An Update on Natural Antileishmanial Treatment Options from Plants, Fungi and Algae

Efficient drugs for the treatment of leishmaniasis, which is classified as a neglected tropical disease, are sought for. This review covers potential drug candidates from natural plant, fungus and algae sources, which were described over the last six years. The identification of these natural antileishmanials often based on the knowledge of traditional medicines. Crucial insights into the activities of these natural remedies against Leishmania parasites and against infections caused by these parasites in laboratory animals or patients are provided and compared with selected former active examples published more than six years ago. In addition, immuno-modulatory natural antileishmanials and recent developments on combination therapies including natural products and approved antileishmanials are discussed. The described natural products revealed promising data warranting further efforts on the discovery and development of new antileishmanials based on patterns from nature.

Seco-limonoid derived from Raputia heptaphylla promotes the control of cutaneous leishmaniasis in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

The rational search of novel bioactive molecules against pathogens with immunomodulatory activity is presently one of the most significant approaches to discover and design new therapeutic agents for effective control of infectious diseases, such as the infection caused by Leishmania parasites. In the present study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of the recently characterized immunomodulatory compound 11α,19β-dihydroxy-7-acetoxy-7-deoxoichangin, a seco-limonoid derived from the bark of Raputia heptaphylla (Pittier) using: (1) peritoneal macrophages and (2) Mesocricetus auratus hamsters infected with Leishmania (V.) panamensis and Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. We observed the ability of this seco-limonoid to induce the effective control of the parasite either in vitro [determining an effective concentration 50 (EC50) of 59 µ m at the infection model] and in vivo (inducing clinical improvement or even cure in infected animals treated compared with the groups of animals treated with vehicle solution or meglumine antimoniate).

Natural Products: Insights into Leishmaniasis Inflammatory Response

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that affects several populations worldwide, against which there are no vaccines available and the chemotherapy is highly toxic. Depending on the species causing the infection, the disease is characterized by commitment of tissues, including the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs. Despite the relevance of host inflammatory mediators on parasite burden control, Leishmania and host immune cells interaction may generate an exacerbated proinflammatory response that plays an important role in the development of leishmaniasis clinical manifestations. Plant-derived natural products have been recognized as bioactive agents with several properties, including anti-protozoal and anti-inflammatory activities. The present review focuses on the antileishmanial activity of plant-derived natural products that are able to modulate the inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo. The capability of crude extracts and some isolated substances in promoting an anti-inflammatory response during Leishmania infection may be used as part of an effective strategy to fight the disease.