Exploring turmeric curcuminoids to treat schistosomiasis: an evaluation of their pre-clinical potential

Abstract

The project emerged from a discussion between L. Caldas and C. Caffrey during the visit of Profa. Caldas in August 2016 to the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (www.cdipd.org) at the University of California San Diego where Prof. Caffrey is a senior center director. During this visit, both PIs agreed to collaborate on the identification of new compounds against schistosomiasis. Accordingly, the central objective of this proposal is to explore curcuminoid compounds to identify molecular prototypes for the future application as novels drugs to treat schsitosomiasis. The activities will be focused on synthesis of curcuminoids, and their in vitro and in vivo evaluation against two different strains of the S. mansoni parasite (Puerto Rican (maintained by Caffrey) and Luis Evangelista (maintained by Caldas). Class-specific effects and structure-activity relationships will also be addressed. Further, proteomic analysis and cytotoxicity will be evaluated in in vitro for those active anti-schistosomal compounds. Based on their in vitro performance, active compounds will be assessed for toxicity in vivo, as well as for their therapeutic potential in the experimental mouse model of schistosome infection. (AU)