title: Phenylalanine derivatives active against Toxoplasma gondii brain cysts in mice.
abstract: The action of phenylalanine derivatives against a cyst forming strain of Toxoplasma gondii was tested in vitro and in vivo in mice. These compounds were Phe-Phe-OMe (dipeptide methyl ester) 1 and its cyclized product, 3,6-dibenzyl-2,5-dioxopiperazine 2, Boc-L-Phe 3, L-Phe-OMe 4, Boc-L-Phe-L-Phe-OMe 5. After a 48 hr incubation in vitro, the compounds 3 and 5 induced a higher inhibition than the control molecule, pyrimethamine. In the in vivo studies, the compound 3 induced a 77% decrease in the number of cerebral cysts, comparable to pyrimethamine. Compounds 1, 5 and 4 induced a decrease of about 63% in the cyst number. A size reduction and an alteration of the wall of treated cysts were often noted. In a histological study, a reduction in cyst size without either inflammation or intervention of the nevroglial cells was observed. The present study provides evidence on the efficacy of phenylalanine derivatives and especially Boc-Phe 3, against T.gondii brain cysts in mice.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Department of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Lyon, France. sarciron@cismsun.univ-lyon1.fr
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sarciron
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Walchshofer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paris
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Petavy
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Peyron
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000469:parasitology*; D002460:Cell Line; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000187:drug effects*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010649:Phenylalanine