Research in Medicine

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Abstract Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an endemic disease and an important public health problem in many countries, including Iran. Pentavalent antimony compounds used as first line treatment are associated with numerous side effects. Use of drugs obtained from herbs may prove to be an acceptable alternative. Therefore, in this study, the effect of Scrophularia striata, a herbal remedy, was studied on in-vitro growth of Leishmania Major. Materials and methods: In this experimental study aqueous extract of Scrophularia striata at a concentration of 10, 20 and 25 mg/ml in the RPMI medium was placed with promastigotes of Leishmania major to study the growth of amastigotes in macrophages. Results: Percentage of infected macrophages significantly reduced with time and concentration, such that infected macrophages were not observed in the cultures on second and third days of the study, (P=0.001). By the third day, exposure of Leishmania major amastigotes to 10 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml concentration of Scrophularia striata resulted in complete elimination of the parasites. Conclusion: Scrophularia striata in RPMI culture medium suppresses the growth of Leishmania major amastigotes. In view of the low cost, easy availability and effectiveness of treatment with this herbal medicine, clinical research in this field is recommended. Keywords: Aqueous extract, Scrophularia striata, Leishmania major, In vitro.

Keywords: Aqueous extract, Scrophularia striata, Leishmania major, In vitro.

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