title: A protein extract and a cysteine protease inhibitor enriched fraction from Jatropha curcas seed cake have in vitro anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity.
abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of great medical and veterinary importance that has worldwide distribution and causes toxoplasmosis. There are few treatments available for toxoplasmosis and the search for plant extracts and compounds with anti-Toxoplasma activity is of utmost importance for the discovery of new active drugs. The objective of this study was to investigate the action of a protein extract and a protease inhibitor enriched fraction from J. curcas seed cake on developing tachyzoites of T. gondii-infected Vero cells. The protein extract (JcCE) was obtained after solubilization of the J. curcas seed cake with 100 mM sodium borate buffer, pH 10, centrifugation and dialysis of the resulting supernatant with the extracting buffer. JcCE was used for the in vitro assays of anti-Toxoplasma activity at 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 mg/ml concentration for 24 h. The results showed that JcCE reduced the percentage of infection and the number of intracellular parasites, but had no effect on the morphology of Vero cells up to 3.0 mg/mL. The cysteine protease inhibitor enriched fraction, which was obtained after chromatography of JcCE on Sephadex G-75 and presented a unique protein band following SDS-PAGE, reduced both the number of T. gondii infected cells and intracellular parasites. These results suggest that both JcCE and the cysteine protease inhibitor enriched fraction interfere with the intracellular growth of T. gondii.
authors: Laboratory of Plant Biochemistry, Centre for Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, BR 222, Km 74, Chapadinha, Maranhão CEP: 65500-000, Brazil.
authors: A M S
authors: AM
authors: Soares
authors: Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Biology, Cellular Toxicology Section, Centre for Bioscience and Biotechnology, North Fluminense State University of Darcy Ribeiro, Alberto Lamego Av. 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 28013-602, Brazil.
authors: L P
authors: LP
authors: Carvalho
authors: Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Biology, Cellular Toxicology Section, Centre for Bioscience and Biotechnology, North Fluminense State University of Darcy Ribeiro, Alberto Lamego Av. 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 28013-602, Brazil.
authors: E J T
authors: EJ
authors: Melo
authors: Laboratory of Plant Defense Proteins, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza CE 60451-970, Brazil.
authors: H P S
authors: HP
authors: Costa
authors: Laboratory of Plant Defense Proteins, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza CE 60451-970, Brazil.
authors: I M
authors: IM
authors: Vasconcelos
authors: Laboratory of Plant Defense Proteins, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza CE 60451-970, Brazil. Electronic address: jtaolive@ufc.br.
authors: J T A
authors: JT
authors: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D006801:Humans; D031286:Jatropha / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D014709:Vero Cells
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011480:Protease Inhibitors
keywords: Anti-T. gondii; Jatropha curcas; Papain inhibitor; Physic nut