Differential effects of the (+)- and (–)-gossypol enantiomers upon Entamoeba histolytica axenic cultures

Abstract

Abstract The in-vitro anti-amoebic effects of (±)-, (+)-, (–)-gossypol and emetine were tested against axenic trophozoites from five Entamoeba histolytica strains. The (–)-isomer was more active than the racemate and the (+)-isomer. These results indicate that the gossypol anti-amoebic activity is mainly due to its content of (–)-gossypol in all strains tested.