title: The Effects of N-Butyl-1-(4-dimethylamino)phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- β -carboline-3-carboxamide against Leishmania amazonensis Are Mediated by Mitochondrial Dysfunction.
abstract: Leishmaniasis is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The drugs that are available for the treatment of this infection exhibit high toxicity and various side effects. Several studies have focused on the development of new chemotherapeutic agents that are less toxic and more effective against trypanosomatids. We investigated the effects of N-butyl-1-(4-dimethylamino)phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxamide (C4) and its possible targets against L. amazonensis. The results showed morphological and ultrastructural alterations, depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, the loss of cell membrane integrity, and an increase in the formation of mitochondrial superoxide anions in L. amazonensis treated with C4. Our results indicate that C4 is a selective antileishmanial agent, and its effects appear to be mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, PR 87020-900 Maringá, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hélito
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Volpato
authors.forename: Vânia Cristina
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Desoti
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cogo
authors.forename: Manuela Ribeiro
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Panice
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Sarragiotto
authors.forename: Sueli de Oliveira
authors.initials: Sde O
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Tânia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueda-Nakamura
authors.forename: Celso Vataru
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Nakamura