Anti-infective activity of Cratylia argentea lectin (CFL) against experimental infection with virulent Listeria monocytogenes in Swiss mice

•The lectin from C. argentea (CFL) enhance anti-inflammatory properties after infection with virulent L. monocytogenes.•CFL induced bactericidal activity within peritoneal macrophages from infected mice.•Treatments with CFL reduced the bacterial burden in bloodstreams, spleen and liver after infection.•CFL does not exert direct antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes.•Histological damage in the spleen and liver was lower in mice que received CFL treatments.