Leishmanicidal activity of fractions rich in aporphine alkaloids from Amazonian Unonopsis species

Abstract

In vitro evaluation of alkaloidal fractions of twigs, barks and leaves from two Unonopsis species, Unonopsis guatterioides R.E. Fr. and Unonopsis duckei R.E. Fr., Annonaceae, against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis revealed these species as sources of substances with promising leishmanicidal potential. All alkaloidal fractions from twigs, barks and leaves of U. guatterioides were classified as highly active, with IC50 1.07, 1.90, and 2.79 mg/mL, respectively. Only the alkaloidal fraction from the twigs of U. duckei was classified as inactive.