In vitro activity of the clinical pulmonary surfactant Surfacen® against Leishmania amazonensis

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2011 Jul-Aug;53(4):235-8. doi: 10.1590/s0036-46652011000400012.

Abstract

Surfacen® is an exogenous natural lung surfactant, composed by phospholipids and hydrophobic proteins, which is applied successfully in Newborn Respiratory Distress Syndrome. In this paper, in vitro activity of Surfacen® against Leishmania amazonensis is described. The product showed activity against the amastigote form found in peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice, with an IC50 value of 17.9 ± 3.0 µg/mL; while no toxic effect on host cell was observed up to 200 µg/mL. This is the first report about the antileishmanial activity of Surfacen®.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Leishmania mexicana / drug effects*
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / parasitology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Parasitic Sensitivity Tests
  • Phospholipids / pharmacology*
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Pulmonary Surfactants / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Phospholipids
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins
  • Pulmonary Surfactants
  • surfacen