Microalgae extracts: Potential anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents?

Introduction: Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, has no effective treatment available. On the other hand, microalgae are aquatic organisms that constitute an interesting reservoir of biologically active metabolites. Moreover, some species of green and red algae present anti-protozoan activity. Our aim was to study the antiparasitic effects of aqueous, methanolic and ethanolic extracts from different microalgae. Methods and Results: : Our results show that the methanolic extracts of S. obliques and T. suecica as well as the ethanolic extracts of C. reinhardtii and T. suecica present trypanocidal activity on the infective extracellular trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. In addition, the ethanolic extract of C. reinhardtii potentiates the activity of the conventional antichagasic drug nifurtimox. In order to identify some potential compounds with trypanocidal activity, we performed a phytochemical screening analyzing the presence of phenolic compounds, pigments and terpenoids. Conclusion: The different microalgae extracts, particularly the ethanolic extract of C. reinhardtii, are promising potential candidates for the development of future natural antichagasic drugs.