In VitroEvaluation of Antiprotozoal and Antiviral Activities of Extracts from ArgentineanMikaniaSpecies
The aim of this study was to investigate the antiprotozoal and antiviral activities of four ArgentineanMikaniaspecies. The organic and aqueous extracts ofMikania micrantha, M. parodii, M. periplocifolia,andM. cordifoliawere tested onTrypanosoma cruziepimastigotes,Leishmania braziliensispromastigotes, and dengue virus type 2. The organic extract ofM. micranthawas the most active againstT. cruziandL. braziliensisexhibiting a growth inhibition of77.6±4.5% and84.9±6.1%, respectively, at a concentration of 10 μg/ml. The bioguided fractionation ofM. micranthaorganic extract led to the identification of two active fractions. The chromatographic profile and infrared analysis of these fractions revealed the presence of sesquiterpene lactones. None of the tested extracts were active against dengue virus type 2.