title: Trypanocidal effects of catecholamines and indolealkylamines.
abstract: Catecholamines, indolealkylamines and their analogues are oxidized at neutral or alkaline pH, producing hydrogen peroxide, quinones and free radicals. Several of these amines were tested for trypanocidal effects on Trypanosoma brucei, which possess a well-documented vulnerability to such oxidation products. Dopamine, 5-hydroxydopamine (5-OHDA), 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine (5,6-DHT) and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) killed the parasites in vitro, using a fibroblast feeder layer cell culture system, in four to 48 hours at concentrations of 10(-5)-10(-7) M. The 5-OHDA, 6-OHDA, 5,6-DHT and 5,7-DHT were also effective in vivo when tested by intraperitoneal injection of infected mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Salford, U.K.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Owolabi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Molyneux
authors.forename: V W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Pentreath
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002460:Cell Line; D004102:Dihydroxytryptamines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004298:Dopamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006892:Hydroxydopamines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000187:drug effects*; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D004102:Dihydroxytryptamines; D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D012701:Serotonin; D004298:Dopamine