Potential therapeutic use of herbal extracts in trypanosomiasis

• Published in: Pathogens and global health Vol. 108; no. 1; pp. 30 - 36
• Main Authors: Teixeira, Thaise L., Teixeira, Samuel Cota, Silva, Claudio Vieira da, Souza, Maria A. de
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis 01.01.2014; Maney; Maney Publishing
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens, Protozoan - drug effects; Antigens, Surface - drug effects; Antiprotozoal Agents - pharmacology; Asteraceae - chemistry; Bignoniaceae - chemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Chagas disease; Chagas Disease - drug therapy; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; General aspects; Human protozoal diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Leishmania - drug effects; Leishmaniasis; Leishmaniasis - drug therapy; Leshmaniasis; Male; Medical sciences; Neuraminidase - drug effects; Original; Parasitic diseases; Phytotherapy - methods; Plant extracts; Plant Preparations - pharmacology; Protozoal diseases; Protozoan Proteins - drug effects; Rutaceae - chemistry; Treatment; Trypanosoma cruzi - drug effects; Trypanosomiasis; Trypanosomiasis - drug therapy; Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma - drug effects; Infection; Protozoal disease; Treatment; Chagas disease; Tropical medicine; Parasitosis; Leishmaniasis; Trypanosomiasis; Plant extracts
• ISSN: 2047-7724; 2047-7732
• DOI: 10.1179/2047773213Y.0000000120

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.