EVALUATION OF THE LEISHMANICIDAL ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF Rollinia rufinervis ON <I>Leishmania chagasi</I>

Abstract

In this study the bioactivity of the fractions obtained from the ethanolic extracts of the leaves, of the trunk bark and of the root bark of Rollinia rufinervis (Annonaceae) is evaluated. It is found that they show cytotoxic activity and that the presence of acetogenins can cause the antiparasitaire activity. The fractions are tested at concentration between 0.095 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL against promastigotes of Leishmania chagasi, evaluating the parasite mobility after 72 hours. The effect of the fractions is contrasted with the mediun Schneider- Drosofila without extract and with glucantimeR, used as control. The Rollinia rufinervis fractions of: ethyl acetate of the root, petroleum ether of the bark, ethyl acetate of the bark and ethyl acetate of the leaves present leishmanicidal activity. The last fraction has the largest activity causing appreciable or total immobility of the parasites during the experiment. Probably s-sitosterol is isolated from this fraction.

Keywords

• Annonaceae
• Rollinia
• acetogenins
• leishmaniasis
• ß-sitosterol