Therapeutic effect of ursolic acid in experimental visceral leishmaniasis.

摘要: Leishmaniasis is an important neglected tropical disease, affecting more than 12 million people worldwide. The available treatments are not well tolerated and present diverse side effects in patients, justifying the search for new therapeutic compounds. In study, potential toxicity of ursolic acid (UA), isolated from leaves Baccharis uncinella C. DC. (Asteraceae), were evaluated experimental visceral leishmaniasis. To evaluate UA, hamsters infected with L. (L.) infantum treated daily during 15 days 1.0 or 2.0 mg UA/kg body weight, 5.0 mg amphotericin B/kg weight by intraperitoneal route. Fifteen after last dose, parasitism spleen liver was stimated main histopathological alterations recorded. proliferation splenic mononuclear cells IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 gene expressions analyzed fragments. UA B healthy golden histological analysis biochemical parameters. Animals had less parasites when compared control group, they also showed preservation white red pulps, which correlate a high rate cells, IFN-γ mRNA iNOS production. Moreover, animals did levels AST, ALT, creatinine urea. Taken together, these findings indicate that interesting natural compound should be considered development prototype drugs against