Antileishmanial effect of allopurinol.

Allopurinol (4-hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine) has been shown to inhibit the growth of Leishmania braziliensis in vitro at concentrations which are attainable in human tissues and body fluids. This compound is believed to act by interdicting the de novo synthesis of pyrimidines, probably through the formation of allopurinol ribotide. Its lack of toxicity makes it a potential candidate for animal experimentation and it may serve as a prototype for other agents with similar mechanisms of action.