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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Highlights in Cysteine Protease Inhibitors as Antiparasitic Agents Against Trypanosomatids

  • Beatriz M. R. Querido1
  • Maria do Céu Sousa2,3,4
  • Jorge A. R. Salvador1,3,4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
  2. 2Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
  3. 3CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Edificio Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
  4. 4CIBB—Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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Abstract

Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp. are the causative agents of Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis, respectively. These three neglected tropical diseases affect millions of individuals globally, and current therapeutic options remain severely limited. The major cysteine proteases (CPs) of these parasites play critical roles in their infectivity and survival, making them subjects of prolonged research. Therefore, cruzain, TbrCATL and CPB from Leishmania spp. have been recognized as the primary targets of most drugs under investigation. Among the diverse chemical classes investigated as cathepsin L-like inhibitors, natural compounds derivatives (including compounds derived from curcumin, Gallinamide A, and flavonoids) as well as molecules containing Michael acceptors, and nitrile and thiosemicarbazone moieties, have emerged as particularly promising scaffolds. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the advances made over the last decade in the discovery and optimization of CP inhibitors with antitrypanosomal and antileishmanial activity, emphasizing their chemical scaffolds, biological activities, and therapeutic potential.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{querido2026highlights,
  title = {{Highlights in Cysteine Protease Inhibitors as Antiparasitic Agents Against Trypanosomatids}},
  author = {Beatriz M. R. Querido and Maria do Céu Sousa and Jorge A. R. Salvador},
  journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/ijms27198861},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/19/8861},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Highlights in Cysteine Protease Inhibitors as Antiparasitic Agents Against Trypanosomatids
AU  - Beatriz M. R. Querido
AU  - Maria do Céu Sousa
AU  - Jorge A. R. Salvador
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/04
JO  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO  - 10.3390/ijms27198861
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/19/8861
AB  - Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp. are the causative agents of Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis, respectively. These three neglected tropical diseases affect millions of individuals globally, and current therapeutic options remain severely limited. The major cysteine proteases (CPs) of these parasites play critical roles in their infectivity and survival, making them subjects of prolonged research. Therefore, cruzain, TbrCATL and CPB from Leishmania spp. have been recognized as the primary targets of most drugs under investigation. Among the diverse chemical classes investigated as cathepsin L-like inhibitors, natural compounds derivatives (including compounds derived from curcumin, Gallinamide A, and flavonoids) as well as molecules containing Michael acceptors, and nitrile and thiosemicarbazone moieties, have emerged as particularly promising scaffolds. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the advances made over the last decade in the discovery and optimization of CP inhibitors with antitrypanosomal and antileishmanial activity, emphasizing their chemical scaffolds, biological activities, and therapeutic potential.
SN  - 1422-0067
ER  -