Neglected Tropical Diseases: Molecular Targets and Natural Products

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 October 2026 | Viewed by 376

Special Issue Editors


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Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Pedro Kouri”, Apartado Postal No. 601, Marianao 13, Havana 10400, Cuba
Interests: infectious diseases; parasitology; pharmacology; natural products
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Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología ‘‘Dr. César Milstein’’, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Interests: infectious diseases; parasitology; drug discovery and pharmacology; transversal aspects for an integral approach

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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) encompass a group of more than 20 diseases that are mainly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. This expression stems from the historical fact that NTDs have received less investment compared to other diseases occurring in the same regions. In general, NTDs are chronic ailments, severely impairing the quality of life, and often resulting in debilitating or permanent affections that increase morbi-mortality. While significant progress has been achieved in recent decades towards reducing the burden of NTDs in affected countries, their geographical range has expanded into previously considered unaffected regions. Consequently, these diseases continue to pose a major challenge to global health.

Despite their epidemiological significance and disproportionate impact on resource-limited regions and vulnerable populations, the development of innovative therapies remains severely restricted due to the confluence of limited investment and the biological complexity of the causative pathogens. In this context, natural products are a growing area of investigation.

This Special Issue of Pathogens aims to provide a comprehensive landscape through original research and review articles related to natural products for NTDs based on molecular targets. In particular, the following topics will be emphasized:

  • Promising therapeutic natural products against NTDs.
  • In silico and in vitro studies of natural compounds on validated targets of NTDs.
  • Elucidation of mechanism of action of natural products against NTDs.
  • Inhibition of interaction of NTD agents with host cells.

Dr. Lianet Monzote
Dr. Carolina Carrillo
Prof. Dr. William N. Setzer
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • neglected tropical diseases
  • natural products
  • molecular targets
  • pathogens

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 4885 KB  
Article
Vitamin A Modulates AHR Signaling and Restricts Zika Virus Replication in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells: Insights from Molecular Modeling and Antiviral Assays
by Agostina B. Marquez, Priscila A. Lanza Castronuovo, Cecilia L. Barbieri, Mayra A. Castañeda Cataña, Claudia S. Sepúlveda, Agustina Alaimo, D. Mariano A. Vera and Cybele C. García
Pathogens 2026, 15(5), 518; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15050518 - 12 May 2026
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Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging flavivirus associated with congenital malformations and ocular complications, representing a significant public health concern. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells play a key role in maintaining retinal integrity and represent a primary target of ZIKV infection, making them [...] Read more.
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging flavivirus associated with congenital malformations and ocular complications, representing a significant public health concern. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells play a key role in maintaining retinal integrity and represent a primary target of ZIKV infection, making them a relevant model for studying host–virus interactions. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral activity of fat- and water-soluble vitamins against ZIKV in hTERT RPE-1 (hRPE1) cells. Particularly, vitamin A was identified as the compound that most effectively inhibited viral replication. Molecular dynamics simulations focusing on the PAS-B domain of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) revealed a high affinity of vitamin A for the receptor. In hRPE1 cells, vitamin A treatment reduced viral RNA levels and decreased CYP1A1, TDO, and AHR mRNA expression. In parallel, IFNB1 expression increased, consistent with the involvement of type I interferon (IFN-I), as no antiviral effect was observed in IFN-I-deficient Vero cells. These findings suggest that vitamin A restricts ZIKV replication through host antiviral responses, potentially involving modulation of AHR-associated signaling. The combination of vitamin A and the well-known polyphenol resveratrol further enhanced antiviral activity, showing predominantly additive effects. Together, these results support the potential use of both bioactive compounds as a combined therapeutic strategy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neglected Tropical Diseases: Molecular Targets and Natural Products)
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