The nanoemulsion-based nanogel of Artemisia dracunculus essential oil with proper activity against Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of leishmaniasis that is distributed in around 100 countries. Preparing essential oil-based nanoformulations with the leishmanicidal effect is a promising strategy for the development of new drugs. In this study, the leishmanicidal effects of three essential oils of Artemisia dracunculus, Zataria multiflora, and Zingiber officinale against promastigotes of Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major were first investigated. The essential oil of A. dracunculus showed the most potent activity. After that, by adding carbomer 940, 1.5% w/v, to the prepared nanoemulsion with particle size of 7.86 ± 4 nm and particle size distribution (SPAN) of 0.96 ± 0.1, nanogel of ADEO was prepared. The leishmanicidal effect of the nanogel was significantly better than the non-formulated A. dracunculus essential oil. Interestingly, the promastigotes' viabilities at a 160 µg/mL concentration were decreased to ~ 0%. The prepared green nanoformulation could be used as supplementary drugs in cutaneous leishmaniasis.