A novel delivery of curcumin by the efficient nanoliposomal approach against Leishmania major.

Several side effects and drug resistance accompany the current therapies for Leishmaniasis. Nanoliposomal curcumin is applied as a new therapy approach instead of current therapy. In this study, nanoliposomal curcumin was prepared using thin-film hydration method and characterized based on encapsulation efficiency, size, and zeta potential. Curcumin was successfully loaded into nanoliposomes with an encapsulation efficiency of 92%. The surface charge of the nanoparticle was neutral, and the size of nanoparticle was 176.5 nm. Nanoliposomal curcumin is in spherical shape without any agglomeration. Cell viability assay was performed on HFF cell line to show biocompatibility of liposome nanoparticles. Anti-Leishmanial effect of different concentrations of liposomal curcumin (0.05-30 µg mL-1) and amphotericin B (25 µg mL-1) were studied on Leishmania major [MRHO/IR/75/ER] at various hours (24, 48, and 72) using hemocytometer technique. Nanoliposomal curcumin inhibitory concentration (IC50) at hours 24, 48, and 72 were 6.41, 3.8, and 2.33 µg mL-1, respectively. As prepared nanoliposomal curcumin showed a significant antileishmanial effect and induced a better and more tangible effect on the survival of L. major promastigotes and could be suitable candidates for further investigations.

In vitro evaluation of nanoliposomes berberine chloride against Leishmania major promastigotes.

Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania major is one of the main infectious diseases that infected populations in developing countries around the world. We assessed the effectiveness of berberine chloride nanoliposomes (BcNLs) against L. major promastigotes in vitro. Nanoliposomal berberine chloride was prepared using thin film hydration method and characterized based on encapsulation efficiency, size and zeta potential. Anti-Leishmania effect of different concentrations (0.05-60 µg/ml) of BcNLs as studied in L. major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) at 24, 48 and 72 h using the hemocytometer technique. Berberine chloride was successfully loaded into nanoliposomes with encapsulation efficiency of 85.54%. The surface charge of nanoparticle is neutral and the morphology of nanoliposomal berbrine chloride is spherical without any agglomeration. Cell viability assay was performed on HFF cell line to show biocompatibility of liposome nanoparticles. IC50 of BcNPs at 24, 48 and 72 h against L. major were found to be 7.6, 5.96 and 3.19 µg/ml, respectively. BcNLs showed a significant anti-Leishmania effect and induced a better and more tangible effect on the survival of L. major promastigotes and could be suitable candidates for further investigation. The results showed that the BcNLs agent is effective against L. major promastigotes and may be a promising alternative to current treatments.

Blood Parasites in Domestic Birds in Central Iran.

Parasites may affect the dynamics of bird populations. Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus are well-known avian haematozoa that can trigger decreased productivity and high mortality in domesticated birds. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of avian blood parasites (Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus) against 335 birds of 8 species in the Yazd province in central Iran. To detect blood parasites, Giemsa-stained blood smears were prepared. Of the birds, 11.64% (39/335) were infected with at least one parasite genus, particularly Haemoproteus (32.6%; 23/335). The total prevalence values for Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon were 1.7, 6.8 and 2.9%, respectively. Plasmodium had lower prevalence rates of 1.7% (6/335). Among birds, pigeons, hens and ducks have the highest prevalence of Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium parasites at 1.7%, 6.8% and 2.9%, respectively. Results from this research extend our knowledge on the incidence of avian blood parasites in domesticated birds living in central Iran. The overall low incidence of avian blood parasites in birds was found in the Yazd province, Iran.

Polyurethane sheet impregnated with Arabinogalactan can lead to increase of attachment of promastigotes and Amastigote of Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) by GP63 and HSP70 genes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of polyurethane sheet (PUS) and polyurethane sheet impregnated with Arabinogalactan (PUSIAG) on the cell attachment and viability of Promastigotes and Amastigotes of Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER), and mouse macrophages, and its whole skin cells (WSCs). In a sterile condition, 10 mL of Arabinogalactan 5% w/v was poured into a falcon. Then, a piece of PUS was placed inside it, and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. Next, it was washed, and cut. Then, one piece of PUS and PUSIAG was separately added to 1 mL of cell suspension (Promastigotes, Amastigote, and WSCs), and then incubated for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days at 37 °C. After incubation times, the quantity of adhered cells was counted, and cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Also, for WSCs and macrophages, the expression of integrin, fibronectin and GAPDH was investigated, and for Promastigotes and Amastigotes, the expression of GP63, Cpb, and 18s rRNA was measured. This study showed that with increase of exposure time, the percentage of attached cells was increased. There was a significant difference between attached cells to PUSIAG and PUS in case of Promastigotes and Amastigotes. It seems that Promastigotes and Amastigotes have higher interest to PUSIAG than WSCs and Macrophages. Also, this study showed with increase of exposure time, the percentage of viable cells was decreased. There were significant differences between cell viability of Promastigotes and Amastigotes when exposed to PUSIAG and PUS, especially in long time incubation. Also, when incubation time was increased the relative expression of integrin and fibronectin in WSCs and macrophages, and GP63 and HSP70 in Promastigotes and Amastigotes were increased.