Antileishmania activity of Jatropha multifida L. extracts - Emphasis on macrocyclic diterpenes

The species of the genus Jatropha are widely used in ethnomedicine, with studies that already prove the efficacy of several species in antimicrobial, antibacterial, scarring, antituberculosis, antiviral, anti-inflammatory etc [1]. Among these we can highlight a study by Falodum et al [2] that showed efficacy of macrocyclic diterpenes isolated from Jatropha multifida in antileishmania assays for Leishmania donovani, since this class of diterpenes, characteristic of the genus, had already been isolated from the root of J. grossidentata and rhizomes of J. isabelli, showing activity against promastigotes of L. braziliensis, L.amazonensis and L. chagasi [3]. Showing that such compounds may be promising in the search for new substances for the treatment of leishmaniasis, a neglected disease that in 2016 had increased incidence in Latin American countries, with 12690 new cases in Brazil alone [4]. Thus, we performed extracts with MeOH:CHCl3 (1: 1), called extracts 1, and MeOH:H2O (8: 2), called extracts 2, with various organs of J. multifida (leaves, petioles, bark, stems and roots) which were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (CCD) and mass spectrometer - coupled ultra - efficiency liquid chromatography (UHPLC-MS/MS). And through the MS-Dial software, the composition of these extracts was analyzed, looking specifically for the macrocyclic diterpenes of interest. The extracts were partitioned with increasing polarity solvents (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water). Antileishmania tests were then performed using the promastigote forms of L. amazonensis and L. infantum to determine the IC 50. A substance whose Tr = 8.81 min m/z 333.20532 was identified in the root extracts, predominantly in root extract 1, presented MS2 similar to the macrocyclic diterpene curculthyrane B already identified in J. curcas root extract, but without described biological activity [5]. Flavonoids, predominantly in leaf extract, such as quercetin, vitexin and apigenin were also identified. In addition to fatty acids and amino acids distributed in all organs used, reaffirming the results presented in the analysis by CCD, which were positive for phenolic compounds and alkaloid substances. Regarding antileishmania activity, with the exception of petiole extract, extracts 1, with MeOH:CHCl3, showed the best activity against both Leishmania species, with root extract 1 being the most active with IC50 of 17.69 ± 0.32 µg/mL for L. amazonenses and 14.29 ± 2.95 µg/mL for L. infantum. Corroborating with the identification of macrocyclic diterpene in this extract. This leads us to consider the root extract as promising for obtaining an isolated fraction or active substance, not yet described for the species in question, since only antileishmania activity was attributed to isolated bark diterpenes.These instructions are an example of what a properly prepared meeting abstract should look like. Proper column and margin measurements are indicated.

[1] SABANDAR et al, Phytochemistry, v. 85, p. 7-29, 2013
[2] FALODUM et al, Asian. Pac. J. Trop. Biomed. V. 5, n. 4, p. 374-378
[3] AKENDENGUE, B. et al. Parasite, v. 6, n. 1, p. 3-8, 1999
[4] OPAS/OMS – Informe de leishmanioses nº 7, 2019
[5] CARELS et al, Advances in botanical research, v.50, p.39-86, 2009