Effect of sodium cynanate on Plasmodium falciparum in vitro

R. L. Nagel, C. Raventos, H. B. Tanowitz, M. Wittner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sodium cyanate at concentrations as low as 0.5 mM inhibited the growth of Plasmodium falciparum (FCR-3 Strain) utilizing the Trager-Jensen continuous culture system. At concentrations higher than 1 mM, the parasites were irreversibly destroyed. Utilizing synchronized cultures, the relative susceptibilities of early and late trophozoite forms were examined, and it was found that both developmental forms were equally susceptible to the action of cyanate. Pretreatment of red cells with sodium cyanate prior to infection did not alter the intracellular growth of the parasite. Consequently, the effect of the drug is likely to be on the parasite per se rather than the red cell. The mechanism of action is probably the carbamylation of essential, parasite proteins that eventually impair growth and/or function. Published pharmacological studies in humans would predict that the level of cyanate at which growth inhibition occurs in vitro can be achieved in vivo and that the adverse effects will likely be minimal for short treatment periods.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)483-487
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Parasitology
Volume66
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1980
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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