Chemical profile, cytotoxic and antiparasitic activity of Operculina hamiltonii

The aim of this study was carry out a phytochemical characterization of Operculina hamiltonii and to assess its antiparasitic potential against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania brasiliensis and Leishmania infantum and also its cytotoxic activity. The infusion of this plant was selected on the basis of its popular use. A lyophilized infusion was analyzed by HPLC-DAD methodology. The anti-epimastigote and antipromastigote activity and cytotoxic activity were determined in vitro assay using a concentration range of 62.5-1000 μg/mL. The HPLC results showed the presence of quercetin and chlorogenic acid as the major compounds. The infusion exhibited significant leishmanicidal activity with IC50 of 236.93 μg/mL for Leishmania braziliensis and 342.90 μg/mL for L. infantum. This study showed trypanocidal activity with IC50 10.61 μg/mL, however, demonstrated significant cytotoxicity at concentrations equal to or greater than 250 μg/mL with IC50 47.62 μg/mL. Our results suggest that, due to the cytotoxic activity of this natural product, new assays should be performed to investigate this effect, mainly to evaluate O. hamiltonii for possible anticancer activity.