# Sterol Endoperoxides and Their Antileishmanial Effects: Influence on Viability, Oxygen Metabolism and Sterol Synthesis

## TL;DR

This study explores two sterol endoperoxides as potential new treatments for leishmaniasis by examining their effects on parasite viability and sterol synthesis.

## Contribution

The study identifies sterol endoperoxides as promising antileishmanial agents with low toxicity and a novel mechanism targeting sterol biosynthesis.

## Key findings

- Ergosterol and dehydrocholesterol endoperoxides showed low micromolar IC50 values against Leishmania species.
- The endoperoxides inhibited the synthesis of 5-dehydroepisterol, a key sterol in Leishmania tarentolae.
- The compounds exhibited low toxicity to mammalian macrophages.

## Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a global health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical areas, with treatment challenges due to the development of resistance to current drugs. This has prompted the search for new antileishmanial compounds. Endoperoxides, due to parasites’ reliance on external iron and susceptibility to oxidative stress, are promising antileishmanial compounds. This study evaluated two sterol endoperoxides—ergosterol endoperoxide (ErgoEP) and dehydrocholesterol endoperoxide (DHCholEP)—for their antileishmanial activity and mechanism in vitro. Cell viability assays with Leishmania donovani and Leishmania tarentolae promastigotes showed IC50 values in the low micromolar range (from 2.0 to 4.5 µM, respectively) with low toxicity to murine and J774A.1 macrophages. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed radical generation in the presence of low-molecular-weight iron compounds. However, this did not trigger the antileishmanial effect, as neither N-acetylcysteine nor pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone altered activity. Mitochondrial function(s) and superoxide production in Leishmania remained unaffected. Both endoperoxides significantly inhibited synthesis of 5-dehydroepisterol, the major sterol in Leishmania tarentolae, suggesting targeting of the sterol biosynthesis pathway. Their limited toxicity to mammalian macrophages makes ergosterol and dehydrocholesterol endoperoxides promising candidates for future antileishmanial drug development.