Antileishmania activity of Annona glabra L. (Annonaceae)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe antileishmanial activity of Annona glabra. Methods: A
phytochemical study was performed with the ethanolic extract (EE) and fractions from the bark of A. glabra,
from which Rutin was isolated. The antileishmanial activity against Leishmania amazonensis was evaluated
by anti-promastigote (MTT method) and anti-amastigote (determined by the reduction of infection rate in
macrophages) assays. Cytotoxicity was assessed in macrophages (THP-1) using MTT. Results: In
phytochemical studies, EE and its fractions showed chromatograms suggestive of flavonoids. In the antipromastigote assay, EE, fractions and Rutin were inactive (IC50> 200 µg/mL). In anti-amastigote assay, EE
and Rutin did not inhibit macrophage infection by Leishmania, however, the hexane fraction at
concentrations of 250 and 125 µg/mL inhibited macrophage infection by 39.1% and 18.7% respectively. In
the feasibility test, samples were not cytotoxic (CC50> 500 µg/mL). Conclusion: In summary, the
fractionation of the ethanolic extract favored the increase of antileishmania activity, inferring that the
substances responsible for the action are probably in low concentration in the extract and its fractions and
that this activity may be associated with the presence of flavonoids.