Trypanocidal Essential Oils: A Review

Abstract

Trypanosomiases are diseases caused by parasitic protozoan trypanosomes of the genus Trypanosoma. In humans, this includes Chagas disease and African trypanosomiasis. There are few therapeutic options, and there is low efficacy to clinical treatment. Therefore, the search for new drugs for the trypanosomiasis is urgent. This review describes studies of the trypanocidal properties of essential oils, an important group of natural products widely found in several tropical countries. Seventy-seven plants were selected from literature for the trypanocidal activity of their essential oils. The main chemical constituents and mechanisms of action are also discussed. In vitro and in vivo experimental data show the therapeutic potential of these natural products for the treatment of infections caused by species of Trypanosoma.

Immunomodulatory, Trypanocide, and Antioxidant Properties of Essential Oil Fractions of Lippia Alba (Verbenaceae)

“…Essential oils whose major compounds are limonene, citral, and caryophyllene oxide (OCN) have been shown to effectively inhibit the growth of T. cruzi [9,10]. Relevant immunomodulatory and anti-oxidant effects have also described individually for these terpenes in in vitro and in vivo mammalian models [9,11].…”

“…Essential oils whose major compounds are limonene, citral, and caryophyllene oxide (OCN) have been shown to effectively inhibit the growth of T. cruzi [9,10]. Relevant immunomodulatory and anti-oxidant effects have also described individually for these terpenes in in vitro and in vivo mammalian models [9,11]. The aformentioned terpenes exhibited the ability to impair the expression of pro-in ammatory cytokines (such as IFN-γ and IL-2), while increasing anti-in ammatory interleukines like IL-4 and IL-10 [9,11].…”

“…Relevant immunomodulatory and anti-oxidant effects have also described individually for these terpenes in in vitro and in vivo mammalian models [9,11]. The aformentioned terpenes exhibited the ability to impair the expression of pro-in ammatory cytokines (such as IFN-γ and IL-2), while increasing anti-in ammatory interleukines like IL-4 and IL-10 [9,11]. Interestingly, limonene, citral, and OCN are found in signi cant percentages in essential oils extracted from Carvone and Citral chemotypes of Lippia alba, a aromatic shrub that grow wild in Colombia [10].…”

Aniba rosaeodora (Var. amazonica Ducke) Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Antitrypanosomal Activity

“…Medicinal plants have been used around the world for various purposes, just as their active chemical compounds have been used to combat various diseases. Essential oils are well known for their pharmacological activities, including antibacterial [3] and trypanocidal activity [4], and may represent a promising source of new natural drugs. Rosewood oil is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a woody floral fragrance, containing monoterpenic alcohol linalool as the main constituent.…”

Arthropod-Borne Disease Control at a Glance: What’s New on Drug Development?

“…To our eyes, these studies represent key research advances regarding the development of drugs for the control of ABD. Furthermore, recent reviews providing well-updated scenarios about drug development against selected ABD and formulating new research challenges are outlined [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. Among key ABD, major focuses have been malaria, Chagas disease, dengue, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), leishmaniasis, and Zika.…”