Curcumin overcomes the inhibitory effect of nitric oxide on Leishmania

Abstract

Upon Leishmania infection, macrophages are activated to produce nitrogen and oxygen radicals simultaneously. It is well established that the infected host cells rely on nitric oxide (NO) as the major weapon against the intracellular parasite. In India where leishmaniasis is endemic, the spice turmeric is used prolifically in food and for insect bites. Curcumin, the active principle of turmeric, is a scavenger of NO. This report shows that curcumin protects promastigotes and amastigotes of the visceral species, Leishmania donovani, and promastigotes of the cutaneous species, L. major, against the actions of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP) and DETANONOate, which release NO, 3-morpholino-sydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1), which releases NO and superoxide, and peroxynitrite, which is formed from the reaction of NO with superoxide. Thus, curcumin, as an antioxidant, is capable of blocking the action of both NO and NO congeners on the Leishmania parasite.

Validity of silver, chitosan, and curcumin nanoparticles as anti-Giardia agents

“…Anti-protozoal activities of Cur have also been documented in in vitro studies against Leishmania major promastigotes by Rasmussen et al (2001) and amastigote-like cells of L. major by Saleheen et al (2002). Similar studies were done by Araujo et al (1999) and Chan et al (2005) to show the in vivo effects of Cur on Leishmania and Plasmodium in animal models.…”

“…However, Cur in the present study was the least effective one against Giardia trophozoites. Chan et al (2005) related the weak effect of Cur in parasitic infection to its anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory activities, which may lead to exacerbation of the infection, as one of the most important defense mechanisms in controlling parasitic infections in the generation of reactive oxygen species and inflammation. Aditya et al (2010) overcame the poor bioavailability and the chemical instability of Cur by studying a novel approach for the Intestine 8…”

Efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and garlic (Allium sativum) on Eimeria species in broilers

“…One of the most potent veterinary anticoccidials, toltrazuril, is believed to achieve some, if not all, of its beneficial effect by limiting the degree of lipid peroxidation [48]. Plants of the genus Curcuma, including C. longa (turmeric), has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which could be detrimental for disease outcome and Curcumin is thought to be used to eliminate the intracellular parasites [49], [50], [51], [52]. Moreover, Allen and Danforth [53] concluded that feed supplementations with products that have antioxidant properties such as the spice tumeric (1%), as well as its main medicinal component, curcumin (0.05%) appear effective in reducing upper-and midsmall-intestinal infections caused by E. acervulina and E. maxima.…”

Cytotoxic Effect of Curcumin on Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum : Inhibition of Histone Acetylation and Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species

“…Yet, despite its in vitro parasiticidal activity, there was concern that curcumin's antioxidant and ROS-scavenging ability may overcome the in vivo inhibitory effects of macrophage-produced nitric oxide on protozoan parasites (7). Since nitric oxide has a crucial role in eliminating infections such as malaria parasites (3,14), the ROS-scavenging activity of curcumin may exacerbate parasitic infections.…”