Leishmania mexicana cell death achieved by Cleoserrata serrata (Jacq.) Iltis: Learning from Maya healers

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Aerial parts of Cleoserrata serrata (Jacq.) Iltis are widely used in South-Central Mexico to treat wounds and bacterial skin infections and in Panama by Kuna, Ngobe-Bugle, and Teribe Indians for tropical warm baths and by Kunas in the form of “ Ina kuamakalet ” for snakebites. Aims of the study To evaluate the effect of Cleoserrata serrata extract on growth and viability of L. mexicana amastigotes and promastigotes in vitro, as well as on bacteria that usually co-infect skin ulcers. Materials and methods Cleoserrata serrata was collected in La Chontalpa, Tabasco, Mexico. The antiproliferative effect of the extract was tested on growth of Leishmania mexicana amastigotes and promastigotes in vitro, as well as on bacteria that usually co-infect skin ulcers. Results Our data show that Cleoserrata serrata significantly inhibits parasite growth (which was more important in infective amastigotes) and additionally inhibits growth of the co-infective bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Confocal microscopy showed a leishmanicidal effect. Conclusion We conclude that Cleoserrata serrata extract is potentially an optimal treatment alternative for patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis infected with Leishmania mexicana, since it controls both the parasite as well as bacterial co-infections. Furthermore, it can be applied topically. The precise metabolites responsible for the anti- Leishmania and anti-bacterial effects remain to be established.