A Novel Niosomal Combination of Selenium Coupled with Glucantime against Leishmania tropica

There is no effective treatment modality available against different forms of leishmaniasis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to improve the penetration and efficacy of selenium and glucantime coupled with niosomes and compared them with their simple forms alone on in vitro susceptibility assays. In this study, the niosomal formulations of selenium and in combination with glucantime were prepared. The size and morphology of the niosomal formulations were characterized and the effectivity of the new formulation was also evaluated using in vitro MTT assay, intra-macrophage model, and gene expression profile. From the results obtained, no cytotoxicity effect was observed for niosomal and simple forms of drugs, as alone or in combination. Niosomal formulations of the drugs significantly showed more inhibitory effects (P≤0.001) than the simple drugs when the selectivity index was considered. The gene expression levels of Interleukin (IL-10) significantly decreased, while the level of IL-12 and metacaspase significantly increased (P≤0.001). The results of the present study showed that selenium plus glucantime niosome possess a potent anti-leishmanial effect and enhanced their lethal activity as evidenced by the in vitro experiments.

Tioxolone niosomes exert antileishmanial effects on Leishmania tropica by promoting promastigote apoptosis and immunomodulation

Objective: To explore the antileishmanial effect of tioxolone and its niosomal form against Leishmania tropica. Methods: Tioxolone niosomes were prepared by the hydration method and were evaluated for morphology, size, release study, and encapsulation efficiency. The cytotoxicity of tioxolone and its niosomal form was measured by MTT assay, leishmanicidal activity against promastigote and amastigote by MTT assay, apoptosis by flow cytometry, IL-12, IL-10 and metacaspase gene expression levels by q-PCR. Results: Span/Tween 40 and Span/Tween 60 niosomes had good physical stability as depicted in their size distribution curves and high encapsulation efficiency (>99%). The release profile of the entrapped compounds showed Fickian's model of tioxolone delivery based on diffusion through lipid bilayers. With the IC

present status of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a recently emerged focus in south-west of Kerman province, Iran

The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of the cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] disease and identification of the causative agent by nested-PCR for current control strategy. This study was carried out as descriptive house-to-house visits in Orzoieh district in Kerman Province, south-east Iran, during 2011-2012. A questionnaire was completed for each individual consisting of demographic and clinical data. Suspected individuals were examined by direct smear microscopy and subsequent identification by nested-PCR. Chi[2]-test was used for any significance [P<0.05]. A total of 18308 inhabitants [mean age; 22.7 yr] consisting of 9011 males [49.2%] and 9297 females [50.8%] were examined for the presence of active or chronic lesions. the overall prevalence was 4.7%, including 30 cases of active and 839 cases of scar, distributed more significantly [P<0.01] in females [5.2%] than males [4.3%]. Individuals <10 years of age showed the highest [6.3%] and >50 years the lowest rate of CL disease, respectively [P<0.001]. The proportion of infection was the highest in Soltanabad [14.7%], followed by Vakilabad [6.8%], Dolatabad [3.2%] and Shahmaran [2.8%]. The majority of cases had 2 lesions [mean; 2.1 lesions]. Hand was the most common site of involvement [35%], and then face [26%], and multiple locations [39%]. Nested-PCR displayed 29 isolates as Leishmania major and one isolate L. tropica. The CL disease first emerged in 1998 as epidemic in the area and appeared endemics, thereafter. L. major was the sole species caused ZCL. These findings are necessary for future control programs and strategic planning