Lethal effect of phenothiazine neuroleptics on the pathogenic protozoan Leishmania donovani

Science. 1982 Jul 23;217(4557):369-71. doi: 10.1126/science.6124040.

Abstract

Phenothiazine drugs, which are widely used for their antipsychotic, antianxiety, and antiemetic effects, have been found to have protozoacidal effects on the human pathogen Leishmania donovani. These compounds are lethal to both the extracellular stage of the organism, which is inoculated into humans by the sand fly, and the intracellular stage, which is found solely in human macrophages during established infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chlorpromazine / pharmacology
  • Cricetinae
  • Humans
  • Leishmania / drug effects*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / drug therapy*
  • Macrophages / microbiology
  • Mesocricetus

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Chlorpromazine