NATURAL SCIENCES

Journal of fundamental
and
applied researches

Application of drugs from plants in complex treatment of leprosy

2013. №3, pp. 96-100

Maslov Aleksandr K. - Ph.D. (Medicine), Senior Researcher, The Research Institute for the Study of Leprosy, 3 N. Ostrovskiy Pas., Astrakhan, 414057, Russian Federation, niil@astmail.astranet.ru.

Genatullina Guzel N. - Ph.D. (Biology), Junior Researcher, The Research Institute for the Study of Leprosy, 3 N. Ostrovskiy Pas., Astrakhan, 414057, Russian Federation, niil@astmail.astranet.ru.

A comparative study of the antileprosy action of infusion of calendula flowers in combination with rifampicin (RFP) and RFP monotherapy was carried out. Mice inoculated with M. leprae into foot pads were injected an infusion of marigold flowers in combination with RFP. Blood sampling and inflammatory infiltrate were drawn from each group of mice. The number of M. leprae in mouse food pads was counted by Shepard’s and McRae’s methods. Activity of myeloperoxidase (MP) was determined Astaldi’s and Verga’s method of semi-quantitation. A combined therapy of experimental animals led to a significant inhibition of multiplication of M.leprae as compared with control group and mice received treatment only with RFP. Therefore the infusion of calendula flowers may be recommended in complex therapy of leprosy without possible side effects of antibiotics.

Key words: antileprosy action,rifampin,combined therapy,myeloperoxidase,Calendula officinalis