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Masoori L, Khalaf AK, Ezzatkhah F, Balaña-Fouce R, Mahmoudvand H. Promising effects of 1,8 Cineole to control Giardia lamblia infection: Targeting the inflammation, oxidative stress, and infectivity. Acta Trop 2024; 255:107201. [PMID: 38604329 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Reportedly, synthetic drugs such as metronidazole, furazolidone, tinidazole, and quinacrine are used for the treatment of giardiasis but are associated with adverse effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of eucalyptol (ECT, 1,8 cineole) alone and in combination with metronidazole (MNZ) on Giardia lamblia. The effects of ECT on cell viability, plasma membrane permeability, and gene expression levels of adenylate cyclase (AK) and extracellular signal kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1 and ERK2) in trophozoites of G. lamblia were assessed. In vivo, the effects of ECT alone and in combination with MNZ were assessed on mice infected with G. lamblia. In addition, the gene expression of inflammatory genes (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10) and antioxidant genes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPX2)) was determined by real-time PCR. The IC50 values of ECT, MNZ, and ECT+MNZ on trophozoites were 30.2 µg/mL, 21.6 µg/mL, and 8.5 µg/mL, respectively. The estimated Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values for ECT and MNZ were 0.28 and 0.39, respectively. The application of ECT on G. lamblia trophozoites resulted in a dose-dependent increase in plasma membrane permeability, particularly at concentrations of ½ IC50 and IC50 (P < 0.05). The treatment of infected mice with various doses of ECT, mainly in combination with MNZ for 7 days, resulted in a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the average number and viability of cysts. ECT, especially when combined with MNZ, caused a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 genes, and an increase (P < 0.05) in the expression of IL-10 genes. ECT alone and mainly in combination with MNZ leads to a significant (P < 0.001) increase in the gene expression of CAT, SOD, and GPX genes. These findings demonstrate that the use of ECT in these doses, even for 14 days, does not have any toxic effects on the function of vital liver and kidney tissues. The study findings confirmed the promising effects of ECT against G. lamblia infection both in vitro and in vivo. Considering the possible mechanisms, ECT increases plasma membrane permeability and reduces the expression levels of infectivity-related genes. In addition, ECT suppresses inflammation and oxidative stress, controlling giardiasis in mice. More studies are needed to clarify these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Masoori
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Amal Khudair Khalaf
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Thiqar, Thiqar, Iraq
| | - Fatemeh Ezzatkhah
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León 24071 León, Spain
| | - Hossein Mahmoudvand
- Nutritional Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
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Ghasemian Yadegari J, Khudair Khalaf A, Ezzatkhah F, Shakibaie M, Mohammadi HR, Mahmoudvand H. Antileishmanial, cellular mechanisms, and cytotoxic effects of green synthesized zinc nanoparticles alone and in combined with glucantime against Leishmania major infection. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114984. [PMID: 37321058 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We decided to investigate the antileishmanial, cellular mechanisms, and cytotoxic effects of green synthesized Zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) alone and combined with glucantime against Leishmania major infection. METHODS The effect of green synthesized ZnNP on L. major amastigote was studied through macrophage cells. The mRNA expression level of iNOS and IFN-γ followed by the exposure of J774-A1 macrophage cells to ZnNPs was assessed by Real-time PCR. The Caspase-3-like activity of promastigotes exposed to ZnNPs was studied. Effects of ZnNPs alone and combined with glucantime (MA) were studied on cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. RESULTS ZnNPs displayed the spherical shape with sizes ranging from 30 to 80 nm. The obtained IC50 values for ZnNPs, MA, and ZnNPs + MA were 43.2, 26.3, and 12.6 µg/mL, respectively; indicating the synergistic effects of ZnNPs in combination with MA. CL lesions had completely improved in the mice received with ZnNPs in combination with MA. The mRNA expression level of iNOS, TNF-α, and IFN-γ was dose-dependently (p < 0.01) upregulated; whereas it was downregulated in IL-10. ZnNPs markedly stimulated the caspase-3 activation with no significant toxicity on normal cells. CONCLUSION Based on these in vitro and in vivo results, green synthesized ZnNPs, mainly along with MA, showed that has the potential to be introduced as a new drug for CL therapy. Triggering of NO production, and inhibition of infectivity rate are revealed as mechanisms of action ZnNPs on L. major. But, supplementary investigations are necessary to clear the efficacy and safety of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Ghasemian Yadegari
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Ezzatkhah
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Shakibaie
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Cosmetic Products Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Mohammadi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Hossein Mahmoudvand
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran; Molecular and Cellular Laboratory, School of Allied Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
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Ezzatkhah F, Mahmoudvand H, Raziani Y. The role of Curcuma longa essential oil in controlling acute toxoplasmosis by improving the immune system and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1161133. [PMID: 37249978 PMCID: PMC10214415 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1161133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chemotherapy with synthetic drugs is the principal approach for toxoplasmosis treatment; however, recent studies reported the limitations and adverse side effects of these chemical drugs. Objective This study aimed to examine the in vitro and in vivo effects of Curcuma longa essential oil (CLE) against the Toxoplasma gondii RH strain. Methods The in vitro effect of different concentrations of CLE on T. gondii tachyzoites was assessed by cell viability assay. Flow cytometry and apoptosis analysis were performed, and nitric oxide production by CLE was also evaluated in tachyzoites. BALB/c mice were orally treated with various doses (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg·kg-1·day-1) of CLE for 2 weeks. After the induction of acute toxoplasmosis in the mice, their survival rate and the mean number of peritoneal parasites were checked. The hepatic level of antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress markers was evaluated by commercial kits. The mRNA expression level of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Results CLE, especially at 50 µg/ml, showed potent inhibitory effects on T. gondii tachyzoites. It increased the survival rate (ninth day) and reduced the mean number of peritoneal tachyzoites in the infected mice. CLE dependently increased (p < 0.01) the number of necrotic and apoptotic cells as well as NO production. CLE significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the hepatic level of oxidative stress markers but increased (p < 0.001) the antioxidant enzymes and proinflammatory cytokines in the infected mice, with no important toxicity for vital organs. Conclusion The findings of this survey revealed the significant in vitro inhibitory effects of CLE on T. gondii tachyzoites. The results also exhibited promising in vivo effects of CLE. CLE improved the survival rate of infected mice and reduced the parasite number in them. Although the mechanisms of action of CLE are not clear, our study demonstrated its beneficial effects on acute toxoplasmosis by strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Still, more studies are required to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Ezzatkhah
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Hossein Mahmoudvand
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Yosra Raziani
- Nursing Department, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Hillah, Babylon, Iraq
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Albalawi AE, Alanazi AD, Sharifi I, Ezzatkhah F. A Systematic Review of Curcumin and its Derivatives as Valuable Sources of Antileishmanial Agents. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:797-811. [PMID: 33770343 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00351-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, antimonial agents and other synthetic antileishmanial drugs, such as amphotericin B, paromomycin, and many other drugs, have restrictions in use due to the toxicity risk, high cost, and emerging resistance to these drugs. The present study aimed to review the antileishmanial effects of curcumin, its derivatives, and other relevant pharmaceutical formulations on leishmaniasis. METHODS The present study was carried out according to the 06-preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guideline and registered in the CAMARADES-NC3Rs Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Facility (SyRF) database. Some English-language databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, EBSCO, Science Direct, and Scopus were searched for publications worldwide related to antileishmanial effects of curcumin, its derivatives, and other relevant pharmaceutical formulations, without date limitation, to identify all the published articles (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies). Keywords included "curcumin", "Curcuma longa", "antileishmanial", "Leishmania", "leishmaniasis", "cutaneous leishmaniasis", "visceral leishmaniasis", "in vitro", and "in vivo". RESULTS Out of 5492 papers, 29 papers including 20 in vitro (69.0%), 1 in vivo (3.4%), and 8 in vitro/in vivo (27.6%) studies conducted up to 2020, met the inclusion criteria for discussion in this systematic review. The most common species of the Leishmania parasite used in these studies were L. donovani (n = 13, 44.8%), L. major (n = 10, 34.5%), and L. amazonensis (n = 6, 20.7%), respectively. The most used derivatives in these studies were curcumin (n = 15, 33.3%) and curcuminoids (n = 5, 16.7%), respectively. CONCLUSION In the present review, according to the studies in the literature, various forms of drugs based on curcumin and their derivatives exhibited significant in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity against different Leishmania spp. The results revealed that curcumin and its derivatives could be considered as an alternative and complementary source of valuable antileishmanial components against leishmaniasis, which had no significant toxicity. However, further studies are required to elucidate this concluding remark, especially in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abdullah D Alanazi
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, Ad-Dawadimi 11911, Saudi Arabia
- Alghad International Colleges for Applied Medical Science, Tabuk 47913, Saudi Arabia
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ezzatkhah
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran.
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Ezzatkhah F, Khalaf AK, Mahmoudvand H. Copper nanoparticles: Biosynthesis, characterization, and protoscolicidal effects alone and combined with albendazole against hydatid cyst protoscoleces. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 136:111257. [PMID: 33450495 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgery remains the preferred treatment option for hydatid cyst (cystic echinococcosis); however, recent studies have demonstrated that the current protoscolicidal agents used during surgery are associated with some adverse side effects such as biliary fibrosis, hepatic necrosis, and cirrhosis. The present study aims to evaluate the in vitro and ex vivo anti-parasitic effects of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) alone and combined with albendazole on hydatid cyst protoscoleces. METHODS CuNPs was green synthesized using C. spinosa extract. Various concentrations of CuNPs (250, 500, and 750 mg/mL) alone and combined with albendazole (ALZ, 200 mg/mL) were exposed to protoscoleces collected from the liver fertile hydatid cysts of infected sheep for 5-60 min in vitro and ex vivo. Next, the eosin exclusion test was applied to determine the viability of protoscoleces. Caspase-3 like activity of CuNPs-treated protoscoleces was then evaluated using the colorimetric protease assay Sigma Kit based on the manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the particle size of CuNPs was 17 and 41 nm with the maximum peak at the wavelength of 414 nm. The maximum protoscolicidal activity of CuNPs was observed at the concentration of 750 mg/mL in vitro, so that 73.3 % of protoscoleces were killed after 60 min of exposure. Meanwhile, the mortality of protoscoleces was 100 % after 10 min of exposure to 750 mg/mL of CuNPs along with ALZ (200 mg/mL). Nevertheless, the findings proved that CuNPs even in combination with ALZ required a longer time to kill protoscoleces ex vivo. After 48 h of treating protoscoleces, CuNPs in a dose-dependent manner and at doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/mL induced the caspase enzyme activation by 20.5 %, 32.3 %, and 36.1 %, respectively. CONCLUSION The findings of the present investigation showed potent protoscolicidal effects of CuNPs, especially combined with albendazole, which entirely eliminated the parasite after 10-20 min of exposure. The results also showed that although the possible protoscolicidal mechanisms of CuNPs are not clearly understood, the inducing apoptosis through caspases is one of the main protoscolicidal mechanisms of CuNPs. However, supplementary studies, especially in animal models and clinical settings, are needed to approve these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Ezzatkhah
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Amal Khudair Khalaf
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Thiqar, Thiqar, Iraq
| | - Hossein Mahmoudvand
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
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Cheraghipour K, Masoori L, Ezzatkhah F, Salimikia I, Amiri S, Makenali AS, Taherpour F, Mahmoudvand H. Effect of chitosan on Toxoplasma gondii infection: A systematic review. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2020; 11:e00189. [PMID: 33163635 PMCID: PMC7607504 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The preferred treatment for management of toxoplasmosis is the combined use of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. However, there are a wide number of adverse side effects with these medications. Recent research has focused on the use of chitosan for the treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infections. This review was performed to obtain a better understanding of the in vivo and in vitro effects of chitosan on T. gondii strains. Methods The current study was carried out according to the PRISMA guideline and registered in the CAMARADES-NC3Rs Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Facility (SyRF) database. The search was performed in five scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, with date limits of 1992 to December 2019. The search was restricted to articles published in the English language. The words and terms searched were "Toxoplasma gondii", "Chitosan", "nanoparticles" and "anti-toxoplasmosis" with AND or OR. Results Of 2500 manuscripts, 9 met the eligibility criteria for review. All studies used the RH strain of T. gondii, with Me49 and PRU each included in one study. Five studies (56%) were performed in vivo, one study in vitro and 3 studies included in vivo and in vitro tests. Conclusion Considering the low toxicity and the high inhibitory potency of chitosan against T. gondii, chitosan nanoparticles show potential as an alternative treatment for T. gondii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourosh Cheraghipour
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Leila Masoori
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ezzatkhah
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Iraj Salimikia
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Sana Amiri
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | | | - Farshad Taherpour
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Hossein Mahmoudvand
- Hepatitis Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
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Mahmoudvand H, Ezzatkhah F, Sharififar F, Sharifi I, Dezaki ES. Antileishmanial and cytotoxic effects of essential oil and methanolic extract of Myrtus communis L. Korean J Parasitol 2015; 53:21-7. [PMID: 25748705 PMCID: PMC4384785 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.1.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Revised: 11/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Plants used for traditional medicine contain a wide range of substances that can be used to treat various diseases such as infectious diseases. The present study was designed to evaluate the antileishmanial effects of the essential oil and methanolic extract of Myrtus communis against Leishmania tropica on an in vitro model. Antileishmanial effects of essential oil and methanolic extract of M. communis on promastigote forms and their cytotoxic activities against J774 cells were evaluated using MTT assay for 72 hr. In addition, their leishmanicidal activity against amastigote forms was determined in a macrophage model, for 72 hr. Findings showed that the main components of essential oil were α-pinene (24.7%), 1,8-cineole (19.6%), and linalool (12.6%). Findings demonstrated that M. communis, particularly its essential oil, significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the growth rate of promastigote and amastigote forms of L. tropica based on a dose-dependent response. The IC50 values for essential oil and methanolic extract was 8.4 and 28.9 μg/ml against promastigotes, respectively. These values were 11.6 and 40.8 μg/ml against amastigote forms, respectively. Glucantime as control drug also revealed IC50 values of 88.3 and 44.6 μg/ml for promastigotes and amastigotes of L. tropica, respectively. The in vitro assay demonstrated no significant cytotoxicity in J774 cells. However, essential oil indicated a more cytotoxic effect as compared with the methanolic extract of M. communis. The findings of the present study demonstrated that M. communis might be a natural source for production of a new leishmanicidal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Mahmoudvand
- Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ezzatkhah
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fariba Sharififar
- Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Saedi Dezaki
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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