Flavonoids from Nectandra oppositifolia release Ca2+ from intracellular pools of Trypanosoma cruzi affecting the bioenergetics system

Nectandra oppositifolia afforded kaempferol (1), kaempferol-3-O--rhamnopyranoside (2) and kaempferol-3-O--(3,4-di-E-p-coumaroyl)-rhamnopyranoside (3). Flavonoids 1 and 3 were effective to kill the trypomastigotes with IC50 values of 32.0 and 6.7 μM, respectively. This effect was followed by a mitochondrial imbalance, with reduction of the ATP levels. The leakage of Ca2+ from the intracellular pools can affect the bioenergetics system of T. cruzi, leading to the parasite death.