The immunopharmacology of antileprosy agents

Leprosy: pathogenesis updated

“…The efficacy of sulfones was initially attributed to their bactericidal effect. Hypothetically, sulfones may promote lysosomal phospholipase activity in “Mitsuda‐negative macrophages.” 39−103 An antioxidant role has also been suggested .96−100 The abnormality may reside within the mitochondria (oxidative phosphorylation) and lead to excessive release of free radicals; consequently, depression of phospholipases may result. In lepromatous leprosy, the sulfone mechanism of action may be as follows.…”

“…Rifampicin may be bactericidal, particularly for neural bacilli and also in cases of bacteremia .101 Administration of rifampicin at 30 day intervals may be related to the replication cycle of M. leprae .21 Bacilli harbored within the Schwann cell cytoplasm would be protected from drug action. Clofazimine, a pigmented agent, may fuse with the lepra cell phospholipids and facilitate their metabolism .102−104 This drug may also promote phospholipase A2 synthesis and develop activity against the bacillar phospholipids .98−103 …”

“…An antioxidant role has also been suggested. [96][97][98][99][100] The abnormality may reside within the mitochondria (oxidative phosphorylation) and lead to excessive release of free radicals; consequently, depression of phospholipases may result. In lepromatous leprosy, the sulfone mechanism of action may be as follows.…”

Nanoparticle-Formulated Curcumin Prevents Posttherapeutic Disease Reactivation and Reinfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis following Isoniazid Therapy

“…In fact, it has been shown that addition of steroids to conventional antitubercular antibiotics yields improved therapeutic efficacy (26). In addition, clofazimine, an inhibitor of the Kv1.3 potassium channel, is an anti-inflammatory compound widely used for the treatment of leprosy (27–31), and also exhibits treatment efficacy against TB in an animal model (32–34). Similarly, curcumin is also an inhibitor of Kv1.3 (35) and exhibits therapeutic benefits in several inflammatory and infectious diseases (36–38).…”

An Attempt to Induce a Histological ENL Symptom in M. leprae Infected Nude Mice

“…Anderson (12) proposed that granulocytes activation by interaction of immune complexes and complement is responsible for the development of ENL and its complication in individual with high bacillary load.…”