Leishmanicidal activity of two naphthoquinones against Leishmania donovani

Here we studied ability of two naphthoquinones to inhibit Leishmania growth (2,3-dichloro-5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (TR 001) and 2,3-dibromo-1,4-naphthoquinone (TR 002). TR 001 was more efficient than TR 002 in inducing killing of promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. These values compare well to those obtained with the standard first-line antileishmanial agent sodium stibogluconate (SSG). TR 001 also induced significantly more nitric oxide (NO) production than TR 002 or SSG. Taken together, these data show that TR 001 and TR 002 could be promising new drugs for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.