Experimental Parasitology 2010-09-01

Acanthamoeba castellanii Neff: In vitro activity against the trophozoite stage of a natural sesquiterpene and a synthetic cobalt(II)-lapachol complex.

Carmen M Martín-Navarro, Atteneri López-Arencibia, Jacob Lorenzo-Morales, Sandra Oramas-Royo, Rita Hernández-Molina, Ana Estévez-Braun, Angel G Ravelo, Basilio Valladares, José E Piñero

Index: Exp. Parasitol. 126(1) , 106-8, (2010)

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Abstract

In this study, the in vitro activities of a natural sesquiterpene, alpha-cyperotundone, isolated from the root bark of Maytenus retusa and a cobalt(II)-complex of a natural occurring prenyl hydroxynaphthoquinone (lapachol) were evaluated against the trophozoite stage of Acanthamoeba castellanii Neff using a previously developed colorimetric 96-well microtiter plate assay, based on the oxido-reduction of Alamar Blue(R). The obtained activities showed that these two compounds were able to inhibit the in vitro growth of the amoebae at relatively low concentrations. Further identification of the molecular targets of these products and their effects on acanthamoebae should be determined to evaluate their possible therapeutic use.Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.