Candimine-induced cell death of the amitochondriate parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

Candimine (1), an alkaloid from the bulbs of Hippeastrum morelianum, was found to be cytotoxic for the amitochondriate parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Candimine (1) induced cell death with an unprecedented group of effects that failed to fulfill the criteria for apoptosis and apoptosis-like death already reported in trichomonads. Arrest of the parasite cell cycle, and morphologic and ultrastructural alterations, including marked cytoplasmic vacuolization, were induced by 1. The present findings suggest some similarities to paraptotic cell death, described for multicellular organisms. This study contributes to both a better understanding of the biological effects of 1 and T. vaginalis cell biology.