Differential signaling involved in Sutherlandia frutescens-induced cell death in MCF-7 and MCF-12A cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The scientific study of natural products traditionally used in anticancer preparations has yielded several therapeutically relevant compounds. One of these traditional preparations with potentially beneficial properties is aqueous extracts of Sutherlandia frutescens, a shrub indigenous to the Western Cape region of South Africa. The aims of this study were to evaluate in vitro efficacy of these preparations on the MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma and MCF-12A non-tumorigenic cell lines in terms of cell proliferation, cell morphology and possible induction of cell death.

Materials and methods

Crystal violet staining was used to evaluate cell proliferation, light-and fluorescence microscopy were used to investigate both intracellular and extracellular morphological features of apoptosis and autophagy (e.g. membrane blebbing, condensed chromatin and intracellular lysosomes), while flow cytometry quantified cell cycle changes and induction of apoptosis through analysis of the flip-flop translocation of phosphatidylserine.

Results

Crystal violet staining showed a time- and dose specific response to aqueous Sutherlandia frutescens extracts, revealing exposure to 1 mg/ml aqueous extract for 48 h to be ideal for comparing the differential effects of Sutherlandia frutescens in the MCF-7 and MCF-12A cell lines. Microscopy showed distinct morphological changes with hallmarks of apoptosis being observed in both cell lines. Flow cytometry revealed a decrease in actively cycling cells in both cell lines, and a 4.36% increase in phosphatidylserine translocation in the MCF-7 cell line, indicative of apoptosis induction, while fluorescence microscopy showed evidence of the induction of autophagy.

Conclusions

Analyses revealed the carcinogenic MCF-7 cell line to be more susceptible to the cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of aqueous extracts of Sutherlandia frutescens when compared to the non-tumorigenic MCF-12A cell line, thus warranting further research into the exact cellular mechanisms involved and the possible synergistic activities of Sutherlandia frutescens ingredients.     

In vitro effects of Sutherlandia frutescens water extracts on cell numbers,morphology, cell cycle progression and cell death in a tumorigenic and a non-tumorigenic epithelial breast cell line

Sutherlandia frutescens is a South African herb traditionally used for internal cancers, diabetes, a variety of inflammatory conditions and recently to improve the overall health in cancer and HIV/AIDS patients. The in vitro effects of S. frutescens extracts were evaluated on cell numbers, morphology, cell cycle progression and cell death. Dose-dependent studies (2–10 mg/ml) revealed a decrease in malignant cell numbers when compared to their controls. S. frutescens extracts (10 mg/ml) decreased cell growth in a statistically significantly manner to 26% and 49% (P < 0.001) in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and human non-tumorigenic epithelial mammary gland cells (MCF-12A) respectively after 72 h of exposure. Cell density was significantly compromised and hypercondensed chromatin, cytoplasmic shrinking, membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies were more pronounced in the MCF-7 cell line. Both S. frutescens-treated cell lines exhibited and increased tendency for acridine orange staining, suggesting increased lysosomal and/or autophagy activity. Flow cytometry showed an increase in the sub G₁ apoptotic fraction and an S phase arrest in both the 5 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml S. frutescens-treated cells. S. frutescens induced an increase in apoptosis in both cell lines as detected by Annexin V and propidium iodide flow cytometric measurement. At 10 mg/ml, late stages of apoptosis were more prominent in MCF-7 S. frutescens-treated cells when compared to the MCF-12A cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed hallmarks of increased vacuolarization and hypercondensed chromatin, suggesting autophagic and apoptotic processes. The preliminary study demonstrates that S. frutescens water extracts exert a differential action mechanism in non-tumorigenic MCF-12A cells when compared to tumorigenic MCF-7 cells, warranting future studies on this multi-purpose medicinal plant in southern Africa.     

The apoptosis inducing effects of Sutherlandia spp. extracts on an oesophageal cancer cell line

Aim of study

Oesophageal cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the world and the second most common cancer among South African men. It also has one of the lowest possibilities of cure, with the 5-year survival rate estimated to be only 10% overall. Sutherlandia frutescens, or the “cancer bush”, is a medicinal plant indigenous to southern Africa that is believed to have anti-cancer and anti-proliferative properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential apoptosis-inducing effects of two S. frutescens extracts and one Sutherlandia tomentosa extract on the SNO oesophageal cancer cell line.

Materials and methods

Cell viability and morphology of SNO cells were evaluated following exposure to the extracts. Apoptotic markers including cytochrome c translocation and phosphatidylserine externalisation were quantified by flow cytometry. The activity of caspases 3 and 7 was evaluated with spectrofluorometry. Apoptosis was evaluated in the presence of the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-fmk. The effect of the extracts was compared to non-cancerous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Results

Time- and dose-response studies were conducted to establish treatment conditions of 2.5 and 5 mg/ml of crude plant extracts. Microscopy studies revealed that S. frutescens- and S. tomentosa-treated SNO cells had morphological features characteristic of apoptosis. Annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometry confirmed that the extracts do, in fact, induce apoptosis in the SNO cells. Caspase inhibition studies seem to indicate that extracts A (S. frutescens (L.) R. Br. subsp. microphylla from Colesberg), B (S. frutescens (L.) R. Br. subsp. microphylla from Platvlei) and C (S. tomentosa Eckl. & Zeyh from Stil Bay) are able to induce caspase-dependent as well as -independent cell death. The S. frutescens and S. tomentosa extracts were found to be more cytotoxic to cancerous SNO cells when compared to the PBMCs.

Conclusions

S. frutescens and S. tomentosa extracts show promise as apoptosis-inducing anti-cancer agents.     

A review of the taxonomy, ethnobotany, chemistry and pharmacology of Sutherlandia frutescens (Fabaceae)

Sutherlandia frutescens (tribe Galegeae, Fabaceae), a popular plant in traditional medicine, is indigenous to South Africa, Lesotho, southern Namibia and southeastern Botswana. It is chemically, genetically and geographically extremely variable and has been divided into three subspecies and several regional forms. A second species, Sutherlandia tomentosa, is localized along the Cape coast. Sutherlandia is sometimes treated as part of the genus Lessertia. There are numerous vernacular names and a wide diversity of uses, including poor appetite, indigestion, stomach complaints, dysentery, colds, influenza, kidney conditions, fever, diabetes, internal cancers, uterine troubles, liver conditions, backache, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infections, stress and anxiety, dropsy and heart failure. Notable is the use as a bitter tonic ("blood purifier"), anti-stress medication ('musa-pelo) and, at least since 1895, specifically as a cancer tonic (both as treatment and as prophylaxis). Externally it is applied to haemorrhoids, inflamed wounds and eye infections. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shown antiproliferative, anti-HIV, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-stress, anticonvulsant and antithrombotic activities. Aqueous extracts often differ in activity from organic solvent extracts. The presence of high levels of free amino acids, non-protein amino acids such as canavanine and GABA, the cyclitol pinitol, flavonols and triterpenes (including SU1, a cycloartane-type triterpene saponin) provide plausible hypotheses on how these compounds, individually or collectively, may be responsible for the reputed efficacy in a wide range of ailments. Results of animal studies, as well as a phase I clinical study, have shown no indications of toxicity. Sufficient preclinical data are now available to justify controlled clinical studies.     

Impact of traditional medicinal plant extracts on antiretroviral drug absorption

Ethopharmacological relevance

Traditional herbal medicines are often used for the treatment of different diseases in developing countries, especially in the rural areas where a lack of an efficient primary health care system is usually experienced. Many patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus are taking traditional herbal medicines in conjunction with their modern antiretroviral medication and drug–herb interactions can occur in these cases.

Aim of the study

To investigate the effect of water extracts of two traditional medicinal plants, Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Sutherlandia frutescens as well as l-canavanine (a constituent of Sutherlandia frutescens) on the transport of nevirapine across human intestinal epithelial cells.

Materials and methods

Nevirapine transport in the apical to basolateral and basolateral to apical directions across Caco-2 cell monolayers was determined alone (normal control) and in the presence of verapamil (positive control), water extracts of Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Sutherlandia frutescens and an aqueous solution of l-canavanine. The cumulative transport and apparent permeability coefficient (P_app) values were calculated and compared.Results: Nevirapine alone was substantially effluxed in the basolateral to apical direction across the intestinal epithelial cell monolayers, which was statistically significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased by addition of verapamil, Hypoxis hemerocallidea extract and the l-canavinine solution. The effect of Sutherlandia frutescens on nevirapine transport was not statistically significantly different from the control.

Conclusions

Hypoxis hemerocallidea and l-canavanine interact with the efflux of nevirapine across intestinal epithelial cells and therefore can potentially increase the bioavailability of this antiretroviral drug when taken concomitantly.     

Growth inhibitory and apoptosis inducing effect of Perilla frutescens extract on human hepatoma HepG2 cells

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. (Lamiaceae) has traditionally been used to treat diseases, including tumors, but the antitumorigenesis mechanism is unclear. We evaluated the effects of Perilla frutescens leaf extract (PLE) on proliferation and apoptosis inducing in human hepatoma HepG2 cells using a cell proliferation assay, flow cytometry, and cDNA microarrays. Gene expression and apoptosis were also assessed in HepG2 cells treated with a major constituent of PLE, rosmarinic acid (RosA). In the PLE-treated HepG2 cells, antiproliferative activity (105 microg/mL) were observed, flow cytometry revealed significant apoptosis, and microarray data indicated that the expression of a lot apoptosis-related genes were regulated in a time-dependent manner. Compared with PLE, RosA (10 microg/mL; a dose equivalent to 105 microg/mL of PLE) was less effective in increasing the expression of apoptosis-related genes and apoptosis inducing in HepG2 cells. Thus, additional PLE constituents may influence apoptosis in HepG2 cells. The results of our study suggest that the PLE should be further investigated as a promising to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.     

外源Ca~(2+)及NO供体硝普钠(SNP)对盐胁迫下紫苏种子萌发及幼苗抗氧化酶活性的影响

目的:通过对紫苏种子萌发及幼苗生理特性的研究,寻找提高紫苏种子及幼苗在盐胁迫条件下抗性能力的途径。方法:测定在外源Ca2+及NO供体硝普钠(SNP)处理后,NaCl胁迫下紫苏种子的发芽势(Gv)、发芽率(Gr)、发芽指数(Gi)和活力指数(Vi),并对紫苏幼苗总生物量以及叶片的丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性进行测定。结果:100 mmol.L-1的NaCl胁迫下的紫苏种子萌发受到显著抑制,但是经过Ca2+和SNP处理后,萌发指标均有升高。外施10 mmol.L-1的Ca2+或0.1 mmol.L-1的SNP都能够有效的缓解NaCl对紫苏种子及幼苗造成的胁迫伤害,经过SNP,Ca2+的复合处理后,效果最为显著,各项指标均达到最大值,发芽势为65.1%,发芽率为89.3%,发芽指数为13.9,活力指数为为0.110 9。复合处理提高了幼苗的总生物量,降低了叶片的MDA含量,显著的提高了SOD,POD,CAT的活性,其结果分别达到0.84,5.71,4.92 U.mg-1,但是乙二醇双(2-氨基乙醚)四乙酸(EGTA)却显著的抑制了SNP对盐害的缓解作用。结论:10 mmol.L-1的Ca2+和0.1 mmol.L-1的SNP的复合处理能够有效的减缓NaCl胁迫对紫苏种子及幼苗产生的伤害,提高了种子及幼苗的抗盐能力。NO可能通过激活紫苏细胞质膜Ca2+通道促进Ca2+的吸收,改变胞内Ca2+浓度来发挥其对NaCl胁迫伤害的缓解作用。     

Stir-baked Fructus gardeniae (L.) extracts inhibit matrix metalloproteinases and alter cell morphology

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play vital roles in many pathological conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and inflammation. Modulating MMP activity may therefore be a useful therapeutic approach in treating these diseases. Qing-Kai-Ling is a popular Chinese anti-inflammatory formulation used to treat symptoms such as rheumatoid arthritis, acute hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, hepatitis and upper respiratory tract infection. In this paper, we report that one of the components of Qing-Kai-Ling, Fructus gardeniae, strongly inhibits MMP activity. The IC50 values for the primary herbal extract and water extract against MMP-16 were 32 and 27 microg/ml, respectively. In addition, we show that the herbal extracts influence HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cell growth and morphology. These data may provide molecular mechanisms for the therapeutic effects of Qing-Kai-Ling and herbal medicinal Fructus gardeniae.     

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferation tumoral cells activities of Antrodia camphorata, Cordyceps sinensis, and Cinnamomum osmophloeum bark extracts

The extracts of chloroform (1) and methanol (2) from Antrodia camphorata (AC), and chloroform (3) and n-butanol (4) fractions of methanol extract from Cordyceps sinensis (CS), and hexane (5), ethyl acetate (6), and methanol (7) from Cinnamomum osmophloeum bark (CO) were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory as well as tumor-cell growth inhibitory activities in vitro. All the tested extracts dose dependently inhibited the enhanced production of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) through reducing inducible NO synthase expression, and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-12 in LPS/IFN-gamma activated murine peritoneal macrophages. In addition, extracts 1 from AC, and 5 and 6 from CO significantly arrest the mitogen-stimulated spleen cells in G0/G1 stage. On the other hand, all these extracts were also evaluated for their tumor-cell proliferation activities in different type of cancer cell lines such as Jurkat, HepG2, PC 3, Colon 205, and MCF 7 as well as normal PBMCs. Compared to untreated controls, the extracts 1, 2, and 4-7 were most active and inhibited Jurkat cells with IC50 value of 22, 40, 18, 4, 5, and 45 microg/ml, respectively. In addition, the extracts 5, 6, and 7 from CO showed potent growth inhibition of HepG2 and PC 3 with IC50 values of 35, 80, 55 microg/ml; and 42, 125, and 50 microg/ml, respectively. Similarly, the extracts 1 and 5 inhibited the growth of Colon 205 and MCF 7 cells with IC50 values of 65, 33; and 95 and 30 microg/ml, respectively. Interestingly, none of the tested extract has shown cytotoxicity towards normal PBMCs up to the concentration range studies (0-150 microg/ml). Taken together, these data suggest that the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties of AC, CS, and CO might result from the growth inhibition of NO, TNF-alpha and IL-12, and tumor cells proliferation, respectively.     

党参、黄芪、白术、甘草提取部位对小肠上皮细胞增殖的影响

目的 :观察党参、黄芪、白术和甘草提取部位对IEC 6细胞增殖的作用。方法 :IEC 6细胞培养 2 4h后分别加入不同剂量的党参、黄芪、白术和甘草的各种提取部位 10 μl,2 4h后用MTT法观察细胞增殖。 结果 :不同提取部位对小肠上皮细胞增殖的作用各异 ,有些部位促进细胞增殖 ,有些部位抑制细胞增殖 ,有些部位无明显影响。同一部位剂量不同其作用方向也不同。结论 :益气健脾药物通过调节小肠上皮细胞增殖发挥其粘膜保护和修复作用。     

Cytotoxic effects of Echinacea root hexanic extracts on human cancer cell lines

Echinacea is one of the most widely used alternative medicine in the world. Intake of Echinacea preparations is common among patients with advanced malignancies enrolled onto phase I chemotherapy trials; however, to our knowledge, no data are available regarding the possible direct effect of Echinacea species on human cancer cells. The purpose of the present study was to investigate potential in vitro cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic properties of hexanic root extract of the three medicinal Echinacea (Asteraceae) species (Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt., Echinacea angustifolia DC. var. angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench.) on the human pancreatic cancer MIA PaCa-2 and colon cancer COLO320 cell lines. We demonstrated, for the first time, that all the three species reduced cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner; Echinacea pallida was the most active species with IC(50)s of 46.41+/-0.87 and 10.55+/-0.70 microg/ml in MIA PaCa-2 and COLO320 cells, respectively. Echinacea pallida extract was able to induce apoptosis by increasing significantly caspase 3/7 activity and promoting nuclear DNA fragmentation. These results represent the starting point to establish viable scientific evidence on the possible role of Echinacea species in medical oncology.     

不同中药渣对紫苏生长及酚类物质的影响

中药渣营养成分丰富,是一种优质的有机肥原料,可以发酵成优质的有机肥,但是目前中药渣多数被当作生活垃圾处理,不仅占用了大量的土地资源,污染了环境,而且还造成资源的浪费。针对上述情况,该文采用盆栽的方法研究了不同中药渣对紫苏生长及有效成分的影响。研究结果表明不同种类的中药渣均能促进紫苏生长,其促进生长作用的大小顺序为丹参渣麦芽渣连翘渣白术渣丹皮渣、苦参渣,其中丹皮渣和苦参渣处理组与CK对照相比无显著性差异;不同种类的中药渣还能改善根系结构,增加叶片面积;同时不同种类的中药渣均能提高地下部分迷迭香酸和咖啡酸的含量,而对于地上部分4种酚类物质的积累量也具有提高的作用。综上所述,中药渣有机肥能够促进紫苏生长,提高紫苏酚类物质的积累量,其中丹参渣作用效果最好。     

Inhibition of human calcineurin and yeast calcineurin-dependent gene expression by Jasminum humile leaf and root extracts

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The leaves of Jasminum humile are used to treat skin disorders in a way which resembles the use of modern topical anti-inflammatory drugs. Ethanolic extracts of the roots and leaves were shown to inhibit calcineurin which is a regulator of inflammatory gene expression.

Materials and methods

A novel yeast calcineurin reporter gene assay suitable for a 96 well plate format was developed to test for inhibition of calcineurin-dependent gene expression. Calmodulin/calcineurin phosphatase assays were then used to further elucidate the mode of action of the extracts.

Results and conclusions

Jasminum humile root and leaf extract exhibited calcineurin inhibition activity that was shown to be mediated through a direct interaction with calcineurin enzyme. The activity is sufficient to block calcineurin-dependent gene expression in a yeast model. The activity of the plant supports its traditional use in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders. The specially adapted yeast reporter assay was found to be a highly effective way of detecting calcineurin inhibitors in plant extracts.     

Cytoprotective effect of Coreopsis tinctoria extracts and flavonoids on tBHP and cytokine-induced cell injury in pancreatic MIN6 cells

Ethopharmacological relevance

Coreopsis tinctoria flowering tops infusion is traditionally used in Portugal for treating the symptoms of diabetes. Recent studies have revealed its antihyperglycemic activity when administered for 3 weeks to a STZ-induced glucose intolerance model in the rat and glucose tolerance regain was even clearer and pancreatic function recovery was achieved when administering Coreopsis tinctoria flavonoid-rich AcOEt fraction.In this study we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Coreopsis tinctoria flowering tops aqueous extract, AcOEt fraction and the pure compounds marein and flavanomarein, against beta-cell injury, in a mouse insulinoma cell line (MIN6) challenged with pro-oxidant tert-Butyl-Hydroperoxide (tBHP) or cytokines.

Materials and methods

The protective effects of Coreopsis tinctoria flowering tops extracts and pure compounds were evaluated through pre-incubating MIN6 cells with samples followed by treatment with tBHP (400 μM for 2 h) after which viability was determined through ATP measurements. In order to assess whether plant extracts were involved in decreasing reactive oxygen species, superoxide anion production was determined through a lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescent method. Lastly, the direct influence of Coreopsis tinctoria extracts and main compounds on cell survival/apoptosis was determined measuring caspase 3 and 7 cleavage induced by cytokines.

Results

Coreopsis tinctoria flowering tops extracts (25-100 μg/mL) and pure compounds (200-400 μM), when pre-incubated with MIN6 cells did not present any cytotoxicity, instead they increased cell viability in a dose dependent manner when challenged with tBHP. Treatment with this pro-oxidant also showed a rise in superoxide radical anion formation in MIN6 cells. This increase was significantly reduced by treatment with superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD) but not by pre-treatment with Coreopsis tinctoria flowering tops extracts. Caspase 3/7 activation measurements show that Coreopsis tinctoria flowering tops extracts, as well as marein and flavanomarein, significantly inhibit apoptosis.

Conclusions

Coreopsis tinctoria extracts and pure compounds show cytoprotection that seems to be due to inhibition of the apoptotic pathway, and not through a decrease on superoxide radical production.     

垂盆草醇提物抑制HepG2细胞STAT-3信号通路诱导细胞凋亡的研究

目的:研究垂盆草醇提物对STAT-3信号通路的影响,及其诱导细胞凋亡的分子机制。方法:MTT法检测垂盆草醇提物对HepG2细胞增殖的影响;流式细胞术分析结合FITC-Annexin V/PI双标记检测对肝癌细胞凋亡的影响,免疫印迹试验检测细胞凋亡Caspase-3,Caspase-9,PARP,P-STAT-3(Tyr705),STAT-3,Bcl-2,Mcl-1相关蛋白表达水平。结果:垂盆草醇提物可明显抑制HepG2细胞的增殖,诱导HepG2细胞凋亡,且抑制作用呈剂量依赖效应。垂盆草醇提物作用后,抑制STAT-3信号转导通路,下调Mcl-1和Bcl-2的表达,引起凋亡相关蛋白Caspase-3,Caspase-9的降解/活化及PARP的降解,并呈剂量依赖效应。结论:垂盆草醇提物通过抑制STAT-3信号转导通路和Mcl-1和Bcl-2的表达,进而抑制HepG2细胞的增殖,诱导其凋亡。     

藤梨根正丁醇提取物和总黄酮苷抗肿瘤作用研究

目的:观察藤梨根正丁醇提取物和总黄酮苷对体内外肿瘤的抑制作用。方法:建立小鼠S180肉瘤和H22肝癌模型,分别将72只接种小鼠随机分为对照组、受试药高、中、低剂量组与阳性对照(环磷酰胺)组,观察藤梨根正丁醇提取物和总黄酮苷对体内肿瘤生长的抑制作用以及脾脏、胸腺指数、肿瘤坏死因子的影响。MTT法观察藤梨根正丁醇提取物不同浓度和不同时间对体外人肺腺癌细胞株A549细胞生长的抑制作用。流式细胞仪检测藤梨根正丁醇提取物不同浓度对人肺腺癌细胞株A549细胞周期的影响。结果:藤梨根总黄酮苷对S180肉瘤和H22肝癌模型,中剂量组可以减轻瘤重,抑瘤率分别为33.32%,34.62%;体外实验表明藤梨根正丁醇提取物对A549肺癌细胞有抑制作用,作用持续时间48 h;藤梨根正丁醇提取物1.25,0.625 g.L-1可使G0~G1期出现阻滞,显著减少S期细胞比例。结论:藤梨根正丁醇和总黄酮苷均有抗肿瘤作用。     

Investigation of plant extracts in traditional medicine of the Brazilian Cerrado against protozoans and yeasts

Aim of the study

To investigate the activities of the 217 plant extracts in traditional medicine of the Brazilian Cerrado against protozoans and yeasts.

Materials and methods

Plant extracts were prepared by the method of maceration using solvents of different polarities. The growth inhibition of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain (FcB1) was determined by measuring the radioactivity of the tritiated hypoxanthine incorporated. Activity against Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi and Trypanosoma cruzi was measured by the MTT colorimetric assay. The antifungal tests were carried out by using the CLSI method. The active extracts were tested also by cytotoxicity assay using NIH-3T3 cells of mammalian fibroblasts.

Results

Two hundred and seventeen extracts of plants were tested against Plasmodium falciparum. The eleven active extracts, belonging to eight plant species were evaluated against L. (L.) chagasi, Trypanosoma cruzi, yeasts and in NIH-3T3 cells. The results found in these biological models are consistent with the ethnopharmacological data of these plants. The ethyl acetate extract of Diospyros hispida root showed IC₅₀ values of 1 μg/mL against Plasmodium falciparum. This extract demonstrated no toxicity against mammalian cells, resulting in a significant selectivity index (SI) of 435.8. The dichloromethane extract of Calophyllum brasiliense root wood was active against Cryptococcus gattii LMGO 01 with MIC of 1.95 μg/mL; and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Candida krusei LMGO 174, both with MIC of 7.81 μg/mL. The same extract was also active against Plasmodium falciparum and L. (L.) chagasi with IC₅₀ of 6.7 and 27.6 μg/mL respectively. The ethyl acetate extract of Spiranthera odoratissima leaves was active against Cryptococcus gattii LMGO 01 with MIC of 31.25 μg/mL, and against Plasmodium falciparum with IC₅₀ of 9.2 μg/mL and Trypanosoma cruzi with IC₅₀ of 56.3 μg/mL.

Conclusion

The active extracts for protozoans and human pathogenic yeasts are considered promising to continue the search for the identification and development of leading compounds.