Effect of Caesalpinia spinosa (Molina) Kuntze extract P2Et on the resolution of cutaneous leishmaniasis in hamsters infected with Leishmania braziliensis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in 18 countries in America, with 54,000 cases reported annually, 80% of them in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Nicaragua, and Bolivia. Worldwide, leishmaniasis is among the top ten neglected tropical diseases, with more than 12 million people infected. The high toxicity of few available drugs is a barrier to access to treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to work on developing new therapeutic options. A previous work identified leishmanicidal potential of glycolic and ethanolic extracts from aereal parts of the Caesalpinia spinosa (Molina) Kuntze tree [1]. Now, this work validated the toxicity and leishmanicidal activity of a standarised extract obtained from pods and fruits, named P2Et, using in vitro and in vivo methods. The P2Et was active against Leishmania braziliensis amastigotes at an EC₅₀=22.8±3.4 μg/mL, with no toxicity to U937, Caco-2, HepG2, and Vero cells (LC₅₀>200 μg/mL). On the other hand, the cure rates in groups of hamsters (n=5 each) treated with 5% P2Et formulated as solution, cream, or emulsion at a dose of 40 mg/day/60 days were 80%, 71.4%, and 100%, respectively. None of the formulations administered at single or repeated doses showed any signs of dermal toxicity. In conclusion, the 5% P2Et emulsion has the potential to become a therapeutic alternative for cutaneous leishmaniasis that warrants further validation in controlled clinical trials ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 Photographs of Caesalpinia spinosa. Photographs of A. Seed B. Pods C. Seeds and pods.

Publication History

Article published online:
16 November 2023

• References

• 1 Robledo S. et al. Caesalpinia spinosa (Molina) Kuntze: una nueva promesa para el tratamiento tópico de la leishmaniasis cutánea. Rev. Acad. Colomb. Cienc. Ex. Fis. Nat 2020; 4 (173) 915-936