Bio-Inspired Antiproliferative Molecules for the Treatment of Protozoan and/or Cancer Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Natural products have been assessed as a convenient source of potential lead compounds during the process of drug discovery.

Malaria and leishmaniasis are parasitic diseases that are endemic in more than 90 underdeveloped countries, and are protozoan infections that have a massive impact on human health. Moreover, the spread of drug resistance has been reported by the WHO as a critical issue which could dramatically hinder public health. Therefore, the finding of novel natural products or synthetic bio-inspired compounds endowed with promising antiprotozoal activity, possibly through novel mechanisms of action, is still desirable. Furthermore, an interesting connection between high-antiprotozoal activity and promising antiproliferative action against cancer cell lines has also been documented, as in the case of the antimalarial natural drug artemisinin and its semisynthetic derivatives.

On this basis, we would like to invite you to submit papers to this Special Issue that address the synthesis and characterization of novel bio-inspired compounds (i.e. triterpenes, polyphenols, peptides) able to inhibit pathogenic protozoa (mainly Plasmodium and Leishmania) and cancer cells proliferation, hopefully acting on innovative or recently identified targets and overcoming or delaying drug resistance onset. The use of synthetic multidisciplinary approaches, such as the hybridization of different pharmacophores, the conjugation with, e.g., ligands of over-expressed receptors in selected cell lines or with nanodimensioned systems is encouraged.

Both research and review articles including novelties or updated overviews, respectively, are welcome.

Prof. Anna Sparatore
Guest Editor

Dr. Ivan Bassanini
Assistant Guest Editor

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