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Updated: Mar 1, 2026
Determination of Chemical Inhibitor Efficiency against Intracellular Toxoplasma Gondii Growth Using a Luciferase-Based Growth Assay
Published on: April 29, 2020
In vitro treatment of Toxoplasma gondii with copper(II) complexes induces apoptosis-like and cellular division
J A Portes1, C S Motta2, N F Azeredo3
1Laboratório de Tecnologia em Cultura de Células, Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste (UEZO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), RJ, Brazil.
Abstract:
Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, which is one of the most common parasitic diseases in the world. This pathogen causes severe damage to immunocompromised hosts, and the most frequently used therapy is the combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, which has side effects. Thus, there is a need for new therapies that target T. gondii. Herein, we present the anti-Toxoplasma effect of two new copper(II) complexes: [(H2L1) Cu (μ-Cl)2 Cu(H2L1)] Cl2·5H2O (1) and [(H2L2) Cu (μ-Cl)2 Cu(H2L2)] Cl2·6H2O (2). Complexes (1) and (2) irreversibly controlled parasite growth in vitro, with IC50 values of 0.78μM and 3.57μM, respectively, after 48h. These complexes induced part of the tachyzoite population to convert to bradyzoites, which eventually die. The cell death mechanism was unknown, but signs of apoptosis, such as membrane blebs and nuclear fragmentation, and necrosis, such as plasma membrane disruption, intense cytoplasm vesiculation and the release of cellular contents, were seen. In addition, complex (2) interfered with the correct disposition of the inner membrane complex of the parasite, affecting cell division. These results indicate that these copper complexes have potential effects against T. gondii and may be used as drugs in the future or serve as prototypes for the development of new drugs to treat toxoplasmosis.
