Therapeutic use of quercetin in the control of infection and anemia associated with visceral leishmaniasis

Flavonoids are a broad class of plant phenolics that are known to possess a well-established protective effect against membrane lipoperoxidative damages. Oxidative damage of erythrocytes has been implicated in the reduced survival of erythrocytes during leishmanial infection. This study reveals the efficacy of five naturally occurring flavonoids in arresting the development of anemia during the postinfection period. Among the compounds studied, quercetin was most successful in inhibiting the oxidation of proteins and lipids on the red cell membranes of infected animals. Apart from its antianemic property, quercetin also seemed to be highly potent in lowering the parasite load in the spleen. Combination therapy of quercetin with the antileishmanial drug stibanate produced a better decay of OH in the erythrocytes of the infected animals compared to that induced by quercetin or drug treatment alone. Similar results were obtained in successful prevention of proteolytic degradation resulting in an aversion to early lysis of red cells after simultaneous treatment with quercetin and stibanate. Subsequent studies demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of the combination treatment in the abatement of both anemia and parasitemia under the diseased condition.