Abstract |
The stem bark of Ampelocera edentula Kuhlm. (Ulmaceae) is used by the Chimanes Indians from Bolivia for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by the protozoan Leishmania braziliensis. A chloroform extract of the stem barks was found to be active against extracellular forms of Leishmania ssp. and Trypanosoma cruzi at 50 micrograms/ml. Bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract allowed us to isolate one active compound. Its structure was elucidated by spectral and chemical studies as 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone. BALB/c mice infected with L. amazonensis (PH8) or L. venezuelensis were treated one day after the parasitic infection with 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone (25 mg/kg/day) or with reference drug, Glucantime (56 mg Sbv/kg/day) for 14 days. Lesion development was the criteria used to evaluate the disease severity. 4-Hydroxy-1-tetralone was slightly less effective than the reference drug against L. amazonensis or L. venezuelensis. Single treatment near the site of infection, 14 days after infection with L. amazonensis, with 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone (50 mg/kg) was more effective than Glucantime (112 mg/kg). This study is, to our knowledge, the first to show the activity of a tetralone for the experimental treatment of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Authors | A Fournet, A A Barrios, V Muñoz, R Hocquemiller, F Roblot, A Cavé |
Journal | Planta medica
(Planta Med)
Vol. 60
Issue 1
Pg. 8-12
(Feb 1994)
ISSN: 0032-0943 [Print] Germany |
PMID | 8134421
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antiprotozoal Agents
- Tetrahydronaphthalenes
- Tetralones
- 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone
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Topics |
- Animals
- Antiprotozoal Agents
(isolation & purification, pharmacology)
- Female
- Leishmania
(drug effects)
- Leishmania braziliensis
(drug effects)
- Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous
(drug therapy)
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Molecular Structure
- Plants, Medicinal
(chemistry)
- Tetrahydronaphthalenes
(pharmacology)
- Tetralones
- Trypanosoma cruzi
(drug effects)
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