Effect of itraconazole and terbinafine on Leishmania promastigotes
Zakai, H.A.; Zimmo, S.Kh.; Fouad, M.A.H.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology 33(1): 97-107
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1110-0583 PMID: 12739804 Document Number: 563034
The antiproliferative effect induced in vitro by two antifungal compounds, the azole itraconazole and the allylamine terbinafine on Leishmania major, L. donovani and L. mexicana promastigotes are reported. Treatment of promastigote cultures with itraconazole or with terbinafine induced growth arrest in L. major but neither in L. donovani nor in L. mexicana. Concentrations of 0.75 micro l/litre or more of itraconazole induced cell lysis after 72 hours with L. major. However, even relatively large concentrations of terbinafine (2.0 micro l/litre) did not induce cell lysis. For L. major, the IC 50 for itraconazole and terbinafine were 0.31 micro l/litre and 3.3 micro l/litre, respectively.