Activity of physalins purified from Physalis angulata in in vitro and in vivo models of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

We have previously demonstrated the immunomodulatory effects of physalins, secosteroids purified from Physalis angulata. Here we investigate the antileishmanial activity of physalins in vitro and in vivo in a model of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

METHODS:

The antileishmanial activity of physalins B, D and F was tested in Leishmania-infected macrophage cultures. For the in vivo studies, BALB/c mice were infected with Leishmania amazonensis subcutaneously in the ear pinna and treated with physalin F by topical administration.

RESULTS:

Physalins B and F were able to reduce the percentage of Leishmania-infected macrophages and the intracellular parasite number in vitro at concentrations non-cytotoxic to macrophages. More importantly, topical treatment with physalin F significantly reduced the lesion size, the parasite load and histopathological alterations in BALB/c mice infected with L. amazonensis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results demonstrate the potent antileishmanial activity of physalins, especially physalin F, and suggest these molecules as the basis for the development of new therapeutic options for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

• Authors: Elisalva T Guimarães, Milena S Lima, Luana A Santos, Ivone M Ribeiro, Therezinha B C Tomassini, Ricardo Ribeiro dos Santos, Washington L C dos Santos, Milena B P Soares
• Journal: The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy (J Antimicrob Chemother) Vol. 64 Issue 1 Pg. 84-7 (Jul 2009) ISSN: 1460-2091 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19454526 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antiprotozoal Agents
• Secosteroids
• physalin D
• physalin B
• physalin F

Topics

• Animals
• Antiprotozoal Agents (isolation & purification, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Leishmania mexicana (drug effects)
• Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous (drug therapy)
• Macrophages (parasitology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Physalis (chemistry)
• Secosteroids (isolation & purification, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Skin (parasitology, pathology)