Analysis of anti-Leishmania and anti-Tripanosoma potencials of oleanolic and ursolic acids

Abstract

Recently, the leishmanicidal effect of different natural compounds which were purified from leaves of Baccharis uncinella was evaluated. One of them, enriched with oleanolic and ursolic acids, showed a high potencial against promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and L. (Viannia) braziliensis, without toxicity for cells and animals. To continue and increase the scope of our study, the aim of this project is to evaluate the antiparasitic potential of purified oleanolic and ursolic acids. Thus, hamsters will be infected with L. (L.) chagasi and BALB/c mice with L. (L.) amazonensis and Trypanosoma brucei. These animals will be treated with each triterpene using different doses, as well as respective reference drugs. After treatment, the parasite load in different organs will be quantified and the production or expression of IL-4, IL-10, IFN-g, TNF-a and IL-12 will be evaluated in the lymphatic organs. The level of IgG1 and IgG2 also will be evaluated. In addition, the duplication of genes associated to the resistance of drugs will be measured in extra and intracellular protozoa, which were incubated with triterpenes and standard drugs. This project aims to find new target or prototype molecules addressed to the therapeutical of neglected diseases caused by pathogenic protozoa. (AU)