RT Journal Article T1 Insights into Chagas treatment based on the potential of bacteriocin AS-48. A1 Martín-Escolano, Rubén A1 Cebrián, Rubén A1 Martín-Escolano, Javier A1 Rosales, Maria J A1 Maqueda, Mercedes A1 Sánchez-Moreno, Manuel A1 Marín, Clotilde K1 AS-48 K1 Antichagasic agent K1 Bacteriocin K1 Drug discovery K1 Trypanosoma cruzi AB Chagas disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi represents a significant public health problem in Latin America, affecting around 8 million cases worldwide. Nowadays is urgent the identification of new antichagasic agents as the only therapeutic options available, Nifurtimox and Benznidazole, are in use for >40 years, and present high toxicity, limited efficacy and frequent treatment failures in the chronic phase of the disease. Recently, it has been described the antiparasitic effect of AS-48, a bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecalis, against Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp. In this work, we have demonstrated the in vitro potential of the AS-48 bacteriocin against T. cruzi. Interesting, AS-48 was more effective against the three morphological forms of different T. cruzi strains, and displayed lower cytotoxicity than the reference drug Benznidazole. In addition, AS-48 combines the criteria established as a potential antichagasic agent, resulting in a promising therapeutic alternative. According to the action mechanism, AS-48 trypanocidal activity could be explained in a mitochondrion-dependent manner through a reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial depolarization, causing a fast and severe bioenergetic collapse. YR 2019 FD 2019-03-29 LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/13794 UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/13794 LA en DS RISalud RD Apr 10, 2025