| Abstract: | The polar hydroethanolic extract from Selaginella sellowii(SSPHE)has been previously proven active on intracellular amastigotes (in vitro test) andnow was tested on hamsters infected with Leishmania (Leishmania)amazonensis (in vivo test). SSPHE suppressed a 100% of the parasite loadin the infection site and draining lymph nodes at an intralesional dose of 50mg/kg/day × 5, which was similar to the results observed in hamsters treated withN-methylglucamine antimonate (Sb) (28 mg/Kg/day × 5). When orallyadministered, SSPHE (50 mg/kg/day × 20) suppressed 99.2% of the parasite load ininfected footpads, while Sb suppressed 98.5%. SSPHE also enhanced the release ofnitric oxide through the intralesional route in comparison to Sb. The chemicalfingerprint of SSPHE by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-arraydetection and tandem mass spectrometry showed the presence of biflavonoids and highmolecular weight phenylpropanoid glycosides. These compounds may have a synergisticaction in vivo. Histopathological study revealed that the intralesional treatmentwith SSPHE induced an intense inflammatory infiltrate, composed mainly of mononuclearcells. The present findings reinforce the potential of this natural product as asource of future drug candidates for American cutaneous leishmaniasis. |
