ffectiveness of Lawsonia inermis Extract on Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Lesion in BALB/c Mice

Henna (Lawsonia inermis) leaf has long been used for industrial, commercial and medical purposes. The present study was performed to determine the efficacy of henna on cutaneous leishmaniasis lesion in BALB/c mice. Sufficient amount of henna leaves were prepared, grounded, and dissolved in 80% alcohol and the extract was prepared by percolation method. The dry extract was sterilized and prepared in ointment base at 40, 60, and 80% concentrations. At the same time, 40 mice (BABL/c, 8 weeks old) were infected by Leishmaniasis Major [MRHO/IR/75/ER] through the injection of 0.1 ml promastigotes subcutaneously in their tail base. Then animals were divided into one control group (without receiving any drug) and three experimental groups receiving respectively 40, 60, and 80% concentrates of henna extract every two days and immediately after the appearance of the lesion. Weekly monitoring of weight and lesion diameter was recorded. Data analysis was done through SPSS software. In regard to the mean weight, the groups receiving 40% extract and 60% extract showed significant difference with each other (P=0.000) but not with the group receiving 80% extract. There was also no significant difference between control group and case groups in mean weight. Lesion diameter in 40% extract group had significant difference comparing to the control group and 60% and 80% extract groups. Mean lesion size of the mice receiving 40% henna extract compared with mice receiving 60% extracts showed significant difference (P=0.000). Totally, henna extract reduced the rate of weight decrease but it was not significant. However, the mean lesion size of mice receiving henna extract was significantly reduced as compared with that of control group.