In vitro effects of resveratrol on the viability and infectivity of the microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi.
Microsporidians of the genus Encephalitozoon are an important cause of disease in immunocompromised patients, and there are currently no completely effective treatments. The present study investigated the viability and infectivity of spores of Encephalitozoon cuniculi that had been exposed to resveratrol (RESV), a natural phytoalexin found in grapes and red wine. RESV at 50 microM showed significant sporicidal activity, and at 10 to 50 microM it reduced the capacity of the spores to infect dog kidney epithelial cells of the MDCK line. At 10 microM RESV also significantly inhibited intracellular development of the parasite, without affecting host cell viability. These results suggest that RESV may be useful in the treatment of Encephalitozoon infections.
Leiro
José
J
Laboratorio de Parasitología, Instituto de Investigación y Análisis Alimentarios, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, C/Constantino Candeira s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. mpleiro@usc.es
Cano
Ernesto
E
Ubeira
Florencio M
FM
Orallo
Francisco
F
Sanmartín
Manuel L
ML
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003470:Culture Media; D009670:Encephalitozoon cuniculi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D000882:Haplorhini; D000077185:Resveratrol; D033761:Spores, Protozoan / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003470:Culture Media; D013267:Stilbenes; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000077185:Resveratrol