Chalcone-rich extracts from Lonchocarpus cultratus roots present in vitro leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory activity. (17th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Staffen, Izabela Virginia; Banhuk, Fernanda Weyand; Tomiotto-Pellissier, Fernanda; da Silva Bortoleti, Bruna Taciane; Pavanelli, Wander Rogério; Ayala, Thaís Soprani; Menolli, Rafael Andrade
• Is Part Of: Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. Volume 74:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 87
• Publication Date: 2021-11-17
• Subjects: Fabaceae -- Leishmania amazonensis -- immunomodulation -- anti-parasitic; Pharmacy -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgab155
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3573

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anti- Leishmania activity of chalcone-rich three extracts (LDR, LHR and LMR) from Lonchocarpus cultratus (Vell.) A.M.G. Azevedo & H.C. Lima against L. amazonensis . Also, the immunomodulatory and antioxidant capacity was assessed. Methods: Successive extraction with hexane, dichloromethane and methanol were performed to obtain LHR, LDR and LMR extracts from L. cultratus roots, which were characterized by 1 H NMR. Promastigotes, amastigotes and peritoneal macrophages were exposed to crescent concentrations of the three extracts, and after incubation, the inhibition rates were determined to both types of cells, and morphological analyses were performed on the parasite. The immunomodulatory activity was determined against stimulated macrophages. Key findings: LDR, LHR and LMR inhibited promastigote cell growth (IC50 0.62 ± 0.3, 0.94 ± 0.5 and 1.28 ± 0.73 µg/ml, respectively) and reduced the number of amastigotes inside macrophages (IC50 1.36 ± 0.14, 1.54 ± 0.26 and 4.09 ± 0.88 µg/ml, respectively). The cytotoxicity against murine macrophages resulted in a CC50 of 13.12 ± 1.92, 92.93 ± 9.1 and >300 µg/ml, resulting in high selectivity index to promastigotes and amastigotes. The extracts also inhibited the nitric oxide secretion in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The antioxidant capacity resulted in a higher scavenger LMR ability. Conclusions: These results suggest that L. cultratus extracts have anti- Leishmania potential, are non-toxic, and immunosuppress macrophages in vitro .