Anti-Leishmanial Activity (In Vitro and InVivo) of Allicin and Allicin Cream UsingLeishmania major (Sub-strain ZymowmeLON4) and Balb/c Mice
Metwally, Dina M. . 2016
Abstract
Background
Leishmania is a unicellular protozoan parasite that produces several human diseases, rangingfrom localized self-healing cutaneous lesions to deadly visceral infections.
Objectives
The effect of allicin on the growth of Leishmania major (L.major) promastigotes was evaluated under in vitro conditions. Moreover, the efficacy of a topical allicin cream was examined in BALB/c (Bagg albino, laboratory-bred strain of the House Mouse) mice with cutaneous leishmanial lesions compared to the currently used drug, sodiumstibogluconate (pentostam).
Methods
Cytotoxicity and promastigote proliferation were measured. Different concentrations (50, 100, 150, and 200 μM) of liquid allicin were tested on L. majorpromastigotes twice: after 24 and 48 hours using an MTT colorimetric assay. In the in vivo condition, the efficacies of allicin cream and liquid allicin at two concentrations (0.15 μM/mouse and 0.30 μM/mouse) were evaluated. Serum factors of the control and treated groups were tested to evaluate the toxic effects of allicin on the liver and kidney.
Results
Allicin at a concentration of 50 μM inhibited the growth of Leishmania promastigotes. Topicalapplication of allicin cream reduced lesion sizes in mice. No significant differences in biochemical analysis were observed between the control and treated groups.
Conclusions
Allicin has antileishmanial effects under in vitro and in vivo conditions and may be used in clinical applications.
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