Evaluation of the in vitro schistosomicidal, leishmanicidal, and trypanocidal activities of the capsaicin metabolite, Capsicum frutescens, and Capsicum baccatum extracts and of their analysis of the main constituents by HPLC/UV and CG/MS

Abstract

Neglected tropical diseases are significant causes of death and temporary or permanent disability for millions living in developing countries. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for these diseases. Thus, this work aimed to conduct a chemical analysis using HPLC/UV and GC/MS to identify the major constituents of the hydroalcoholic extracts of Capsicum frutescens and Capsicum baccatum fruits, evaluating these extracts and their constituents’ schistosomicidal, leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activities. The results obtained for the extracts of C. frutescens are better when compared to those obtained for C. baccatum, which can be related to the different concentrations of capsaicin (1) present in the extracts. The lysis of trypomastigote forms results for capsaicin (1) led to a significant value of IC₅₀ = 6.23 µM. Thus, the results point to capsaicin (1) as a possible active constituent in these extracts.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• Capsicum genus
• capsaicinoids
• neglected tropical diseases

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.