Studies on the Antileishmanial Potential of High dose of Cisplatin along with Vitamin C and E against Visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c Mice

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is a vector-borne disease caused by a protozoan of the Leishmania donovani. Most available drugs against visceral leishmaniasis are toxic, and relapse after cure remains a chronic problem. First in vivo report from our laboratory revealed the leishmanicidal potential of cisplatin, an antineoplastic drug at low dose (0.5 and 1 mg/kg body weight). High dose is used in present study so as to eliminate the parasite completely. But since it is reported to be nephrotoxic at high dose, antioxidants were administered. Antileishmanial effect of drug was revealed by reduction in the parasite burden and increased DTH responses. Antibody response was predominantly of IgG type with increased IgG2a production and lesser production of IgG1. The drug treatment stimulated the production of IFN-γ and IL-2 in splenocytes suggesting a Th1 type of response with a concomitant down-regulation of IL10. Reduced enzymatic activity (SGOT and SGPT) was observed in infected mice treated with cisplatin and vitamin C/ vitamin E. Cisplatin at this dose efficiently eliminated the parasite to large extent and vitamin C and E significantly reduced the hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of cisplatin.