Cisplatin along with herbal drug treatment reduces the percentage of regulatory T cells and decreased the severity of experimental visceral leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis is the most alarming and devastating amongst the various forms of leishmaniases. It is caused by Leishmania donovani, an obligate intracellular parasite of macrophages that survives through immunosuppression. Absence of T regulatory cells provides complete clearance of the parasite. A few immunoprophylactics have been sought to battle instinctive leishmaniasis, with fluctuating achievement. Our previous studies have shown that treatment of L. donovani infected mice with cisplatin along with herbal drugs resulted in decreased parasite load with heightened delayed type hypersensitivity responses (DTH), increased levels of IgG2a, IFN-γ, IL-2, CD4+ cells, NK 1.1 cells over that of IgG1, IL-4, 1L-10, CD8+ and CD19 in infected mice.

METHODS: Along the above lines, the present study further evaluated the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ T regulatory cells and ultra structural changes in kidney, liver and spleen. Cisplatin (5 mg/kg b.wt. daily for 5 days, i.p.) along with Tinosporacordifolia (100 mg/kg b.wt. daily for 15 days, p.o.) or Withaniasomnifera (350 mg/kg b.wt. daily for 15 days, p.o.) or Asparagusracemosus (650 mg/kg b.wt. daily for 15 days, p.o.) was administered to L. donovani infected BALB/c and after 30 days post treatment mice were sacrificed.

RESULTS: The findings uncover a significant reduction in parasite load coupled with decreased percentage of Treg cells and no pathological changes at ultra structural level.

CONCLUSION: In this manner, results acquired recommend that the decrease in percentage of T reg cells may further help the antileishmanial remedial impact of cisplatin alongside natural medications.