The antileishmanial effects of Lowsonia inermis and Cedrus libani on Leishmania major promastigotes: an in vitro study

Semen Cannabis and Oleum Hyperici: Antileishmanial activity against Leishmania tropica promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes

The exploration of alternative agents and novel drug candidates for the effective treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis has garnered significant attention, driven by the high cost, toxic effects, and the emergence of drug resistance associated with current therapeutic options. Plant extracts derived from Semen Cannabis, the seeds of the Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) plant, and Oleum Hyperici, the oily macerate of Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's Wort) plant, were prepared by using solvents of varying polarity (n-hexane, chloroform, ethanol, and 60% aqueous ethanol). The primary objective of this study was to research in vitro and ex vivo antileishmanial efficacy of Semen Cannabis and Oleum Hyperici plant extracts against Leishmania tropica promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. The efficacy of plant extracts against promastigotes were assessed using the cell counting by hemocytometer and the CellTiter-Glo assay. Additionally, their impact on infected THP-1 macrophages and the quantity of intracelluler amastigotes were investigated. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in THP-1 macrophages. Among the tested plant extracts, chloroform extract of Oleum Hyperici demonstrated significant antileishmanial activity against promastigotes (SI: 12.6) and intracellular amastigotes (SI: 16.8) of L. tropica without inducing cytotoxic effects and hold promise for further investigation as potential antileishmanial agents.

Therapeutic potential of Lawsonia inermis Linn: a comprehensive overview

Lawsonia inermis Linn, commonly known as henna, is a member of the Lythraceae family and has been found to contain a variety of compounds with both industrial and medicinal applications in its stem, bark, roots, flowers, and seeds. This report provides a comprehensive review of the bioactive components, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacological side effects of Lawsonia inermis. Relevant materials were gathered from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science and reviewed for important properties and updates about the plant. Lawsonia inermis contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, coumarins, triterpenoids, steroids, xanthones, polyphenols, fatty acids, alkaloids, quinones, tannins, leucocyandin, epicatechin, catechin, and quercetin. The plant is been traditionally used to treat numerous conditions, including ulcers, bronchitis, lumbago, hemicrania, leukoderma, scabies, boils, ophthalmic disorders, hair loss, and jaundice. It has also been found to possess a range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiparasitic, hepatoprotective, antifungal, antitumor, wound healing, and hypoglycemic effects. The potential of Lawsonia inermis for various biological applications is promising, and further studies are needed to fully explore its therapeutic benefits for various diseases of public health. Concern advances in drug development could enable the characterization of various bioactive constituents and facilitate their development and application for the benefit of humanity.

Therapeutic effect of curcumin nanoemulsion on cystic echinococcosis in BALB/c mice: a computerized tomography (CT) scan and histopathologic study evaluation

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin nanoemulsion (CUR-NE) in mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto protoscoleces.

METHODS

Forty-two inbred BALB/c mice were divided into seven groups of six animals each. Six groups were inoculated intra-peritoneally with 1500 viable E. granulosus protoscoleces, followed for six months and used as infected groups. The infected groups were named as: CEI1 to CEI6 accordingly. The 7th group was not inoculated and was named cystic echinococcosis noninfected group (CENI7). CEI1 and CEI2 groups received 40 mg/kg/day and 20 mg/kg/day curcumin nanoemulsion (CUR-NE), respectively. CEI3 received nanoemulsion without curcumin (NE-no CUR), CEI4 received curcumin suspension (CUR-S) 40 mg/kg/day, CEI5 received albendazole 150 mg/kg/day and CEI6 received sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). CENI7 group received CUR-NE 40 mg/kg/day. Drugs administration was started after six months post-inoculations of protoscoleces and continued for 60 days in all groups. The secondary CE cyst area was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) scan for each mouse before treatment and on the days 30 and 60 post-treatment. The CT scan measurement results were compared before and after treatment. After the euthanasia of the mice on the 60th day, the cyst area was also measured after autopsy and, the histopathological changes of the secondary cysts for each group were observed. The therapeutic efficacy of CUR-NE in infected groups was evaluated by two methods: CT scan and autopsied cyst measurements.

RESULTS

Septal calcification in three groups of infected mice (CEI1, CEI2, and CEI4) was revealed by CT scan. The therapeutic efficacy of CUR-NE 40 mg/kg/day (CEI1 group) was 24.6 ± 26.89% by CT scan measurement and 55.16 ± 32.37% by autopsied cysts measurements. The extensive destructive effects of CUR-NE 40 mg/kg/day (CEI1 group) on the wall layers of secondary CE cysts were confirmed by histopathology.

CONCLUSION

The current study demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect of CUR-NE (40 mg/kg/day) on secondary CE cysts in BALB/c mice. An apparent septal calcification of several cysts revealed by CT scan and the destructive effect on CE cysts observed in histopathology are two critical key factors that suggest curcumin nanoemulsion could be a potential treatment for cystic echinococcosis.

Antibacterial and anti-trichomunas characteristics of local landraces of Lawsonia inermis L

Background

Henna (Lawsonia inermis) with anti-bacterial properties has been widely used in traditional medicine especially Persian medicine. Henna oil is suggested for diseases of infectious origin, such as cervical ulcers. Group B Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and, Trichomonas vaginalis are involved in the infection of women especially cervicitis. Henna grows in dry and tropical regions. The main important landraces of henna landraces are cultivated in Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, and Bushehr provinces in Iran.

Proper use of antimicrobial agents, use of new antimicrobial strategies, and alternative methods, such as herbal methods may help reduce drug resistance in the future. This study’s objective was to investigate the anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of three different henna landraces and antimicrobial effects against group B Streptococcus agalactiae and, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Methods

Total phenol content was measured by Folin ciocaltu method. Antibacterial effect of landraces of Henna against P. aeruginosa and S. agalactiae were assayed by well diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration assessments were done using the broth micro-dilution technique. Anti-Trichomonas effect of Henna landraces were assayed by Hemocytometery method.

Results

Total phenol content of Shahdad, Rudbar-e-Jonub, and Qaleh Ganj was 206.51, 201.96, and 254.85 μg/ml, respectively. Shahdad, Rudbar-e-Jonub, and Qaleh Ganj had MIC against GBS at 15, 15 and, 4 μg/ml. The growth inhibition diameter of the most effective henna (Shahdad landrace) at a concentration of 20 μg/ml on P. aeruginosa was 2.46 ± 0.15 cm and in the MIC method at a concentration of 5 μg/ml of Shahdad landrace, P. aeruginosa did not grow. IC50 of shahdad Henna after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h was 7.54, 4.83 and 20.54 μg/ml, respectively. IC50 of Rudbar-e-Jonub extract was 5.76, 3.79 and 5.77 μg/ml in different days. IC50 of Qaleh Ganj extract was 6.09, 4.08 and 5.74 μg/ml in different days.

Conclusions

The amount of total phenol in Qaleh Ganj was higher than the other varieties. In the well diffusion method, Qaleh Ganj was more effective against group B Streptococcus (Gram-positive bacterium) than the other two landraces, and Shahdad landrace was more effective against P. aeruginosa (Gram-negative bacterium) than other. In the MIC method, the same result was obtained as in the well diffusion method, but at a lower concentration.

Novel Formula of Antiprotozoal Mixtures

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming more common in both bacteria and pathogenic protozoa. Therefore, new solutions are being sought as alternatives to currently used agents. There are many new ideas and solutions, especially compounds of natural origin, including essential oils. In the present study, the antiprotozoal activity of a mixture of essential oils (eucalyptus, lavender, cedar and tea tree), organic acids (acetic acid, propionic acid and lactic acid) and metal ions (Cu, Zn, Mn) were tested. As a model, protozoans were selected: Euglena gracilis, Gregarina blattarum, Amoeba proteus, Paramecium caudatum, Pentatrichomonas hominis. The tested concentrations of mixtures were in the range of 0.001-1.5%. The analyses show unexpected, very strong protozoicidal activity of combinations, presenting the synergy of compounds via determination of LD50 and LD100 values. Obtained mixtures showed significantly higher activity against protozoans, compared to chloramphenicol and metronidazole. Most of the analyzed samples show high antiprotozoal activity at very low concentration, in the range of 0.001-0.009%. The most effective combinations for all analyzed protozoans were the cedar essential oil and tea tree essential oil with a mixture of acids and manganese or zinc ions. Innovative combinations of essential oils, organic acids and metal ions are characterized by very high antiprotozoal activity at low doses, which, after further investigation, can be applicable for control of protozoan pathogens.

Target identification and intervention strategies against amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica is the etiological agent of amebiasis, which is an endemic parasitic disease in developing countries and is the cause of approximately 70,000 deaths annually. E. histolytica trophozoites usually reside in the colon as a non-pathogenic commensal in most infected individuals (90% of infected individuals are asymptomatic). For unknown reasons, these trophozoites can become virulent and invasive, cause amebic dysentery, and migrate to the liver where they cause hepatocellular damage. Amebiasis is usually treated either by amebicides which are classified as (a) luminal and are active against the luminal forms of the parasite, (b) tissue and are effective against those parasites that have invaded tissues, and (c) mixed and are effective against the luminal forms of the parasite and those forms which invaded the host's tissues. Of the amebicides, the luminal amebicide, metronidazole (MTZ), is the most widely used drug to treat amebiasis. Although well tolerated, concerns about its adverse effects and the possible emergence of MTZ-resistant strains of E. histolytica have led to the development of new therapeutic strategies against amebiasis. These strategies include improving the potency of existing amebicides, discovering new uses for approved drugs (repurposing of existing drugs), drug rediscovery, vaccination, drug targeting of essential E. histolytica components, and the use of probiotics and bioactive natural products. This review examines each of these strategies in the light of the current knowledge on the gut microbiota of patients with amebiasis.

Investigation of anti-leishmanial efficacy of miltefosine and ketoconazole loaded on nanoniosomes

Leishmaniasis is a group of parasitic disease caused by protozoa of Leishmania genus. Leishmania major accounts for the cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). The current treatments of this disease are expensive with high toxicity and are associated to difficulties of healing and parasite resistance. Miltefosine and ketoconazole have been found to be effective against CL. In this study, miltefosine- and ketoconazole-loaded nanoniosomes were prepared by the thin film-hydration method, and their anti-leishmanial effects against Leishmania major promastigotes and amastigotes were evaluated. The particle size and zeta potential of the nanoniosomes were determined. Release from the formulations showed enhanced and controlled dissolution of the drugs. The miltefosine- and ketoconazole-loaded nanoniosomes inhibited the growth of promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania major in vitro after 48 h of incubation and had IC₅₀ values of 53.39 ± 0.02 and 86.38 ± 0.07 μg mL^-1, respectively. The formulations provided improved anti-leishmanial activities for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.