Assessment of leishmanicidal effects of Silk protein (Sericin) as an alternative treatment option for the Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar).

The potential of Silk protein Sericin for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was assessed in this study. Silk protein (SP), Sericin is a protein removed from the silk cocoons which possesses many biological activities. The present study provides scienti?c data that support the protective effect of SP, Sericin against VL (Kala-azar) control. In this study, we investigated the anti-leishmanial properties of SP, Sericin which reduced very less dehydrogenase actitivity as compared to PBMCs without SP but in presence of Sericin in PBMCs culture from VL patients, maximum decline in dehydrogenase activity of mitochondria was observed and found to be less toxic as compared to without Sericin. In other groups like Con-A and Amp-B with or without Sericin, there were very less significant changes were observed. It suggested SP, Sericin might play important role in alternative chemotherapeutic agent against VL