F.F. Goncalves, I.J.S. Silva, R.T. Loureiro, J.M.S. Lima, S.L. Andrade, G.F. Silva and R.E.L. Procopio*
Published June 28, 2024
Genet. Mol. Res. 23 (2): gmr 19185
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.4238/gmr19185

About the Authors
F.F. Goncalves, I.J.S. Silva, R.T. Loureiro, J.M.S. Lima, S.L. Andrade, G.F. Silva and R.E.L. Procopio*

Corresponding author: 
R.E.L. Procopio
E-mail: rudiprocopio@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Plasmodium falciparum is an important parasite that causes malaria, which affects people in tropical and subtropical regions where it is an important public health problem. The genus Streptomyces is an important producer of antibiotics, in this context, the present work evaluates the antiplasmodial activity of Streptomyces isolated from sediments of the Madeira and Purus rivers. This activity was determined by using flow cytometry against the P. falciparum strain (FCR3), and by cytotoxicity tests on MRC5 and Vero cells. Streptomyces were able to inhibit P. falciparum FCR3 growth, with the best inhibition results obtained by the APUR32.5 and MPUR40.3 isolates. In fractionation obtained with ethyl acetate at a concentration of 3.12 μg/mL, the APUR32.5F isolate showed 84.5% inhibition, and the MPUR40.3F isolate showed 86.6% inhibition, in both cases superior to quinine (81.5%), with toxicity less than or equal to doxorubicin for both fractions. Streptomyces isolated from the Purus and Madeira rivers which are tributaries of the Amazon River, proved to be an important source of new compounds with antiplasmodial activity.

Key words: Streptomyces; Malaria; Antimalarial; Antiplasmodial; Plasmodium falciparum.