Infections by protozoans of the genus Leishmania are the major worldwide health problem, with high
endemicity in developing countries. The drugs of choice for the treatment of leishmaniasis are the pentavalent
antimonials, which exert renal and cardiac toxicity. Thus, there is a strong need for safer and more effective treatments
against leishmaniasis. The present study was designated to evaluate, by a bioguided assay, the leishmanicidal activity of
hidro-ethanolic extracts from different parts (leves, caule and root) of one same plant the Arrabidaea brachypoda (DC.)
Bureau. Its has been used to relieve general pain, painful joints and kidney stones in Brazilian folk medicine.
Nevertheless, scientific information regarding this species is scarce; there are no reports related to its possible
leishmanicidal activity. The leves extract presented the best activity on promastigotes forms of Leishmania (L.)
amazonensis, when compared to the other extracts. It showed significant activity on Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. Our
results are promising, showing that these compounds are biologically active on Leishmania (L.) amazonensis.
