Natural Remedies in the Fight Against Parasites

carbohydrates specifically and reversibly. Hence, the lectins have great potential and value

in the study of glycoproteins, helping to comprehend the mechanisms of many physiological

and pathological processes [ 25 ]. The bonding between lectins and some protozoans’ sugars

is believed to cause interference in chemical or biological processes that eventually lead to

the death of these parasites. Therefore, lectin isolated from triatomine insect Rhodnius pro-

lixus (Reduviidae) showed to interfere on the life cycle of Trypanosoma rangelii effectively.

Apparently, carbohydrates on the surface of T. rangelii and T. cruzi cells interact with lec-

tins extracted from soy beans, Glycine max (Fabaceae), and castor-oil beans, Ricinus communis

(Euphorbiaceae), suggesting that they could be helpful to determinate the presence of T. cruzi

from the feces of R. prolixus, one of vectors of Chagas’ parasite [ 26 ].

3.2. Essential oils

It is evident that many medicinal plants from Artemisia genus (Asteraceae) have ethnopharma-

cological importance. The classic example refers to Artemisia annua that furnished artemisinin

(2) as aforementioned. Likewise, the species Artemisia absinthium L. (absinthe) had composition

and biological effects of the essential oil and the extracts widely studied. Different researchers

have demonstrated antimicrobial and antiprotozoal effects against T. cruzi, Leishmania aethi-

opica, Leishmania donovani, and Leishmania infantum.

Among the major constituents identified on A. absinthium essential oils, are (Figure 12 )

α-thujone (32), β-thujone (33), sabinene (34), β-pinene (35), myrcene (36), trans-sabinyl acetate

(37), 1,8-cineole (38), linalool (39), cis-epoxyocimene (40), artemisiaketone (41), camphor (42),

bornyl acetate (43), myrtenol (44), chrysanthenyl acetate (45) hydrocarbon monoterpenes, and

sesquiterpene lactones, depending on the plant origin, mixtures of these components could be

found in different ratio concentrations.

Figure 12. Some chemical constituents (32 – 51) of active plants essential oils.

108 Natural Remedies in the Fight Against Parasites