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.
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: Raquel Raick P da Silva; Bruno J M da Silva; Ana Paula D Rodrigues; Luis Henrique S Farias; Milton N da Silva; Danila Teresa V Alves; Gilmara N T Bastos; José Luiz M do Nascimento; Edilene O Silva Journal: BMC Complement Altern Med Date: 2015-07-24 Impact factor: 3.659
Authors: Bruno José Martins da Silva; Ana Paula D Rodrigues; Luis Henrique S Farias; Amanda Anastácia P Hage; Jose Luiz M Do Nascimento; Edilene O Silva Journal: BMC Cell Biol Date: 2014-10-03 Impact factor: 4.241