Investigating the effect of curcumin on the dissemination of Leishmania major in different organs of experimental infected Balb/C mice by quantitative PCR method

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran,

2 Research Center for Ticks and Tick-borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran

3 Faculty of Veterinary Medcine, University of Tehran

4 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran

5 Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran

Abstract


Background: Leishmaniasis is considered as a significant public health concern globally. It ranks as the second most prevalent parasitic disease following malaria.

Objectives: The side effects of the drugs used in the treatment of leishmaniasis and the development of resistance against these drugs have caused many researchers to find an alternative treatment method. The most effective methods in the treatment of protozoan parasitic infections, such as leishmaniasis, can be natural plant products. This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on the dissemination of leishmaniasis in different organs of mice.

Methods: Mice were experimentally infected with Leishmania major and placed in 6 groups. The control groups, the group treated with glucantime as the standard method, and the group treated with curcumin with three concentrations of 40 μM, 80 μM, and 120 μM. These mice's liver, spleen, heart, lung, and kidney were isolated and parasite dissemination in tissues was investigated using quantitative PCR. The intensity of PCR product deriving from the parasite was divided through the intensity of PCR product deriving from the mouse genome which was used as a marker for parasite burden in the organs using the SPSS program.

Results: The presence of Leishmania major amastigote bands was not detected in any of the examined groups within the heart, kidney, and lung tissues utilizing quantitative PCR. However, Leishmania bands were observed in the liver and spleen of the control groups and those administered glucantime. Notably, the parasite band was absent in the spleen of mice treated with curcumin. Furthermore, the infection burden in the liver of mice receiving curcumin and glucantime treatment was significantly lower compared to the untreated control group.

Conclusion: The quantitative PCR analysis of DNA extracted from the liver showed a reduction of parasite burden in comparison with control groups. Treatment with curcumin prevented the spread of Leishmania to the spleen, while Leishmania bands were detected in the spleen in mice treated with glucantime.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 05 May 2025

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