Translational Research in Leishmaniosis

Description

This multidisciplinary research group is essentially focused on the alternative therapy of leishmaniosis. This consolidated research group of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (group 910993) screens new formulations and molecules using various platforms, including in vivo models of the disease, with a view to improving the therapeutic options for this disease both in patients with a functional immune system and in immunocompromised individuals or those undergoing a solid organ transplantation.

Scientific objectives and lines of work

The general objectives of our group are focused on the following:

1. Exploring new molecules with leishmanicidal or leishmaniostatic activity and therapeutic potential.
2. To assess new pharmaceutical presentations and formulations, or formulations of reduced toxicity and low cost for the treatment of leishmaniosis.

The specific objectives of our group are the following:

1. To assess the in vitro and ex vivo leishmanicidal or leishmaniostatic activity of sesquiterpenes and steroids obtained from mouse models.
2. To assess the leishmanicidal or leishmaniostatic potential of molecules of plant origin with antiproliferative capacity (e.g., silybin and its analogues, crocin).
3. To assess the antiproliferative capacity of alkylphospholipids with reduced toxicity against leishmania in vitro, ex vivo and in animal models of the disease (hamster and dog).
4. To calculate the bioavailability of new alkylphospholipids with leishmanicidal or leishmaniostatic activity (pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics).
5. To determine the synergistic potential of the combination of reduced toxicity molecules and well-established anti-leishmania agents whose most tolerable presentations are highly toxic or costly.