Mitochondrial disruption and DNA fragmentation in Trypanosoma cruzi induced by naphthoimidazoles synthesized from β-lapachone

Three naphthoimidazoles presenting aromatic groups attached to the imidazole ring were the most active against trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi between 45 derivatives from β-lapachone. N1 is active against the three forms of the parasite. In this work, we investigated N2 and N3 and analyzed the effect of the three derivatives on metacyclogenesis, endocytosis, and cell cycle. In epimastigotes, N2 and N3 blocked the cell cycle, inhibited succinate cytochrome c reductase, metacyclogenesis, and induced damage to mitochondrion, Golgi, and reservosomes. In treated trypomastigotes, there were alterations in the mitochondrion, nucleus and kinetoplast, and DNA fragmentation. Preincubation with cysteine protease inhibitors reversed the effect of N1, N2, and N3. Such reversion and ultrastructural alterations suggest the involvement of autophagy in parasite death. Ultrastructural, flow cytometry, and biochemical studies suggest that naphthoimidazoles interferes with the energetic metabolism and induces DNA fragmentation.