title: Development of a novel formulation with hypericin to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis based on photodynamic therapy in in vitro and in vivo studies.
abstract: An evaluation of the leishmanicidal activity in vitro and in vivo of hypericin, an expanded-spectrum photosensitizer found in Hypericum perforatum, is presented. Hypericin was evaluated against intracellular amastigotes in vitro of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis. A topical formulation containing 0.5% hypericin was developed and assayed in vivo in a hamster model of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Results demonstrate that hypericin induces a significant antiamastigote effect in vitro against L. panamensis by decreasing the number of parasites inside infected cells. The topical formulation of 0.5% hypericin allows healing of L. panamensis-induced lesions upon a topical application of 40 mg/day plus visible-light irradiation (5 J/cm(2), 15 min), twice a week for 3 weeks.
authors.affiliation: PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montoya
authors.affiliation: PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daza
authors.affiliation: PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.affiliation: PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cedeño
authors.affiliation: PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Iván D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Vélez
authors.affiliation: QOPN-Institute of Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Echeverri
authors.affiliation: PECET-Medical Research institute, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia sara.robledo@udea.edu.co.
authors.forename: Sara M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Robledo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000873:Anthracenes; D002460:Cell Line; D006224:Cricetinae; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D010569:Perylene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020298:U937 Cells; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000873:Anthracenes; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D010569:Perylene; C004965:hypericin