The marine sponge, Dendrilla membranosa, produces a series of compounds with varying degrees of biological activity against the parasite Leishmania donovani. USF researchers have developed novel therapeutic compositions from these isolated anti-Leishmania agents. These compounds lack significant toxicity when tested against cell cultures, suggesting potential for decreased side-effects on healthy tissues. The current challenge of drug resistant parasite strains and the adverse side effects are overcome with these novel compounds, which may be a great clinical benefit for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
The Antarctic Sponge, Dendrilla Membranosa, from which the Parasite Killing Compounds are Isolated