Median IC
50
values for PK 11195 are 14.2 μM for
L. amazonensis
, 8.2 μM for
L. major
, and 3.5 μM for
L. braziliensis
. The selective index value for
L. amazonensis
is 13.7, indicating the safety of PK 11195 for future testing in mammals. Time-and dose-dependent reductions in the percentage of infected macrophages, the number of parasites per infected macrophage, and the number of viable intracellular parasites are observed. Electron microscopy reveals some morphological alterations suggestive of autophagy. Interestingly, MCP-1 and superoxide levels are reduced in
L. amazonensis
-infected macrophages treated with PK 11195
[1]
.