Fungal Biodiversity From the Atlantic Forest With Bioactive Metabolites Against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Biodiversity offers a rich source of bioactive compounds for drug discovery. We isolated Aspergillus fumigatus from compost in the Atlantic Forest and found its extract active against Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Two crude extracts, I06 and I75, were selected for further study. I06 reduced parasite burden and infection rates in human (THP-1) and murine (BMDM) macrophages, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 1 µg/mL, similar to the reference drug pentamidine. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified extract components. I06-treated parasites showed morphological changes, Annexin V labeling, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating late apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species increased within 15 min of I06 exposure, faster than pentamidine. I06 was non-hemolytic in vitro and in vivo, and intraperitoneal treatment reduced lesion size and parasite load in mice. These findings support I06 as a promising candidate for leishmaniasis therapy and highlight microbial biodiversity as a valuable source of novel bioactive compounds.