Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are Gram‐negative, ubiquitous, aquatic, flagellated, microaerophilic, or anaerobic microorganisms exhibiting magnetotactic behaviour based on magnetosomes, which are the structural signature of the group. Magnetosomes are ferrimagnetic nanocrystals surrounded by a lipid bilayer, usually aligned in chain(s) within the cell. Environmental abiotic conditions such as salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and oxidation–reduction potential may drive the diversity of MTB populations in environments. Our results reported the first evidence of MTB in sediments sampled from the Araguaia River floodplain in the Amazon‐Cerrado biome. Light microscopy showed at least six morphotypes of South‐seeking MTB. Transmission electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy observations demonstrated magnetite cuboctahedral, prismatic, and anisotropic magnetosomes. PCA ordination demonstrated a more significant influence of depth, ORP (oxidation–reduction potential), and transparency in sampled data from the river main channel (MC). Non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination and correlation analysis demonstrated a difference between MTB populations inhabiting MC and lakes and affluent (LA). NGS and bioinformatic analysis revealed higher richness and diversity among magnetotactic cocci and the majority phylogenetic assignment of MTB affiliated to Pseudomonadota phylum. Hence, the complete acquisition of these results will provide further insight into magnetotaxis characterisation and the abiotic factors that impact MTB spatial distribution.
Background/Objectives: Leishmaniasis remains a major neglected tropical disease, and current chemotherapeutic options are limited by toxicity and resistance in Leishmania species, including L. amazonensis. Prenylated coumarins have emerged as promising bioactive scaffolds. Altissimacoumarin D and its analogues inhibit fungal efflux pumps associated with resistance. However, their antileishmanial potential and mechanisms of action remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the in vitro, in vivo, and in silico effects of altissimacoumarin D and seven analogues against L. amazonensis. Methods: In vitro assays were performed to identify active compounds and assess toxicity in keratinocytes. In vivo experiments in hamsters evaluated antileishmanial activity and renal and hepatic toxicity. In silico analyses were conducted to investigate the mechanism of action of the substances. Results: In vitro assays showed that ACS47, ACS48, and ACS51 were the most active and safe compounds. In a hamster infection model, daily administration of ACS47 and ACS48 (2.5 mg/kg) significantly reduced parasite burden and lesion size, while maintaining normal renal and hepatic biochemical parameters. Histological analysis correlated reduced lesion size with marked decreases in amastigote density. Based on in silico analysis, spermidine synthase was supported as a plausible molecular target. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings identify ACS47 and ACS48 as promising lead compounds for future antileishmanial drug development.