CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / Animal toxins can be a source of molecular models for the design of new drugs. This study investigated the antimicrobial and trypanocidal potential from Dinoponera quadriceps ant venom (DqV) aiming to discover therapeutic value substances. We conducted the microdilution test, where it was determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum Lethal Concentration (MLC) over Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P , Escherichia coli ATCC 10536 , Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 , Salmonella subsp cholearaesuis choleraesuis serotype choleraesuis ATCC 10708 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 strains and two microbial strains of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), S. aureus ATCC 33591 and S. aureus CCBH 5330. MIC and MLC of DqV were respectively 6.25 Âg/mL and 12.5 Âg/mL for S. aureus ATCC 6538P, 3.12 Âg/mL and 3.12 Âg/mL for E. coli, 12.5 Âg/mL and 12.5 Âg/mL for P. aeruginosa, 12.5 Âg/mL and 25 Âg/mL for S. choleraesuis, 25 Âg/mL and 50 Âg/mL for C. albicans, 12.5 Âg/mL and 50 Âg/mL for S. aureus CCBH 5330 and 100 Âg/mL and 100 Âg/mL for S. aureus ATCC 33591. Mechanism of action experiments were performed for the strain of S. aureus ATCC 6538P methicillin-susceptible (MSSA), that changes in the permeability of the bacterial membrane of S. aureus treated with bacteriostatic and bactericidal concentrations of DqV was observed by the crystal violet assay and release of genetic material assay. A lowest MIC was observed when alkaline pH broth was used (7,5-9,0). Complete bacterial growth inhibition was observed after 4 h of incubation with the MLC of DqV. Bacterial morphology was analyzed by atomic force microscopy after exposure of bacteria to the CIM and CIM /2 of DqV for 4 hours, showing membrane damage. In antiparasitic assays, we determined the cytotoxic effects of the venom on epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of the Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. In epimastigotes, cytotoxicity was evaluated at 24 and 48 h, finding IC50 of 28.32 Âg/mL and 20.67 Âg/mL, respectively. The mechanism of cell death was assessed by flow cytometry and revealed the presence of necrotic and apoptotic involvement in the cytotoxic effect of DqV over epimastigote form, in addition, the appearance of double labeled cells with PI and Annexin V-FITC, indicating the occurrence of late apoptosis. Cytotoxicity was evaluated over trypomastigote finding an IC50 of 1.978 Âg/mL and over RAW 264.7 cells finding an IC50 of 32.44 Âg/mL. The venom showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus MSSA and MRSA, P. aeruginosa, S. choleraesuis, E. coli and C. albicans, suggesting membrane damage in S. aureus ATCC 6538P. Additionally, showed cytotoxic potential on epimastigote and tripomastigote forms of Y strain of T. cruzi. / As toxinas animais podem ser fonte de modelos moleculares para o desenho de novos fÃrmacos. Este trabalho objetivou estudar o potencial antimicrobiano e tripanocida do veneno da formiga Dinoponera quadriceps (VDq) visando à descoberta de substÃncia de valor terapÃutico. Foi realizado o ensaio de microdiluiÃÃo em caldo, onde foi determinado a ConcentraÃÃo InibitÃria MÃnima (CIM) e ConcentraÃÃo Letal MÃnima (CLM) das cepas Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Salmonella cholearaesuis subsp. choleraesuis sorotipo choleraesuis ATCC 10708 e Candida albicans ATCC 10231 e duas cepas Staphylococcus aureus Meticilina Resistente (MRSA), S. aureus ATCC 33591 e S. aureus CCBH 5330. CIM e CLM de VDq foram respectivamente 6,25 Âg/mL e 12,5 Âg/mL para S. aureus ATCC 6538P, 3,12 Âg/mL e 3,12 Âg/mL para E. coli, 12,5 Âg/mL e 12,5 Âg/mL para P. aeruginosa, 12,5 Âg/mL e 25 Âg/mL para S. choleraesuis, 25 Âg/mL e 50 Âg/mL para C. albicans, 12,5 Âg/mL e 50 Âg/mL para S. aureus CCBH 5330 e 100 Âg/mL e 100 Âg/mL para S. aureus ATCC 33591. Em seguida foram realizados experimentos de mecanismo de aÃÃo para a cepa de S. aureus ATCC 6538P SensÃvel à Meticilina (MSSA), onde se verificou alteraÃÃo na permeabilidade da membrana bacteriana de S. aureus tratado com concentraÃÃes bacteriostÃticas e bactericidas de VDq atravÃs do ensaio do cristal violeta e do ensaio de liberaÃÃo de material genÃtico. Uma menor CIM foi encontrada quando pHs alcalinos foram utilizados no teste (7,5-9,0). Uma completa inibiÃÃo de crescimento foi observada apÃs 4 h de incubaÃÃo com CLM de VDq. A morfologia bacteriana foi avaliada por microscopia de forÃa atÃmica apÃs exposiÃÃo da bactÃria à CIM e CIM/2 de VDq durante 4 h, mostrando o dano de membrana. Nos ensaios antiparasitÃrios, foram observados os efeitos citotÃxicos do veneno sobre formas epimastigotas e tripomastigotas da cepa Y de Trypanosoma cruzi. Nas formas epimastigotas, a citotoxicidade foi avaliada em 24 e 48 h, com IC50 de 28,32 Âg/mL e IC50= 20,67 Âg/mL, respectivamente. O mecanismo de morte celular foi avaliado por citometria de fluxo e revelou envolvimento necrÃtico e apoptÃtico no efeito do VDq sobre formas epimastigotas, alÃm do aparecimento de cÃlulas marcadas duplamente com PI e anexina V-FITC, indicando a ocorrÃncia de apoptose tardia. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada sobre formas tripomastigotas encontrando uma IC50 de 1,978 Âg/mL e sobre cÃlulas RAW 264.7 uma IC50 de 32,44 Âg/mL. O veneno apresentou atividade antimicrobiana sobre S. aureus MSSA e MRSA, P. aeruginosa, S. choleraesuis, E. coli e C. albicans, sugerindo lise de membrana em S. aureus ATCC 6538P. Adicionalmente, apresentou potencial citotÃxico sobre as formas epimastigota e tripomastigorta de cepa Y de T. cruzi.

Orientador: Ângela Cristina Cilense Zuanon / Resumo: O tratamento da dentina afetada e das lesões de mancha branca com agentes antibacterianos e remineralizadores tem sido uma alternativa eficaz na longevidade das restaurações, porém não há estudos em que um gel de uso odontológico seja composto por nanopartículas de dióxido de titânio (NPTiO2), hidroxiapatita (NPHA), óxido de zinco (NPZnO), vidro bioativo F 18 (VBF18) e fluoreto de sódio (NaF). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a capacidade antibacteriana e remineralizadora de géis experimentais que compuseram os grupos G0- Glicerina (controle negativo), G1- NPHA 3%, G2- NPTiO2 3%, G3- NPZnO 3%, G4- VB F18 3%, G5- NaF 5%, G6- NPTiO2 + NaF 5%, G7- NPZnO 3% + NaF 5%, G8- CLX 0.2%, G9- NPHA 3% + NaF 5% e G10- VB F18 3% + NaF 5%, utilizados no tratamento prévio da dentina afetada antes do selamento da cavidade com cimento de ionômero de vidro (CIV) e na remineralização de lesões de mancha branca. Blocos de dentina e esmalte bovinos passaram por desafio cariogênio monoespécie (S. mutans) induzindo mancha branca em esmalte e cárie em dentina. Os espécimes (esmalte e dentina após remoção da dentina infectada) foram tratados com os géis experimentais e, os de dentina, restaurados com o CIV. Foi avaliada a atividade antibacteriana por meio do teste de halo de inibição e atividade antibiofilme, por meio contagem de unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC/ml), sendo o último também analisado em microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Todos espécimes foram submetidos aos testes de rugos... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

Bicamadas de lípides sintéticos como o brometo de dioctadecildimetilamônio (DODAB) ou dihexadecilfosfato de sódio (DHP) foram avaliadas como carreadores em potencial de miconazol (MCZ), uma droga altamente hidrofóbica. A solubilização e/ou estabilização do MCZ foi avaliada através de métodos de espectrofotometria no UV-visível, determinações de tamanho por espalhamento de luz dinâmico, determinações de potencial zeta e cinéticas de agregação da droga por medidas turbidez em presença ou ausência das dispersões dos anfifílicos. Os resultados mostram que há uma notável capacidade de solubilização de MCZ em fragmentos de membrana (BF) de dispersões de DODAB, o que não ocorre para vesículas grandes (LV) dos mesmos anfifilicos. Ainda, demonstrou-se uma evidente estabilização coloidal do particulado de droga em dispersão aquosa por deposição de bicamadas aniônicas de DHP sobre os grânulos catiônicos do miconazol. Em elevadas proporções molares drogai lípide sintético observou-se um aumento na estabilidade coloidal do particulado de droga que foi atribuído ao recobrimento do particulado catiônico de droga com bicamadas aniônicas. Posteriormente, foram avaliadas as possíveis interações existentes entre células de Candida albicans e fragmentos e/ou vesículas de DODAB. Isotermas de adsorção foram obtidas em função do método de dispersão, concentração do anfifílico e densidade numérica de células. Para os fragmentos de bicamada, as isotermas mostraram-se de alta afinidade (adsorção não-reversivel) não havendo desorção, ao contrário do resultado obtido para as vesículas grandes, onde foi observada desorção a partir da superficie celular. A desorção é favorecida pelo aumento da quantidade de vesículas livres no sobrenadante, sugerindo assim que existe uma significante interação intervesicular de natureza hidrofóbica entre DODAB adsorvido e as vesículas livres. Experimentos de mobilidade eletroforética (ME) mostram a mesma tendência. Dois tipos de interações puderam ser notados. As interações de natureza eletrostática estão presentes em ambas condições (interação das células com fragmento e/ou vesícula). A interação ocorre entre a cabeça carregada do anfifilico e a membrana do fungo. Interações hidrofóbicas possivelmente ocorrem somente em fragmentos de bicamada devido a interações extra-atrativas entre regiões hidrofóbicas da parede celular e as bordas hidrofóbicas dos fragmentos. / Bilayer of synthetic lipids such as sodium dioctadecyldimethylarnrnoniurn bromide (DODAB) or dihexadecylphosphate (DHP) were assessed as potential carriers for miconazol (MCZ), a very hydrophobic drug. The solubilization anel/or stabilization of the drug were tested by UV-visible spectrophotometry methods, size deterrninations by dynamic light scattering, zeta-potential detenninations and drug aggregations kinetics by turbidity changes in the presence or absence of amphiphiles dispersions. Our results show an outstanding capacity solubilization of MCZ in bilayer fragrnents (BF) of DODAB dispersions, what doesn\'t occur with large vesicles (LV) from the same amphiphiles. Still, we have demonstrated a colloidal stabilization of drug particles in water dispersion by deposition of anionic bilayers of DHP on the cationic MCZ granules. In high molar ratio drug/synthetic lipid we observed an increasing colloidal stabilization of drug particles that was attributed to the covering of the drug cationic particles with anionic bilayers. Subsequently, were evaluated the possible interactions that existed between Candida Albicans cells and DODAB fragrnents and/or vesicles. Adsorption isotherrns were obtained as a function of the method of dispersion, concentration of the amphiphiles and cells number density. For the bilayer fragrnents, the isotherrns showed high affinity (irreversible adsorption) without desorption, in contrast with the isotherrns obtained for large vesicles, where we observed desorption of these vesicles over the cellular surface. The desorption was favored by the increase of free vesicles in the supematant, thus suggesting that there is a significant inter-vesicle interaction ofhydrophobic nature between adsorbed DODAB and the free vesicles. Electrophoretic mobility (ME) experiments showed the same tendency. Two types of interactions could be observed. The electrostatic nature interactions were present in both conditions (cellular interaction with fragrnent and/or vesicle). The interaction occurs between the charged head of the amphiphilic and the fungus membrane. Hydrophobic interactions possibly only occur with bilayer fragrnents due the extraattractive interaction existing between hydrophobic regions of the cell wall and the hydrophobic borders of the fragrnents.

No capítulo 1, a modelagem HQSAR, a docagem e os estudos de ROCS foram construídos utilizando uma série de 57 inibidores de cruzaína. O melhor modelo HQSAR (q2 = 0,70, r2 = 0,95, r2test = 0,62, q2rand. = 0,09 and r2rand. = 0,26) foi utilizado para predizer a potência de 121 compostos extraídos da literatura (conjunto de dados V1), resultando em um valor de r2 satisfatório de 0,65 para essa validação externa. Uma validação externa adicional foi empregada utilizando uma série de 1223 compostos extraído dos bancos de dados ChEMBL e CDD (conjunto de dados V3); nessa validação externa o valor de AUC (área sob a curva) para a curva ROC foi de 0,70. Os mapas de contribuição, obtidos para o melhor modelo HQSAR 3.4, estão de acordo com as predições do modo de interação e com as bioatividades dos compostos estudados. Nos estudos de ROCS, a forma molecular utilizada como filtro, foi útil na rápida identificação de modificações moleculares promissoras para inibidores de cruzaína. O valor de AUC obtido com a curva ROC foi de 0,72, isso indica que o método foi muito eficiente na distinção entre inibidores ativos e inativos da enzima cruzaína. Em seguida, o melhor modelo HQSAR foi utilizado para predizer os valores de pIC50 para novos compostos. Alguns dos compostos identificados, utilizando esse método, demonstraram valores de potência calculada maior do que a série de treinamento em estudo. No capítulo 2, os efeitos sobre a potência na inibição da enzima cruzaína pela substituição de um grupo nitrila como warhead por outros grupos foi avaliada. Com a síntese de 20 compostos do tipo dipeptidil, avaliou-se a relação estrutura-atividade (SAR), baseado na troca do grupo warhead na porção P1\'. O grupo oxima foi mais potente que o grupo correspondente nitrila em 0,7 unidades logarítmicas. Os compostos do tipo dipeptidil aldeídos e azanitrila obtiveram potências mais elevadas do que o correspondente dipeptidil nitrila em duas de magnitude. Os compostos dipeptidil alfa-beta insaturados foram menos potentes do que o correspondente dipeptidil nitrila. No capítulo 3, estratégias de química medicinal foram empregadas nas sínteses de 23 novos análogos, contendo o esqueleto básico de imidazopiridina. Sete e doze compostos sintetizados exibiram EC50 <= 1µM in vitro contra os parasitos Tripanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) e brucei (T. brucei), respectivamente. Com os resultados promissores de atividade biológica in vitro, citotoxicidade, estabilidade metabólica, ligação proteica e propriedades farmacocinéticas, o composto 41 foi selecionado como candidato para os estudos de eficácia in vivo. Esse composto foi submetido em um modelo agudo da infecção com T. cruzi em ratos (cepa Tulahuen). Depois de estabelecida a infecção, os ratos foram dosados duas vezes ao dia, durante 5 dias; e monitorados por 6 semanas usando um sistema de imagem in vivo IVIS (do inglês, \"In Vivo Imaging System\"). O composto 41 demonstrou inibição parasitária comparável com o grupo de treinamento dosado com benzonidazol. O composto 41 representa um potencial líder para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos para o tratamento de tripanossomíases. / In chapter 1, the HQSAR, molecular docking and ROCS were applied to a dataset of 57 cruzain inhibitors. The best HQSAR model (q2 = 0.70, r2 = 0.95, r2test = 0.62, q2rand. = 0.09 and r2rand. = 0.26) was then used to predict the potencies of 121 unknown compounds (the V1 database), giving rise to a satisfactory predictive r2 value of 0.65 (external validation). By employing an extra external dataset comprising 1223 compounds (the V3 database) either retrieved from the ChEMBL or CDD databases, an overall ROC AUC (area under the curve) score well over 0.70 was obtained. The contribution maps obtained with the best HQSAR model (model 3.4) are in agreement with the predicted binding mode and with the biological potencies of the studied compounds. We also screened these compounds using the ROCS method, a Gaussian-shape volume filter able to identify quickly the shapes that match a query molecule. The AUC obtained with the ROC curves (ROC AUC) was 0.72, indicating that the method was very efficient in distinguishing between active and inactive cruzain inhibitors. These set of information guided us to propose novel cruzain inhibitors to be synthesized. Then, the best HQSAR model obtained was used to predict the pIC50 values of these new compounds. Some compounds identified using this method has shown calculated potencies higher than those which have originated them. In chapter 2, the effects on potency of cruzain inhibition of replacing a nitrile group with alternative warheads were explored; with the syntheses of 20 dipeptidyl compounds, we explored the structure activity relationships (SAR) based on exchanging of the warhead portion (P1\'). The oxime was 0.7 units more potent than the corresponding nitrile. Dipeptide aldehydes and azadipeptide nitriles were found to be two orders of magnitude more potent than the corresponding dipeptide nitriles. The vinyl esters and amides were less potent than the corresponding nitrile by between one and two orders of magnitude. In chapter 3, we synthesized 23 new imidazopyridine analogues arising from medicinal chemistry optimization at different sites on the molecule. Seven and twelve compounds exhibited an in vitro EC50 <= 1µM against Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) parasites, respectively. Based on promising results of in vitro activity (EC50 &lt; 100 nM), cytotoxicity, metabolic stability, protein binding and pharmacokinetics (PK) properties, compound 41 was selected as a candidate for in vivo efficacy studies. This compound was screened in an acute mouse model against T.cruzi (Tulahuen strain). After established infection, mice were dosed twice a day for 5 days, and then monitored for 6 weeks using an in vivo imaging system (IVIS). Compound 41 demonstrated parasite inhibition comparable to the benznidazole treatment group. Compound 41 represents a potential lead for the development of drugs to treat trypanosomiasis.

Bicamadas de lípides sintéticos como o brometo de dioctadecildimetilamônio (DODAB) ou dihexadecilfosfato de sódio (DHP) foram avaliadas como carreadores em potencial de miconazol (MCZ), uma droga altamente hidrofóbica. A solubilização e/ou estabilização do MCZ foi avaliada através de métodos de espectrofotometria no UV-visível, determinações de tamanho por espalhamento de luz dinâmico, determinações de potencial zeta e cinéticas de agregação da droga por medidas turbidez em presença ou ausência das dispersões dos anfifílicos. Os resultados mostram que há uma notável capacidade de solubilização de MCZ em fragmentos de membrana (BF) de dispersões de DODAB, o que não ocorre para vesículas grandes (LV) dos mesmos anfifilicos. Ainda, demonstrou-se uma evidente estabilização coloidal do particulado de droga em dispersão aquosa por deposição de bicamadas aniônicas de DHP sobre os grânulos catiônicos do miconazol. Em elevadas proporções molares drogai lípide sintético observou-se um aumento na estabilidade coloidal do particulado de droga que foi atribuído ao recobrimento do particulado catiônico de droga com bicamadas aniônicas. Posteriormente, foram avaliadas as possíveis interações existentes entre células de Candida albicans e fragmentos e/ou vesículas de DODAB. Isotermas de adsorção foram obtidas em função do método de dispersão, concentração do anfifílico e densidade numérica de células. Para os fragmentos de bicamada, as isotermas mostraram-se de alta afinidade (adsorção não-reversivel) não havendo desorção, ao contrário do resultado obtido para as vesículas grandes, onde foi observada desorção a partir da superficie celular. A desorção é favorecida pelo aumento da quantidade de vesículas livres no sobrenadante, sugerindo assim que existe uma significante interação intervesicular de natureza hidrofóbica entre DODAB adsorvido e as vesículas livres. Experimentos de mobilidade eletroforética (ME) mostram a mesma tendência. Dois tipos de interações puderam ser notados. As interações de natureza eletrostática estão presentes em ambas condições (interação das células com fragmento e/ou vesícula). A interação ocorre entre a cabeça carregada do anfifilico e a membrana do fungo. Interações hidrofóbicas possivelmente ocorrem somente em fragmentos de bicamada devido a interações extra-atrativas entre regiões hidrofóbicas da parede celular e as bordas hidrofóbicas dos fragmentos. / Bilayer of synthetic lipids such as sodium dioctadecyldimethylarnrnoniurn bromide (DODAB) or dihexadecylphosphate (DHP) were assessed as potential carriers for miconazol (MCZ), a very hydrophobic drug. The solubilization anel/or stabilization of the drug were tested by UV-visible spectrophotometry methods, size deterrninations by dynamic light scattering, zeta-potential detenninations and drug aggregations kinetics by turbidity changes in the presence or absence of amphiphiles dispersions. Our results show an outstanding capacity solubilization of MCZ in bilayer fragrnents (BF) of DODAB dispersions, what doesn\'t occur with large vesicles (LV) from the same amphiphiles. Still, we have demonstrated a colloidal stabilization of drug particles in water dispersion by deposition of anionic bilayers of DHP on the cationic MCZ granules. In high molar ratio drug/synthetic lipid we observed an increasing colloidal stabilization of drug particles that was attributed to the covering of the drug cationic particles with anionic bilayers. Subsequently, were evaluated the possible interactions that existed between Candida Albicans cells and DODAB fragrnents and/or vesicles. Adsorption isotherrns were obtained as a function of the method of dispersion, concentration of the amphiphiles and cells number density. For the bilayer fragrnents, the isotherrns showed high affinity (irreversible adsorption) without desorption, in contrast with the isotherrns obtained for large vesicles, where we observed desorption of these vesicles over the cellular surface. The desorption was favored by the increase of free vesicles in the supematant, thus suggesting that there is a significant inter-vesicle interaction ofhydrophobic nature between adsorbed DODAB and the free vesicles. Electrophoretic mobility (ME) experiments showed the same tendency. Two types of interactions could be observed. The electrostatic nature interactions were present in both conditions (cellular interaction with fragrnent and/or vesicle). The interaction occurs between the charged head of the amphiphilic and the fungus membrane. Hydrophobic interactions possibly only occur with bilayer fragrnents due the extraattractive interaction existing between hydrophobic regions of the cell wall and the hydrophobic borders of the fragrnents.

No capítulo 1, a modelagem HQSAR, a docagem e os estudos de ROCS foram construídos utilizando uma série de 57 inibidores de cruzaína. O melhor modelo HQSAR (q2 = 0,70, r2 = 0,95, r2test = 0,62, q2rand. = 0,09 and r2rand. = 0,26) foi utilizado para predizer a potência de 121 compostos extraídos da literatura (conjunto de dados V1), resultando em um valor de r2 satisfatório de 0,65 para essa validação externa. Uma validação externa adicional foi empregada utilizando uma série de 1223 compostos extraído dos bancos de dados ChEMBL e CDD (conjunto de dados V3); nessa validação externa o valor de AUC (área sob a curva) para a curva ROC foi de 0,70. Os mapas de contribuição, obtidos para o melhor modelo HQSAR 3.4, estão de acordo com as predições do modo de interação e com as bioatividades dos compostos estudados. Nos estudos de ROCS, a forma molecular utilizada como filtro, foi útil na rápida identificação de modificações moleculares promissoras para inibidores de cruzaína. O valor de AUC obtido com a curva ROC foi de 0,72, isso indica que o método foi muito eficiente na distinção entre inibidores ativos e inativos da enzima cruzaína. Em seguida, o melhor modelo HQSAR foi utilizado para predizer os valores de pIC50 para novos compostos. Alguns dos compostos identificados, utilizando esse método, demonstraram valores de potência calculada maior do que a série de treinamento em estudo. No capítulo 2, os efeitos sobre a potência na inibição da enzima cruzaína pela substituição de um grupo nitrila como warhead por outros grupos foi avaliada. Com a síntese de 20 compostos do tipo dipeptidil, avaliou-se a relação estrutura-atividade (SAR), baseado na troca do grupo warhead na porção P1\'. O grupo oxima foi mais potente que o grupo correspondente nitrila em 0,7 unidades logarítmicas. Os compostos do tipo dipeptidil aldeídos e azanitrila obtiveram potências mais elevadas do que o correspondente dipeptidil nitrila em duas de magnitude. Os compostos dipeptidil alfa-beta insaturados foram menos potentes do que o correspondente dipeptidil nitrila. No capítulo 3, estratégias de química medicinal foram empregadas nas sínteses de 23 novos análogos, contendo o esqueleto básico de imidazopiridina. Sete e doze compostos sintetizados exibiram EC50 <= 1µM in vitro contra os parasitos Tripanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) e brucei (T. brucei), respectivamente. Com os resultados promissores de atividade biológica in vitro, citotoxicidade, estabilidade metabólica, ligação proteica e propriedades farmacocinéticas, o composto 41 foi selecionado como candidato para os estudos de eficácia in vivo. Esse composto foi submetido em um modelo agudo da infecção com T. cruzi em ratos (cepa Tulahuen). Depois de estabelecida a infecção, os ratos foram dosados duas vezes ao dia, durante 5 dias; e monitorados por 6 semanas usando um sistema de imagem in vivo IVIS (do inglês, \"In Vivo Imaging System\"). O composto 41 demonstrou inibição parasitária comparável com o grupo de treinamento dosado com benzonidazol. O composto 41 representa um potencial líder para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos para o tratamento de tripanossomíases. / In chapter 1, the HQSAR, molecular docking and ROCS were applied to a dataset of 57 cruzain inhibitors. The best HQSAR model (q2 = 0.70, r2 = 0.95, r2test = 0.62, q2rand. = 0.09 and r2rand. = 0.26) was then used to predict the potencies of 121 unknown compounds (the V1 database), giving rise to a satisfactory predictive r2 value of 0.65 (external validation). By employing an extra external dataset comprising 1223 compounds (the V3 database) either retrieved from the ChEMBL or CDD databases, an overall ROC AUC (area under the curve) score well over 0.70 was obtained. The contribution maps obtained with the best HQSAR model (model 3.4) are in agreement with the predicted binding mode and with the biological potencies of the studied compounds. We also screened these compounds using the ROCS method, a Gaussian-shape volume filter able to identify quickly the shapes that match a query molecule. The AUC obtained with the ROC curves (ROC AUC) was 0.72, indicating that the method was very efficient in distinguishing between active and inactive cruzain inhibitors. These set of information guided us to propose novel cruzain inhibitors to be synthesized. Then, the best HQSAR model obtained was used to predict the pIC50 values of these new compounds. Some compounds identified using this method has shown calculated potencies higher than those which have originated them. In chapter 2, the effects on potency of cruzain inhibition of replacing a nitrile group with alternative warheads were explored; with the syntheses of 20 dipeptidyl compounds, we explored the structure activity relationships (SAR) based on exchanging of the warhead portion (P1\'). The oxime was 0.7 units more potent than the corresponding nitrile. Dipeptide aldehydes and azadipeptide nitriles were found to be two orders of magnitude more potent than the corresponding dipeptide nitriles. The vinyl esters and amides were less potent than the corresponding nitrile by between one and two orders of magnitude. In chapter 3, we synthesized 23 new imidazopyridine analogues arising from medicinal chemistry optimization at different sites on the molecule. Seven and twelve compounds exhibited an in vitro EC50 <= 1µM against Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) parasites, respectively. Based on promising results of in vitro activity (EC50 &lt; 100 nM), cytotoxicity, metabolic stability, protein binding and pharmacokinetics (PK) properties, compound 41 was selected as a candidate for in vivo efficacy studies. This compound was screened in an acute mouse model against T.cruzi (Tulahuen strain). After established infection, mice were dosed twice a day for 5 days, and then monitored for 6 weeks using an in vivo imaging system (IVIS). Compound 41 demonstrated parasite inhibition comparable to the benznidazole treatment group. Compound 41 represents a potential lead for the development of drugs to treat trypanosomiasis.

Lumnitzera littorea and Lumnitzera racemosa are mangrove species distributed widely along the Indonesian coasts. Besides their ecological importance, both are of interest owing to their wealth of natural products, some of which constitute potential sources for medicinal applications. We aimed to discover and characterize new anti-infective compounds, based on population-level sampling of both species from across the Indonesian Archipelago. Root metabolites were investigated by TLC, hyphenated LC-MS/MS and isolation, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was used for genetic characterization. Phytochemical characterization of both species revealed an unusual diversity in sulfated constituents with 3,3’,4’-tri-O-methyl-ellagic acid 4-sulfate representing the major compound in most samples. None of these compounds was previously reported for mangroves. Chemophenetic comparison of L. racemosa populations from different localities provided evolutionary information, as supported by molecular phylogenetic evidence. Samples of both species from particular locations exhibited anti-bacterial potential (Southern Nias Island and East Java against Gram-negative bacteria, Halmahera and Ternate Island against Gram-positive bacteria). In conclusion, Lumnitzera roots from natural mangrove stands represent a promising source for sulfated ellagic acid derivatives and further sulfur containing plant metabolites with potential human health benefits.

Les agents anti-infectieux sont utilisés pour traiter ou prévenir les infections chez les humains, les animaux, les insectes et les plantes. L’apparition de traces de ces substances dans les eaux usées, les eaux naturelles et même l’eau potable dans plusieurs pays du monde soulève l’inquiétude de la communauté scientifique surtout à cause de leur activité biologique. Le but de ces travaux de recherche a été d’étudier la présence d’anti-infectieux dans les eaux environnementales contaminées (c.-à-d. eaux usées, eaux naturelles et eau potable) ainsi que de développer de nouvelles méthodes analytiques capables de quantifier et confirmer leur présence dans ces matrices. Une méta-analyse sur l’occurrence des anti-infectieux dans les eaux environnementales contaminées a démontré qu’au moins 68 composés et 10 de leurs produits de transformation ont été quantifiés à ce jour. Les concentrations environnementales varient entre 0.1 ng/L et 1 mg/L, selon le composé, la matrice et la source de contamination. D’après cette étude, les effets nuisibles des anti-infectieux sur le biote aquatique sont possibles et ces substances peuvent aussi avoir un effet indirect sur la santé humaine à cause de sa possible contribution à la dissémination de la résistance aux anti-infecteiux chez les bactéries. Les premiers tests préliminaires de développement d’une méthode de détermination des anti-infectieux dans les eaux usées ont montré les difficultés à surmonter lors de l’extraction sur phase solide (SPE) ainsi que l’importance de la sélectivité du détecteur. On a décrit une nouvelle méthode de quantification des anti-infectieux utilisant la SPE en tandem dans le mode manuel et la chromatographie liquide couplée à la spectrométrie de masse en tandem (LC-MS/MS). Les six anti-infectieux ciblés (sulfaméthoxazole, triméthoprime, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, clarithromycin et azithromycin) ont été quantifiés à des concentrations entre 39 et 276 ng/L dans les échantillons d’affluent et d’effluent provenant d’une station d’épuration appliquant un traitement primaire et physico- chimique. Les concentrations retrouvées dans les effluents indiquent que la masse moyenne totale de ces substances, déversées hebdomadairement dans le fleuve St. Laurent, était de ~ 2 kg. En vue de réduire le temps total d’analyse et simplifier les manipulations, on a travaillé sur une nouvelle méthode de SPE couplée-LC-MS/MS. Cette méthode a utilisé une technique de permutation de colonnes pour préconcentrer 1.00 mL d’échantillon dans une colonne de SPE couplée. La performance analytique de la méthode a permis la quantification des six anti-infectieux dans les eaux usées municipales et les limites de détection étaient du même ordre de grandeur (13-60 ng/L) que les méthodes basées sur la SPE manuelle. Ensuite, l’application des colonnes de SPE couplée de chromatographie à débit turbulent pour la préconcentration de six anti-infectieux dans les eaux usées a été explorée pour diminuer les effets de matrice. Les résultats obtenus ont indiqué que ces colonnes sont une solution de réchange intéressante aux colonnes de SPE couplée traditionnelles. Finalement, en vue de permettre l’analyse des anti-infectieux dans les eaux de surface et l’eau potable, une méthode SPE couplée-LC-MS/MS utilisant des injections de grand volume (10 mL) a été développée. Le volume de fuite de plusieurs colonnes de SPE couplée a été estimé et la colonne ayant la meilleure rétention a été choisie. Les limites de détection et de confirmation de la méthode ont été entre 1 à 6 ng/L. L’analyse des échantillons réels a démontré que la concentration des trois anti-infectieux ciblés (sulfaméthoxazole, triméthoprime et clarithromycine) était au dessous de la limite de détection de la méthode. La mesure des masses exactes par spectrométrie de masse à temps d’envol et les spectres des ions produits utilisant une pente d’énergie de collision inverse dans un spectromètre de masse à triple quadripôle ont été explorés comme des méthodes de confirmation possibles. / Anti-infectives are used to treat or prevent infections in humans, animals, insects and plants. The occurrence of traces of these substances in wastewaters, natural waters and even drinking water has caused concern among the scientific community especially because of their biological activiy. The goal of this research was to study the occurrence of anti-infectives in contaminated environmental waters (wastewaters, natural waters, and drinking water) and to develop new analytical methods able to quantitate and confirm their presence in these matrices. A meta-analysis on the occurrence of anti-infectives in contaminated environmental waters demonstrated that at least 68 parent compounds and 10 transformation products have been quantified to date. Environmental concentrations vary between 0.1 ng/L and 1 mg/L depending on the compound, the matrix and the source of contamination. According to this study, detrimental effects of anti-infectives on aquatic biota are possible and these substances could also affect indirectly human health because of their possible contribution to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Preliminary tests on the development of a method of determination of anti-infectives in wastewaters showed the main difficulties to overcome during solid-phase extraction (SPE) as well as the importance of the detector selectivity. A novel method of determination of anti-infectives was described using off-line tandem SPE and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Six target anti-infectives (sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, clarithromycin and azithromycine) were quantitated at concentrations between 39 and 276 ng/L in samples of influent and effluent collected from a primary and physico-chemical wastewater treatement plant. Reported effluent concentrations indicate that the mean mass of these substances discharged daily in the St. Lawrence River was ~ 2 kg. In order to reduce total analysis time and simplify sample preparation, a new on-line SPE-LC-MS/MS was presented. This method used a column-switching technique to preconcentrate 1.00 mL of sample in an on-line SPE column. Method analytical performance allowed the quantitation of six anti-infectives in municipal wastewaters and limits of detection were of the same magnitude (13-60 ng/L) than methods based in offline SPE. Next, the application of turbulent flow chromatography on-line SPE columns for the preconcentration of six anti-infectives in wastewaters was explored. Results showed that these columns are an interesting alternative to traditional on-line SPE columns. Finally, in order to allow analysis of anti-infectives in surface and drinking water, we developed an on-line SPE-LC-MS/MS method using large-volume injections (10 mL). Breakthrough volumes of several on-line SPE columns were estimated and the column having the best retention, Strata-X, was chosen. Method detection and confirmation limits were between 1 and 6 ng/L. Analysis of real samples indicated that the concentration of the three target anti-infectives (sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and clarithromycin) was lower that the method detection limits. Accurate mass measurement by time-of-flight mass spectrometry and product ion spectra obtained by a reversed-energy ramp in a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer were explored as alternative confirmation methods.

Antibiotics are biologically active and are globally used in humans and animal medicine for treatment and in sub-therapeutic amounts as growth promoters in animal husbandry, aquaculture and agriculture. After excretion, inappropriate disposal and discharge from drug production facilities they enter into water bodies either as intact drugs, metabolites or transformed products. In water environments they promote development of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) which could serve as a reservoir and be horizontally transferred to human-associated bacteria and thus contribute to AR proliferation. Measurement of antibiotics has been revolutionized with the usage of solid phase extraction (SPE) for enrichment followed by Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). On-line SPE coupled to LC-MS/MS has the advantages of high sample throughput, low sample preparation time and minimal solvent utilization.  Constructed wetlands (CWs) are potential alternatives to conventional treatment plants to remove organic pollutants. A study at Plönninge, Halmstad was performed to assess the impact of bacterial community pattern and development of resistance in spiked (n=4) and control (n=4). CWs were spiked with antibiotics at environmentally relevant concentrations continuously for 25 days. Shannon Index (H’) were used to determine the bacterial diversity and real-time PCR detected and quantified antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) sulI, tetA, tetB, erm, dfrA1, qnrS and vanB and class 1 integrons intI1. No significant differences in bacterial compositions or in ARGs or integron concentrations could be discerned between exposed and control wetlands. A study conducted in Northern Pakistan showed that the antibiotic levels in most studied rivers were comparable to surface water measurements in unpolluted sites in Europe and the US. However, high levels of antibiotics were detected in the river in close vicinity of the 10 million city Lahore, e.g. 4600 ng L−1 sulfamethoxazole. Highest detected levels were at one of the drug formulation facilities, with measured levels up to 49000 ng L−1 of sulfamethoxazole for example. The highest levels of ARGs detected, sul1 and dfrA1, were directly associated with the antibiotics detected at the highest concentrations, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. In the study in UK, sewage epidemiology surveillance is used to measure the oseltamivir carboxylate (OC), metabolite of oseltamivir (parent drug) in twenty four time proportional hourly influent samples from two WWTPs and then back-calculations were made to assess the compliance of drug.  Predicted users of oseltamivir, based on measured OC in waste water, ranged from 3-4 and 120-154 people for the two WWTP catchments, respectively, which are consistent with the projected use from national antiviral allocation statistics, 3-8 and 108-270, respectively. Scenario analysis suggests compliance was likely between 45-60% in the study regions.

Les agents anti-infectieux sont utilisés pour traiter ou prévenir les infections chez les humains, les animaux, les insectes et les plantes. L’apparition de traces de ces substances dans les eaux usées, les eaux naturelles et même l’eau potable dans plusieurs pays du monde soulève l’inquiétude de la communauté scientifique surtout à cause de leur activité biologique. Le but de ces travaux de recherche a été d’étudier la présence d’anti-infectieux dans les eaux environnementales contaminées (c.-à-d. eaux usées, eaux naturelles et eau potable) ainsi que de développer de nouvelles méthodes analytiques capables de quantifier et confirmer leur présence dans ces matrices. Une méta-analyse sur l’occurrence des anti-infectieux dans les eaux environnementales contaminées a démontré qu’au moins 68 composés et 10 de leurs produits de transformation ont été quantifiés à ce jour. Les concentrations environnementales varient entre 0.1 ng/L et 1 mg/L, selon le composé, la matrice et la source de contamination. D’après cette étude, les effets nuisibles des anti-infectieux sur le biote aquatique sont possibles et ces substances peuvent aussi avoir un effet indirect sur la santé humaine à cause de sa possible contribution à la dissémination de la résistance aux anti-infecteiux chez les bactéries. Les premiers tests préliminaires de développement d’une méthode de détermination des anti-infectieux dans les eaux usées ont montré les difficultés à surmonter lors de l’extraction sur phase solide (SPE) ainsi que l’importance de la sélectivité du détecteur. On a décrit une nouvelle méthode de quantification des anti-infectieux utilisant la SPE en tandem dans le mode manuel et la chromatographie liquide couplée à la spectrométrie de masse en tandem (LC-MS/MS). Les six anti-infectieux ciblés (sulfaméthoxazole, triméthoprime, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, clarithromycin et azithromycin) ont été quantifiés à des concentrations entre 39 et 276 ng/L dans les échantillons d’affluent et d’effluent provenant d’une station d’épuration appliquant un traitement primaire et physico- chimique. Les concentrations retrouvées dans les effluents indiquent que la masse moyenne totale de ces substances, déversées hebdomadairement dans le fleuve St. Laurent, était de ~ 2 kg. En vue de réduire le temps total d’analyse et simplifier les manipulations, on a travaillé sur une nouvelle méthode de SPE couplée-LC-MS/MS. Cette méthode a utilisé une technique de permutation de colonnes pour préconcentrer 1.00 mL d’échantillon dans une colonne de SPE couplée. La performance analytique de la méthode a permis la quantification des six anti-infectieux dans les eaux usées municipales et les limites de détection étaient du même ordre de grandeur (13-60 ng/L) que les méthodes basées sur la SPE manuelle. Ensuite, l’application des colonnes de SPE couplée de chromatographie à débit turbulent pour la préconcentration de six anti-infectieux dans les eaux usées a été explorée pour diminuer les effets de matrice. Les résultats obtenus ont indiqué que ces colonnes sont une solution de réchange intéressante aux colonnes de SPE couplée traditionnelles. Finalement, en vue de permettre l’analyse des anti-infectieux dans les eaux de surface et l’eau potable, une méthode SPE couplée-LC-MS/MS utilisant des injections de grand volume (10 mL) a été développée. Le volume de fuite de plusieurs colonnes de SPE couplée a été estimé et la colonne ayant la meilleure rétention a été choisie. Les limites de détection et de confirmation de la méthode ont été entre 1 à 6 ng/L. L’analyse des échantillons réels a démontré que la concentration des trois anti-infectieux ciblés (sulfaméthoxazole, triméthoprime et clarithromycine) était au dessous de la limite de détection de la méthode. La mesure des masses exactes par spectrométrie de masse à temps d’envol et les spectres des ions produits utilisant une pente d’énergie de collision inverse dans un spectromètre de masse à triple quadripôle ont été explorés comme des méthodes de confirmation possibles. / Anti-infectives are used to treat or prevent infections in humans, animals, insects and plants. The occurrence of traces of these substances in wastewaters, natural waters and even drinking water has caused concern among the scientific community especially because of their biological activiy. The goal of this research was to study the occurrence of anti-infectives in contaminated environmental waters (wastewaters, natural waters, and drinking water) and to develop new analytical methods able to quantitate and confirm their presence in these matrices. A meta-analysis on the occurrence of anti-infectives in contaminated environmental waters demonstrated that at least 68 parent compounds and 10 transformation products have been quantified to date. Environmental concentrations vary between 0.1 ng/L and 1 mg/L depending on the compound, the matrix and the source of contamination. According to this study, detrimental effects of anti-infectives on aquatic biota are possible and these substances could also affect indirectly human health because of their possible contribution to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Preliminary tests on the development of a method of determination of anti-infectives in wastewaters showed the main difficulties to overcome during solid-phase extraction (SPE) as well as the importance of the detector selectivity. A novel method of determination of anti-infectives was described using off-line tandem SPE and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Six target anti-infectives (sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, clarithromycin and azithromycine) were quantitated at concentrations between 39 and 276 ng/L in samples of influent and effluent collected from a primary and physico-chemical wastewater treatement plant. Reported effluent concentrations indicate that the mean mass of these substances discharged daily in the St. Lawrence River was ~ 2 kg. In order to reduce total analysis time and simplify sample preparation, a new on-line SPE-LC-MS/MS was presented. This method used a column-switching technique to preconcentrate 1.00 mL of sample in an on-line SPE column. Method analytical performance allowed the quantitation of six anti-infectives in municipal wastewaters and limits of detection were of the same magnitude (13-60 ng/L) than methods based in offline SPE. Next, the application of turbulent flow chromatography on-line SPE columns for the preconcentration of six anti-infectives in wastewaters was explored. Results showed that these columns are an interesting alternative to traditional on-line SPE columns. Finally, in order to allow analysis of anti-infectives in surface and drinking water, we developed an on-line SPE-LC-MS/MS method using large-volume injections (10 mL). Breakthrough volumes of several on-line SPE columns were estimated and the column having the best retention, Strata-X, was chosen. Method detection and confirmation limits were between 1 and 6 ng/L. Analysis of real samples indicated that the concentration of the three target anti-infectives (sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and clarithromycin) was lower that the method detection limits. Accurate mass measurement by time-of-flight mass spectrometry and product ion spectra obtained by a reversed-energy ramp in a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer were explored as alternative confirmation methods.