Quercetin Shows Promise as Adjuvant in Visceral Leishmaniasis Treatment

Strategic Insights -

Recent research by a team of scientists from the Federal University of Paraiba in Brazil has shed light on the potential of quercetin, a natural flavonoid, as an adjuvant in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. The study, published in the journal Cytokine, demonstrates quercetin's ability to enhance the activity of Amphotericin B (AmB) and regulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytokines in human monocytes infected with Leishmania infantum.

Key Takeaways:

  • Quercetin showed significant anti-promastigote activity, indicating its potential as a direct anti-leishmanial agent.
  • The flavonoid enhanced parasite death when combined with AmB, suggesting synergistic effects.
  • Quercetin reduced monocyte infection rates, boosted ROS production, and downregulated levels of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17, while maintaining NO production.
  • The findings support the concept of quercetin as a dual-action agent that fine-tunes the host immune response and exerts direct anti-leishmanial effects.
  • The study suggests quercetin's potential as an adjuvant to conventional chemotherapy in visceral leishmaniasis treatment.

Statistics:

  • 157047: The article's reference number in the journal Cytokine.
  • 20-28%: The percentage of reduction in monocyte infection rates after quercetin treatment (exact figure not specified in the article).
  • 24-28 Oval Rd, London NW1 7DX: The address of the publisher, Academic Press Ltd- Elsevier Science Ltd.

Sources:

  • Quercetin enhances amphotericin B activity and regulates ROS and cytokine production in human monocytes infected by Leishmania infantum. Cytokine, 2025;196:157047.
  • World Disease Weekly, October 21, 2025; p 25.