TY - EJOU AU - Turgumbayeva, Aknur AU - Ustenova, Gulbaram AU - Datkhayev, Ubaidilla AU - Rahimov, Khairolla AU - Abramavicius, Silvijus AU - Tunaityte, Agile AU - Zhakipbekov, Kairat AU - Kozhanova, Kaldanay AU - Tulemissov, Saken AU - OzikhanUstenova, AU - Datkayeva, Gulmira AU - Stankevicius, Edgaras TI - Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius L.) a Potential Source of Drugs against Cryptococcal Infections, Malaria and Leishmaniasis T2 - Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany PY - 2020 VL - 89 IS - 1 SN - 1851-5657 AB - In this research we present that Carthamus Tinctorius L. (gen. Asteraceae, otherwise known as Safflower) (Fig. 1) may contain agents active in Cryptococcal infections, malaria and Leishmaniasis, as treatment options are becoming scarce due to drug resistance development. Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities (antimicrobial, antimalarial, antileishmanial) of C. tinctorius L. were analyzed. The composition of volatile oil of safflower dried flowers was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and in vitro sensitivity assays were performed to assess biological activity. 8 known and 3 unknown compounds were detected in the extract (Fig. 1). Then the Safflower ointment was manufactured and its acute toxicity study on rats was tested. The volatile oil of C. tinctorius L exhibited activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania donovani. Safflower volatile oil has anticryptococcal, antimalarial and antileishmanial effects. The prepared ointment had an excellent acute toxicity safety profile. KW - Carthamus tinctorius L.; Safflower; volatile oil; GC-FID; biological activity DO - 10.32604/phyton.2020.07665