Analysis of the effect of methyl 2-acetamide-3-methylquinoxaline-7-carboxylate 1,4-di-N-oxide on the relative expression of the trypanothione reductase gene in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes

In recent decades, some quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxide derivatives have been shown to have better trypanocidal activity than the reference drugs; however, their mechanism of action is not yet clear, although it is suggested that they mainly produce reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative stress and parasite death. Trypanosoma cruzi relies on the enzyme trypanothione reductase, among others, to defend itself against oxidative stress. With the aim of contributing to the elucidation of the mechanism of action of quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxide derivatives on Trypanosoma cruzi, this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of methyl 2-amide-3-methylquinoxaline-7-carboxylate 1,4-di-N-oxide (compound M-8) on the expression of the trypanothione reductase gene in an in vitro model on Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes of the CL-Brener strain. The results show that compound M-8 does not cause a significant effect on the trypanothione reductase gene, suggesting a mechanism of action not related to oxidative stress.