Evaluation of anti-leishmanial efficacy by extract of Artemisia auchery Boiss. on Leishmania major in Balb/c

Cutaneous infection caused by protozoa the genus Leishmania are a major worldwide health problem, with high endemicity in developing countries including Middle East, Africa and Latin America. In the absence of a vaccine, there is an urgent need for effective drugs to replace and supplement those in current use. In this study, the in vivo efficacy of Artemisia auchery extract on Leishmania major cutaneouse infection in murine model in susceptible Balb/c mice. To carry out this investigation, mice were assigned to five groups (each with 5 mice) as healthy negative control, non-treated control, glucantim-treated, treated-groups with herbal extract and normal salin group. Experimental Leishmaniasis was initiated by the subcutaneous (s.c.) application of the 2×106 promastigotes of L. major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) into the basal tail of all groups except the healthy negative control group. The development of lesions was determined weekly by measuring the diameters. At the end of treatment course, all mice were killed humanely by terminal anaestheisa and target tissues including lymph node, spleen and liver from each mouse were removed and weighted and their impression smears were also prepared. The results indicated that herbal extract was able to affect on lesion size, its performance and to prevent visceralization of the parasite. This is the first report indicating visceralization caused by the cutaneous form of L. major in the Balb/c mice. During this experiment, no side effects were observed due to the application of herbal extract in the treated-mice. The impression smears showed a reduction of parasite burdens in spleen, liver and lymph node. In comparison with glucantim; the present herbal combination was more effective on this murine Leishmaniasis. Therefore, it could be suggested as a substitute for glucantime in treatment of Leishmaniasis for human and animal purposes.