Allium sativum extract induces apoptosis in Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) promastigotes

Leishmaniasis is a protozoan disease that affects many people in the world, hence researchers are trying to design more effective and safer medicine, because of many limits in present chemical drug. In this regard, botany- derived products are the most attractive materials. The aim of this study was to determine the possible Allium sativum - induced cell death in Leishmania major (L. major) promastigotes. RPMI1640 cultured L. majorpromastigotes were subjected to different concentrations of A. sativum and viability of the parasites was assayed by MTT. Annexin V- FLUOS staining was performed to study apoptotic properties of the extract using FACS flow cytometry. Furthermore, metacaspase and PARP gene expression of treated L. major was studied. Apoptotic dose-dependent death of L. major accompanied by DNA fragmentation, cell contraction and externalization of phosphatidylserine with intact of integrity of plasma membrane was observed. In addition, over-expression of metacaspase and PARP was seen 4 h after treatment. Current study revealed that A. sativum extract induced apoptotic phenomenon in standard strain of L. major.   Key words: Leishmania major, Allium sativum, apoptosis.

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