Activity of Cuban propolis extracts on Leishmania amazonensis and Trichomonas vaginalis

• Published in: Natural product communications Vol. 6; no. 7; p. 973
• Main Authors: Monzote Fidalgo, Lianet, Sariego Ramos, Idalia, García Parra, Marley, Cuesta-Rubio, Osmany, Márquez Hernández, Ingrid, Campo Fernández, Mercedes, Piccinelli, Anna Lisa, Rastrelli, Luca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-07-2011
• Subjects: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents - pharmacology; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cuba; Leishmania - drug effects; Macrophages, Peritoneal - drug effects; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; Propolis - pharmacology; Propolis - toxicity; Trichomonas vaginalis - drug effects; Cuba
• ISSN: 1934-578X
• DOI: 10.1177/1934578X1100600712

In this paper we analyzed the antiprotozoal effects of eighteen Cuban propolis extracts (brown, red and yellow type) collected in different geographic areas, using Leishmania amazonensis (as a model of intracellular protozoa) and Trichomonas vaginalis (as a model of extracellular protozoa). All evaluated propolis extracts caused inhibitory effect on intracellular amastigotes of L. amazonensis. However, cytotoxicity on peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice was observed. Only five samples decreased the viability of T. vaginalis trophozoites at concentrations lower than 10 microg/mL. No correlation between the type of propolis and antiprotozoal activity was found. Cuban propolis extracts demonstrated activity against both intracellular and extracellular protozoa model, as well as the potentialities of propolis as a natural source to obtain new antiprotozoal agents.