Evaluation of intrinsic and acquired immune cells infiltration in kidney and spleen of the mice infected with systemic candidiasis and treated with chloroform fraction of Zataria Multiflora Boiss.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Despite the use of antifungal drugs, the visceral candidiasis is associated with a high mortality rate. The aims of this study were an evaluation of intrinsic and acquired immune cells infiltration in kidney and spleen of the mice infected with systemic candidiasis and treated with chloroform fraction of Zataria Multiflora Boiss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Candida albicans (C. albicans) ATCC10231 clinical standard strain was isolated. C. albicans LD50 was determined. The laboratory animal (BALB/C mouse) infection with the visceral candidiasis was performed. The kidney and spleen tissues were stained with PAS and prepared for confirmation under the microscope. The Zataria Multiflora Boiss (Shiraz thyme) was prepared and the effects on the infected group were assessed. The kidney and spleen mononuclear cells (MNCs) were prepared and the flow cytometry technique was performed for the assessment of Th1, Th17, and Treg cells.

RESULTS: The LD50 and LD totals were 1.5 × 108 and 2 × 108 Yeast/0.1 ml, respectively. In mice which had a drug intervention, including chloroform fraction of Zataria Multiflora Boiss, thymol, carvacrol or fluconazole, fungal purification was greater in the spleen than in the kidney. Among those mice without medication intervention, fungal clearance was higher in the kidney. The highest percentage of TH1 cells was in group 1 and then group 4 and in groups 2 and 3 respectively. Moreover, there was a significant difference between groups 4 and 5 and also 6 and 7. The percentage of TH1 cells in the spleen MNCs was higher than that of the kidney cells, which is the difference between the groups except for group 7. The percentage of TH17 cells in the kidney and spleen of all drug-receiving groups exhibited a significant increase compared to groups 6 and 7. The percentage of Treg cells in the kidney and the spleen only in the extract-receiving group had a significant decrease compared to the non-drug receiving group and the other groups receiving group depicted no significant difference in the percentage of Treg cells.

CONCLUSION: In addition to the direct effect on the fungus proven in vitro, the extract exhibits immunosuppressive effects, and thus can degrade the fungus through this way. The results demonstrated that the fraction of Zataria Multiflora Boiss can be considered as a powerful alternative to C. albicans therapy along with other therapies.