Plant metabolites active against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Parasitic diseases are widespread in less developed countries, and are a major cause of suffering and inability of the affected populations to improve their own living conditions. Among these diseases, American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease), due to the kinetoplastid protozoon Trypanosoma cruzi, is particularly relevant to Latin America. The natural products literature mentions a wide variety of isolated substances showing activity against this parasite. Although some of these compounds appear to be promising leads, their potential is presently limited by the need of high concentrations, unfavorable pharmacokinetics, and/or by their low solubility in blood. Their mechanisms of action are unknown in most cases, although some trends appear to be emerging. This review presents and discusses the data available until mid-1995.