Cationic and anionic PLGA-cholesterol hybrid nanoparticles as promising platforms to enhance the trypanocidal efficacy of benznidazole and drug delivery in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected cells.

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a significant global health challenge. Currently, benznidazole (BNZ) is the primary treatment in many countries. However, this drug is limited by low bioavailability, significant host toxicity, and reduced efficacy in chronic disease phase.

Targeting effective treatment to cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A preclinical investigation on photodynamic therapy mediated by the water-soluble Zn(II) porphyrin, ZnTnHex-2-PyP.

The current chemotherapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is accompanied by side effects and drug resistance emergence, encouraging the proposal of new treatment approaches for this disease. ZnTnHex-2-PyP (ZnP hexyl) is a water-soluble Zn(II) porphyrin that exhibits remarkable potential for photodynamic therapy (PDT). This study aimed to investigate the ZnP hexyl-PDT against CL in vivo.

Potential Effects of Essential Oil from (Mart.) Kausel on : In Vivo, In Vitro, and In Silico Approaches.

In the search for new chemotherapeutic alternatives for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), essential oils are promising due to their diverse biological potential. In this study, we aimed to investigate the chemical composition and leishmanicidal and anti-inflammatory potential of the essential oil isolated from the leaves of (PCEO). The chemical composition of PCEO showed β-cis-Caryophyllene (24.

Comparative transcriptomics analysis of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in response to treatment with the terpenic compounds thymol and carvacrol.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative opportunistic bacterium that has become a major public health concern and a substantial medical challenge due to its ability to acquire multidrug resistance (MDR), extended-drug resistance, or pan-drug resistance. In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of thymol and carvacrol alone or in combination against clinical isolates of MDR A. baumannii.

The endoplasmic reticulum of trypanosomatids: An unrevealed road for chemotherapy.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of higher eukaryotic cells forms an intricate membranous network that serves as the main processing facility for folding and assembling of secreted and membrane proteins. The ER is a highly dynamic organelle that interacts with other intracellular structures, as well as endosymbiotic pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms. A strict ER quality control (ERQC) must work to ensure that proteins entering the ER are folded and processed correctly.

Photoinactivation of Yeast and Biofilm Communities of Mediated by ZnTnHex-2-PyP Porphyrin.

is the main cause of superficial candidiasis. While the antifungals available are defied by biofilm formation and resistance emergence, antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) arises as an alternative antifungal therapy. The tetracationic metalloporphyrin Zn(II) -tetrakis(-n-hexylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin (ZnTnHex-2-PyP) has high photoefficiency and improved cellular interactions.

Activity of poly(methacrylic acid)-silver nanoparticles on fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans strains: Synergistic and cytotoxic effects.

Aims: To synthesize and evaluate the antifungal activity of poly(methacrylic acid)-silver nanoparticles (PMAA-AgNPs) against nine Candida albicans isolated from clinical specimens.

Methods And Results: The effects of PMAA-AgNPs-fluconazole combination was analysed by checkerboard methodology. The synergistic potential of PMAA-AgNPs-fluconazole was determined by the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI).

The Deposition of a Lectin from on the Surface of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes Improved the Cell Adhesion, Proliferation, and Osteogenic Activity of Osteoblast-like Cells.

Titanium and its alloys are used as biomaterials for medical and dental applications, due to their mechanical and physical properties. Surface modifications of titanium with bioactive molecules can increase the osseointegration by improving the interface between the bone and implant. In this work, titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiONTs) were functionalized with a lectin from the plasma of the fish aiming to favor the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblast-like cells, improving its biocompatibility.

Leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activity of essential oil from the fruit peel of (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations of its major constituent onto enzyme targets.

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease characterized by highest morbidity rates worldwide. The available treatment for CL has several limitations including serious side effects and resistance to the treatment. Herein we aimed to evaluate the activity of essential oil from the peel of fruits (MfEO) on .

Physiological, metabolic, and stomatal adjustments in response to salt stress in Jatropha curcas.

Salinity is a major issue affecting photosynthesis and crop production worldwide. High salinity induces both osmotic and ionic stress in plant tissues as a result of complex interactions among morphological, physiological, and biochemical processes. Salinity, in turn, can provoke inactivation of some enzymes in the Calvin-Benson cycle and therefore affect the fine adjustment of electron transport in photosystem I and carbon related reactions.

A new biocompatible silver/polypyrrole composite with in vitro antitumor activity.

We used an in situ chemical oxidation method to prepare a new composite of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with polypyrrole (PPy), whose properties were optimized through a 2-factorial design of the synthesis conditions. The successful formation of the AgNPs/PPy composite was confirmed by UV-Visible and FTIR spectroscopies. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of AgNPs smaller than 100 nm, dispersed into the PPy matrix.

Identification of 1,2,3-triazole-phthalimide derivatives as potential drugs against COVID-19: a virtual screening, docking and molecular dynamic study.

In this work we aimed to perform an predictive screening, docking and molecular dynamic study to identify 1,2,3-triazole-phthalimide derivatives as drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2. The prediction of pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of hundred one 1,2,3-triazole-phtalimide derivatives, obtained from SciFinder® library, were investigated. Compounds that did not show good gastrointestinal absorption, violated the Lipinski's rules, proved to be positive for the AMES test, and showed to be hepatotoxic or immunotoxic in our ADMET analysis, were filtered out of our study.

Study of acute oral toxicity of the thiazole derivative N-(1-methyl-2-methyl-pyridine)-N-(p-bromophenylthiazol-2-yl)-hydrazine in a Syrian hamster.

The thiazole derivative N-1-methyl-2-methyl-pyridine)-N-(p-bromophenylthiazol-2-yl)-hydrazine was used to evaluate the acute oral toxicity in Syrian hamsters. The concentration of the doses (300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg) were based on the "Class Acute Toxicity Method" displayed in the OECD-423 guide. In addition, renal and liver biochemical tests were performed, as well as histopathological analysis.

Benznidazole: Hero or villain of cellular immune response in chronic Chagas disease patients?

Although the treatment of chronic Chagas disease (CCD) patients with Benznidazole (Bz) is still controversial, its use may prevent or delay the progression of the disease to the most severe forms. One of the main factors that can influence the effectiveness of the treatment is the possible cooperation between drug effect and the host immune response. Herein, we evaluated the immune response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and submitted to Bz treatment.

Antileishmanial activity of 4-phenyl-1-[2-(phthalimido-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazole (PT4) derivative on Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis: In silico ADMET, in vitro activity, docking and molecular dynamic simulations.

Organic compounds obtained by click chemistry reactions have demonstrated a broad spectrum of biological activities being widely applied for the development of molecules against pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), caused by intracellular protozoa parasite of genus Leishmania, comprises a complex of clinical manifestations that affect the skin and mucous membranes. The available drugs for the treatment are toxic and costly, with long periods of treatment, and the emergence of resistant strains has been reported.

Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) Reduces the Survival Time of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae), the Main Vector of the Visceral Leishmaniasis Agent in the Americas.

Visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) is a major neglected tropical disease and Brazil is the responsible for most cases reported in the Americas. In this region, L. infantum is primarily transmitted by Lutzomyia longipalpis and Migonemyia migonei (França) (Diptera: Psychodidae) is considered a permissive vector.

Study of in vitro biological activity of thiazoles on Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum.

Objectives: In the prospection of possible agents against neglected diseases, thiazole compounds are presented as promising candidates and are known to have activity against trypanosomatid parasites. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the effects of thiazole compounds on Leishmania infantum, the aetiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis.

Methods: Thiazole compounds (five thiazoacetylpyridines [TAPs-01, -04, -05, -06, -09) and five thiazopyridines [TPs-01, -04, -05, -06, -09]) were tested regarding their leishmanicidal activity on both promastigote and amastigote forms of L.

Lippia sidoides and Lippia origanoides essential oils affect the viability, motility and ultrastructure of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is considered a public health problem. The current chemotherapy for this illness causes serious side effects and its use in the chronic phase of the disease is still controversial. In this regard, the investigation of novel therapeutic strategies remains a priority.

CdTe-GSH as luminescent biomarker for labeling the larvicidal action of WSMoL lectin in Aedes aegypti larvae.

Mosquito-borne arboviruses compromise human health worldwide. Due to resistance to chemical insecticides, natural compounds have been studied to combat mosquitoes. Previous works have demonstrated a larvicidal activity of the water-soluble Moringa oleifera lectin (WSMoL) against Aedes aegypti, suggesting a mechanism of action based on the interaction between lectin and chitin present in the larvae's peritrophic matrix.

Twice-a-day training improves mitochondrial efficiency, but not mitochondrial biogenesis, compared with once-daily training.

Exercise training performed with lowered muscle glycogen stores can amplify adaptations related to oxidative metabolism, but it is not known if this is affected by the "train-low" strategy used (i.e., once-daily versus twice-a-day training).

Adoptive Transfer of Bone Marrow-Derived Monocytes Ameliorates Schistosoma mansoni -Induced Liver Fibrosis in Mice.

Liver diseases are a major health problem worldwide leading to high mortality rates and causing a considerable economic burden in many countries. Cellular therapies as potential treatments for liver diseases have proven beneficial in most of the conditions. In recent years, studies involving therapy with bone marrow cells have been implemented to promote liver regeneration and to reduce hepatic fibrosis, however identifying the cell population present in the bone marrow that is responsible for hepatic improvement after therapy is still necessary.

Evaluation of gold nanorods toxicity on isolated mitochondria.

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have been studied extensively in biomedicine due to their biocompatibility and their unique properties. Some studies reported that AuNRs selectively accumulate on cancer cell mitochondria causing its death. However, the immediate effects of this accumulation needed further investigations.