Article

Leishmanicidal activity of Himatanthus sucuuba latex against Leishmania amazonensis

Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Química Orgânica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Parasitology International DOI:10.1016/j.parint.2010.01.002 pp.173-177

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.

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    International immunopharmacology 08/2011; 11(11):1668-79. · 2.21 Impact Factor
Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.

Keywords

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Leishmania amazonensis
 
macrophages
 
mitochondrial activity
 
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Transforming Growth Factor-β
 
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