Natural products in antiparasitic drug discovery: experimental and computational approaches

Hafidh AKKARI, National Veterinary School of Sidithabet, Tunisia

Working Groups: WG1, WG3, WG4

Background

Viewed globally, Vector-Borne parasitic diseases pose an increasing threat to human health and welfare and continue as a cause of suffering for many millions of people in both tropical and subtropical zones of the world. However, the available therapeutic tools for the treatment of most parasitic diseases are extremely limited. Many of them were developed in the first part of past century and are not without risk. The development of resistant parasites to many of the available drugs is also responsible for the depressing picture of disease persistence and death. Drug resistance is spreading faster than ever, new drugs are not being developed quickly enough and potential vaccines have so far not fulfilled expectations in field trials. Although alternative antiparasitic drugs are urgently needed, the response to this crisis is inadequate. The field suffers not so much from a lack of promising scientific approaches, but a lack of funding and commitment from both public sector agencies and the pharmaceutical industry to convert these approaches into new drugs.

OneHealthDrugs project summarises the medical need for a number of vector borne diseases in terms of their treatment and their limitations, highlighting desirable product profiles for current and future drug discovery and development including ecotoxicity. It further investigates the reasons for the lack of industrial activity in these diseases and identifies the key elements of any new mechanisms initiated to ensure the sustainable enhancement of neglected disease drug in the future. In addition, the network WG members reinforced the urgency to extend the portfolio of drugs used in the fight against VBDs and absolute need to consider a change of the current paradigms of drug discovery and development, towards a multidisciplinary approach that takes into account innovation, drug efficiency and safety and environmental protection.

Why did you join the OneHealthdrugs network?

As a researcher with a solid background in VBPD, the opportunity to join the OneHealthdrugs COST Action (CA21111) was extremely interesting and very timely in my professional career, as I was preparing to defend my HDR thesis. My thesis focused on the use of medicinal plants against vector-borne diseases: Evaluation of in vitro leishmanicidal activity of the Chamomile essential oil.

With my HDR research studies coming to an end, participation within the network seemed a great opportunity to broaden my knowledge and expertise, building on my post-doctoral studies. The discovery of new drugs for Human and Animal infections under the concept of OneHealthdrugs has never been explored at local levels in Tunisia. Being part of the network was a good opportunity for me to work with other experts in the network to develop new methodological approaches to explore this, and also to help build up skills in translating knowledge to research in my laboratory and public health professionals back home. I will also continue this spirit of innovation and scientific research to establish research collaborations for innovation in drug development and fuel a more sustainable future for all who rely on medicines to combat vector-borne parasitic diseases.