Inhibitory effects of pepstatin A and mefloquine on the growth of Babesia parasites

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2012 Oct;87(4):681-8. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.12-0218. Epub 2012 Aug 13.

Abstract

We evaluated the inhibitory effects of pepstatin A and mefloquine on the in vitro and in vivo growths of Babesia parasites. The in vitro growth of Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, B. caballi, and B. equi was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) by micromolar concentrations of pepstatin A (50% inhibitory concentrations = 38.5, 36.5, 17.6, and 18.1 μM, respectively) and mefloquine (50% inhibitory concentrations = 59.7, 56.7, 20.7, and 4 μM, respectively). Furthermore, both reagents either alone at a concentration of 5 mg/kg or in combinations (2.5/2.5 and 5/5 mg/kg) for 10 days significantly inhibited the in vivo growth of B. microti in mice. Mefloquine treatment was highly effective and the combination treatments were less effective than other treatments. Therefore, mefloquine may antagonize the actions of pepstatin A against babesiosis and aspartic proteases may play an important role in the asexual growth cycle of Babesia parasites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Babesia / classification
  • Babesia / drug effects*
  • Babesia / enzymology
  • Babesia / growth & development
  • Babesia microti / drug effects*
  • Babesia microti / enzymology
  • Babesia microti / growth & development
  • Babesiosis / drug therapy*
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • Drug Antagonism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Mefloquine / administration & dosage
  • Mefloquine / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Parasitic Sensitivity Tests / methods
  • Pepstatins / administration & dosage
  • Pepstatins / pharmacology*
  • Protease Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Pepstatins
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • Mefloquine
  • pepstatin