Cytotoxic and anti-kinetoplastid potential of the essential oil of Alpinia speciosa K. Schum

摘要

Alpinia speciosaK. Schum, known as col?nia (colony), is native to tropical Asia and found in parts of tropical America. Its leaves are used to wrap food, rhizomes for food preparation and seeds for health maintenance, and have been widely used by the population as a diuretic, antihypertensive, antiulcerogenic and sedative. The present study aimed to verify the leishmanicidal and trypanocidal potential, as well as the cytotoxicity, of theA. speciosaessential oil,in vitro.A. speciosapresented 1,8-cineole (28.46%), camphor (17.10%) and sabinene (9.95%) as major constituents. The cytotoxic activity of the essential oil presented a low value, while the antipromastigote and antiepimastigote activity presented values considered clinically relevant, since it had an action below 500?μg/mL. In relation to this study, it can be concluded that this is a pioneer in the potential of theA. speciosaessential oil and in the use against the parasitesTrypanosoma cruziChagas andLeishmania brasiliensisVianna, having its importance also rooted in this fact. Still in accordance with the results,A. speciosawas effective because it presented values of clinical relevance and low toxicity. It was also observed that the chemical constitution of the above identified compounds with remarkable antiparasitic activities.