Evaluation of a novel herbal immunomodulator drug [IMOD] in treatment of experimental canine visceral leishmaniasis

Toxicity and drug resistance against pentavalent antimonials, medications of choice in treatment of leishmaniasis for more than 5 decades, have become important subjects globally. This study was a randomized, open labeled trial that was designed to determine efficacy and safety of IMOD as a novel herbal immunomodulator drug for treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis [CVL]. Twenty healthy mongrel dogs were infected with Iranian strain of L. Infantum amastigotes and randomly divided to 5 groups with four animals for each included on: I: negative control [non-infected] II: Glucantime[registered sign] III: Glucantime[registered sign] plus IMOD [immune-chemotherapy] IV: IMOD and V: positive control [non-treated]. Physical examination, hematological, biochemical, serological, parasitological, pathological and imaging evaluations were performed pre-/post- interventions every month for 3 months. Comparing with control groups [IandV], immune-chemotherapy group [Glucantime[registered sign] plus IMOD] showed significantly higher efficacy in resolving the clinical signs and hematobiochemistry factors. Based on our results, using IMOD in combination with meglumine antimoniate [Glucantime[registered sign]] has significantly improved CVL than the latter drug alone. So, it seems this new herbal medicine is useful as adjuvant therapy for canine visceral leishmaniasis

Assessment of the effects of a novel herbal immunomodulator drug [IMOD] on cytokine profiles in experimental canine visceral leishmaniasis: a preliminary survey

Cytokines play a fundamental role in the regulation of immune responses in remission and/or relapsing of leishmaniasis. Therefore, immunotherapy for the treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis [CVL] has represented a principle approach in control of the infection. The present research aimed to evaluating the immunotherapeutic potential of a novel herbal immunomodulator drug [IMOD] on CVL. Twelve mongrel dogs were intravenously infected with Iranian strain of L. infantum and randomly divided into three groups; 1: negative control [non-infected], 2: immunotherapy with IMOD and 3: positive control [non-treated]. Cell proliferation and Th1-/Th2-type cytokines were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cell [PBMC] by cell proliferation kit I [MTT] and enzyme-linked immunospot [ELISpot] assays, respectively. At the 60 days follow-up assessment, no adverse effects were observed in treated interventional group. Cellular proliferation assay indicated that PBMCs of IMOD group had higher stimulation index [SI] than positive control group [p <0.05]. Enhancement of CD4+ T cells such as IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 were detected in negative control group due to in vitro IMOD stimulation 30 days post-treatment. In accordance to decreasing trends of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in positive control group, the mean number of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 spot forming cells [SFCs] down regulated for IMOD group during the study. These data indicate that IMOD had immunomodulatory potential but is not sufficient for total parasitic cure due to balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines. This is a preliminary study and we propose to undertake a series of experiments to evaluate the CVL due to in vitro modulatory effects of IMOD