inhibitory effect of Lam. extracts over and on different stages of the chlamydial life cycle.

Chlamydial infections in humans are widely distributed and are responsible for a variety of acute and chronic diseases. Both and can lead to chronic conditions that have been linked to complications and sequelae. This study aimed to develop a culture method in order to detect antichlamydial activity of different extracts obtained from native Argentinian plants used as antimicrobials in local ethnomedicine and to evaluate their inhibitory activity over and growth. The inhibitory activity over different stages of the chlamydial life cycle on cell culture was assessed: the entry, the inclusion developing after entry, and the exponential growth stage. Also, the capability of rendering the cell refractory to chlamydial infection by pre-incubation with the extracts was assayed. Inhibitory activity of water-based and organic-based extracts obtained from Lam. (Araliaceae), (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) and (Mutis ex L.f.) Baill. (Violaceae) were tested against five strains of (L2/434/BU and four clinical isolates form both neonatal conjunctivitis and adult genital infections, genotypes D, E, and K) and against AR39. The dichloromethane extract showed a broad inhibitory activity over the exponential growth stage of and independently from the chlamydial strain and the cell line. These results suggest a high inhibitory potential on both species. In order to characterize the dichloromethane active extract, an H-NMR was performed. The H-NMR characterization showed a spectrum with characteristic signals of the fatty acid moiety of lipids or cerebrosides, volatile phenolics, phytosterols, methyl triterpenes signals, and glucose moiety of the cerebrosides.