The study found that natural compound 2'-hydroxyflavanone treats leishmaniasis infection

Current treatment options for parasitic leishmaniasis are largely ineffective, expensive, and often plagued by resistant parasites and side effects. Now, researchers have shown that natural flavonoids are effective in treating Amazon infection with Amazon (Leishmania amazonensis) infection.

Leishmaniasis is an epidemic in 98 countries affecting more than 12 million people worldwide. Pentavalent sputum can be treated, but many Leishmania parasites have developed resistance to sputum chemotherapy. Flavonoids - a group of natural compounds isolated from fruits, vegetables, wines and coffee - are considered promising candidates for the treatment of leishmaniasis. 2'-hydroxyflavanone (2HF) is part of a class of flavonoids found in citrus fruits and is currently being investigated for its use in cancer chemotherapy.

In this new work, Elmo Almeida-Amaral of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil and colleagues studied the effects of 2HF on wild-type and anti-caries Amazonian parasite cells and continued to test the effectiveness of the compound. Mice were treated with the Amazon infection method.

2HF prevents the proliferation of Amazon parasites in its free-living form and in the form of infection of human cells in two Amazonian influenza strains. In addition, 2HF reduced the total number of parasites in infected mice and reduced the size of lesions caused by skin-like leishmaniasis. No side effects were seen in the treated mice.

The researchers said: "Considering that 2HF reduces lesion size and parasite load without affecting the overall health of infected mice, we recommend this compound as a potential candidate for leishmaniasis chemotherapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis. "The study should be conducted to determine the optimal dosage and treatment regimen."