A preliminary screening of Silk protein (sericin) for the anti-Leishmanial properties and effect on immune reponse in visceral leishmaniasis

Sericin, a silk protein (SP), is one of the main constituents of silk cocoons, comprising 20-30% of total cocoon weight.. In this study, we investigated the anti-leishmanial and immunogenic properties of Sericin from the VL endemic area of Bihar, India and its role on Leishmania donovani (Ld) growth in vitro and MIF release by T-cells of patients was scrutinised . The study identified an important role of serecin as at 10?g/ml it demonstrated significant killing of L.donovani promastigote in culture. At this concentration, it was was observed to be less toxic on human peripheral blood mono nuclear cells in comparison to other groups and other concentrations. In further studies it was shown that serecin at threshold concentration of 10 ug can trigger the T cell response for an effective immune response against L.donovani. The present study provides scientific data that support the protective effect of silk protein (sericin) against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) control.