Hypoxia Effects on Epimastigotes Proliferation, Differentiation, and Energy Metabolism.

, the causative agent of Chagas disease, faces changes in redox status and nutritional availability during its life cycle. However, the influence of oxygen fluctuation upon the biology of is unclear. The present work investigated the response of epimastigotes to hypoxia.

Epigallocathechin--3-Gallate Inhibits Trypanothione Reductase of , Causing Alterations in Redox Balance and Leading to Parasite Death.

is a protozoan parasite that causes a vector borne infectious disease in humans known as visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This pathology, also caused by , presently impacts the health of 500,000 people worldwide, and is treated with outdated anti-parasitic drugs that suffer from poor treatment regimens, severe side effects, high cost and/or emergence of resistant parasites. In previous works we have disclosed the anti- activity of (-)-Epigallocatechin 3--gallate (EGCG), a flavonoid compound present in green tea leaves.

Ethanolic extract of Croton blanchetianus Ball induces mitochondrial defects in Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease caused by Leishmania. Chemotherapy remains the mainstay for leishmaniasis control; however, available drugs fail to provide a parasitological cure, and are associated with high toxicity. Natural products are promising leads for the development of novel chemotherapeutics against leishmaniasis.

(-)-Epigallocatechin 3--Gallate as a New Approach for the Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis.

In addition to generating side effects and resistance, treatment for visceral leishmaniasis remains mostly ineffective and expensive, and it has a long duration. Thus, natural products are an important alternative for treatment of the disease. In this study, we demonstrate the and activity of (-)-epigallocatechin 3--gallate () against .

Heme modulates Trypanosoma cruzi bioenergetics inducing mitochondrial ROS production.

Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease and has a single mitochondrion, an organelle responsible for ATP production and the main site for the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). T. cruzi is an obligate intracellular parasite with a complex life cycle that alternates between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, therefore the development of survival strategies and morphogenetic adaptations to deal with the various environments is mandatory.

Oral Efficacy of Apigenin against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Involvement of Reactive Oxygen Species and Autophagy as a Mechanism of Action.

Background: The treatment for leishmaniasis is currently based on pentavalent antimonials and amphotericin B; however, these drugs result in numerous adverse side effects. The lack of affordable therapy has necessitated the urgent development of new drugs that are efficacious, safe, and more accessible to patients. Natural products are a major source for the discovery of new and selective molecules for neglected diseases.

Leishmania amazonensis: Increase in ecto-ATPase activity and parasite burden of vinblastine-resistant protozoa.

Leishmania amazonensis is a protozoan parasite that induces mucocutaneous and diffuse cutaneous lesions upon infection. An important component in treatment failure is the emergence of drug-resistant parasites. It is necessary to clarify the mechanism of resistance that occurs in these parasites to develop effective drugs for leishmaniasis treatment.

The effect of (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O--gallate in vitro and in vivo in Leishmania braziliensis: involvement of reactive oxygen species as a mechanism of action.

Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease associated with extensive mortality and morbidity. The treatment for leishmaniasis is currently based on pentavalent antimonials and amphotericin B; however, these drugs result in numerous adverse side effects. Natural compounds have been used as novel treatments for parasitic diseases.

In vitro and in vivo effects of (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate on Leishmania amazonensis.

(-)-Epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (1), the most abundant flavanol in green tea, has been reported to have antiproliferative effects on Trypanosoma cruzi. The present study reports the effects in vitro and in vivo of 1 on Leishmania amazonensis. L.

Reactive oxygen species production by quercetin causes the death of Leishmania amazonensis intracellular amastigotes.

The present study reports the mechanism of the antileishmanial activity of quercetin against the intracellular amastigote form of Leishmania amazonensis. Treatment with 1 reduced the infection index in L. amazonensis-infected macrophages in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC₅₀ value of 3.

Mitochondrial damage contribute to epigallocatechin-3-gallate induced death in Leishmania amazonensis.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant flavonoid in green tea, has been reported to have antiproliferative effects on Trypanosoma cruzi however, the mechanism of protozoan action of EGCG has not been studied. In the present study, we demonstrate the mechanism for the antileishmanial activity of EGCG against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. Incubation with EGCG significantly inhibited L.

Reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to quercetin induced death in Leishmania amazonensis.

Background: Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, affects more than 12 million people worldwide. Quercetin has generated considerable interest as a pharmaceutical compound with a wide range of therapeutic activities. One such activity is exhibited against the bloodstream parasite Trypanosoma brucei and amastigotes of Leishmania donovani.