Leishmanicidal activity of Himatanthus sucuuba latex against Leishmania amazonensis

• Published in: Parasitology international 2010-06, Vol.59 (2), p.173-177
• Main Authors: Soares, Deivid C, Andrade, Alexandre L.S, Delorenzi, Jan C, Silva, Jefferson R.A, Freire-de-Lima, Leonardo, Falcão, Camila A.B, Pinto, Angelo C, Rossi-Bergmann, Bartira, Saraiva, Elvira M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents - administration & dosage; Antiprotozoal Agents - pharmacology; Apocynaceae - chemistry; Cell Survival - drug effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Infectious Disease; Latex - administration & dosage; Latex - pharmacology; Leishmania - drug effects; Leishmania - growth & development; Leishmania amazonensis; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - drug therapy; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - parasitology; Macrophages, Peritoneal - drug effects; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1383-5769; 1873-0329
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2010.01.002

Abstract Himatanthus sucuuba (HsL) latex exhibited a potent leishmanicidal activity against intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis , a causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis. HsL inhibited intracellular amastigote growth in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 15.7 µg/mL). Moreover, HsL increased nitric oxide (NO) and Tumor Nuclear Factor-α (TNF-α) and decreased Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) production in macrophages. As assessed by plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity, HsL showed low toxicity for host macrophages. HsL in vivo was active by the oral route, reducing the parasite load in established footpad lesions after only five doses. In summary, these findings support HsL as an interesting candidate for further evaluations regarding its potential application as a therapeutical agent against Leishmania.