The Search for Drugs Derived from Natural Products for Toxoplasma gondii Infection Treatment in the Last 20 Years - A Systematic Review

Title:The Search for Drugs Derived from Natural Products for Toxoplasma gondii Infection Treatment in the Last 20 Years - A Systematic Review

Volume: 22

Author(s): Fabielle Marques-Santos, Robson Xavier Faria*Maria Regina Reis Amendoeira

Affiliation:

• Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

Abstract:

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide distributed zoonosis caused by Toxo-plasma gondii (T. gondii), an obligate intracellular protozoan. The infection in immunocompetent hosts usually progresses with mild or no symptoms. However, in immunocompromised individu-als, this disease can cause severe or fatal symptoms.

Method: Sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine are two drugs used as standard therapies for human toxoplasmosis. Although they do not cause chronic infection, they may cause hematological tox-icity, hypersensitivity, intolerance, teratogenic effects, gastrointestinal disorders, and bone mar-row suppression.

Result: The limited effect, significant toxicity, and emerging resistance to current drugs available to treat T. gondii infections require investigating other effective, nontoxic, and well-tolerated al-ternatives. Medicinal plants are, traditionally, the most promising sources used to treat infectious diseases.

Conclusion: This review provides data on new therapeutic and prophylactic methods for T. gondii infection based on the use of extracts and/or compounds derived from natural products, which have been reported to be useful as alternative treatment options in the last 20 years.

Cite this article as:

Marques-Santos Fabielle, Faria Robson Xavier*, Amendoeira Maria Regina Reis, The Search for Drugs Derived from Natural Products for Toxoplasma gondii Infection Treatment in the Last 20 Years - A Systematic Review, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2022; 22 () . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0115680266299409240606062235