Fig 5. Evaluation of azelastine efficacy in BALB/c mice infected with L. major.

Mice (n  =  7) were infected intradermically (ID) with 10⁷ metacyclic promastigotes of L. major transfected with the luciferase gene. Lesion size (area in mm2 = length x width) was measured using a digital caliper (A). Body weight change was estimated as a major sign of toxicity (B). The parasite load at the infection site (C) and draining lymph nodes (D) was determined in vivo using the IVIS spectrum imager. Animals received 3 ID injections of azelastine or vehicle (control) from day 3 to 10 p.i. Another group of mice was treated orally with miltefosine 50 mg/kg for 10 days as a positive control of parasite suppression. The figures show mean values and their standard deviation (SD). Representative data of 2 independent experiments. P value: *< 0.05; ***< 0.001. The statistical significance of the data was determined using the t test.