Effect of DODAB Nano-Sized Cationic Bilayer Fragments against Leishmania amazonensis.
Molecules
; 25(23)2020 Dec 05.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33291367
ABSTRACT
The dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) is a double-chained cationic lipid with potent bactericide and fungistatic activities; however, its toxicity on protozoan parasites is still unknown. Here, we show the antileishmanial activity of DODAB nano-sized cationic bilayer fragments on stationary-phase promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis, the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Upon treatment with DODAB, we analyzed the parasite surface zeta-potential, parasite viability, cellular structural modifications, and intracellular proliferation. The DODAB cytotoxic effect was dose-dependent, with a median effective concentration (EC50) of 25 µM for both life-cycle stages, comparable to the reported data for bacteria and fungi. The treatment with DODAB changed the membrane zeta-potential from negative to positive, compromised the parasite's morphology, affected the cell size regulation, caused a loss of intracellular organelles, and probably dysregulated the plasma membrane permeability without membrane disruption. Moreover, the parasites that survived after treatment induced small parasitophorous vacuoles and failed to proliferate inside macrophages. In conclusion, DODAB displayed antileishmanial activity, and it remains to be elucidated how DODAB acts on the protozoan membrane. Understanding this mechanism can provide insights into the development of new parasite-control strategies.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Leishmania mexicana
/
Cátions
/
Nanopartículas
/
Compostos de Amônio Quaternário
/
Antiprotozoários
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Molecules
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Brasil