Therapeutic Potential of Green Synthesized Copper Nanoparticles Alone or Combined with Meglumine Antimoniate (Glucantime) in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the focus on nanotechnological methods in medicine, especially in the treatment of microbial infections, has increased rapidly.

AIM

The present study aims to evaluate in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial effects of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) green synthesized by fruit extract alone and combined with meglumine antimoniate (MA).

METHODS

CuNPs were green synthesized by methanolic extract. The in vitro antileishmanial activity of CuNPs (10-200 µg/mL) or MA alone (10-200 µg/mL), and various concentrations of MA (10-200 μg/mL) along with 20 μg/mL of CuNPs, was assessed against the (MRHO/IR/75/ER) amastigote forms and, then tested on cutaneous leishmaniasis induced in male BALB/c mice by Moreover, infectivity rate, nitric oxide (NO) production, and cytotoxic effects of CuNPs on J774-A1 cells were evaluated.

RESULTS

Scanning electron microscopy showed that the particle size of CuNPs was 17 to 41 nm. The results demonstrated that CuNPs, especially combined with MA, significantly ( < 0.001) inhibited the growth rate of amastigotes and triggered the production of NO ( < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. CuNPs also had no significant cytotoxicity in J774 cells. The mean number of parasites was significantly ( < 0.05) reduced in the infected mice treated with CuNPs, especially combined with MA in a dose-dependent response. The mean diameter of the lesions decreased by 43 and 58 mm after the treatment with concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/mL of CuNPs, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study demonstrated the high potency and synergistic effect of CuNPs alone and combined with MA in inhibiting the growth of amastigote forms of as well as recovery and improving cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) induced by in BALB/c mice. Additionally, supplementary studies, especially in clinical settings, are required.