Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a research priority, yet its treatment remains challenging. CL lesions arise from complex interactions between the parasite and host immunity, where excessive inflammation can delay healing. Given the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of medicinal plants, this study evaluated the effects of polar fractions from methanolic extracts of Amaranthus blitoides S. Watson , Caucalis platycarpos L., Cistanche flava (C.A.Mey.) Korsh., and their mixtures on CL caused by Leishmania major . Methods In vitro, the antileishmanial activity of polar fractions against L. major promastigotes and their cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 macrophages were assessed using flow cytometry and MTT assay, respectively. In vivo, female BALB/c mice infected with L. major were treated with polar fractions. Lesion size was monitored weekly, and at the end of treatment, parasite load at lesion margins and seven liver biochemical parameters in serum were measured. Results Polar fractions exhibited mild-to-moderate antileishmanial effects on promastigotes without significant cytotoxicity to macrophages. In vivo, treatment with 20 mg/kg C. platycarpos , 20 mg/kg C. flava , and 80 mg/kg of the mixture significantly reduced lesion size compared to controls. Clinical observations also indicated reduced local inflammation in these groups. Parasite load remained detectable across all groups, and liver biochemical parameters did not differ significantly from the negative control. Conclusion Polar fractions of the studied plants demonstrated safety and therapeutic promise, supporting their potential as adjunctive candidates for further investigation in the management of CL caused by L. major .