In vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of methanolic extract of Bidens pilosa and identification of active compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis

• Published in: Parasites, hosts and diseases Vol. 61; no. 4; pp. 405 - 417
• Main Authors: Cázares-Jaramillo, Gabriel Enrique, Molina-Garza, Zinnia Judith, Luna-Cruz, Itza Eloisa, Solís-Soto, Luisa Yolanda, Rosales-Encina, José Luis, Galaviz-Silva, Lucio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Korean Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine 01.11.2023; 대한기생충학ㆍ열대의학회
• Subjects: Original; 예방의학
• ISSN: 2982-5164; 2982-6799
• DOI: 10.3347/PHD.23069

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, is a significant but neglected tropical public health issue in Latin America due to the diversity of its genotypes and pathogenic profiles. This complexity is compounded by the adverse effects of current treatments, underscoring the need for new therapeutic options that employ medicinal plant extracts without negative side effects. Our research aimed to evaluate the trypanocidal activity of Bidens pilosa fractions against epimastigote and trypomastigote stages of T. cruzi, specifically targeting the Brener and Nuevo León strains—the latter isolated from Triatoma gerstaeckeri in General Terán, Nuevo León, México. We processed the plant’s aerial parts (stems, leaves, and flowers) to obtain a methanolic extract (Bp-mOH) and fractions with varying solvent polarities. These preparations inhibited more than 90% of growth at concentrations as low as 800 μg/ml for both parasite stages. The median lethal concentration (LC50) values for the Bp-mOH extract and its fractions were below 500 μg/ml. Tests for cytotoxicity using Artemia salina and Vero cells and hemolytic activity assays for the extract and its fractions yielded negative results. The methanol fraction (BPFC3MOH1) exhibited superior inhibitory activity. Its functional groups, identified as phenols, enols, alkaloids, carbohydrates, and proteins, include compounds such as 2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde (50.9%), pentadecyl prop-2-enoate (22.1%), and linalool (15.4%). Eight compounds were identified, with a match confirmed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST-MS) software through mass spectrometry analysis.