Evaluation of the in vitro antileishmania activity of Tanacetum vulgare (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is considered a neglected disease. In recent years studies have shown that several plants have activity against these pathogens, serving as the basis for the formulation of herbal medicines or as a target for obtaining active principles against the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antileishmania biological activity of the hexanic and methanolic extracts of the flowers and leaves of Tanacetum vulgare against Leishmania amazonensis and L. guyanensis. The flowers and leaves of the plant material were extracted from the hexane and methanolic solvents. The antileishmania activity of T. vulgare extracts was evaluated according to the inhibition of growth and mortality of L. amazonensis and L. guyanensis promastigotes at periods of 24, 48 and 72 h after incubation at 25 oC in the presence of extracts with concentrations of 31.25 to 500 μg.mL-1. The results showed that the extract metanolic of the flower showed activity against L. amazonensis (IC50 = 31.5 μg.mL-1) and L. guyanensis (IC50 < 100 μg.mL-1) in 72 h of incubation. Therefore, it is verified that the methanolic extract of the T. vulgare flower performed better in relation to antileishmania activity, allowing the possibility of future studies to determine its therapeutic efficacy.