In vitro Anti-epimastigote Activity of some Iranian Medicinal Plants

Some medicinal plants are a potential source of new drugs, in order to improve the treatment of Chagas disease whose treatment is still a challenge. In this study, the in vitro anti-epimastigote activity of certain fractions of Achillea biebersteinii, A. millefolium, Satureja mutica and S. macrantha was evaluated. Diethyl ether fractions of Achillea species and acetone fractions of Satureja species were the most active fractions (MLC=12.5 ?g/ml) against the epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the ethiological agent causing Chagas disease. The trypanocidal activity seems to be decreased by fractionation, using MeOH and water as the solvents. The results obtained from assay revealed that Achillea and Satureja species could be a source of active trypanocidal compounds.