Sitamaquine is an antileishmanial agent.1 It is active against L. donovani, L. infantum, L. mexicana, L. braziliensis, and L. tropica (EC50s = 9.5-19.8 µM). It inhibits mitochondrial complex II, also known as succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), in a cell-free assay when used at concentrations ranging from 10 to 200 µM.2 Sitamaquine (100 µM) increases intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreases intracellular ATP levels, as well as induces phosphatidylserine externalization, chromatin fragmentation, and depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, markers of apoptosis, in L. donovani promastigotes.
1.LÓpez-MartÍn, C., PÉrez-Victoria, J.M., Carvalho, L., et al.Sitamaquine sensitivity in Leishmania species is not mediated by drug accumulation in acidocalcisomesAntimicrob. Agents Chemother.52(11)4030-4036(2008) 2.Carvalho, L.J.M., Luque-Ortega, J.R., LÓpez-MartÍn, C., et al.The 8-aminoquinoline analogue sitamaquine causes oxidative stress in Leishmania donovani promastigotes by targeting succinate dehydrogenaseAntimicrob. Agents Chemother.55(9)4204-4210(2011)