Aurothiomalate-Based Drugs as Potentially Novel Agents Against Leishmania major: A Mini Review.

Ali Davoodi, Shahram Eslami, Mahdi Fakhar, Mohammad Aazadbakht, Mahbobeh Montazeri, Elnaz Khoshvishkaie, Masoud Keighobadi

Journal: Acta parasitologica 2022;67(2):640-647

PMID: 35380401

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Abstract

PURPOSE

Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem worldwide in many parts of the world. Current anti-leishmanial drugs have only limited clinical efficacy. Aurothiomalate derivatives are useful for treating rheumatoid arthritis, but have emerged as a promising therapeutic candidate for leishmaniasis. This paper gives a review of the literature about the usefulness of aurothiomalate derivatives against leishmaniasis.

METHODS

In this study, we reviewed the proposed mechanisms of action of aurothiomalate and related compounds on the metabolism of L. major and collected data by searching relevant articles.

RESULTS

Aurothiomalate-based drugs could be effective against leishmaniasis through two direct and indirect mechanisms: first, cytotoxic effects on parasites via thiomalate's false substrate role in the citric acid cycle against malate; and second, immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of aurothiomalate derivatives with prostaglandin production inhibitory effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study documented that aurothiomalate-based drugs could be effective against leishmaniasis through two direct and indirect mechanisms of action. Gold thiomalate as a promising hit should be evaluated against L. major in vitro and in vivo conditions in the future.

Address: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.; Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis and Toxoplasmosis, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Farah Abad, 48471-91971, Sari, Iran.; Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis and Toxoplasmosis, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Farah Abad, 48471-91971, Sari, Iran. [email protected].; Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Iranian National Registry Center for Hydatid Cyst, Mazandaran Branch, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. [email protected].; Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis and Toxoplasmosis, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Farah Abad, 48471-91971, Sari, Iran.; Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Iranian National Registry Center for Hydatid Cyst, Mazandaran Branch, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.; Pharmaceutical Cares Department, Ayatollah Khamenei Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Abbas Abad, Iran.; Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis and Toxoplasmosis, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Farah Abad, 48471-91971, Sari, Iran. [email protected].; Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Iranian National Registry Center for Hydatid Cyst, Mazandaran Branch, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00536-2

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MeSH Terms: Gold Sodium Thiomalate, Humans, Leishmania major, Leishmaniasis