Discovery of sustainable drugs for neglected tropical diseases : Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL)-based hybrids target mitochondrial function and ATP production in Trypanosoma brucei

Cerone, Michela and Uliassi, Elisa and Prati, Federica and Ebiloma, Godwin U. and Lemgruber, Leandro and Bergamini, Christian and Watson, David G. and de A. M. Ferreira, Thais and Roth Cardoso, Gabriella Simões Heyn and Soares Romeiro, Luiz A. and de Koning, Harry P. and Bolognesi, Maria Laura (2019) Discovery of sustainable drugs for neglected tropical diseases : Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL)-based hybrids target mitochondrial function and ATP production in Trypanosoma brucei. ChemMedChem, 14 (6). pp. 621-635. ISSN 1860-7179 (https://doi.org/10.1002/cmdc.201800790)

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Abstract

In the search for effective and sustainable drugs for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), we developed hybrid compounds by merging the structural features of quinone 4 (2-phenoxynaphthalene-1,4-dione) with those of phenolic constituents from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). CNSL is a waste product from cashew nut processing factories, with great potential as a source of drug precursors. The synthesized compounds were tested against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, including three multidrug-resistant strains, T. congolense, and a human cell line. The most potent activity was found against T. b. brucei, the causative agent of HAT. Shorter-chain derivatives 20 (2-(3-(8-hydroxyoctyl)phenoxy)-5-methoxynaphthalene-1,4-dione) and 22 (5-hydroxy-2-(3-(8-hydroxyoctyl)phenoxy)naphthalene-1,4-dione) were more active than 4, displaying rapid micromolar trypanocidal activity, and no human cytotoxicity. Preliminary studies probing their mode of action on trypanosomes showed ATP depletion, followed by mitochondrial membrane depolarization and mitochondrion ultrastructural damage. This was accompanied by reactive oxygen species production. We envisage that such compounds, obtained from a renewable and inexpensive material, might be promising bio-based sustainable hits for anti-trypanosomatid drug discovery.

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