Cytotoxic potential and antiparasitic activity of the Croton rhamnifolioides Pax leaves. & K. Hoffm essential oil and its inclusion complex (EOCr/β-CD)

Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are neglected tropical diseases with relevance and public interest. Currently, the search for antiparasitic agents from medicinal plants has been the target of great research. Croton rhamnifolioides Pax. & K. Hoffm is known in popular medicine as quebra-faca or caatinga-branca and is used to treat stomachache, vomiting and fever. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic potential and antiparasitic activity of the Croton rhamnifolioides Pax leaves. & K. Hoffm essential oil (EOCr) and its inclusion complex with beta-cyclodextrin (EOCr/beta-CD). The trypanocide, leishmanicidal and cytotoxicity activity investigations were performed in triplicates by in vitro cell culture assays using different EOCr (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5 mu g/mL) and EOCr/beta-CD (1000, 500 and 250 mu g/mL) concentrations dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. The results showed the EOCr and EOCr/beta-CD possessed an inhibitory potential with IC50 values of 85.21 and 1823 mu g/mL against T. cruzi, IC50 values of 127.43 and 354.568 mu g/mL against Leishmania braziliensis and IC50 values of 111.84 and 923.56 mu g/mL against Leishmania infantum, respectively, with the EOCr being the most effective against T. cruzi. The EOCr presented toxic effects against NCTC929 fibroblasts at the highest concentrations of 1000 and 500 mu g/mL, obtaining an IC50 value of 338.84 mu g/mL; however, the EOCr/beta-CD showed no signs of significant cytotoxicity obtaining an IC50 greater than 1000 mu g/mL. The current results suggest the C. rhamnifolioides essential oil presents significant results, thus representing an alternative source for the development of natural products with antiparasitic activity.

Automated summary

Croton rhamnifolioides essential oil shows potential antiparasitic activity against T. cruzi, Leishmania braziliensis, and Leishmania infantum, with the inclusion complex with beta-cyclodextrin presenting lower cytotoxicity. This suggests that C. rhamnifolioides essential oil could be a promising natural source for antiparasitic product development.