A trypsin inhibitor from Moringa oleifera flower extract is cytotoxic to Trypanosoma cruzi with high selectivity over mammalian cells

Nat Prod Res. 2018 Dec;32(24):2940-2944. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2017.1389932. Epub 2017 Oct 19.

Abstract

In this study, Moringa oleifera flower extract and a trypsin inhibitor (MoFTI) isolated from it were evaluated for anti-protozoal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi and cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. The presence of flavonoids was remarkable in the HPLC fingerprints of the extract at 254 and 360 nm. Amino acid sequences of peptides derived from in-gel digestion of MoFTI were determined. Both the extract and MoFTI caused lysis of T. cruzi trypomastigotes with LC50/24 h of 54.18 ± 6.62 and 41.20 ± 4.28 μg/mL, respectively. High selectivity indices (7.9 to >12) for T. cruzi cells over murine peritoneal macrophages and Vero cells were found for the extract and MoFTI. The results show that MoFTI is a trypanocidal principle of the flower extract.

Keywords: chagas disease; cytotoxicity; protease inhibitor; trypomastigote.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Flavonoids* / analysis
  • Flowers / chemistry*
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / drug effects
  • Mammals
  • Mice
  • Moringa oleifera / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Trypanocidal Agents* / pharmacology
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / drug effects*
  • Trypsin Inhibitors / isolation & purification*
  • Trypsin Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Vero Cells / drug effects

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • Plant Extracts
  • Trypanocidal Agents
  • Trypsin Inhibitors