The effects of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using fig and olive extracts on cutaneous leishmaniasis-induced inflammation in female balb/c mice

Leishmaniasis is a group of infectious and noncontagious severe parasitic diseases, caused by protozoans of the Leishmania genus. Natural products characterize a rich source of prospective chemical entities for the development of new effective drugs for neglected diseases. Scientific evaluation of medicinal plants has made it possible to use some metabolites from flavonoids and polyphenols compounds for the treatment of parasitic diseases. Therefore, we aimed in the present study to evaluate the protective effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) biosynthesized using Fig and Olive extracts (NFO) against Cutaneous leishmaniasis in female Balb/c mice. A total of 70 mice were used and divided into seven groups. Treatment was initiated when local lesions were apparent, we found that Fig and Olive extracts were found to be a good source for the synthesis of (Ag-NPs), their formation was confirmed by color change and stability in solution. Nanoparticles biosynthesized using Fig and Olive extracts induced a reduction in the average size of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions compared with the untreated mice. Moreover, nanoparticles treatment decreased oxidative stress (LPO, NO), down-regulation gene expression levels (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and BAX), and this antileishmanial activity of nanoparticles was associated with enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. In addition, histopathological evaluation proved the antileishmanial activity of nanoparticles compared with the positive control. Therefore, we aimed in the present study to evaluate the protective effect of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using Fig and Olive extracts against cutaneous lesions induced by Leishmania major infection through their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities, and faster clinical efficacy than standard pentavalent antimonial treatment.