Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Arnebia Euchroma on the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Introduction: The growing resistance of the Leishmania parasites to the available anti-leishmanial drugs has been reported from different areas of the world, including Iran. Aim: To assess the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Arnebia euchroma, for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis induced by Leishmania major in BALB/c mice. Materials and Methods: Arnebia euchroma extract was provided by medicinal herb garden in Yasuj, in the south of Iran. To facilitate the application of the extract, 5% gel with Arnebia extract and Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was prepared. Mice infection was done by subcutaneous inoculation of amastigotes form of Leishmania major. Lesions were developed after about three weeks of inoculating. Mice were divided into four groups, (six mice in each group), where the first group was treated with 5% of the extract and the second group with 5% gel of Arnebia euchroma. The third group was treated by meglumine antimoniate. The negative control group received only normal saline. Treatments was started from the day open lesion were observed and carried out every third day for 21 days. The size of lesion on tail base were measured weekly. Results: Mean sizes of lesions in mice treated with the extract or topical gel were lower than the controls. However, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Findings of the study showed that Arnebia euchroma extract in doses which have been used in this study (5%) and in comparison with meglumine antimoniate had no considerable effect in treatment or control of cutaneous leishmaniasis.