The three organometallic complexes [(Cis-Pt^II (DDH) (2,5-
Dihidroxibenzensulfonic)^2, Rh^I (CO)2 Cl(2-
Aminobenzothiazole) and Rh^I (CO)2 Cl(5-Cl-2-
Methilbenzothiazole)] used in this study had been previously
found to have a high in vitro activity against
promastigote and amastigote like forms of Leishmania
donovani. Here, the cytotoxic effect of these new
organometallic complexes on the J-774 macrophages were
studied. Only the Rh^I(CO)2 Cl (2-Aminobenzothiazole) complex
induced substantial toxicity in the cells.
Also, we assayed the effect of this complex on the parasite s
biosynthesis of macromolecules. The Rh^I(CO)2Cl (5-Cl-2-
Methylbenzothiazole) complex inhibited DNA, RNA, and protein
synthesis. On the other hand, the two other compounds tested
did not inhibit the incorporation of radioactive precursors.
Finally important ultrastructural alterations in the parasites
treated with the two non-cytotoxic complexes were observed.