title: Anti-Leishmanial Activity (In Vitro and In Vivo) of Allicin and Allicin Cream Using Leishmania major (Sub-strain Zymowme LON4) and Balb/c Mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leishmania is a unicellular protozoan parasite that produces several human diseases, ranging from localized self-healing cutaneous lesions to deadly visceral infections.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The effect of allicin on the growth of Leishmania major (L. major) promastigotes was evaluated under in vitro conditions. Moreover, the efficacy of a topical allicin cream was examined in BALB/c (Bagg albino, laboratory-bred strain of the House Mouse) mice with cutaneous leishmanial lesions compared to the currently used drug, sodiumstibogluconate (pentostam).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cytotoxiciy and promastigote proliferation were measured. Different concentrations (50, 100, 150, and 200 μM) of liquid allicin were tested on L. major promastigotes twice: after 24 and 48 hours using an MTT colorimetric assay. In the in vivo condition, the efficacies of allicin cream and liquid allicin at two concentrations (0.15 μM/mouse and 0.30 μM/mouse) were evaluated. Serum factors of the control and treated groups were tested to evaluate the toxic effects of allicin on the liver and kidney.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Allicin at a concentration of 50 μM inhibited the growth of Leishmania promastigotes. Topical application of allicin cream reduced lesion sizes in mice. No significant differences in biochemical analysis were observed between the control and treated groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allicin has antileishmanial effects under in vitro and in vivo conditions and may be used in clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA.|Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: Dina M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Metwally
authors.affiliation: Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA.
authors.forename: Ebtesam M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Al-Olayan
authors.affiliation: Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA.|Zoology & Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Manal F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: El-Khadragy
authors.affiliation: Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA.
authors.forename: Badriah
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alkathiri
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004220:Disulfides; D005260:Female; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000187:drug effects*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000469:parasitology; D063465:Skin Cream; D013441:Sulfinic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D004220:Disulfides; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; C006452:allicin