Does chloroquine really act through oxidative stress?

Diego Monti; Nicoletta Basilico; Silvia Parapini; Erica Pasini; Piero Olliaro; Donatella Taramelli

doi:10.1016/s0014-5793(02)02881-8

Does chloroquine really act through oxidative stress?

FEBS Lett. 2002 Jul 3;522(1-3):3-5. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)02881-8.

Authors

Diego Monti¹, Nicoletta Basilico, Silvia Parapini, Erica Pasini, Piero Olliaro, Donatella Taramelli

Affiliation

¹ Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Milan, CNR-ISTM, Via Venezian 21, Italy. [email protected]

PMID: 12095608
DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)02881-8

Abstract

To assess whether molecular oxygen and oxidative stress contribute to chloroquine activity, we cultivated strains of Plasmodium falciparum in erythrocytes with carboxyhemoglobin and an atmosphere containing 2% CO, 5% CO(2) and 93% N(2). Results indicate that, contrary to common belief, oxygen is not involved in the activity of chloroquine. Reactive radicals formation is suggested.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Antimalarials / chemistry
Antimalarials / pharmacology*
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Carboxyhemoglobin
Chloroquine / chemistry
Chloroquine / pharmacology*
Erythrocytes / metabolism
Erythrocytes / parasitology
Humans
Molecular Structure
Nitrogen
Oxidative Stress*
Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects*
Plasmodium falciparum / metabolism

Substances

Antimalarials
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Chloroquine
Carboxyhemoglobin
Nitrogen