Alinejad S, Khademvatan S, Amani S, Asadi N, Tappeh KH, Yousefi E, Miandoabi T. The Effect of Curcumin on the Expression of INFγ, TNF-α, and iNOS Genes in PBMCs Infected with
Leishmania major [MRHO/IR/75/ER].
Infect Disord Drug Targets 2022;
22:83-89. [PMID:
35379161 DOI:
10.2174/1871526522666220404083220]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Leishmaniasis, caused by the Leishmania parasite, is one of the most important tropical neglected diseases. The urgent search for effective, inexpensive, and preferably herbal anti-leishmanial agents, is needed.
OBJECTIVE
Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound derived from turmeric that is well known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-cancer activity.
METHODS
The present work evaluates the anti-leishmanial [Leishmania major] activity of curcumin. The infected PBMCs were treated with curcumin. The ROS level at 6, 12, 24 h and gene expression levels at 24, 48, and 72 h of PBMCs after treatment with curcumin were determined.
RESULTS
Based on the results, the curcumin concentrations of 268 μM [24 h] and 181.2 μM [72 h] were defined as IC50 against L. major promastigotes. Treatment of L. major infected-peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] with IC50 concentrations of curcumin, depending on exposure time, significantly induced the reactive oxygen species [ROS] generation and increased the expression levels of interferongamma [IFN-γ], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], and nitric oxide synthase [iNOS] genes.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest the potential of curcumin against Leishmaniasis.
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