Innovative discovery could convert healing with leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease in 90 countries, affects about 12 million people worldwide, with 350 million more at risk of infection. Caused by monocyte parasites known as Lefima Protozoa, the disease usually manifests as skin wounds that can develop into deep ulcers. In addition to natural damage to the skin, leishmaniasis can leave permanent marks on the faces, hands and feet of patients, often leading to social stigma and psychological trauma. Unfortunately, the disease strikes the poor communities, where medical care is often inaccessible.

While there are various treatments for leishmaniasis, they face serious limitations. Current drugs, such as antimonic compounds and amphotericin B, are inhibited with high toxicity, serious side effects and prohibitively high costs, leaving many patients not being able to complete treatment. By adding to these challenges, resistance to medicines becomes more and more common. Combined with the absence of vaccines and effective diagnostic tools, these issues leave the healthcare providers with inadequate weapons against a disease that continues to spread.

In this scene, a research team led by Associate Professor Kanami Mori-Yasumoto from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Japan’s Tokyo University sciences, made an innovative discovery that could convert the treatment with leishmaniasis. The team, which included co-authors Dr. Takahiro Jomori from the University of Ryukyus, Dr. Yasuhiro Hayashi from the University of Miyazaki, Dr. Mina Yasumoto-Hirose from Tropical Technology Plus in Uruma and Dr. Junichi Tanaka from the University of Ryukyus, which fell 10 natural compounds from Marine Sponges Colleded in Manza, Okinawa. Their findings were published in volume 27 of the magazine Marine biotechnology On September 05, 2025.

Researchers analyzed extracts from Theonella Sponges, focusing on a group of compounds called onnamides. Through careful laboratory tests, they discovered that many of these compounds have shown remarkable effectiveness against Leishmania majorA representative type of parasite that often causes leishmaniasis of the skin. Among them, Onnamide A and 6.7-DiDros-NonMide A were the most impressive, both demonstrating power and a favorable security profile that exceed current treatments.

Further investigation of the mechanism of action of these associations revealed another exciting finding: Onnamide A seems to fight L. Major Through a street separate from that of Amphoteline B, which usually works by interacting with ergosterol in the parasite cell membrane. This could guide scientists to new approaches to treatment, helping them overcome the existing resistance of the drugs. In addition, the discovery of the onnamide G, whose structure was first unveiled in this study, also provides new knowledge of structural diversity and potential mechanisms of action of the Onanades.

Specifically, these onnamides not only effectively killed the parasite, but also saved human cells, thanks to low toxicity and high selectivity. These advantages set polymers as extremely promising compounds for the development of new healing for leishmaniasis. “It may also be possible to apply these compounds to other protozoa diseases, such as Chagas and African sleep disease. “ He adds Dr. Mori-Yasumoto, highlighting the broader impact of this study. In addition, onnamides may be intense activity at low concentrations, compared to existing treatments. This adds the advantages of reducing the duration of treatment and dosage. However, extensive analyzes are required to provide definitive conclusions on cost profitability, in vivo efficiency, and in vitro Pharmacokinetics before the start of clinical development.

Further investigations are being carried out to verify the capabilities of onnamides as suitable lead compounds in the Amed Drug Discovery Booster program, a Japanese initiative that focused on supporting scientific studies to convert promising drug candidates into new medicines. In terms of scalability, notes Dr. Mori-Yasumoto, “It may be possible to develop mass -produced platforms for onnamide synthesis using modern cultivation technology and symbiotic bacteria, ensuring a sustainable source.” The use of symbiotic bacteria as a sustainable strategy can lead to scalable and environmentally responsible drug production.

In addition, Dr. Tanaka and Dr. Jomori of the University of the State Ryukyus, “The seas of Okinawa are hosting abundant world-class biological resources. In this study, we have discovered anti-diligent drastic compounds of marine sponges-sections of research to search for new seeds. They emphasized the importance of this achievement as a research effect from Okinawa, while expressing strong incentives for future work.

Overall, this project represents a significant progress in tackling a long -standing global health challenge. “This study is the first step in achieving new therapeutic options in patients around the world and represents an important milestone in Japan’s contribution to research for neglected tropical diseases“Dr. Mori-Yasumoto concludes.