Abstract

ESCOBAR, Patricia et al. Chemical composition and anti-tripanosomal activity of essential oils from Tagetes (Asteraceae Fam.) grown in Colombia.. Rev. Univ. Ind. Santander. Salud [online]. 2009, vol.41, n.3, pp.280-286. ISSN 0121-0807.

Introduction: The current chemotheraphy of Chagas diseases is poor, with only two treatment options: nifurtimox and benznidazole. The plants represent an immense source of potentially active molecules against infectious agents. Aim: To determine the chemical composition and biological activity of Colombian Tagetes essential oils against Trypanosoma cruzi and its mammalian host cell. Materials and methods: Plants were collected in various region of Colombia and essential oils were extracted by microwave-assisted hidrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The activities of seven (7) essentials oils were determinate in epimastigotes and amastigotes of T. cruzi and on Vero cells. The result were expressed as the concentration to inhibit (CC₅₀, CC₉₀) or destroy (CC₅₀, CC₉₀) 50 or 90 % of parasites or cells. Results: Estragole, dihidrotagetone and cis-tagetone were the main components of essential oils, with quantitative differences between the evaluated Tagetes species. All essential oils were active in epimastigotes of T. cruzi. T. heterocarpha essential oil was active in intracellular amastigotes (IC₅₀ 41,35 μg/mL). The oils from T. caracasana y T. heterocarpha were toxic to Vero cells. Conclusions: The essential oils obtained from T. heterocarpha, T. caracasana and T. zipaquirensis inhibit the growth of T. cruzi. Additional studies on the major components activities against parasites are now under study. Salud UIS 2009; 41: 280-286.

Keywords : Essential oils; Asteraceae; Tagetes; Trypanosoma cruzi.

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