title: Assessment of the Effects of a Novel Herbal Immunomodulator Drug (IMOD) on Cytokine Profiles in Experimental Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis: a Preliminary Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cytokines play a fundamental role in the regulation of immune responses in remission and/or relapsing of leishmaniasis. Therefore, immunotherapy for the treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) has represented a principle approach in control of the infection. The present research aimed to evaluating the immunotherapeutic potential of a novel herbal immunomodulator drug (IMOD) on CVL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve mongrel dogs were intravenously infected with Iranian strain of L. infantum and randomly divided into three groups; 1: negative control (non-infected), 2: immunotherapy with IMOD and 3: positive control (non-treated). Cell proliferation and Th1-/Th2-type cytokines were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) by cell proliferation kit I (MTT) and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assays, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the 60 days follow-up assessment, no adverse effects were observed in treated interventional group. Cellular proliferation assay indicated that PBMCs of IMOD group had higher stimulation index (SI) than positive control group (p < 0.05). Enhancement of CD4+T cells such as IL-2, IL-4 & IL-10 were detected in negative control group due to in vitro IMOD stimulation 30 days post-treatment. In accordance to decreasing trends of Th1 & Th2 cytokines in positive control group, the mean number of IFN-γ IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 spot forming cells (SFCs) down regulated for IMOD group during the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that IMOD had immunomodulatory potential but is not sufficient for total parasitic cure due to balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines. This is a preliminary study and we propose to undertake a series of experiments to evaluate the CVL due to in vitro modulatory effects of IMOD.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Abdolali
authors: A
authors: Malmasi
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Bijan
authors: B
authors: Ziaie Ardestani
authors: Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDs (IRCHA), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Saeed
authors: S
authors: Bayanolhagh
authors: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mehdi
authors: M
authors: Mohebali
authors: Genetic Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Hamidreza
authors: H
authors: Khorram Khorshid
authors: Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDs (IRCHA), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Parisa
authors: P
authors: Sadrpour
authors: Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDs (IRCHA), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Negin
authors: N
authors: Hosseini Rouzbahani
authors: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Behnaz
authors: B
authors: Akhoundi
authors: Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Soulmaz
authors: S
authors: Naserli
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid-Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Shadi
authors: S
authors: Ziaie
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Ehsan
authors: E
authors: Mostafavi
keywords: Cytokine; Dog; Immunomodulator; Leishmaniasis; Therapy