title: Effects of the extract and glycoalkaloids of Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill on Giardia lamblia trophozoites.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Solanum lycocarpum has great importance for food and medicinal traditional use. Recently, it was also evidenced that extracts of S. lycocarpum St. Hill (Solanaceae) and its glycoalkaloids, solamargine (Sg) and solasonine (Sn), are active against flagellated protozoa.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to assess the effects of the extract of S. lycocarpum and its glycoalkaloids, Sn, and Sg, on Giardia lamblia trophozoites.
  
  
  METHODS
  A crude extract (96%ethanol) (EB) of fruits of S. lycocarpum was prepared and fractionated by partition with 40%ethanol and n-hexane: Ethyl acetate. Glycoalkaloids, Sn, and Sg were recognized in the ethanol fraction (EF) and further isolated by column chromatography. EB, EF, the isolated Sn and Sg and a mixture (1:1) of both glycoalkaloids were tested on cultures of G. lamblia trophozoites and macrophages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EB, EF and glycoalkaloids of S. lycocarpum showed activity against Giardia (95.0 < Inhibitory concentration 50 [IC50] ≤120.3 μg/mL). The mixture of glycoalkaloids (1:1) was more active (IC50 = 13.23 μg/mL) than each one individually, suggesting a synergic effect. Moreover, the mixture is nontoxic to macrophage cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results are optimistic concerning the anti-Giardia potential of the mixture Sn + Sg. Further studies, in vitro and in vivo, will be required to consolidate the usefulness of the mixture of Sn + Sg in view of a new therapeutic strategy for giardiasis.
authors.affiliation: UNIFEB, University Center of the Educational Foundation of Barretos, Avenida Professor Roberto Monte Frade, Barretos, São Paulo state, Brazil ; Department of Principles Natural Actives and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNESP - Estadual Paulista University, Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gilmarcio Z
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Department of Principles Natural Actives and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNESP - Estadual Paulista University, Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil ; Center of Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga of Santa Comba, Health Science Campus, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Raquel R D
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Principles Natural Actives and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNESP - Estadual Paulista University, Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cleopatra S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Planeta
authors.affiliation: Departament of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNESP - Estadual Paulista University, Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adélia E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jairo K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.affiliation: Center of Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga of Santa Comba, Health Science Campus, Coimbra, Portugal ; Center of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Largo Marques de Pombal, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Lígia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salgueiro
authors.affiliation: Center of Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga of Santa Comba, Health Science Campus, Coimbra, Portugal ; Center of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Largo Marques de Pombal, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cavaleiro
authors.affiliation: Center of Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga of Santa Comba, Health Science Campus, Coimbra, Portugal ; Center of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Largo Marques de Pombal, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: do Céu Sousa
keywords: Giardia lamblia; Solanum lycocarpum; glycoalkaloids; solamargine; solasonine