Evaluation of the in-vivo activity and toxicity of amarogentin, an antileishmanial agent, in both liposomal and niosomal forms.
The antileishmanial property of amarogentin, a secoiridoid glycoside isolated from the Indian medicinal plant Swertia chirata, was examined in a hamster model of experimental leishmaniasis. The therapeutic efficacy of amarogentin was evaluated in free and two different vesicular forms, liposomes and niosomes. The amarogentin in both liposomal and niosomal forms was found to be a more active leishmanicidal agent than the free amarogentin; and the niosomal form was found to be more efficacious than the liposomal form at the same membrane microviscosity level. Toxicity studies involving blood pathology, histological staining of tissues and specific enzyme levels related to normal liver function showed no toxicity. Hence, amarogentin incorporated in liposomes or niosomes may have clinical application in the treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Biomembrane Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Calcutta 700032, India.
Mukhopadhyay
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Basu
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MK
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005960:Glucosides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity*; D039823:Iridoids; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D008081:Liposomes; D008647:Mesocricetus; D011714:Pyrans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity*; D013154:Spleen / Q000469:parasitology; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005960:Glucosides; D039823:Iridoids; D008081:Liposomes; D011714:Pyrans; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C102609:amarogentin; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase