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 This pathology, also caused by , presently impacts the health of 500,000 people worldwide, and is treated with outdated anti-parasitic drugs that suffer from poor treatment regimens, severe side effects, high cost and/or emergence of resistant parasites.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.

(-)-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 .