A terpenoid-rich extract from Clethra fimbriata exhibits anti- Trypanosoma cru zi activity and induces T cell cytokine production.

Chagas disease, a worldwide public health concern, is a chronic infection caused by . Considering chronic persistence correlates with CD4 and CD8 T cell dysfunction and the safety and efficacy profiles of Benznidazol and Nifurtimox, the two drugs currently used for its etiological treatment, are far from ideal, the search of new trypanocidal treatment options is a highly relevant issue. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the trypanocidal effect and cytokine production induction of three extracts (hexane, dichloromethane and hydroalcoholic) obtained from , a plant traditionally used as a febrifuge in Colombia. Additionally, the extracts' major components with the highest trypanocidal activity were determined. It was evidenced hexane extract exhibited the highest activity capable of inhibiting the three parasite developmental stages with an IC/EC of 153.9 ± 29.5 (epimastigotes), 39.3 ± 7.2 (trypomastigotes), and 45.6 ± 10.5 (amastigotes) μg/mL, presenting a low cytotoxicity in VERO cells with a selectivity index ranging from 6.49 to 25.4. Moreover, this extract induced trypomastigote apoptotic death and inhibited parasite cell infection. The extract also induced IFN-γ and TNF production in CD4 and CD8 T cells, as well as production of the cytotoxic molecules granzyme B and perforin in CD8 T cells from healthy donors. Fatty acids and terpenes represented key compounds. Thus, the trypanocidal activity and cytokine production induction of the hexane extract may be associated with terpene presence, particularly, triterpenes.