Characterization of anti-leishmania activity of Laguncularia racemosa methanol, hydromethanolic extract and its leaves partitions

• Grant number: 12/15047-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal researcher: Marcos Hikari Toyama
• Grantee: Mariana Novo Belchor
• Home Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The therapeutic potential of many plant species is assigned to biologically active compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and triterpenes, which have been presented as promising for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs and other therapeutic applications. Typical mangrove plant species present in its chemical composition different special metabolites, such as polyphenols, terpenoids, polysaccharides, and other compounds in lower concentrations, some actions have been proven pharmacologically important activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antifungal, and antibacterial. These studies showed the presence of important bioactive compounds in plants of the mangrove; although they are still few and do not really know the real potential of plant species as a source of bioactive. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of extracts prepared from the Laguncularia racemosa foliar material. Through the partition of extracts with different solvents intended to prepare extracts that will be tested on culture Leishmania (Leishmania) amozonensis promastigotes. After this evaluation, we will select the most active extracts, which are subject to tests of cytotoxicity on peritoneal macrophages. In addition to verifying, the cytotoxic activity in macrophages we will also analyze the production of nitric oxide as it is an important indicator of leishmanicidal activity since many natural and synthetic compounds have proved to contain some immunomodulatory activity, which may also assist in the activity against parasites. (AU)