The polar hydroethanolic extract from
Selaginella sellowii
(SSPHE) has been previously proven active on intracellular
amastigotes (in vitro test) and now was tested on hamsters infected with
Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis
(in vivo test). SSPHE suppressed a 100% of the parasite load in the infection site and draining lymph nodes
at an intralesional dose of 50 mg/kg/day × 5, which was similar to the results observed in hamsters treated with
N-methylglucamine antimonate (Sb) (28 mg/Kg/day × 5). When orally administered, SSPHE (50 mg/kg/day × 20)
suppressed 99.2% of the parasite load in infected footpads, while Sb suppressed 98.5%. SSPHE also enhanced the
release of nitric oxide through the intralesional route in comparison to Sb. The chemical fingerprint of SSPHE by
high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and tandem mass spectrometry showed the
presence of biflavonoids and high molecular weight phenylpropanoid glycosides. These compounds may have a
synergistic action in vivo. Histopathological study revealed that the intralesional treatment with SSPHE induced an
intense inflammatory infiltrate, composed mainly of mononuclear cells. The present findings reinforce the potential
of this natural product as a source of future drug candidates for American cutaneous leishmaniasis.
