The Neuroprotective Potential of Endophytic Fungi and Proposed Molecular Mechanism: A Current Update.

Millions of people are affected by neuronal disorders that are emerging as a principal cause of death after cancer. Alzheimer's disease, ataxia, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and autism comprise the most common ones, being accompanied by loss of cognitive power, impaired balance, and movement. In past decades, natural polyphenols obtained from different sources including bacteria, fungi, and plants have been utilized in the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of several ailments. Endophytes are one such natural producer of secondary metabolites, namely, polyphenols, which exhibit strong abilities to assist in the management of such affections, through modifying multiple therapeutic targets and weaken their complex physiology. Limited research has been conducted in detail on bioactive compounds present in the endophytic fungi and their neuroprotective effects. Therefore, this review aims to provide an update on scientific evidences related to the pharmacological and clinical potential along with proposed molecular mechanism of action of endophytes for neuronal protection.

(R)-(-)-Aloesaponol III 8-Methyl Ether from Eremurus persicus: A Novel Compound against Leishmaniosis.

Leishmaniosis is a neglected tropical disease which affects several millions of people worldwide. The current drug therapies are expensive and often lack efficacy, mainly due to the development of parasite resistance. Hence, there is an urgent need for new drugs effective against Leishmania infections. As a part of our ongoing study on the phytochemical characterization and biological investigation of plants used in the traditional medicine of western and central Asia, in the present study, we focused on Eremurus persicus root extract in order to evaluate its potential in the treatment of leishmaniosis. As a result of our study, aloesaponol III 8-methyl ether (ASME) was isolated for the first time from Eremurus persicus root extract, its chemical structure elucidated by means of IR and NMR experiments and the (R) configuration assigned by optical activity measurements: chiroptical aspects were investigated with vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopies and DFT (density functional theory) quantum mechanical calculations. Concerning biological investigations, our results clearly proved that (R)-ASME inhibits Leishmania infantum promastigotes viability (IC50 73 µg/mL), inducing morphological alterations and mitochondrial potential deregulation. Moreover, it is not toxic on macrophages at the concentration tested, thus representing a promising molecule against Leishmania infections.

Los aceites esenciales como agentes antiparasitarios / Essential oils as anti-parasitic agents

La aparición de parásitos resistentes a la terapia, incluyendo protozoos de géneros como Leishmania, Trypanossoma, Giardia y Plasmodium, y/o la falta de eficacia, los efectos secundarios graves y el alto costo de la terapia, hace urgente desarrollar nuevos agentes antiparasitarios. En los últimos años se ha potenciado la búsqueda de nuevos medicamentos alternativos para el tratamiento de las infecciones por parásitos, habiendo aumentado el descubrimiento de potenciales agentes terapéuticos a partir de fuentes naturales como las plantas medicinales y sus extractos, incluyendo los aceites esenciales. Aceites esenciales, tales como los de Cymbopogon citratus, Croton cajucara, Ocimum gratissimum o Thymus vulgaris, han demostrado su actividad antiparasitaria, con un amplio espectro de actividad, a menudo demostrando eficacia equivalente a la quimioterapia establecida (AU)

The emergence of parasites resistant to therapy, namely protozoa of genera Leishmania, Trypanossoma, Giardia, Plasmodium, and/or the lack of efficacy, the occurrence of serious side effects and the high cost of therapy, makes urgent the development of new anti-parasitic agents. In the last years, the search for new alternative drugs for the treatment of parasitic infections have been developed. The discovery of potential therapeutic agents from natural sources such as medicinal plants and their extracts, including essential oils, has increased. Essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus, Croton cajucara, Ocimum gratissimum and Thymus vulgaris, showed anti-parasitic activity with a broad spectrum of activities and often demonstrating equivalent effectiveness to established chemotherapy (AU)

A emergência de parasitas resistentes à terapêutica instituída, designadamente protozoários de géneros como a Leishmania, Trypanossoma, Giardia, Plasmodium, e/ou a falta de eficácia, os efeitos secundários graves e o custo elevado, torna urgente o desenvolvimento de novos agentes anti-parasitários. Nos últimos anos, a pesquisa por fármacos novos e alternativos no tratamento de infecções por parasitas, tem vindo a desenvolver-se. A descoberta de potenciais agentes terapêuticos a partir de fontes naturais como as plantas medicinais e dos seus extractos, nomeadamente os óleos essenciais, tem vindo a aumentar. Os óleos essenciais como o Cymbopogon citratus, o Croton cajucara, o Ocimum gratissimum, ou o Thymus vulgaris, têm demonstrado actividade anti-parasitária com um amplo espectro de actividades evidenciando, muitas vezes, eficácia equivalente à quimioterapia padrão (AU)

Effects of essential oils on the growth of Giardia lamblia trophozoites.

Giardia lamblia is one of the most important worldwide causes of intestinal infections produced by protozoa. Current therapy for giardiasis is unsatisfactory due to high incidence of undesirable side effects and significant failure in clearing parasites from the gastrointestinal tract. In the search for new therapeutic agents, we report on the effect of several essential oils on G. lamblia growth. Among eighteen tested essential oils, those with phenolic compositions were the most active, particularly if containing high contents of carvacrol, such as Thymbra capitata and Origanum virens (IC50 values of 71 and 85 microg x mL(-1), respectively). The oils from Syzygium aromaticum and Thymus zygis subsp. sylvestris (IC50 values from 100 to 200 microg x mL(-1)), as well as, those from Mentha x piperita and Lippia graveolens (IC50 values over 200 microg x mL(-1)) were less active. Results support the concept that several essential oils or some of their constituents may be useful in the clinical management of Giardia infections.