Background: Trypanosomiasis caused by infection with protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Trypanosoma, is the lethal disease mostly occurring in Latin America and South Africa.^{1, 2} Currently, such as Pentamidine^® and Nifurtimox^® are used as the treatments. However, these drugs have potential side effects and the drug resistance has been reported. On the other hands, the extreme environments of deep sea that are different from the terrestrial ones have been affecting the metabolism in the inhabiting organisms. As the result, numbers of secondary metabolites in the deep sea organisms evolved to have unique structures and bioactivities.³Objective: This study aimed to explore the new anti-protozoan compounds from the deep sea organisms. Materials and Methods: The deep sea organisms collected by dredging at Yaku-shinsone (166−167 m), Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, was extracted and tested for anti-protozoan activity and the cytotoxicity. The anti-trypanosomal compounds were purified by bioassay guided fractionation. The structures of the purified compounds were elucidated by MS and NMR spectral analysis. Results: The identified active compound showed stronger anti-trypanosomal activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.021 nM in comparison with Pentamidine^® (IC₅₀: 381.9 nM).  Conclusion: The anti-trypanosomal compound was isolatied from the mixture of the deep sea organisms. The compound is a potential lead for new anti-protozoal agents.

Reference

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2. Tim, N. S.; Doeke, R. H.; Xuning, W.; Scott, D.; George, A. M. C. Nucleic Acids Res. 2010, 38, 4946-4957.
3. Skropeta, D. Nat. Prod. Rep. 2008, 25, 1131−1166.