title: Leishmania major: antileishmanial activity of methylbenzethonium chloride.
abstract: Methylbenzethonium chloride (MBCl) decreased the growth of Leishmania major promastigotes and amastigotes in vitro. This decrease occurred during 4 days of exposure to the drug at concentrations of 0.1 to 2.5 micrograms ml-1. MBCl at 2 micrograms ml-1 killed almost 100% of the free living promastigotes and 87% of amastigotes within 4 days of treatment. Electron microscopy studies showed marked swelling of mitochondria in treated parasites. A possible additional effect on the parasite surface membrane is discussed.
mesh_terms: D001558:Benzethonium / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007895:Leishmania tropica / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008933:Mitochondrial Swelling / Q000187:drug effects; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D001558:Benzethonium; C005106:methylbenzethonium chloride