Figure 3. RuBzNO₂ is able to release NO inside the cell and kills the amastigotes.

A. Vero cells were incubated with DAF-2 DA and the reducing agent phenylephrine in the presence or absence of RuBzNO₂. The formation of the fluorescent compound (DAF-2T), which occurs in the presence of NO in the cytoplasm, was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. B. Cells were incubated with trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi for 24 h at 37°C. The remaining parasites were washed from the culture, and the cells were incubated at 37°C for an additional 24 h. Cells were stained with Giemsa dye, and the percentage of infected cells was determined by optical microscopy. The bars indicate means+SEM of triplicates and are representative of two independent experiments. * represents p<0.05.