Planta Med 2014; 80 - LP5
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1395073

Influence of the extraction method on the antiprotozoal activity of two Iberian Cystoseira species

M Oliveira 1, 2, C Bruno de Sousa 1, 2, S Cortes 2, L Campino 3, L Custódio 1, L Barreira 1
  • 1Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve (UAlg), Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus de Gambelas, 8005 – 139 Faro, Portugal
  • 2Unit of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New University of Lisbon, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349 – 008 Lisboa, Portugal
  • 3Centro de Malária e Outras Doenças Tropicais, IHMT-UNL, Lisboa Portugal

Macroalgae biosynthesize a wide range of unique secondary metabolites in order to survive in the marine environment [1]. Described as potential rich sources of bioactive compounds, seaweeds have been recently screened for antileishmanial activity [2,3]. These works show different activities for the same species from different origins, emphasizing the importance of the algal chemical diversity, extraction method or the parasite in vitro models used [4]. Thus, the choice of the extraction method and the use of the clinical relevant stage of Leishmania parasites in screening assays are essential in the research for novel antiparasitic compounds. This study evaluates the citotoxicity and antileishmanial activity of extracts from Cystoseira baccata and C. barbata on intracellular amastigotes (IA) and promastigotes forms of Leishmania infantum. It also discusses the influence of the extraction method on the chromatographic profile and antileishmanial activity. Both extraction methods presented similar chromatographic profiles for every species. However, the extracts obtained by hot extraction (HE) were more active than those obtained by cold extraction (CE). C. baccata CE extracts have not affected the parasites, whereas the HE extract was strongly active (IC50 20.5 ± 1.9 µg/mL). C. barbata had higher activity, although the selectivity was lower. In general, IA were more susceptible than promastigotes, suggesting the importance of a suitable in vitro model reflecting the pathophysiological conditions of Leishmaniasis.

Acknowledgements: This study was supported by the Portuguese FCT projects PTDC/MAR-EST/4346/2012 and PTDC/CVT/112371/2009. Bruno de Sousa C. and S. Cortes ahold PhD (SFRH/BD/78062/2011) and post-doctoral (SFRH/BPD/44450/2008) grants, respectively, from Portuguese FCT.

Keywords: Leishmania infantum, Cystoseira baccata, Cystoseira barbata, antileishmanial, chromatography

References:

[1] Hayes, M (2012) Bioactive Marine Compounds – Sources, Characterization and Applications. Springer, USA

[2] Orhan I et al. Phytomedicine 2006; 13: 388 – 393

[3] Spavieri J et al. Phytother Res 2010; 24: 1095 – 1098

[4] Da Silva Machado FL et al. Planta Med 2011; 77: 733 – 735