BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of methotrexate (MTX) alone and in combination with meglumine antimoniate (MA, Glucantime) against sensitive and MA-resistant stages in vitro.

METHODS

The present study was carried out in 2014 in Leishmaniasis Research Center at School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical sciences, Kerman, Iran. The effects of MTX alone and along with MA on promastigote and amastigote stages of sensitive (SS) and MA-resistant (RS) strains have been evaluated using a colorimetric MTT assay and in a macrophage model, respectively. In addition, the inhibitory effect of MTX on the invasion of murine macrophages was assessed in promastigotes of both strains of . Sensitive and MA resistant are referred to those isolates that are responsive or non-responsive to one or two courses of treatment by MA systemically and/or intralesionally, respectively.

RESULTS

The findings of OD and IC showed that MTX plus MA (SS: 16.1 μg/ml, RS: 39.8 μg/ml) had a higher anti-leishmanial effect than MA (SS: 52.2 μg/ml, RS: 170 μg/ml) or MTX alone (SS: 22.2 μg/ml, RS: 51.4 μg/ml) on promastigotes of both strains of The MTX plus MA caused a significant decrease (0.05) in the mean infection rate (MIR) and the mean number of amastigotes in each macrophage compared with positive control. Infectivity of promastigotes is significantly (0.05) reduced when it was preincubated with MTX.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated high potency and a synergistic effect of MTX on MA in inhibiting the growth rateof promastigote and amastigote stages of sensitive and meglumine antimoniate-resistant . Further works are needed to evaluate the anti-leishmanial effects of MTX on using a clinical setting.