Lesion Size (mm) on Different days Post Infection and Treatment.

<p>Lesion Size (mm) on Different days Post Infection and Treatment.</p

Anti-Leishmanial Activity (<i>In Vitro</i> and <i>In Vivo</i>) of Allicin and Allicin Cream Using <i>Leishmania major</i> (Sub-strain Zymowme LON4) and Balb/c Mice

<div><p>Background</p><p><i>Leishmania</i> is a unicellular protozoan parasite that produces several human diseases, ranging from localized self-healing cutaneous lesions to deadly visceral infections.</p><p>Objective</p><p>The effect of allicin on the growth of <i>Leishmania major (L</i>. <i>major)</i> promastigotes was evaluated under <i>in vitro</i> conditions. Moreover, the efficacy of a topical allicin cream was examined in BALB/c (Bagg <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albino" target="_blank">albino</a>, laboratory-bred strain of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_Mouse" target="_blank">House Mouse</a>) mice with cutaneous leishmanial lesions compared to the currently used drug, sodiumstibogluconate (pentostam).</p><p>Methods</p><p>Cytotoxiciy and promastigote proliferation were measured. Different concentrations (50, 100, 150, and 200 μM) of liquid allicin were tested on <i>L</i>. <i>major</i> promastigotes twice: after 24 and 48 hours using an MTT colorimetric assay. In the <i>in vivo</i> condition, the efficacies of allicin cream and liquid allicin at two concentrations (0.15 μM/mouse and 0.30 μM/mouse) were evaluated. Serum factors of the control and treated groups were tested to evaluate the toxic effects of allicin on the liver and kidney.</p><p>Results</p><p>Allicin at a concentration of 50 μM inhibited the growth of <i>Leishmania</i> promastigotes. Topical application of allicin cream reduced lesion sizes in mice. No significant differences in biochemical analysis were observed between the control and treated groups.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Allicin has antileishmanial effects under <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> conditions and may be used in clinical applications.</p></div

Chemical Composition of Allicin.

<p>Chemical Composition of Allicin.</p

Agarose Gel (1.5%) Electrophoresis of PCR Amplification for the Identification of <i>L</i>. <i>Major</i>.

<p>M: 1000-bp DNA ladder marker, Lane 1: treatment with pentostam (Pe), Lane 2: prophylaxis with allicin (Pre-a). Lane 3: treatment with liquid oral allicin (OA). Lane 4: allicin cream (AC). Lane 5: <i>L</i>. <i>major</i> (+ C). Lane 6: negative control (- C).</p

Mean ± SD and Independent t-test for ALT, AST, Urea, and Creatinine for the Positive Control, Pentostam (120 mg/kg), Prophylactic Allicin, Allicin (0.15 mM/mouse), Allicin (0.3 mM/Mouse), and Allicin Cream Groups Compared to Healthy Controls.

<p>Mean ± SD and Independent t-test for ALT, AST, Urea, and Creatinine for the Positive Control, Pentostam (120 mg/kg), Prophylactic Allicin, Allicin (0.15 mM/mouse), Allicin (0.3 mM/Mouse), and Allicin Cream Groups Compared to Healthy Controls.</p

Light Microscopy of Mouse Skin.

<p>(A) Skin section of the positive control group at 4 weeks post-infection showing infiltration by a massive number of inflammatory cells in the subcutaneous and muscular tissue. (B) Pathological changes in mice treated orally with allicin at 4 weeks post-treatment showing edema with infiltration by moderate numbers of inflammatory cells in the subcutaneous tissue and musculature (m). (C) Allicin cream-treated group at the 4^th week post-treatment, showing an intact epidermis (p) and dermis (d) with remarkable reduction in the inflammatory response. (D) Prophylactic group showing few inflammatory cells in the underlying subcutaneous and adipose tissues. (E) Pentostam-treated mice at 4 weeks post-treatment showing hyperkeratosis and acanthosis in the epidermis (H & E staining, x400).</p