Methanolic Extract’s Activity of Artemisia absinthium, Vitexagnus-castus and Phytolacaamericana AgainstLeishmania major; in vitro and in vivo

Aims Leishmaniasis is the most prevalent vector- borne parasitic disease in Iran. Drugtreatment is the best way to treat leishmaniasis, while the common drugs are not efficientenough and inevitable side effects limit using these drugs. The aim of this study was toanalyze in vitro and in vivo activity of the methanolic extract of Artemisia absinthium, Vitexagnus-castus and Phytolaca americana Against Leishmania major.Materials & Methods The methanolic extracts of Artemisia absinthium, Vitex agnuscastusand Phytolaca americana were prepared by cold percolation method. The inhibitoryconcentration 50 (IC50) of the plant extracts was determined against L. major promastigotesfollowed by efficacy evaluation of the extracts against amastigotes and in vivo assay in theBALB/c animal model. The data was analyzed with SPSS 19 software using Student’s T testand ANOVA.Findings Artemisia absinthium had the highest amount of active compounds againstpromastigotes of L. major (IC50=159.45) and antiprolifrative activity of Artemisia absinthiumon both forms of L. major (extracellular promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes) wasthe highest (MI=33%). Vitex agnus-castus had the least toxic effect for macrophages (8%). Allextracts limited the progression of lesion size versus control group, however, only inhibitoryeffect of Artemisia absinthium extract was statistically significant.Conclusion Artemisia absinthium is the most effective growth inhibitor of amastigotes inanimal lesions and it is safe for drug application in human and animals.

Methanolic Extract’s Activity of Artemisia absinthium, Vitexagnus-castus and Phytolacaamericana AgainstLeishmania major; in vitro and in vivo Keywords:

Leishmaniasis , Leishmaniamajor , Artemisia absinthium , Vitex agnus-castus extract