Evaluation of the leishmanicidal activity of plants used by Peruvian Chayahuita ethnic group.
OBJECTIVE
A total of 27 ethanolic plant extracts from 27 species were screened for leishmanicidal activity in vitro against Leishmania amazonensis. Most of the selected species (19) are traditionally used by the Chayahuitas, an Amazonian Peruvian ethnic group, to treat skin affections and/or leishmaniasis.


METHODS
A colorimetric method based on the reduction of tetrazolium salt (MTT) was used to measure the viability of Leishmania amazonensis promastigote and amastigote stages.


CONCLUSIONS
Only the leaves of two species of the Piperaceae family (Piper hispidum Sw., and Piper strigosum Trel.) showed good leishmanicidal activities (IC(50)<10 microg/ml against amastigotes). Roots of Tabernaemontana sananho Ruiz & Pav. (Apocynaceae), together with bark of Vismia tomentosa Ruiz & Pav. (Clusiaceae), fruits of Solanum straminifolium var straminifolium Jacq. (Solanaceae), and stems of Zamia lindenii Regel ex André (Cycadaceae) showed low activity against amastigote stage (IC(50) around 50 microg/ml). Of those only Tabernaemontana sananho displayed also good activity on promastigotes (IC(50)<10 microg/ml). Results are discussed herein, in relation with the traditional use of the plants and compared with other data from the relevant literature.
Estevez
Y
Y
UMR 152 IRD-Université de Toulouse III, Mission IRD, Casilla 18, 1209 Lima 18, Peru.
Castillo
D
D
Pisango
M Tangoa
MT
Arevalo
J
J
Rojas
R
R
Alban
J
J
Deharo
E
E
Bourdy
G
G
Sauvain
M
M
D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003124:Colorimetry; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D019448:Ethnobotany; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007894:Leishmania mexicana / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D008536:Meglumine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010568:Peru; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D008536:Meglumine; D000666:Amphotericin B; C022616:thiazolyl blue