Research: MALLICK and COLLEAGUES,

Listed in Issue 223

Abstract

MALLICK and COLLEAGUES, (1)Cellular Immunology and Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, West Bengal, India; (2)Molecular and Applied Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India; (3)Cellular Immunology and Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, West Bengal, India. cpcu.immunology@gmail.com evaluated the anti-proliferating effect of mushrooms used in traditional folklore of Santal tribal population in India against Leishmania donovani.

Background

The study was intended at evaluating the anti-proliferating effect of mushrooms used in traditional folklore of Santal tribal population in India against Leishmania donovani (MHOM/IN/83/AG83).

Methodology

A total of eighteen extracts, three extracts from each mushroom [(80% ethanol extracted; Fa), (water-soluble polysaccharide fraction; Fb), (polyphenolic fraction; Fc)], from six wild mushrooms were obtained. These extracts were tested against the promastigotes and amastigotes for their antileishmanial capacity.

Results

Fa fractions (250 μg/mL) of Astraeus hygrometricus and Tricholoma giganteum significantly inhibited the growth of L. donovani promastigotes and interfered in lipid biosynthesis. Moreover, both fractions induced apoptosis in promastigotes. Water soluble Fb fractions of A. hygrometricus, Russula laurocerasi, Russula albonigra, Termitomyces eurhizus, Russula delica and polyphenolic Fc fraction of R. laurocerasi were found to inhibit the replication of intracellular amastigotes in macrophages dose dependently. Significantly, 50% inhibitory concentration of the active extracts against intracellular amastigotes induced release of nitric oxide and IL-12 in murine macrophages and dendritic cells assay and also found considerably non-toxic on murine splenocytes.

Conclusion

Results of this study can be used as a basis for further phytochemical and pharmacological investigations in the effort for search of novel anti-leishmanial leads.

References

Mallick S(1), Dutta A(1), Dey S(1), Ghosh J(1), Mukherjee D(1), Sultana SS(1), Mandal S(1), Paloi S(2), Khatua S(2), Acharya K(2) and Pal C(3). Selective inhibition of Leishmania donovani by active extracts of wild mushrooms  used by the tribal population of India: An in vitro exploration for new leads against parasitic protozoans. Exp Parasitol. 138:9-17. Mar 2014. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.01.002. Epub Jan 17 2014. 

ICAN Skyscraper

Scientific and Medical Network 2

Cycle Around the World for Charity 2023

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Charity 2023

top of the page