TRYPANOCIDAL EFFECT OF BOLDINE AND RELATED ALKALOIDS UPON SEVERAL STRAINS OF TRYPANOSOMA-CRUZI

The alkaloids boldine, glaucine, predicentrine, apomorphine, coclaurin e, norarmepavine and codeine were tested against the epimastigotes of the Tulahuen and LQ strains and the DM 28c clone of Trypanosoma cruzi. The micromolar concentration to inhibit 50% of the culture growth (Tu lahuen strain) for apomorphine, glaucine, predicentrine, boldine, nora rmepavine, coclaurine and codeine were 29, 90, 85, 110, 310, 580 and > 1000 respectively. Similar values were obtained with the LQ strain an d the DM 28c clone. The most active compounds in inhibiting culture gr owth also inhibited cell respiration, suggesting that these drugs may act by blocking mitochondrial electron transport. The trypanocidal eff ects of these alkaloids appear to be correlated with their antioxidati ve activities.