Antileishmanial activity and cytotoxicity of Jatropha gossypifolia L.

Authors

  • Yoan Verao Esquibel Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas, Facultad de Química y Farmacia, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Santa Clara, Cuba.
  • Arelys López Sacerio Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas, Facultad de Química y Farmacia, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Santa Clara, Cuba.
  • Mirtha Mayra González Bedia Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas, Facultad de Química y Farmacia, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Santa Clara, Cuba.
  • Niurka Mollineda Diogo Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas, Centro de Bioactivos Químicos , Santa Clara, Cuba.
  • Sergio Sifontes-Rodríguez Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas, Centro de Bioactivos Químicos , Santa Clara, Cuba.

Keywords:

Cytotoxicity, Jatropha gossypifolia L., Leishmania, Leishmaniasis

Abstract

Introduction: Aqueous extracts of the leaves of Jatropha gossypifolia L. are traditionally used in the treatment of leishmaniasis. These extracts do not have conclusive reports related to their effectiveness and their cytotoxicity although in recent studies the utility of the plant in the treatment of leishmaniasis using other solvents has been supported.

Method: The antileishmanial activity and the cytotoxicity of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of the leaves of Jatropha gossypifolia L. were determined using the resazurine fluorescence method. Both, promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis and peritoneal macrophages of Balb/c mouse were studied.

Results: The half-maximal inhibitory concentration for the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extract was 0.28 µg/mL ± 0.15 µg/mL (n=3) and 0.59 µg/mL ± 0.26 µg/mL (n=3) respectively, although they did not show parasiticide activity at any of the evaluated concentrations. Similarly, the mean cytotoxic concentrations obtained were 0.91 µg/mL ± 0.11 µg/mL (n=3) and 0.57 µg/mL ± 0.12 µg/ml (n=3).

Conclusions: The aqueous extract was more effective and less cytotoxic against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. The results obtained support the traditional use of the extracts by topical application in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

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References

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Published

2020-12-20

How to Cite

1.
Verao Esquibel Y, López Sacerio A, González Bedia MM, Mollineda Diogo N, Sifontes-Rodríguez S. Antileishmanial activity and cytotoxicity of Jatropha gossypifolia L. Ars Pharm [Internet]. 2020 Dec. 20 [cited 2025 Jul. 29];61(4):209-13. Available from: https://revistaseug.ugr.es/index.php/ars/article/view/11800

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Original Articles