Evaluation of and antileishmanial potential of bergenin rich (Wall.) Engl. root extract against visceral leishmaniasis in inbred BALB/c mice through immunomodulation.

BACKGROUND

Medicinal plants with immunomodulatory properties can provide good alternative therapeutics for curing visceral leishmaniasis. (Wall.) Engl. is an interesting plant with strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective properties.

AIM

The present study was planned to determine the antileishmanial activity of plant extract by modulating the immune responses of inbred BALB/c mice.

METHODOLOGY

Bergenin, the principle active component of , was quantitated in crude extract by performing RP-HPLC. The therapeutic potential was assessed through antileishmanial activity and in mice model through parasite load, cytokine assays, IgG antibody levels, DTH responses, histopathology and biochemical enzyme assays.

RESULTS

showed the presence of glycosides, saponins, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids and bergenin which contributed to the antileishmanial activity of extract with IC50 of 22.70 μg/mL. Furthermore, the higher dose significantly reduced the parasite load by 95.56 %. The reduction was further associated with significant enhancement of IL-12 and IFN-γ levels in comparison to IL-10 and IL-4 cytokines. The switching towards Th1 type of immune response was also confirmed by elevated antibody levels of IgG2a isotype as compared to IgG1 as well as increased DTH responses. The histology of liver and kidney further complimented the non toxic nature of plant extract in addition to its negligible toxicity on HeLa cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study revealed the significant antileishmanial and immunomodulatory properties of this plant extract against murine visceral leishmaniasis. Further, the bioactive components will be explored to assess their efficacy for the development of safe and cost effective drug.