Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Ultrastructural Expansion Microscopy in Three In Vitro Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi
Published on: May 12, 2023
Antiproliferative effect and ultrastructural alterations induced by 5-O-methylembelin on Trypanosoma cruzi
Renata María Spina1, Esteban Lozano2, Patricia Andrea Barrera1
1Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", Universidad Nacional de Cuyo-CONICET, CC 56 (5500) Mendoza, Argentina.
Background:
Embelin (EMB), obtained from Oxalis erythrorhiza Gillies ex Hooker et Arnott (Oxalidaceae), was reported against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. Additionally, antiprotozoan activity against Plasmodium falciparum was reported for its methylated derivative (ME).
Purpose:
To evaluate the potential anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of EMB, ME and 2,5-di-O-methylembelin (DME) and analyze the possible mechanism of action.
Study Design/Methods:
EMB was isolated by a chromatographic method from the air-dried ground whole plant. To evaluate the effects of methylation, ME and DME were synthesized and tested against T. cruzi epimastigotes and trypomastigotes. The most active compound ME was evaluated against amastigotes. Ultrastructural alterations, ROS generation and the effect on mitochondrial activity of ME were measured.
Results:
Compounds inhibited the proliferation of epimastigotes. ME was also active against intracellular amastigotes. Mitochondrial alterations were observed by TEM. Additionally, ME modified the mitochondrial activity, and induced an increase in ROS levels. These evidences postulate the mitochondrion as a possible target of ME.
Conclusion:
ME inhibited amastigotes proliferation, thus being a potential lead compound for the treatment of Chagas' disease.
Related Concept Videos
Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
5-Number Summary
In a box plot, the minimum and maximum data values represent the lower and upper whiskers in the graph, and the median is designated as the center of the box in the chart. The first quartile and third...
Altered States of Awareness
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain...
Alterations in Blood Pressure
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart...
Induced-fit Model
Enzymes exhibit substrate specificity, meaning that they can only bind to certain substrates. This is mainly determined by the shape and chemical...

