The action of deoxyfructose serotonin on intracellular bacilli and on host response in leprosy

Abstract

The drug deoxyfructose serotonin has already shown anti-leprosy activity according to in vitro tests on bacillary suspensions, in the mouse footpad and in a pilot clinical trial. In a group of further tests in our Institute, activity against intracellular bacilli has been obtained both in macrophages from LL patients and bacilli within Schwann cells in organized nerve culture. In vitro tests also show enhanced lymphocyte macrophage interaction promoted by the drug with infected macrophages suggesting a possible enhancement of cellular immune response. Some protection in vivo against sciatic nerve damage by Mycobacterium leprae has also been shown in mice.