Curcuminóides controlam a infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em células trofoblásticas humanas (Linhagem BeWo)

Abstract

The conventional treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis is a combination of sulfadiazine with pyrimethamine which, despite showing relatively satisfactory efficacy, is associated with serious side effects for the pregnant woman and the fetus, requiring studies of new therapeutic strategies. In this scenario, treatments based on herbal compounds are promising alternatives, due to few or no known adverse effects. Thus, the present study investigates the effects of three synthetic curcuminoid compounds on in vitro infection by Toxoplasma gondii, which were used as experimental models of the human trophoblastic lineage BeWo, which is widely used in the literature. To this end, cellular prediction assays were carried out using MTT, invasion, intracellular and reversibility assays in T. gondii infection through treatment with curcuminoids using a β-galactosidase assay, and measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results demonstrated that curcuminoids only had cytotoxic action in the highest concentrations and were able to significantly reduce the invasion and intracellular surveillance of T. gondii in BeWo cells. Furthermore, this antiproliferative action depends on concentration and is irreversible. Furthermore, one of the compounds specifically regulated for ROS production. In conclusion, the antiparasitic effects triggered by curcuminoids may be related to the direct action on tachyzoites and the alteration of the intracellular environment of host cells.