Copaifera spp. oleoresins impair Toxoplasma gondii infection in both human trophoblastic cells and human placental explants

Author(s):Show less -

Teixeira, Samuel Cota ^[1] ; de Souza, Guilherme ^[1] ; Borges, Bruna Cristina ^[2] ; de Araujo, Thadia Evelyn ^[1] ; Rosini, Alessandra Monteiro ^[1] ; Aguila, Fabio Alves ^[3] ; Ambrosio, Sergio Ricardo ^[3] ; Sola Veneziani, Rodrigo Cassio ^[3] ; Bastos, Jairo Kenupp ^[4] ; Barbosa Silva, Marcelo Jose ^[2] ; Gomes Martins, Carlos Henrique ^[5] ; Barbosa, Bellisa de Freitas ^[1] ; Vieira Ferro, Eloisa Amalia ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Inst Biomed Sci, Lab Immunophysiol Reprod, Campus Umuarama, Av Para 1720, BR-38400239 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Biomed Sci Inst, Dept Immunol, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil

^[3] Univ Franca, Nucl Res Technol & Exact Sci, Franca, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Biomed Sci Inst, Dept Microbiol, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 10, n. 1 SEP 16 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

The combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine is the standard care in cases of congenital toxoplasmosis. However, therapy with these drugs is associated with severe and sometimes life-threatening side effects. The investigation of phytotherapeutic alternatives to treat parasitic diseases without acute toxicity is essential for the advancement of current therapeutic practices. The present study investigates the antiparasitic effects of oleoresins from different species of Copaifera genus against T. gondii. Oleoresins from C. reticulata, C. duckei, C. paupera, and C. pubiflora were used to treat human trophoblastic cells (BeWo cells) and human villous explants infected with T. gondii. Our results demonstrated that oleoresins were able to reduce T. gondii intracellular proliferation, adhesion, and invasion. We observed an irreversible concentration-dependent antiparasitic action in infected BeWo cells, as well as parasite cell cycle arrest in the S/M phase. The oleoresins altered the host cell environment by modulation of ROS, IL-6, and MIF production in BeWo cells. Also, Copaifera oleoresins reduced parasite replication and TNF-alpha release in villous explants. Anti-T. gondii effects triggered by the oleoresins are associated with immunomodulation of the host cells, as well as, direct action on parasites. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/13630-7 - Chemical and pharmacological validation of extracts and active compounds of Copaifera species
• Grantee: Jairo Kenupp Bastos
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants