Jenny Menjívar

Prof. Jenny Menjívar


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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25 January 2024 in Plants
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Journal Article
Open access
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Marvin J NuñezMarvin J Nuñez
Marvin J Nuñez
MMMorena L Martinez
Morena L Martinez
Ulises G. CastilloUlises G. Castillo
Ulises G. Castillo
KFKarla Carolina Flores
Karla Carolina Flores
JMJenny Menjívar
Jenny Menjívar
Isabel L. BazzocchiIsabel L. Bazzocchi
Isabel L. Bazzocchi
Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are among the most widespread neglected tropical diseases, and their current therapies have limited efficacy and several toxic side effects. The present study reports the chemical and antikinetoplastid profiles of extracts from five Salvadoran Celastraceae species against the Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes stage and Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania donovani promastigote forms. The phytochemical profile evinced the presence of flavonoids, tannins, sterols, and triterpenes as the main components in all plant species, whereas quinonemethide triterpenoids (QMTs) were restricted to the root bark of the studied species. Antikinetoplastid evaluation highlights the root bark extracts from Zinowewia integerrima, Maytenus segoviarum, and Quetzalia ilicina as the most promising ones, exhibiting higher potency against T. cruzi (IC50 0.71–1.58 µg/mL) and L. amazonensis (IC50 0.38–2.05 µg/mL) than the reference drugs, benznidazole (IC50 1.81 µg/mL) and miltefosine (IC50 2.64 µg/mL), respectively. This potent activity was connected with an excellent selectivity index on the murine macrophage J774A.1 cell line. These findings reinforce the potential of QMTs as antikinetoplastid agents for the development of innovative phytopharmaceuticals and the plant species under study as a source of these promising lead compounds.