Effects of 5,8-dimethylthieno[2,3-b]quinoline-2-carboxylic acid on the antioxidative defense and lipid membranes in Plasmodium berghei-infected erythrocytes

• The antimalarial activity of the quinoline derivative TQCA is addressed.
• Its mechanism of action involves the inhibition of main antioxidant enzymes.
• One adaptive mechanism relies on the increase on superoxide dismutase.
• Lipid damage is decreased by this compound in infected-erythrocytes.
• We report the in vivo antimalarial activity of TQ, confirming its in vitro effects.

Plasmodium parasites degrade hemoglobin producing reactive oxygen species as toxic byproducts which are detoxified by a series of antioxidant mechanisms. Quinoline compounds have demonstrated activity against hemoglobin degradation with 5,8-dimethylthieno[2,3-b]quinoline-2-carboxylic acid (TQCA) representing a recent compound inhibiting this process. Thus, this study was undertaken to determine the ability of TQCA to modify the oxidative status in Plasmodium berghei-infected erythrocytes. After hemolysis, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and dehydrogenase enzymes as well as lipid peroxidation were investigated by spectrophotometry. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were determined by gas–liquid chromatography and the in vivo effects of TQCA were confirmed by a malaria murine model (Rane test). The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) in infected cells was diminished by this compound compared to control infection in 75.1 ± 3.5% and 26.5 ± 0.3%, respectively, while that of GPx and GR was also lowered (p < 0.05). As an adaptive response we appreciated a 2.3-fold increase of SOD activity compared to control infection. Lipid peroxidation and the saturated/unsaturated fatty acids ratio were also decreased by this quinoline derivate in 49.2 ± 1.32% and 37 ± 0.06%, respectively, protecting the cells from hemolysis caused by the infection. The in vitro results were in concordance with the potential in vivo activity of this compound in an established malaria murine model in which TQCA showed significant decrease in the parasitemia levels and increased the mean survival days of infected mice. In conclusion, the antioxidant defense represents a biochemical target for TQCA actions as a potent antimalarial whose effects were also confirmed in vivo.

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