Pharmacological Effect of Krameria cytisoides on Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and in vivo

Objetive: The know the pharmacological effect of Krameriacytisoides extract in vitro and in vivo, as well as the cytotoxicity of this compound, determined. Materials and Methods: For in vitro determination, concentrations of 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg of K. cytisoides were used. Cytotoxicity was assessed with VERO cells using concentrations between 10 and 160 μg/L. The pharmacological effect in vivo was investigated with five groups males per groups 3 of Balb/c mice. All mice were inoculated with 1x103/ μL trypomastigotes. Three groups were injected with 40, 80 or 160 mg/mL. The fourth group was treated with 100 mg/kg of the benznidazole reference drug, and no treatment was given to the fifth group. Results: The results demonstrated that the LD50 was 69 μg/mL, with an LC50 cytotoxicity of 160 μg/mL; thus, no toxic effect was observed. Regarding the in vivo results, 61% and 74% flagellates death was observed at the highest concentration of K. cytisoides, and the reference drug benznidazole, respectively. Discussion and Conclusions: According to the results, the low toxicity and lethality of K. cytisoides compared to benznidazole suggests that the former could be used as a drug of choice for Chagas disease.