Antileishmanial activity of honey of Khezrabad Yazd against Leishmania major- An in vitro study

Subject & aims: Leishmaniasis (L) is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania protozoan most developing countries of the world. Thus far, some plant medicines and natural products have a new candidate for treatment of Leishmaniasis. Honey is a traditional remedy, which has a broad range of effects on stimulation of healing process, tissue regeneration, rapid disinfection as well as reduction of pain, inflammation and scars. This study investigated the Antileishmanial activity of honey of Khezrabad Yazd against Leishmania major- An in vitro study.Materials & Methods: Leishmania (L) major was appropriately provided, in different intervals, parasite numbers were counted in mentioned culture through two methods including the slide and the enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Finally, the considered counting was compared with the controlling group. Parasite species showed sensitivity to honey in vitro and in comparison with the controlling group, their numbers were reduced. Honey with different concentrations of 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 μg were added to the culture containing parasite and through the first to fourth days, the live parasite numbers in aforesaid culture was counted through slide and cell proliferation ELISA methods .Results: The slide and ELISA measurements suggested that all the cultures containing honey in comparison with and without the controlling group showed that the viability of parasites significantly decreased (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The results show that honey could prevent from growth and viability of parasites and this natural product can be useful for treatment of leishmaniasis.

Keywords:

Leishmania major , Honey of Khezr abad Yazd , Viability , Antileishmanial effect