Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: Leishmaniasis is a disease produced by several species of protozoa of the Leishmania genus. As a therapeutic agent, garlic (Allium sativum) is one of the most popular plants in traditional medicinal systems and is increasingly becoming important in herbal alternative therapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) on enhancing T-helper IL-10 and IL-12 cytokines in the culture via macrophages for engulfment and destruction of Leishmania.

Methods: After proliferation of macrophages in culture and incubation with Leishmania during 72 hours, we added aqueaous garlic extract by several doses 9.25, 18.5, 37, 74 and 148µg/ml for 18, 24 and 48 hours. Trypan blue and MTT tests were carried out in order to test the safety of extracts and j744 cells treated with them, as well as cell viability. An enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) was performed on macrophages for interleukin IL-10 and IL-12.

Results: The results suggested that garlic extract may provide effective therapy against Leishmania. Our results showed that dose of 37µg/ml for 48 hours of garlic extract destructed promastigots by IL-12 secreted from macrophages.

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, IL-12 is crucial for defense against parasitic pathogens. IL-12 administration differentially affected immune response to invading Leishmania parasites.