Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
In Vitro Drug Screening Against All Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi Using Parasites Expressing β-galactosidase
Published on: November 5, 2021
The activity of a metronidazole analogue and its β-cyclodextrin complex against Trypanosoma cruzi
Marcela Silva Lopes1, Policarpo Ademar Sales Júnior, Amanda Gervásio Ferreira Lopes
1Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Abstract:
In this study we prepared an inclusion complex between an iodide analogue of metronidazole (MTZ-I) and cyclodextrin (CD) to develop a safer and more effective method of treating Trypanosoma cruzi infections. According to our results, MTZ-I and MTZ-I:β-CD were 10 times more active than MTZ, demonstrating that the presence of an iodine atom on the side chain increased the trypanocidal activity while maintaining its cytotoxicity. The selective index shows that MTZ-I was 10 times more active against T. cruzi than it was against mammalian cells. The modification of MTZ side chains provides a promising avenue for the development of new drugs.
