Phytochemistry 2011-05-01

Lycorine induces cell death in the amitochondriate parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis, via an alternative non-apoptotic death pathway.

Raquel Brandt Giordani, Patrícia de Brum Vieira, Marina Weizenmann, Denis Broock Rosemberg, Ana Paula Souza, Cristina Bonorino, Geraldo Attilio De Carli, Maurício Reis Bogo, José Angelo Zuanazzi, Tiana Tasca

Index: Phytochemistry 72(7) , 645-50, (2011)

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Abstract

In this study, the mechanism of action of the pro-apoptotic alkaloid lycorine on an amitochondriate cell, the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, was investigated. The cytotoxicity of lycorine against T. vaginalis was studied from 2.5 to 1000μM and several important ultrastructural alterations were observed by electron microscopy. Lycorine arrested the T. vaginalis cell cycle, although no hallmarks of apoptosis, such as apoptotic bodies, were observed. Consequently, the underlying mechanism of action fails to completely fulfill the criteria for apoptosis. However, some similarities to paraptotic cell death were observed.Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.