Miltefosine (HePC) is the treatment of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis drug , and is proceeding clinical trials for this in several countries. Several medical agents produce some potency against visceral or cutaneous leishmaniasis, however a 2005 survey concluded that miltefosine is the only effective oral treatment for both forms of leishmaniasis.

PKC:7 μM

Levels of enzymatically active caspase-3 are quantified using the ApoAlert Caspase Fluorescent assay kit. Briefly, 1×106 BC-1 PEL cells are treated with 50 μM Miltefosine, 50 μM Perifosine, or 20 nM NVP-BEZ235, as well as the respective vehicle controls. Cells are harvested and lysed 12 hours later. Equivalent micrograms of cell lysate for all samples are incubated with a fluorogenic caspase-3 substrate (DEVD-AFC). Cleavage of DEVD by caspase-3 releases AFC, the fluorescence of which is measured using a FLUOstar OPTIMA fluorometer, with excitation and emission filter wavelengths set to 400 and 505 nm, respectively[3].

2 × 105 PEL cells are treated with the therapeutic compounds at the indicated doses or with appropriate vehicle as a negative control. Cells are followed for 96 hours, and cell viability is determined by trypan blue exclusion performed in quadruplicate. (Only for Reference)