Antileishmanial Activity of a Calophyllum brasiliense Leaf Extract

Abstract

(Clusiaceae) is a tree that grows mainly in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Its leaves possess antibacterial activity, cytotoxic activity against certain tumor cell lines, and antimicrobial activity in BALB/c mice infected with .Aiming to identify ultrastructural changes and DNA fragmentation in promastigotes were treated with a concentration of the dichloromethane extract and coumarin (-) mammea A/BB from leaves that inhibited 50 % of the parasites (IC), and were evaluated by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Ultrastructural changes showed different levels of mitochondrial alterations, including mitochondrial swelling and a reduction in the density of the mitochondrial matrix. Induced DNA fragmentation, as observed by TUNEL, suggested that the extract and coumarin (-) mammea A/BB induced apoptosis-like cell death. These results suggest that the combination of extract and coumarin (-) mammea A/BB can be considered a promising candidate for the development of new antiprotozoal agents, because of its significant leishmanicidal activity.

Calophyllum brasilienseModulates the Immune Response and PromotesLeishmania amazonensisIntracellular Death

“…C. brasiliense plant is a folk medicine used in many infections, such as leishmaniasis [ 10 – 13 ], in Brazil and other countries [ 9 – 13 , 17 – 27 ]. In the present study, we showed anti- Leishmania activity and immunomodulatory effects of C. brasiliense during infection.…”

“…The product of this evaporation, a dark green water-insoluble residue, was dissolved in dichloromethane. The organic solvent was then removed by evaporation at room temperature, and the obtained hydroalcoholic extract (≈75.0 g) was stored at −10°C, protected from light until use [ 10 ].…”

“…Plants are traditionally used for the treatment of many diseases and are more accessible, as they can be naturally acquired [ 7 – 9 ], leading them to the position of potential candidates for leishmaniasis treatment [ 10 – 13 ]. Calophyllum brasiliense Camb.…”

“…(Clusiaceae) is a tree popularly known as “guanadi-cedar,” “oil stick,” and “guarandi” [ 13 , 14 ] and it has extensive natural distribution, on rain forests on wet and marshy soils [ 15 ], occurring from Mexico to the south coast of Brazil [ 16 ]. The extracts and derivatives from C. brasiliense leaves have been used in folk medicine against various diseases [ 9 – 13 , 17 – 27 ], including leishmaniasis [ 10 – 13 ]. Some biological activities of C. brasiliense were reported such as its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal activities, its cytotoxicity to tumor cells, and its inhibitory effect on tumor promotion and HIV-1 replication [ 10 – 13 , 19 – 27 ].…”

“…The extracts and derivatives from C. brasiliense leaves have been used in folk medicine against various diseases [ 9 – 13 , 17 – 27 ], including leishmaniasis [ 10 – 13 ]. Some biological activities of C. brasiliense were reported such as its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal activities, its cytotoxicity to tumor cells, and its inhibitory effect on tumor promotion and HIV-1 replication [ 10 – 13 , 19 – 27 ]. The leishmanicidal activity of C. brasiliense is known [ 10 – 13 ], but the other immunomodulatory effects of C. brasiliense remain unclear [ 20 ].…”