In vitro and in vivo studies of antiplasmodials derived from angiotensin II

The antiplasmodic activity of angiotensin II has been studied. Due to its vasoconstrictor properties this natural hormone cannot be used as an antimalarial drug. Previous work, developed at the Laboratory of Bioactive Composites at the Federal University of ABC, reported obtaining different active peptides derived from angiotensin II, in order to understand the behavior that each amino acid residue exerts in their interaction with the parasite membrane, as well as, understand how restricted peptides act in this same model (sporozoites of Plasmodium gallinaceum, infective form of birds). The present project focuses on studying the in vitro interactions of these active peptides, testing them in sporozoites of Plasmodium falciparum (human infective form), with the objective of verifying their performance as sporozoiticides (preventive agent of the initial stage of malaria). In addition, it proposes to carry out in vivo studies in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei, since the various peptides also show relevant activity in the erythrocytic cycle, in studies carried out in blood infected with Plasmodium falciparum. To understand the interaction of this class of peptides with the parasite membrane, a study with peptides with markers will also be carried out (in vitro assays), using Confocal Microscopy and Flow Cytometry techniques. In this way, the investigator’s understand that new efforts and research must be made so that these chemotherapeutics can, in fact, have an application and contribute to the advances of antimalarial drugs.

Project details

Basic Science
Enabling Technologies & Assays

Oct 2015 — Sep 2017

Brazil