Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of amphibian and snake venoms in Leishmaniasis and Chagas' Disease

Abstract

Among the most important tropical diseases, those caused by protozoan parasites show high morbidity and mortality, being represented by Leishmaniasis and Chagas´ Disease. It afflicts the marginal population of the global economic process and is not considered a potential market for industry. This project focus on the evaluation of the therapeutic potential of Brazilian frog venoms and snake venoms on Leishmaniasis and Chagas´ Disease. It will be developed in the Parasitology Laboratory at Adolfo Lutz Institute with collaboration of Butantan Institute. The project will study the in vitro efficacy of 10 crude frog venoms and 2 snake venoms against different parasite stages. The citotoxicity of venoms will be studied against different mammalian cells, in order to determine the Selectivity Index. Through different chromatographic techniques, the fractionation and purification of the most active (antiparasitic) venom will be done, as its biochemical characterization. Ultrastructural studies will be done in order to determine the possible cellular targets of the most active isolated compound, representing the initial study of its action mechanism. It will also be determined the in vivo activity of the isolated compound, free or liposome-entrapped, being delivered to the target-cell in the treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis, aiming the increase of the Therapeutic Index. The main objective of this work is to contribute to a fast and efficient evaluation of natural bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical potential, as to attend the technological development of national research institutions, which could generate new drugs in Brazil for neglected diseases in association with the private sector. (AU)