Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. exhibits promising in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity against Leishmania major infection
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.39.3.011
- Author:
Alanazi, A.D.
1
;
Albalawi, A.E.
2
;
Almohammed, H.I.
3
;
Shater, A.F.
4
Author Information
1. Departmentof Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, P.O. Box 1040, Ad-Dawadimi 11911, Saudi Arabia
2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47912, Saudi Arabia
3. Department of Basic Science, Almaarefa University, Riyadh 11597, Saudi Arabia
4. Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Leishmaniasis;
herbal medicines;
promastigote;
amastigote;
apoptosis
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2022;39(No.3):412-420
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This study aimed to consider the in vitro and in vivo effects of the Stachys lavandulifolia methanolic
extract (SLME) (2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 µg/mL) against Leishmania major infection. The in vitro
antileishmanial effects of SLME was studies on promastigote and amastigote forms of L. major. The
effect of SLME on the nitric oxide (NO) and apoptosis, secretion of Th1/2 cytokines, and infectivity rate
in macrophages cells were also studies. The cytotoxicity of SLME on human (THP-1) and murine (J774-A1
cell) macrophage cells was investigated through the measuring the 50% cytotoxic concentrations (CC50).
Moreover, the in vivo effects of SLME for healing the cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) lesions in infected
BALB/c mice studied by assessing the lesions size and the parasite load during four weeks of treatment.
The calculated 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) valuesfor SLME and meglumine antimoniate (MA)
against the promastigote stage were 23.4 and 71.1 µg/mL, respectively. For amastigote stage, the IC50
values for SLME and MA were 39.3 µg/mL and 44.3 µg/mL, respectively. Followed by 28 days’ topically
therapy with SLME at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day, the CL lesions size as well as parasite load were
significantly (p<0.001) reduced; such that the recovery percentage of the infected mice was 80% and
97% after treatment with SLME at the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively. SLME also markedly
induced the NO production and apoptosis; whereas decreased infection rate in macrophage cells. After
incubation of infected macrophages with SLME, the level interferon gamma was meaningfully (p<0.001)
elevated as a dose-dependent response; in contrast, release of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and IL-4 markedly
(p<0.001) decreased. The CC50 value for SLME against THP-1 and J774-A1 cell was 996.4 µg/mL and
741.3 µg/mL, respectively. The calculated selectivity index of >10 for SLME and MA confirmed their
specificity to amastigotes and the low toxicity for macrophages. Our results showed the potent effects
of SLME in eliminating and controlling Leishmania parasites in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Based
on the current experimental study, SLME can be suggested as an alternative medicine for the isolation
and production of a new agent for treating CL caused by L. major. Although, we found some cellular
mechanisms of SLME against Leishmania parasites, but, additional surveys are necessary to specify the
accurate mechanisms of action, toxicity, and its efficacy mainly in human subjects.
- Full text:8.2022my1356.pdf
