Effect of itraconazole and terbinafine on Leishmania promastigotes.
The antiproliferative effect induced in vitro by two antifungal compounds, the azole itraconazole and the allylamine terbinafine on Leishmania major, L. donovani and L. mexicana promastigotes are reported. Treatment of promastigotes cultures with itraconazole or with terbinafine induced growth arrest with L. major but neither with L. donovani nor with L. mexicana. Concentrations of 0.75 microl/l or more of itraconazole induced cell lysis after 72 hours with L. major. However, even relatively large concentrations of terbinafine (2.0 microl/l) did not induce cell lysis. For L. major, the IC 50 for itraconazole and terbinafine were 0.31 microl/l and 3.3 microl/l respectively.
Medical Technology Program, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80205, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. haythamzakai@yahoo.com
Haytham A
HA
Zakai
Sameer Kh
SKh
Zimmo
Mahmoud A H
MA
Fouad
D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007894:Leishmania mexicana / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077291:Terbinafine; D013997:Time Factors
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D017964:Itraconazole; D000077291:Terbinafine