A compound derived from Nectandra leucantha, a tree native to southern Brazil (local names canela-seca or canela-branca), has the potential to be used to treat visceral leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease associated with poverty, malnutrition, poor housing and lack of basic sanitation.
The disease is almost always fatal if left untreated. Most cases occur in Brazil, East Africa and India, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). An estimated 50,000-90,000 new cases and 20,000-50,000 deaths occur worldwide annually, with only 25%-45% of cases being reported to WHO.
The disease is caused by a protozoan parasite transmitted by sandfly bite, and characterized by long bouts of fever, loss of weight and muscle strength, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anemia.
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