Generation of free radicals from phenazine methosulfate in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes.

A significant growth inhibition of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes by phenazine methosulfate (PMS) was observed in Warren's medium. This toxic activity could be related to the following parameters: a) formation of phenazinium free radical, b) generation of superoxide anion in intact cells incubated with PMS, and c) PMS also increased significantly the rate of O2- generation in epimastigotes mitochondrial and microsomal fractions using NADH as electron donor.