“…Moreover, cell shrinkage, loss of plasma membrane integrity along with blebbing, chromatin condensation, and dilation of mitochondria, hallmarks of apoptotic cell death (51), were observed. Lack of extensive round lysosome-like cytoplasmic intracellular vacuoles, chromatin condensation, and the absence of intact plasma membrane with insignificant cell shrinkage and swelling, along with insignificant changes in nuclear and mitochondrial integrity, observed herein, are indicative of apoptotic rather than autophagic cell death (50). Further, increases in annexin V positivity and intracellular ROS generation, upregulation of hydroxyl radicals, downregulation of GSH levels, elevation of lipid peroxide levels, a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, and elevation of late-stage apoptosis markers such as protease activation and DNA nucleosomal fragmentation in the treated promastigotes support induction of apoptosis-like PCD (20).…”