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Germacranolide-type sesquiterpene lactones from Smallanthus sonchifolius with promising activity against Leishmania mexicana and Trypanosoma cruzi.
- Source :
-
Parasites & vectors [Parasit Vectors] 2017 Nov 13; Vol. 10 (1), pp. 567. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Nov 13. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Background: Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are life-threatening illnesses caused by the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively. They are known as "neglected diseases" due to the lack of effective drug treatments and the scarcity of research work devoted to them. Therefore, the development of novel and effective drugs is an important and urgent need. Natural products are an important source of bioactive molecules for the development of new drugs. In this study, we evaluated the activity of enhydrin, uvedalin and polymatin B, three sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) isolated from Smallanthus sonchifolius, on Leishmania mexicana (MNYC/BZ/62/M) and Trypanosoma cruzi (Dm28c). In addition, the in vivo trypanocidal activity of enhydrin and uvedalin and the effects of these STLs on parasites' ultrastructure were evaluated.<br />Methods: The inhibitory effect of the three STLs on the growth of L. mexicana amastigotes and promastigotes as well as T. cruzi epimastigotes was evaluated in vitro. The changes produced by the STLs on the ultrastructure of parasites were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Enhydrin and uvedalin were also studied in a murine model of acute T. cruzi infection (RA strain). Serum activities of the hepatic enzymes alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were used as biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity.<br />Results: The three compounds exhibited leishmanicidal activity on both parasite forms with IC <subscript>50</subscript> values of 0.42-0.54 μg/ml for promastigotes and 0.85-1.64 μg/ml for intracellular amastigotes. Similar results were observed on T. cruzi epimastigotes (IC <subscript>50</subscript> 0.35-0.60 μg/ml). The TEM evaluation showed marked ultrastructural alterations, such as an intense vacuolization and mitochondrial swelling in both L. mexicana promastigotes and T. cruzi epimastigotes exposed to the STLs. In the in vivo study, enhydrin and uvedalin displayed a significant decrease in circulating parasites (50-71%) and no signs of hepatotoxicity were detected.<br />Conclusions: Enhydrin, uvedalin and polymatin B possess significant leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activity on different parasite stages. These results show that these compounds may provide valuable leads for the development of new drugs against these neglected parasitic diseases.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Asteraceae chemistry
Chagas Disease drug therapy
Chagas Disease parasitology
Disease Models, Animal
Lactones administration & dosage
Lactones adverse effects
Lactones therapeutic use
Leishmania mexicana growth & development
Leishmania mexicana ultrastructure
Leishmaniasis drug therapy
Leishmaniasis parasitology
Liver drug effects
Mice
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Plant Extracts chemistry
Plant Extracts pharmacology
Plant Extracts therapeutic use
Sesquiterpenes administration & dosage
Sesquiterpenes adverse effects
Sesquiterpenes chemistry
Sesquiterpenes therapeutic use
Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane pharmacology
Trypanosoma cruzi growth & development
Trypanosoma cruzi ultrastructure
Lactones pharmacology
Leishmania mexicana drug effects
Sesquiterpenes pharmacology
Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane chemistry
Trypanosoma cruzi drug effects
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1756-3305
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Parasites & vectors
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 29132413
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-017-2509-6