Marine Algae as Source of Novel Antileishmanial Drugs: A Review

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus and transmitted by the female and sand flies. The currently prescribed therapies still rely on pentavalent antimonials, pentamidine, paromomycin, liposomal amphotericin B, and miltefosine. However,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Marine drugs 2017-10, Vol.15 (11), p.323
Main Authors:	Tchokouaha Yamthe, Lauve Rachel, Appiah-Opong, Regina, Tsouh Fokou, Patrick Valere, Tsabang, Nole, Fekam Boyom, Fabrice, Nyarko, Alexander Kwadwo, Wilson, Michael David
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Agents Algae Amphotericin B antileishmanial activity Biocompatibility Biological activity Drugs Leishmaniasis macroalgae marine algae Marine organisms Miltefosine Natural resources Parasite resistance Parasites Paromomycin Pentamidine Photosynthesis Protozoa Review Seaweeds Side effects Terrestrial environments Toxicity Tropical climate Tropical diseases Vaccines Vector-borne diseases
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Summary:	Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus and transmitted by the female and sand flies. The currently prescribed therapies still rely on pentavalent antimonials, pentamidine, paromomycin, liposomal amphotericin B, and miltefosine. However, their low efficacy, long-course treatment regimen, high toxicity, adverse side effects, induction of parasite resistance and high cost require the need for better drugs given that antileishmanial vaccines may not be available in the near future. Although most drugs are still derived from terrestrial sources, the interest in marine organisms as a potential source of promising novel bioactive natural agents has increased in recent years. About 28,000 compounds of marine origin have been isolated with hundreds of new chemical entities. Recent trends in drug research from natural resources indicated the high interest of aquatic eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms, marine algae in the search for new chemical entities given their broad spectrum and high bioactivities including antileishmanial potential. This current review describes prepared extracts and compounds from marine macroalgae along with their antileishmanial activity and provides prospective insights for antileishmanial drug discovery.
ISSN:	1660-3397 1660-3397