Calophyllum brasilienseModulates the Immune Response and PromotesLeishmania amazonensisIntracellular Death

Abstract

Calophyllum brasilienseis a plant from the Brazilian rain forests and has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases, including leishmaniasis. This infectious disease depends on theLeishmaniasp. and the host immune response.C. brasilienseantileishmanial activity is well known, but the effects on immune response remain to be investigated. This study showed the leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory effects of a 30 μg/mL of hydroalcoholic extract ofC. brasiliensein murine macrophages before and afterLeishmania(Leishmania)amazonensisinfection. The semiquantitative cytokine RNA expression was determined by RT-PCR and the anti-Leishmaniaactivity was measured by infection index (IF). Hydroalcoholic extract ofC. brasiliensereduced more than 95% of IF when used before and afterLeishmaniainfection, with 3 and 24 h of treatment (p<0.05).C. brasilienseinhibited or reduced significantly (p<0.05) the TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-10 mRNA expression. The antileishmanial and anti-inflammatory effects showed the potential ofC. brasilienseas an alternative therapy for leishmaniasis and it must be investigated.