Exploring the Antiamoebic Potential of Zonisamide and Perampanel against <i>Naegleria fowleri</i>: Insights from <i>In Vitro</i> and Docking Studies.

ABSTRACT: Naegleria fowleri, the etiological agent of PAM, is a thermophilic amoeba with a high mortality rate with limited therapeutic options. Current treatments involve multidrug regimens with high toxicity with variable efficacy. This study explores the repurposing potential of two central nervous system drugs, Zonisamide and Perampanel against N. fowleri, integrating cell-based assays and in silico docking analyses to predict efficacy and mechanistic pathways. In vitro assays demonstrated significant amoebicidal activity by both compounds, Perampanel reduced trophozoite viability by 87.5%, and Zonisamide by 77.3% at 200 μg/mL. Cytotoxicity assays exhibited low to moderate cytotoxicity on human-derived HeLa and SH-SY5Y cell lines, confirming therapeutic selectivity. F

SUBMITTER: Rajendran K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12809340 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature