Oleuropein activates autophagy to circumvent anti-plasmodial defense

Summary

Antimalarial drug resistance and unavailability of effective vaccine warrant for newer drugs and drug targets. Hence, anti-inflammatory activity of phyto-compound (oleuropein; OLP) was determined in antigen (LPS)-stimulated human THP-1 macrophages (macrophage model of inflammation; MMI). Reduction in the inflammation was controlled by the PI3K-Akt1 signaling to establish the “immune-homeostasis.” Also, OLP treatment influenced the cell death/autophagy axis leading to the modulated inflammation for extended cell survival. The findings with MII prompted us to detect the antimalarial activity of OLP in the wild type (3D7), D10-expressing GFP-Atg18 parasite, and chloroquine-resistant (Dd2) parasite. OLP did not show the parasite inhibition in the routine in vitro culture of P. falciparum whereas OLP increased the antimalarial activity of artesunate. The molecular docking of autophagy-related proteins, investigations with MMI, and parasite inhibition assays indicated that the host activated the autophagy to survive OLP pressure. The challenge model of P. berghei infection showed to induce autophagy for circumventing anti-plasmodial defenses.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

• •

  Oleuropein (OLP) modulates inflammation in macrophage model of inflammation (MMI)

• •

  Modulated inflammation is controlled by PI3K-Akt1 signaling to establish homeostasis

• •

  OLP treatment influences cell death/autophagy axis for extended cell survival

• •

  P. falciparum employs autophagy to circumvent anti-plasmodial defenses of OLP

Abstract

Health sciences; Drug delivery system