Evaluation of the effect and mechanism of artemether against Toxoplasma gondii

Abstract This study aimed to investigate compounds that has anti-Toxoplasma gondii with the possible advantage of limiting drug resistance. Artemether has potential anti-T. gondii activity, however the detail information is not clear. To evaluate the Specific effect and potential mechanism, in this study, the cytotoxicity of artemether was Firstly evaluated using MTT assay. Secondly, the anti-T. gondii activities was determined using plaque assay, and then the invasion and intracellular proliferation were evaluated. Finally, the mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of T. gondii were detected by the JC-1 probe and automatic microplate reader. The safe concentration of artemether is below 7.042 mM on HFF cells, and artemether exhibited good anti-T. gondii activity with the IC50 = 0.905 mM, it can inhibit T. gondii intracellular proliferation by decreasing T. gondii mitochondrial membrane integrity and increasing ROS production.