Evaluation of the Antileishmanial Properties of Ixora brachiata Roxb on Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum by Colorimetric MTT Assay

Leishmaniasis is a major global health problem which affects millions of people, especially in the developing countries. The incidence of leishmaniasis has increased and there is no vaccination for Leishmania infections and standard drugs for treatment of the disease have many side effects; therefore, it is necessary to find new effective alternatives.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antileishmanial activity of Ixora brachiata root extract against Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum promastigotes.

Different doses of the selected plant extract was tested against L. major and L. infantum promastigotes using colorimetric MTT [3-(4, 5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Glucantime was used as the positive control.

Anti-parasitic activity was revealed for I. brachiata root on L. major and L. infantum with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.91 and 2.63 µg/mL, respectively compared to the standard drugs, glucantime, which had an IC50 value of 40.2 µg/mL for L. major and 18.5 µg/ mL for L. infantum after 72 hours.

The results of this study created a new background on the development of drug against leishmania parasite.