Find in Library

<i>Background:</i> Leishmaniasis is a multisystemic zoonotic disease with several symptoms, including neurological disorders. Leishmaniasis is accompanied by an increase in nociceptive behaviors, linked to the presence of a chronic inflammatory state, in both peripheral tissue and the central nervous system. Artesunate is a more stable derivative of its precursor artemisin and has been shown to be a pluripotent agent with different pharmacological actions. <i>Methods:</i> In this study, we investigated the effects of artesunate in <i>Leishmania</i> <i>amazonensi-</i> infected BALB/c mice, evaluating its effectiveness in reducing inflammation, neuroinflammation, and nociceptive and sickness behaviors. <i>Results:</i> Our results demonstrate a significant increase in pain sensitivity and sickness behaviors after <i>L. amazonensis</i> infection. Moreover, the infection induced a significant increase in inflammatory response at both the paw and spinal cord level. Treatment with artesunate was able to induce a significant decrease in tissue inflammation and neuroinflammation and thus induce a significant decrease in pain sensitivity and sickness behaviors. <i>Conclusions:</i> The results from this study indicate that artesunate is a good candidate for treatment and/or as an adjuvant in leishmanicidal therapy, and to prevent and alleviate leishmaniasis-induced pain and neuroinflammation and thereby improve the quality of life of leishmaniasis patients.