New Leishmaniasis Findings from Federal University Pernambuco (UFPE)

Researchers from Federal University Pernambuco (UFPE) in Brazil have discovered a new therapeutic strategy for treating leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease that affects millions worldwide. The researchers found that a combination of manganese porphyrins (MnPs) and ascorbate (Asc) exhibits antileishmanial effects through oxidative stress, providing a promising alternative for treating this disease. The study, published in Acs Infectious Diseases, demonstrated that the MnP ethyl/Asc treatment reduced the infection index by about 58% and the number of amastigotes per macrophage by 42% in Leishmania major parasites.

Key Takeaways:

• Manganese porphyrins (MnPs) have demonstrated therapeutic potential in various oxidative stress-based diseases/ailments due to their redox-modulating properties.
• The combination of MnP ethyl and ascorbate (Asc) exhibited significant reduction in promastigote growth: 88% for Leishmania major, 43% for Leishmania infantum, and 37% for Leishmania brasiliensis after 48 h.
• The MnP ethyl/Asc treatment generated about 300% more reactive oxygen species (ROS) than the untreated control and induced mitochondrial membrane potential (DPSm) depolarization.
• Catalase addition restored parasite survival, confirming hydroxyl radical (HO) as the primary mediator of the MnP ethyl/Asc effect.
• The MnP ethyl/Asc treatment exhibited minimal cytotoxicity on mammalian cells.
• The researchers concluded that MnP ethyl/Asc exerted an antileishmanial effect through oxidative stress, providing a promising alternative for preclinical evaluation.

Statistics:

• 88% reduction in promastigote growth: Leishmania major parasites after 48 h with MnP ethyl/Asc treatment.
• 43% reduction in promastigote growth: Leishmania infantum parasites after 48 h with MnP ethyl/Asc treatment.
• 37% reduction in promastigote growth: Leishmania brasiliensis parasites after 48 h with MnP ethyl/Asc treatment.
• 58% reduction in infection index: Leishmania major parasites after 24 h with MnP ethyl/Asc treatment.
• 42% reduction in number of amastigotes per macrophage: Leishmania major parasites after 24 h with MnP ethyl/Asc treatment.
• 300% increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation compared to untreated control.

Sources:

• NewsRx. New Leishmaniasis Findings from Federal University Pernambuco (UFPE) Described [Mn(III) Porphyrin MnTE-2-PyP5+ Associated with Ascorbate: A Redox-Active Therapeutic Strategy against Leishmaniasis]. World Disease Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 65.
• Acs Infectious Diseases. Mn(III) Porphyrin MnTE-2-PyP5+ Associated with Ascorbate: A Redox-Active Therapeutic Strategy against Leishmaniasis.