Lectin from microalgae: Non-toxic to human cells and effective against Leishmania.

New leishmanicidal products are needed for the treatment to be effective, since current drugs are toxic to healthy human/animal cells and have low efficacy against the parasite. Bioactive compounds from microalgae, such as lectins, can be explored as new anti-Leishmania candidates. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and anti-Leishmania action of the cell extract (CE) and lectin (CVU) from Chlorella vulgaris biomass. CVU purified from CE was stable within alkaline pH and temperature below 50 °C. CVU showed specificity to the carbohydrate D-Galactose, which is found in the membrane of Leishmania. CE (IC ₅₀  = 161.4 μg/mL) and CVU (IC ₅₀  = 66.32 μg/mL) exhibited effects against the promastigotes of L. braziliensis, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed alterations the shape and size in treated parasites. CE showed a higher selectivity index than CVU on L. braziliensis promastigotes. These results demonstrate the potential of C. vulgaris as a source of active molecules that can be investigated as therapeutic candidates.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest.
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