Effect of Curcumin on the Dissemination of Leishmania major in Different Organs of infected BALB/c Mice Using Quantitative PCR Method

Background: Leishmaniasis is considered as a significant public health concern globally. It ranks as the second most prevalent parasitic disease following malaria. The side effects of the drugs used in the treatment of leishmaniasis and the development of resistance against these drugs have caused many researchers to find an alternative treatment method. The most effective methods in the treatment of protozoan parasitic infections, such as leishmaniasis, can be natural plant products.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on the dissemination of leishmaniasis in different organs of mice.Methods: Mice were experimentally infected with Leishmania major and placed in 6 groups. The control groups, the group treated with glucantime as the standard method, and the group treated with curcumin at 40, 80, and 120 μM. The livers, spleens, hearts, lungs, and kidneys of these mice were collected, and parasite dissemination in the tissues was investigated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The intensity of the parasite-derived PCR product was divided by the intensity of the mouse genome-derived PCR product, which was used as a marker for parasite burden in the organs, and the data were analyzed using SPSS.Results: Leishmania major amastigote bands were not detected in the heart, kidney, and lung tissues of any group by quantitative PCR. However, Leishmania bands were observed in the liver and spleen of the control groups. Notably, the parasite band was absent in the spleen of mice treated with curcumin and glucantime. Furthermore, the infection burden in the liver of mice receiving curcumin and glucantime treatment was comparable to the untreated control group.Conclusion: The quantitative PCR analysis of DNA extracted from the liver showed no significant differences in parasite burden in comparison with control groups. Treatment with glucantime and curcumin prevented the spread of Leishmania to the spleen.