Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the most significant vector-borne syndromes of individuals. This parasitic infection can be affected by many species of Leishmania, most of which are zoonotic. Natural products have made and are continuing to make important contributions to the search for new antileishmanial agents. The use of plants in the production assembly of silver nanoparticles has drawn attention because of its rapid, eco-friendly, non-pathogenic, economical protocol and provides a single step technique for the biosynthetic process. Hence, we aimed to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using Moringa oleifera leaf extract and investigated the antileishmanial activity of these nanoparticles in a murine model of Leishmania major infection. A total of 50 mice were used and divided into five groups—healthy control, infected, infected mice treated with pentostam, infected mice treated with Ag-NPs and infected mice pretreated with Ag-NPs. In the present study, the leaf extract of the plant species Moringa oleifera was found to be a good source for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, their formation being confirmed by color change and stability in solution. In the present murine model of Leishmania major infection, we found that oral treatment with silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using Moringa oleifera extract resulted in a significant reduction in the average size of leishmaniasis cutaneous lesions compared with untreated mice. Furthermore, the clinical efficacy of Moringa oleifera extract was associated with enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. In conclusion, treatment with silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using Moringa oleifera extract has higher and faster clinical efficacy than standard pentavalent antimonial treatment, probably by boosting the endogenous antioxidant activity.
Highlights
IntroductionAt least 20 species of Leishmania are known to infect humans, transmitted by female sand flies, Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia spp
Leishmaniases is one of the most important vector-borne diseases of humans and it is a group of diseases caused by several species of flagellated protozoan parasite belonging to the genus Leishmania of the family Trypanosomatidae
We found that Ag-NPs green synthesized with M. oleifera leaf extract treatment caused a significant decline in the average lesion size and complete healing after 14 days compared to standard drug pentostam that needs more than 28 days for complete healing
Summary
At least 20 species of Leishmania are known to infect humans, transmitted by female sand flies, Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia spp. Leishmaniasis causes a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, including skin ulcers and nodules. It can affect the mucous membranes and may cause disfiguring lesions of the nose. The emergence of drug resistance and the adverse effects of currently used drugs emphasize the need to discover new alternative drugs, from natural products. The toxicity of these agents, their side effects and the growing resistance have become matters of concern. Efforts to find alternative nontoxic, cost effective drugs against Leishmaniasis have led to the development of a few potential drugs from natural resources [5]
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