The aminoaldehydes 4-aminobutanal and 5-aminopentanal, derived from the oxidation of the diamines putrescine and cadaverine, and 1-(3-aminopropyl)-4- aminobutanal and aminodialdehyde, derived from the oxidation of the polyamines spermidine and spermine, were produced utilizing a copper amine oxidase (CAO) from Euphorbia characias latex and tested with in vitro cultivation of Leishmania infantum promastigotes. Whereas the aminoaldehydes derived from the oxidation of the diamines were stimulating factors for growth of Leishmania infantum promastigotes, the aldehydes derived from polyamines oxidation had a drastic inhibitory effect on the vitality and growth of these parasites. Thus, a double scenario arises, showing the use of aldehydes from diamines to obtain a large number of organisms of Leishmania infantum promastigotes to use in serological studies, whereas the aldehydes derived from polyamines could be used as a new strategy for therapeutic treatment against these parasites. © 2009 Birkhäuser Boston.

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