Novel therapeutic opportunities for Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Giardia intestinalis infections

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Giardia intestinalis are the causative agents of toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, and giardiasis, three important infections threatening human health and affecting millions of people worldwide. Although drugs and treatment are available to fight these protozoan parasites, side effects and increasing drug resistance require continuous efforts for the development of novel effective drugs.

Areas covered

The patents search was carried out in September/October 2022 with four official scientific databases (Espacenet, Scifinder, Reaxys, Google Patents). Treatments for toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, and giardiasis (2015–2022) have been grouped according to their chemotypes. In particular, novel chemical entities have been reported and investigated for their structure-activity relationship, when accessible. On the other hand, drug repurposing, extensively exploited to obtain novel antiprotozoal treatment, has been in-depth described. Finally, natural metabolites and extracts have also been reported.

Expert opinion

T. gondii, T. vaginalis, and G. intestinalis are protozoan infections usually controlled by immune system in immunocompetent patients; however, they could represent a threatening health for immunocompromised people. The needs of novel effective drugs, endowed with new mechanisms of actions, arises from the increasing drug resistance affecting antibiotic as well as antiprotozoal therapies. In this review different therapeutic approaches to treat protozoan infections have been reported.

KEYWORDS:

• Toxoplasma gondii
• Trichomonas vaginalis
• Giardia intestinalis
• newly synthesized antiprotozoal drugs
• repurposed drugs
• natural compounds
• natural extracts

Article highlights

• Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Giardia intestinalis as neglected parasitic infection.

• Current approach for toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, and giardiasis clinical management.

• Newly synthesized molecules, natural compounds, and plant extract were licensed for antiprotozoal treatment.

• Drug repositioning was exploited for innovative therapeutic options.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interests

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.