Abstract
BackgroundVisceral leishmaniasis is the most serious form of leishmaniasis and can be lethal if left untreated. Currently available treatments for these parasitic diseases are frequently associated to severe side effects. The leaves of Croton cajucara are used as an infusion in popular medicine to combat several diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that the linalool-rich essential oil from C. cajucara (white sacaca) is extremely efficient against the tegumentary specie Leishmania amazonensis. In this study, we investigated the effects of the 7-hydroxycalamenene-rich essential oil from the leaves of C. cajucara (red sacaca) against Leishmania chagasi, as well as on the interaction of these parasites with host cells.MethodsPromastigotes were treated with different concentrations of the essential oil for determination of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). In addition, the effects of the essential oil on parasite ultrastructure were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. To evaluate its efficacy against infected cells, mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with L. chagasi promastigotes were treated with the inhibitory and sub-inhibitory concentrations of the essential oil.ResultsThe minimum inhibitory concentrations of the essential oil and its purified component 7-hydroxycalamenene against L. chagasi were 250 and 15.6 μg/mL, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed important nuclear and kinetoplastic alterations in L. chagasi promastigotes. Pre-treatment of macrophages and parasites with the essential oil reduced parasite/macrophage interaction by 52.8%, while it increased the production of nitric oxide by L. chagasi-infected macrophages by 80%.ConclusionThese results indicate that the 7-hydroxycalamenene-rich essential oil from C. cajucara is a promising source of leishmanicidal compounds.
Highlights
Visceral leishmaniasis is the most serious form of leishmaniasis and can be lethal if left untreated
In Brazil, approximately 4,000 people are infected with leishmaniasis each year, and 10.5% die from the disease
We described the cytocidal activity of the 7-hydroxycalamenene-rich essential oil from C. cajucara, red sacaca, against the etiological agent of Kala-azar, L. chagasi
Summary
Visceral leishmaniasis is the most serious form of leishmaniasis and can be lethal if left untreated. We investigated the effects of the 7-hydroxycalamenene-rich essential oil from the leaves of C. cajucara (red sacaca) against Leishmania chagasi, as well as on the interaction of these parasites with host cells. About 500,000 new cases of visceral leishmaniasis are reported worldwide each year [1]. Potential therapies for visceral leishmaniasis have been introduced, including liposomal amphotericin B, paromomycin, and miltefosine [4]. Despite the advances, both the conventional treatments and the new chemotherapeutic agents have a number of important disadvantages such as severe side effects and high cost
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