Evaluation of Lethal Effect of Curcumin and its Derivatives Against Leishmania Major In Vitro

Background: Leishmania major is transmitted by sandflies of the genus Phobotomus and causes cutaneous lesions in humans. Curcumin is made from turmeric and various derivatives is derived from it. In the present study the effect of curcumin and it’s derivatives on Leishmania major in vitro was investigated. Materials and Methods: Curcumin 70% and 90% purity and it’ derivatives such as s , BDMC base methoxy curcumin, diacetyl curcumin DAC, vanadyl curcumin VO (CUR) 2, vanadyl diacetyl curcumin VO (DAC) 2, indium curcumin In(CUR)3 and Ga (CUR) 3 preparation. Curcumin derivatives were synthesized and different concentrations of 500 to 800 μg/ ml were prepared in glycerin. 106 Leishmania major promastigotes added to each well of 96 well plate and 100 µL of each curcumin derivative added and stored at 25 ° C for 24 hours. Assay of the lethality of the compounds against Leishmania major and evaluation of their toxic effects on (vero) cells were evaluated using MTT assay. Results: Lethal effect of curcumin and it’s derivatives against Leishmania, increased with increasing concentration. Anti-leishmanial index (IC 50 ) of 70% and 90% curcumin compounds, (BDMC) bis methoxy curcumin, Diacetyl curcumin (DAC), vanadyl curcumin VO (CUR)2, vanadyl diacetyl curcumin VO (DAC)2, indium curcumin In (CUR)3, Gallium Curcumin Ga (CUR)3 compounds were 110, 93, 101, 103, 98, 103, 51 and 58 µg / ml and the lethal effect of these compounds against (vero) cells were 33.1%, 19%, 21%, 20.3%, 17%, 21%, 25.3%, 16%, respectively. Conclusion: Gallium curcumin and indium curcumin, compared to curcumin and other derivatives, exhibited the highest anti-leishmanial effect and were the safest derivatives of curcumin for mammalian cells.