(-)-Epigallocatechin 3--Gallate as a New Approach for the Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Abstract

In addition to generating side effects and resistance, treatment for visceral leishmaniasis remains mostly ineffective and expensive, and it has a long duration. Thus, natural products are an important alternative for treatment of the disease. In this study, we demonstrate theandactivity of (-)-epigallocatechin 3--gallate () against. Compoundreduced the infection index with an ECvalue of 2.6 μM. Oral administration ofon-infected BALB/c mice was capable to reduce the liver-parasite load with a EDand EDvalue of 12.4 and 21.5 mg/kg/day, respectively. Together, the results demonstratedas a new compound for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.