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Antileishmanial Effects of Bunium Persicum Crude Extract, Essential Oil, and Cuminaldehyde on Leishmania Major: In Silico and In Vitro Properties

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Abstract

Purpose

Cuminaldehyde (CA), an oxidized aldehyde monoterpene, is a major essential oil component in cumin seeds, which has shown different promising medical effects. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the antileishmanial potential of Bunium persicum (Boiss) B. Fedtsch (Apiaceae) and one of its main essential oil constituents, CA, focus on the mechanisms of action.

Methods

We used a molecular docking approach to examine the capability of CA for binding to IL-12P40 and TNF-α. The colorimetric assay was performed to assess the effect of B. persicum crude extract, essential oil, and CA, against Leishmania major promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. The expression of IFN-γ, IL-12P40, TNF-α, and IL-10 genes was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction qPCR.

Results

Docking analyses in the current study indicated CA binds to IL-12P40 and TNF-α. These products were safe, extremely antileishmanial, and significantly promoted Th1-related cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12P40, TNF-α), while downregulating the Th2 phenotype (IL-10).

Conclusion

Cumin essential oil and its major component, CA, possessed powerful antileishmanial activity. The primary mechanism of activity involves an immunomodulatory role toward Th1 cytokine response. Therefore, cumin essential oil and CA deserve further explorations as promising medications for treating leishmaniasis.

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Data availability statement

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.

Abbreviations

CA:

Cuminaldehyde

CL:

Cutaneous leishmaniasis

IFN-γ:

Interferon-gamma

IL-12:

Interleukin-12

NO:

Nitric oxide

OD:

Optical density

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

SI:

Selectivity index

TGF-β:

Transforming growth factor-beta

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha

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Funding

The authors are grateful for the financial support given by Kerman University of medical sciences, Kerman, Iran (Grant No. 400001193). The ethical committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences approved it. The Ethic approval Code is IR.KMU.REC.1401.011.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

    Neda Mohamadi & Fariba Sharififar

  2. Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

    Iraj Sharifi

  3. Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

    Ali Afgar

  4. Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

    Fatemeh Sharifi

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  1. Neda Mohamadi
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  2. Iraj Sharifi
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Contributions

NM and FS designed the experimental studies and performed the experiments; AA contributed to carrying out molecular docking; IS and FS directed the experimental studies. All the authors contributed to writing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Fatemeh Sharifi.

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Mohamadi, N., Sharifi, I., Afgar, A. et al. Antileishmanial Effects of Bunium Persicum Crude Extract, Essential Oil, and Cuminaldehyde on Leishmania Major: In Silico and In Vitro Properties. Acta Parasit. 68, 103–113 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-022-00642-1

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