Activity In Vitro of 2-Chloro-N-[4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-Thiazolyl]Acetamide Against Promastigotes of Leishmania mexicana: An Apoptosis Inducer.

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease transmitted by insects that proliferate mainly in impoverished environments of tropical climates. In the absence of an effective vaccine, pharmacological treatment is the main tool to combat this disease. The objective of this work was to analyze the anti-leishmanial activity of 2-chloro-N-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-thiazolyl] acetamide (AT) in promastigotes of Leishmania mexicana. The biological activity of the compound was evaluated using a sulphorhodamine B cytotoxicity test and the integrity of the erythrocytes was evaluated by a lysis test. The anti-trypanosomatid activity was evaluated in vitro, a cell death assay was performed by flow cytometry (IP/Annexin V stain) and a parasite growth recovery assay was performed. The AT showed a CC50 value of 0.031µM for HeLa cells after 24h of exposure, which did not induce erythrocyte lysis. On the other hand, the AT showed an IC50 value of 0.086µM for L. mexicana (promastigote form) after 24h of interaction. The compound was capable of inducing apoptosis in the parasites and did not allow recovery after 24h of exposure. This study provides valuable information with the objective of developing new drugs for the treatment of this disease, although more research on this molecule is needed to improve its biological activity.