Berberine derivatives as antileishmanial drugs.

摘要: Berberine, a quaternary alkaloid, and several of its derivatives were tested for efficacy against Leishmania donovani braziliensis panamensis in golden hamsters. Tetrahydroberberine was less toxic more potent than berberine L. but not as meglumine antimonate (Glucantime), standard drug the treatment leishmaniasis. Only 8-cyanodihydroberberine showed significant activity (greater 50% suppression lesion size) panamensis.