In vitro Activity of Arbutus unedo Aqueous Extract against Leishmania infantum Promastigote
Idir Moualek
Laboratory of Analytical Biochemistry and Biotechnology (LABAB), University Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria.
Abdelkamel Mouloua
Laboratory of Analytical Biochemistry and Biotechnology (LABAB), University Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria.
Ghenima Iratni Aiche
Laboratory of Analytical Biochemistry and Biotechnology (LABAB), University Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria.
Abdenassar Harrar
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of Constantine 1, Constantine, Algeria.
Nassima Achour
University Mouloud Mammeri and CHU Dr. Nedir Med, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria.
Celia Zerrouki
Laboratory of Analytical Biochemistry and Biotechnology (LABAB), University Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria.
Ouerdia Mezine
Laboratory of Analytical Biochemistry and Biotechnology (LABAB), University Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria.
Karim Houali *
Laboratory of Analytical Biochemistry and Biotechnology (LABAB), University Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Considered as a major public health problem, leishmaniasis incidence continues to increase due to lack of vaccine. In addition, drugs routinely used for the treatment of this disease have associated side effects. This justifies a need to develop new drug treatments. It is in this perspective that our study is inscribed.
In vitro antileishmanial activity of the aqueous extract of Arbutus unedo leaves was evaluated against promastigotes of L. infantum (MON-1/DZ/01/LIPA1227/01) by in vitro promastigote cell assay. The extract of the studied leaves showed remarkable antileishmanial in vitro activity (74% mortality at 100 µg/ml) against the promastigotes of Leishmania infantum, in a concentration dependent manner.
Keywords: Leishmania infantum, Arbutus unedo, aqueous extract