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Science 17 June 1983:
Vol. 220. no. 4603, pp. 1292 - 1295
DOI: 10.1126/science.6304876
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Articles

Science, Vol 220, Issue 4603, 1292-1295
Copyright © 1983 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Light-enhanced free radical formation and trypanocidal action of gentian violet (crystal violet)

R Docampo, SN Moreno, RP Muniz, FS Cruz, and RP Mason

Transmission of Chagas' disease by transfusion of blood containing Trypanosoma cruzi has often been reported, and gentian violet, a triarylmethane dye, is widely used by blood banks in attempts to eliminate such transmission. In a study of intact trypanosomes, gentian violet was found to undergo a one-electron reduction to produce a carbon-centered free radical as demonstrated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Either reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or the reduced dinucleotide phosphate could serve as a source of reducing equivalents for the production of this free radical by homogenates of Trypanosoma cruzi. The formation of this free radical, and the trypanocidal action of gentian violet, were enhanced by light. The enhanced free radical formation may be the basic cause of the selective toxicity of gentian violet to Trypanosoma cruzi.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Photodynamic Sensitization of Leishmania amazonensis in both Extracellular and Intracellular Stages with Aluminum Phthalocyanine Chloride for Photolysis In Vitro.
S. Dutta, D. Ray, B. K. Kolli, and K.-P. Chang (2005)
Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 49, 4474-4484
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)