A Novel Function for Kojic Acid, a Secondary Metabolite from Aspergillus Fungi, as Antileishmanial Agent

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091259
• Publication Date: 2014-03-12T20:40:26Z
• Authors: Ana Paula D. Rodr...; Luis Henrique S. ...; Antonio Sérgio C....; Alberdan S. Santos; José Luiz M. do N...; Edilene O. Silva
• Keywords: Kojic acid; Amastigote; IC50

Kojic acid (KA) is a fungal metabolite used as topical treatment skin-whitening cosmetic agent for melasma in humans; however its potential an anti-leishmanial unknown. Chemotherapy one of the most effective treatments Leishmaniasis. However, drugs available are expensive, invasive, require long-term and have severe side effects. Thus, development new leishmanicidal agents necessity. In this study we investigated effect KA on L. amazonensis, following vitro vivo infections. (50 μg/mL) was found to decrease growth by 62% (IC50 34 79% 27.84 promastigotes amastigotes vitro, respectively. Ultrastructural analysis KA-treated showed presence vesicles bodies into flagellar pocket, intense intracellular vacuolization swelling mitochondrion. During interaction parasites host cell, reverses superoxide anions (O2-) inhibitory mechanism promoted parasite. addition, 4 weeks after KA-topical formulation infected animals, healing process observed with high production collagen fibers parasite burden. these results demonstrated great compound.