Authors

M KaramM Kanaan ¹ University of Balamand, Lebanon

Discussion

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is considered as a major endemic disease in many countries. Organic antimony compounds known to be the most efficient treatment currently available are associated with cardiac toxicity and require careful monitoring. Thus, an inexpensive and safe drug is urgently needed.
Gentian Violet which is a triphenylmethane derivative, showed a remarkable in vitro and in vivo efficacy against parasites causing cutaneous leishmaniasis.
In this study, we aim to investigate the efficiency of three different doses of Gentian Violet (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg) given through intra-peritoneal injections on L. major infected BALB/c mice as to hyperalgesia as well as the levels of several cytokines known to be involved in cutaneous leishmaniasis such as IFNγ, TNFα, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-17.
Interestingly, 2.5 mg/kg of Gentian Violet was the most efficient dose in reversing L. major-induced hyperalgesia. On the other hand, IL-4 and IL-10 levels were significantly decreased suggesting that Th2/Treg responses, which normally lead to the susceptibility profile, was impaired by Gentian Violet treatment. In contrast, Th1 response, which is highly associated with resistance against the disease was not affected since IFN-γ secretion was not significantly modified. Furthermore, the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (known to induce resistance) and IL-17 levels were not significantly affected.
In conclusion, our results open the horizon to new anti-leishmanial drugs which are more efficient and have less side effects than those currently used.