Potential therapeutic use of herbal extracts in trypanosomiasis

Pathog Glob Health. 2014 Jan;108(1):30-6. doi: 10.1179/2047773213Y.0000000120. Epub 2013 Dec 19.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of crude extracts from Handroanthus impetiginosa, Ageratum conyzoides, and Ruta graveolens on Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi infection in vitro. The results showed that the extracts caused significant toxicity in promastigotes and trypomastigotes. A significant decrease in the rate of cell invasion by pretreated trypomastigotes and promastigotes was also observed. The extracts caused a significant reduction of the multiplication of intracellular amastigotes of both parasites. Therefore, these herbal extracts may be potential candidates for the development of drugs for the treatment of leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.

Keywords: Chagas disease,; Leishmaniasis,; Plant extracts; Treatment,.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan / drug effects*
  • Antigens, Surface / drug effects
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Asteraceae / chemistry
  • Bignoniaceae / chemistry
  • Chagas Disease / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Leishmania / drug effects*
  • Leishmaniasis / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Neuraminidase / drug effects
  • Phytotherapy / methods*
  • Plant Preparations / pharmacology*
  • Protozoan Proteins / drug effects
  • Rutaceae / chemistry
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / drug effects*
  • Trypanosomiasis / drug therapy
  • Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma / drug effects

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Plant Preparations
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma
  • trypomastigote small surface antigen, Trypanosoma cruzi
  • surface antigen P2, Leishmania
  • ASP-2 protein, Trypanosoma cruzi
  • Neuraminidase