Abstract
Millions of people in the developing world are affected by diseases caused by the kinetoplastid parasites: the leishmaniases, African trypanosomiasis, and Chagas disease. In many cases the drugs employed for treatment are toxic, marginally effective, given by injection, and/or compromised by the development of resistance. Since safe, effective, and affordable chemotherapeutic agents for leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis are clearly needed, the identification of new antikinetoplastid drug candidates should be an urgent priority. Numerous plant-derived natural products from different structural classes have been investigated as antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal candidates, including various alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and quinonoids. This review outlines the antikinetoplastid activities of plant-derived natural products reported in the literature and also provides an overview of mechanistic studies that have been conducted with these compounds. Given the activities of these agents and their diverse range of effects on parasite biology, natural products are a potentially rich source of drug candidates and leads against leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis.
Keywords: Leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, natural products, plant extracts, phytotherapy, antiprotozoal agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Natural Products from Plants as Drug Candidates and Lead Compounds Against Leishmaniasis and Trypanosomiasis
Volume: 13 Issue: 21
Author(s): Manar M. Salem and Karl A. Werbovetz
Affiliation:
Keywords: Leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, natural products, plant extracts, phytotherapy, antiprotozoal agents
Abstract: Millions of people in the developing world are affected by diseases caused by the kinetoplastid parasites: the leishmaniases, African trypanosomiasis, and Chagas disease. In many cases the drugs employed for treatment are toxic, marginally effective, given by injection, and/or compromised by the development of resistance. Since safe, effective, and affordable chemotherapeutic agents for leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis are clearly needed, the identification of new antikinetoplastid drug candidates should be an urgent priority. Numerous plant-derived natural products from different structural classes have been investigated as antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal candidates, including various alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and quinonoids. This review outlines the antikinetoplastid activities of plant-derived natural products reported in the literature and also provides an overview of mechanistic studies that have been conducted with these compounds. Given the activities of these agents and their diverse range of effects on parasite biology, natural products are a potentially rich source of drug candidates and leads against leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Salem M. Manar and Werbovetz A. Karl, Natural Products from Plants as Drug Candidates and Lead Compounds Against Leishmaniasis and Trypanosomiasis, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2006; 13 (21) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986706778201611
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986706778201611 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Pharmacological Neuroprotection after Perinatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury
Current Neuropharmacology Hypocholesterolemia
Current Vascular Pharmacology Cardiac Monitoring in Patients with Syncope: Making that Elusive Diagnosis
Current Cardiology Reviews Cardiovascular Drugs Inducing QT Prolongation: Facts and Evidence
Current Drug Safety The Neurophysiology of Hydrogen Sulfide
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) <i>Nigella sativa</i> – A Functional Spice From A Pharaoh’s Tomb to Modern Healthcare
The Natural Products Journal Synthesis and In Vitro Evaluation of Some Isatin-Thiazolidinone Hybrid Analogues as Anti-Proliferative Agents
Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Potential of Naringenin: A Citrus Flavonoid of Pharmaceutical Promise
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mammalian Cell Competitions, Cell-in-Cell Phenomena and Their Biomedical Implications.
Current Molecular Medicine Recent Progress and Related Patents on the Applications of Bone Marrow-Derived Stem/Progenitor Cells in Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Therapies
Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine Acute Cardioembolic Cerebral Infarction: Answers to Clinical Questions
Current Cardiology Reviews Disorders of Sex Development: A Review
Current Women`s Health Reviews Vascular Arginase and Hypertension
Current Hypertension Reviews Non-Traditional Systemic Treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy: An Evidence-Based Review
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Decade of Targets and Patented Drugs for Chemotherapy of Chagas Disease
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Advances in Development of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Inhibitors
Current Medicinal Chemistry Antiprotozoal Agents: An Overview
Anti-Infective Agents in Medicinal Chemistry An Overview on Keratinocyte Growth Factor: From the Molecular Properties to Clinical Applications
Protein & Peptide Letters Serpins for Diagnosis and Therapy in Cancer
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets New Insight into P-Glycoprotein as a Drug Target
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry