Authors

S shirbazou¹; S Damghani²; N Maspi³;  ¹ Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences-Tehran, Iran;  ² shahid beheshti university-Tehran-Iran, Iran;  ³ Tarbiat Modares University-Tehran, Iran

Discussion

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of leishmaniasis affecting humans . The available treatments are not well tolerated, and have side effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the possible useful effect of vitamin K1(phylloquinone) in the complementary treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Material/methods: In this case-control study,leishmania major amastigote (MRHO/IR/75/ ER), were inoculated in the foot of 24 Balb/c mice. After 25 days, the lesion appeared in Mice feet. The mice were divided into 3 groups and treated with standard doses of phylloquinone (vitamin K1), and Glucantime for 28 days, interperitonealy. The control group received no treatment. Ulcer lesion size was measured in both groups.
Results: Based on paired t-test, the mean effect of Glucantime reduced over time from zero week to fifth week . Phylloquinone decreased from zero week to third week, and then took an upward turn so much that in the fifth week has reached the baseline level as in the zero week. Average effect of Glucantime was (0.61±-6.33), and phylloquinone (0.39 ±-6.59). Mean difference of drugs was statistically significant (0.001). Conclusions: According to the results, it seems that vitamin K1, due to fibrinopeptid and trombin, can be used as a substitute treatment in controlling the lesion in the first three weeks of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the absence of other drugs or the prohibited use of glucantime. Therefore, it is recommended that similar studies be done with vitamin K1, and glucantime.