31.3, 62.5, 125.0, 250.0 and 500.0 μg/mL of each extract. Then the inhibitory concentration of the parasite growth (IC 50 ) was determined. The effectiveness of J. triqueter, Dichorisandra sp and T. cinerea hydroalcoholic extracts to induce promastigotes death was intense since the IC 50 were 29.5; 32.9 and 43.6 μg/mL, respectively. P. edulis, C. ambrosioides and S. jambolanum extracts had moderated effectiveness since the IC 50 were 150.1; 151.9 and 166.6 μg/mL, respectively. P. tithymaloides and O. phalerata extracts showed a low effi cacy in comparison with IC 50 >500 μg/mL. Peristrophe angustifolia and Cecropia sp extracts had no leishmanicidal effect. Thus, three of the ten extracts that were tested showed a signifi cant in vitro leishmanicidal activity.

RESUMO:ABSTRACT: "In vitro leishmanicidal effect of Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Rich.) Vahl (Verbenaceae)". Leishmanicidal activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Stachytarpheta cayennensis, species that is usually employed in ulcers caused by Leishmania, was evaluated in vitro using Leishmania braziliensis and L. amazonensis promastigotes forms. The hydroalcoholic extract was prepared from dried leaves and used in L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis promastigotes cultures at concentrations of 500 to 32.5 g/mL. After 24 hours the promastigotes forms were quantifi ed and the IC 50 was calculated. The cytotoxicity of the extract was evaluated using peritoneal macrophages. The extract presented a dose and specie-dependent leishmanicidal effect to Leishmania promastigotes, mainly to the L. braziliensis ones. The cytotoxic effect was not observed in macrophage cultures. In conclusion, the hydroalcoholic extract of S. cayennensis inhibits the growing of Leishmania promastigotes forms in vitro accounting for the folk use of this vegetal in skin ulcers caused by Leishmania.