Combination and monotherapy of Leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice using plant extracts and herbicides.
Loading...
Date
2012-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Background & objectives: Leishmaniasis is a growing health problem in many parts of the world. Efforts to find new chemotherapeutics for leishmaniasis remain a priority. This study was carried out to determine the effect of
combination and monotherapies using plant extracts and herbicides on Leishmania major infection in BALB/c
mice.
Methods: The herbicides and saponin extract were purchased from Sigma. Roots of Plumbago capensis were
collected from Karura forest, Nairobi, Kenya. Plant extractions were done in KEMRI at Center for Traditional
Medicines and Drugs Research.
Results: Lesion sizes after infection of BALB/c mice were similar in all the experimental groups till the onset of
therapeutic treatments (p >0.05). At 15 days post-treatment, significant differences (p < 0.05) were discerned in
the lesion sizes of the BALB/c mice in all the mono- and combined-treated groups. However, the combined
therapies caused total elimination of the parasites from the lesions and significantly reduced parasite burden in
liver and spleen compared to the untreated controls at the end of the experiment.
Interpretation & conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that combination therapy using alternative
administration of saponin, acriflavine, trifluralin and plumbagin is effective in treating L. major infection in
mice. In this regard, an investigation into the efficacy of these combined therapies against other Leishmania
strains should be explored further. Furthermore, studies with these combination therapies should be done on non-human primates such as the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops).
Description
Keywords
Antileishmanial activity, herbicides, Leishmania major, plant extracts
Citation
Makwali Judith A, Wanjala Frederick M E, Kaburi Josyline C, Ingonga Johnstone, Byrum Wabwoba W, Anjili Christopher O. Combination and monotherapy of Leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice using plant extracts and herbicides. Journal of Vector Borne Diseases. 2012 Sept; 49(3): 123-130.