Evaluation of the trypanocidal and leishmanicidal in vitro activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of Pfaffia glomerata (Amarathanceae) roots

• Published in: Phytomedicine (Stuttgart) Vol. 11; no. 7-8; pp. 662 - 665
• Main Authors: Neto, A.G., da Silva Filho, A.A., Costa, J.M.L.C., Vinholis, A.H.C, Souza, G.H.B., Cunha, W.R., Silva, M.L.A.E., Albuquerque, S., Bastos, J.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Elsevier GmbH 01-11-2004; Urban & Fischer Verlag; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Amaranthaceae; Amaranthaceae - chemistry; Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents - chemistry; Antiprotozoal Agents - pharmacology; Chagas’ disease; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Leishmania braziliensis; Leishmania braziliensis - drug effects; Leishmanicidal activity; Medicinal plants; Mice; Pfaffia glomerata; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Roots - chemistry; Trypanocidal Agents - pharmacology; Trypanosoma cruzi; Trypanosoma cruzi - drug effects; Leishmania braziliensis; Amaranthaceae; Leishmanicidal activity; Pfaffia glomerata; Chagas’ disease; Trypanosoma cruzi
• ISSN: 0944-7113; 1618-095X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2003.06.005

Three different concentrations (1, 10 and 50μg/ml) of lyophilized hydroalcoholic crude extract of Pfaffia glomerata roots were assayed in vitro against strains of Trypanosoma cruzi (Y) and Leishmania braziliensis. It was observed that P. glomerata hydroalcoholic extract was relatively active within the tested concentrations for L. (V.) braziliensis, but inactive against T. cruzi. Despite the fact that both protozoans belong to the Trypanosomatidae family, we suggest that the difference observed for activity should be related to the biological differences between the two parasite species.