{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Anti-amoebic activity of a series of benzofuran/benzothiophene derivatives against Acanthamoeba castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype.
{Author}: Akbar N;El-Gamal MI;Zaraei SO;Saeed BQ;Khan NA;Siddiqui R;
{Journal}: J Appl Microbiol
{Volume}: 134
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: Jan 2023 23
{Factor}: 4.059
{DOI}: 10.1093/jambio/lxac030
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To determine the anti-amoebic activity of benzofuran/benzothiophene-possessing compounds against Acanthamoeba castellanii of the T4 genotype.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>A series of benzofuran/benzothiophene-possessing compounds were tested for their anti-amoebic activities, in particular, to block encystation and excystation processes in amoebae. Cytotoxicity of the compounds were evaluated using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. The amoebicidal assay results revealed significant anti-amoebic effects against A. castellanii. Compounds 1p and 1e showed the highest amoebicidal activity, eliminating 68% and 64% of the amoebae, respectively. These compounds remarkably repressed both the encystation and excystation processes in A. castellanii. Furthermore, the selected compounds presented minimal cytotoxic properties against human cells, as well as considerably abridged amoeba-mediated cytopathogenicity when compared to the amoebae alone.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Our findings show that benzofuran/benzothiophene derivatives depict potent anti-amoebic activities; thus these compounds should be used as promising and novel agents in the rationale development of therapeutic strategies against Acanthamoeba infections.