Standardized <i>Artemisia annua</i> Exhibits Dual Antileishmanial Activity and Immunomodulatory Potential In Vitro.

ABSTRACT: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania spp., transmitted by sandflies, and endemic in 98 countries. Leishmania infantum, the main agent of visceral leishmaniasis in Europe, commonly infects both humans and animals, with dogs as the principal domestic reservoir. Clinical manifestations in dogs depend on the host immune response. A robust Th1 response facilitates macrophage activation and parasite control, while persistently elevated TNF-α and IL-6 can lead to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Current treatments reduce parasite load but rarely achieve complete cure and are often associated with relapses and resistance. Artemisia annua, source of artemisinin, could be a promising alternative to canine leishmaniasis. Despite its potential, no publi

SUBMITTER: Morua E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12568091 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature