چکیده (انگلیسی):

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) activity of organic
extracts prepared from halophyte species collected in the southern coast of Portugal
(Algarve), and chemically characterize the most active samples.
Methods: Acetone, dichloromethane and methanol extracts were prepared from 31
halophyte species and tested in vitro against trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes
of the Tulahuen strain of T. cruzi. The most active extract was fractionated by preparative
HPLC-DAD, affording 11 fractions. The most selective fraction was fully characterized
by 1
H NMR.
Results: From 94 samples tested, one was active, namely the root dichloromethane
extract of Juncus acutus (IC50 < 20 mg/mL). This extract was fractionated by HPLC,
affording 11 fractions, one of them containing only a pure compound (juncunol), and
tested for anti-parasitic activity. Fraction 8 (IC50 = 4.1 mg/mL) was the most active, and
was further characterized by 1
H NMR. The major compounds were phenanthrenes, 9,10-
dihydrophenanthrenes and benzocoumarins.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that the compounds identified in fraction 8 are likely
responsible for the observed anti parasitic activity. Further research is in progress
aiming to isolate and identify the specific active molecules. To the best of our
knowledge, this is the first report on the in vitro anti T. cruzi activity of halophyte
species