We evaluated the effects of rose bengal on the protozoan parasites, Leishmania tarentolae in culture. Rose bengal, with and without encapsulation into silica nano-particles, was incubated with cell cultures, with and without light exposure. Cell viability was assessed using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and by light microscopy. Nano-particles were loaded by stirring a dispersion with a 160 �M solution of rose bengal in water follow by centrifugation multiple times, with the absorbance of the supernatant measured after each centrifugation step. Cells incubated with encapsulated rose bengal or with nano-particles only resulted in the same cell viability (without and without light exposure). They also exhibited no major abnormalities by microscopy. Cells incubated with free rose bengal were inhibited about 86% (following light exposure) relative to control cells and approximately 34% (no light exposure). Cells exposed to the rose bengal assumed a different shape than control cells as observed by microscopy.

Effects of rose bengal on the viability of axenic Leishmania cells

245th National Meeting (2013)

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