) was then administered (1600-mg organic iodine per kilogram body weight).

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Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate differences in intrarenal oxygenation as assessed by blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging in contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI)-susceptible rats when using 4 contrast media with different physicochemical properties and to demonstrate the feasibility of acquiring urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels as a marker of CIAKI in this model.

Materials And Methods: Our institutional animal care and use committee approved the study. Sixty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into CIAKI-susceptible groups (received nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [10 mg/kg] and cycloxygenase inhibitor indomethacin [10mg/kg]) and control groups (received saline instead).

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Background: Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in Latin America and leads to an estimated 14,000 deaths per year and around 100 million people at risk of infection. Drugs currently used in the treatment of Chagas are old, partially effective and have numerous side effects.

Methodology: We have previously reported that 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based compounds demonstrate significant and selective activity against T.

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We have previously shown that 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based amines demonstrate significant trypanocidal activity, in particular against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative parasite of Chagas disease. In the present work we further expanded our research by evaluating in vitro the trypanocidal activity of nitrotriazole-based piperazines and nitrotriazole-based 2-amino-1,3-benzothiazoles to establish additional SARs. All nitrotriazole-based derivatives were active or moderately active against T.

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Current therapies against African and American trypanosomiasis are problematic and with no immediate prospect of a vaccine there is an urgent need for cheap, more effective treatments. To aid the drug discovery pipeline, we report a novel in vivo screening approach using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos as a means of rapidly assessing a compounds developmental toxicity. This technique, amenable to high-throughput screening, was validated using several trypanocidal nitroaromatic prodrugs including nifurtimox and benznidazole.

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A series of novel 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based (and in some cases 2-nitro-1H-imidazole-based) amides and sulfonamides were characterized for their in vitro antitrypanosomal and antileishmanial activities as well as mammalian toxicity. Out of 36 compounds tested, 29 (mostly 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazoles) displayed significant activity against Trypanosoma cruzi intracellular amastigotes (IC(50) ranging from 28 nM to 3.72 μM) without concomitant toxicity to L6 host cells (selectivity 66-2782).

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A series of novel 2-nitro-1H-imidazole- and 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based aromatic and aliphatic amines were screened for antitrypanosomal activity and mammalian cytotoxicity by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). Out of 42 compounds tested, 18 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazoles and one 2-nitroimidazole displayed significant growth inhibitory properties against T. cruzi amastigotes (IC(50) ranging from 40 nM to 1.

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Bioreductive drugs can cause retinal toxicity, mediated by extensive apoptosis in the outer retina of rodents and monkeys. In the present study, we have investigated whether or not the novel and promising hypoxia-selective cytotoxin 4-[3-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-propylamino]-7-chloroquinoline hydrochloride (NLCQ-1, NSC 709257) can cause hypoxia-dependent retinal toxicity in BALB/c mice alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide (CPM), one of the anti-cancer agents that acts synergistically with NLCQ-1 against mouse tumours and human xenografts. The bioreductive agent tirapazamine (TPZ) was included for comparison purposes.

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In pre-clinical studies, 4-[3-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-propylamino]-7-chloroquinoline hydrochloride (NLCQ-1, NSC 709257) is a weak DNA-intercalating, hypoxia-selective cytotoxin with a promising profile as an adjuvant to radio/chemotherapy and it is about to enter phase I clinical trials. The present investigation was undertaken to further evaluate potential systemic toxicity induced by i.v.

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4-[3-(2-Nitro-1-imidazolyl)-propylamino]-7-chloroquinoline hydrochloride (NLCQ-1), a 2-nitroimidazole-based hypoxia-selective cytotoxin has been shown to target hypoxic regions of solid tumours. The present study is one of several pre-clinical toxicology studies conducted in support of an 'investigational new drug' (IND) application to test this agent as an adjuvant to radio/chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer in humans. Twenty-four dogs were each assigned to one vehicle control group or to one of three test article-treated groups (three dogs/sex/treatment group).

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In our search for novel bioreductive agents with weak DNA-binding characteristics, we have synthesized two new 2-nitroimidazolyl derivatives tethered to a fused aromatic-ring chromophore with two nitrogen atoms: 4-[3-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-propylamino]-2-methyl-quinazoline hydrochloride (NLQZ-1) and 4-[3-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-propylamino]-1,5-naphthyridine hydrochloride (NLPP-1). DNA binding was evaluated by using the ethidium bromide displacement assay. Cytotoxicity, radiosensitization, and interaction with chemotherapeutic agents were evaluated in V79 and A549 cells by using the clonogenic assay.

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Background: Compounds bearing two independent redox centers are considered bis-bioreductive agents and usually demonstrate increased hypoxic selectivity with exposure time due to different requirements for reduction of each center. We have synthesized a novel 2-[3-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)propylamino]-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (NLNQ-1), through Michael addition. NLNQ-1, which combines a naphthoquinone (with a relatively high one electron reduction potential) with a 2-nitroimidazole (with a relatively low one electron reduction potential), could perform as a more potent hypoxia-selective cytotoxin and radiosensitizer.

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NLCQ-1 (NSC 709257), a hypoxia-selective cytotoxin that targets DNA through weak intercalation, was investigated for efficacy in combination with single or fractionated radiotherapy of human head and neck xenografts. A staged tumor experiment was performed in tumor-bearing female athymic nude mice that were locally irradiated with or without NLCQ-1. Tumor hypoxia was assessed by immunohistochemistry for pimonidazole adducts in tumors of varying weight.

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Background: The hypoxia selective cytotoxin NLCQ-1 significantly potentiates the antitumor effect of several alkylating agents in vitro and in vivo. Synergy in mice requires administration of NLCQ-1 ca. 1 h before the alkylating agent, a fact that may be related to an in vitro hypoxic pretreatment effect.

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4-[3-(2-Nitro-1-imidazolyl)-propylamino]-7-chloroquinoline hydrochloride (NLCQ-1; NSC 709257) and 4-[4-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-butylamino]-7-chloroquinoline hydrochloride (NLCQ-2), two weak DNA-intercalating nitroimidazole-based bioreductive prodrugs, have been tested against dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and demonstrated a significant activity comparable with that of the nitroimidazopyran PA-824. Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of 3.1-18.

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