Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

en Leishmanicidal and Cytotoxic Activity of Algerian Medicinal Plants on Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum Anti-microbial agents, resistance and treatment protocols Anti-microbial agents, resistance and treatment protocols Original article Original article Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a severe disease that presents a real public health problem worldwide. Antileishmanial therapy remains expensive with intolerable side effects; therefore, it is essential to develop tolerable antileishmanial medications with a selective efficacy. Methods: In this study,  the leishmanicidal activities of seven Algerian plant extracts, selected based on either ethnobotanical or chemotaxonomical data, were screened for their antileishmanial activity against promastigotes and amastigotes of cutaneous leishmaniasis agent Leishmania major (MON 25), and visceral leishmaniasis agent Leishmania infantum (MON 1). The cytotoxic activity against human monocytes THP1 was also determined. Results: In both species, amastigotes showed more sensitivity to the extracts than promastigotes. Erica arborea flower (IC50=43,98 𝜇g/mL), Marrubium vulgare leaves (IC50=45,84 𝜇g/mL) and Artemisia herba-alba Asso aerial parts (IC50=55,21 𝜇g/mL) had an almost similar inhibitory effect on L. major promastigote. Marrubium vulgare leaves (IC50=35,63 𝜇g/mL) was most effective against L. infantum promastigotes. Besides, these extracts exhibited low selectivity indices. The best results were obtained with M. vulgare on both L. major and L. infantum promastigotes (IC50s of 45,84 µg/ml and 35,63 µg/ml), and amastigotes (IC50s of 32,15 µg/ml and 18,64 µg/ml). The selectivity index was above two (2.34 for L. major and 3.01 for L. infantum), calculated based on the acceptable cytotoxic effect of M. vulgare on human macrophage cell line (CC50=107,45 µg/ml). Conclusion: Out of the seven methanol extracts tested against promastigotes of L. major and L. infantum, three showed promising activity with potent leishmanicidal effect and acceptable selectivity indices on L. major and L. infantum.  Leishmanicidal effect, Medicinal plant, Algeria, Leishmaniasis. 66 71 http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-198-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Naouel Eddaikra neddaikra@yahoo.fr 0000-0003-1328-3508 Yes Laboratory of Eco-epidemiology Parasitology and Populations Genetics, Institute Pasteur of Algeria, Route du Petit Staoueli Dely Brahim Algiers, Algeria Amel Boudjelal 0000-0002-6231-7295 No University Mohamed BOUDIAF of M’sila, M’Sila, Algeria Mohamed Amine Sbabdji 0000-0002-1961-4219 No University Saad DAHLEB of Blida, Blida, Algeria Atika Eddaikra 0000-0002-9660-9413 No University Saad DAHLEB of Blida, Blida, Algeria Abdelkrim Boudrissa 0000-0001-5869-1578 No University Mohamed BOUDIAF of M’sila, M’Sila, Algeria Mustapha Mounir Bouhenna 0000-0001-6789-5636 No Research Center in Physical and Chemical Analysis (CRAPC), BP 384, Bou-Ismail, RP 42004, Tipaza, Algeria Smain Chemat 0000-0003-2123-9603 No Research Center in Physical and Chemical Analysis (CRAPC), BP 384, Bou-Ismail, RP 42004, Tipaza, Algeria Zoubir Harrat 0000-0001-7742-8740 No Laboratory of Eco-epidemiology Parasitology and Populations Genetics, Institute Pasteur of Algeria, Route du Petit Staoueli Dely Brahim Algiers, Algeria