Identification of Levothyroxine Antichagasic Activity through Computer-Aided Drug Repurposing

CAROLINA BELLERA; BALCAZAR DARIO; ALBERCA LUCAS; LABRIOLA CARLOS; TALEVI ALAN; CARRILLO CAROLINA

The Scientific World Journal

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Lugar: New York; Año: 2014 p. 1 - 9

2356-6140

Cruzipain (Cz) is the major cysteine protease of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, etiological agent of Chagas disease. A conformation-independent classifier capable of identifying Cz inhibitors was derived from a 163-compound dataset and later applied in a virtual screening campaign on the DrugBank database, which compiles FDA-approved and investigational drugs. 54 approved drugs were selected as candidates, 3 of which were acquired and tested on Cz and T. cruzi epimastigotes proliferation. Among them, levothyroxine, traditionally used in hormone replacement therapy in patients with hypothyroidism, showed dosedependent inhibition of Cz and antiproliferative activity on the parasite.