Botanical compounds: A promising control strategy against Trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. It is a major health threat that affects 6-8 million people annually around the globe. Chagas disease is of zoonotic importance, infecting more than 100 species of sylvatic and domestic mammals. There are only two antibiotic drugs available for the treatment of this disease i.e., Benznidazole and Nifrutimox. Somehow, the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi has developed resistance against these available drugs. There is a need to develop new drugs for the prevention and treatment of Chagas disease. Research proves that botanical compounds can be effective against T. cruzi. Botanicals have shown potent results against bloodstream trypomastigotes, epimastigotes, amastigotes, and trypomastigotes stages of the T. cruzi. Botanical compounds of chalcones, phenolics, alkaloids, terpenoids, benzoic acids, and quinones have been proven to target T. cruzi directly. Direct mechanisms involve DNA damage, energy pathways disturbance, and disrupting cell membranes.