In VitroAntileishmanial Activity of Essential Oil ofVanillosmopsis arborea(Asteraceae) Baker

Abstract

The search for new immunopharmacological chemical agents to treat various diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, such as leishmaniasis, for example, has led to the exploration of potential products from plant species and their main active ingredients. Antimonial drugs are the current treatment for leishmaniasis. These drugs cause major side effects and frequent discontinuation of treatment. In this study, we evaluated thein vitroleishmanicidal activity of essential oil ofVanillosmopsis arborea(VAEO) and its major compoundα-bisabolol againstLeishmania amazonensis. The essential oil andα-bisabolol showed activity against promastigotes (IC507.35 and 4.95 μg/mL resp.) and intracellular amastigotes (IC5012.58 and 10.70 μg/mL, resp.). Neither product showed any cytotoxicity on treated macrophages. The ultrastructural analysis of promastigotes incubated with VAEO orα-bisabolol at 30 μg/mL, showed morphological changes with the accumulation of vesicles electrodense lipid inclusions. The results give evidence that both VAEO andα-bisabolol have potential as new therapeutic agents against leishmaniasis.