Abstract
Background and aims: Visceral leishmaniasis so called Kala-azar is one of the important health care problems worldwideSome herbal drugs are noticed because of toxicity and drug resistance less than pentavalent antimonials in the treatment of Kala-azar. In this study, anti-leishmanial activity of Pelargonium roseum Essential oil on the in vitro growth of Leishmania infantum promastigotes in comparison to Glucantime was studied.
Methods: Different concentrations of Pelargonium roseum essential oil in 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 µL/ml on Leishmania infantum promastigote were studied with anti-leishmania activity assays at 24 hour and 48 hour at 570 nm wavelength. All the data were analyzed by SPSS (by ANOVA method) and anti-leishmanial potency of the oil extract of Geranium in different concentration were compared to standard dose of Glucantime.
Results: 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 µL/ml concentration in 24 hour showed no significant difference of inhibitory on promastigotes of L. infantum. All concentrations except 1µL/ml in 48 hour MTT had resemble impact on the growth of promastigotes. 5 µL/ml concentration of Pelargonium roseum essential oil was significant difference effect on the growth of parasite (P= 0.043) in 48 hour.
Conclusion: Anti-leishmanial activity of Pelargonium roseum Essential oil on growth of Leishmania infantum promastigotes wasn't satisfactory in 24 hour MTT. But in 48 hour MTT it showed extremely effective against L. infantum growth inhibitory compared control group. This result indicated the effect of this herbal medicine on the parasite needs more time. Pelargonium roseum essential oil doesn’t treat Leishmania infantum promastigote quickly. After 48 hour, 5 µL/ml concentration can be a suitable candidate in clinical trials.