Plant active components - a resource for antiparasitic agents?
Plant essential oils (and/or active components) can be used as alternatives or adjuncts to current antiparasitic therapies. Garlic oil has broad-spectrum activity against Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Giardia and Leishmania, and Cochlospermum planchonii and Croton cajucara oils specifically inhibit Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania amazonensis, respectively. Some plant oils have immunomodulatory effects that could modify host-parasite immunobiology, and the lipid solubility of plant oils might offer alternative, transcutaneous delivery routes. The emergence of parasites resistant to current chemotherapies highlights the importance of plant essential oils as novel antiparasitic agents.
Anthony
Jean-Paul
JP
Department of Dietetics, Nutrition and Biological Sciences, Queen Margaret University College, Clerwood Terrace, Edinburgh, UK, EH12 8TS.
Fyfe
Lorna
L
Smith
Huw
H
D000818:Animals; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils