Antiplasmodial and antileishmanial activities of compounds from Piper tuberculatum Jacq fruits.

INTRODUCTION: This study assessed the activity of compounds from Piper tuberculatum against Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania guyanensis. METHODS: The effects of compounds from P. tuberculatum fruits on P. falciparum and L. guyanensis promastigote growth in vitro were determined. Hemolytic action and cytotoxicity in HepG2 and J774 cells were measured. RESULTS: Three compounds showed strong antiplasmodial activity and one compound showed strong antileishmanial activity. Two compounds were non-toxic to HepG2 cells and all were toxic to J774 cells. The compounds showed no hemolytic activity. CONCLUSIONS: The tested compounds from P. tuberculatum exhibited antiparasitic and cytotoxic effects.