Anti Leishmanial Effect of Plantago psyllium (ovate) and White Vinegar on Leishmania major Lesion in BALB/c Mice

Abdolali Moshfe; Keianoush Karami; Maryam Bahmani; Mohsen Naghmachi; Shahrbanoo Askarian; Abbas Rezaei; Roohallah Zare; Ali Jamshidi

doi:10.18502/jad.v16i1.11191

Abdolali Moshfe Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
Keianoush Karami Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
Maryam Bahmani Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
Mohsen Naghmachi Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
Shahrbanoo Askarian Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
Abbas Rezaei Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
Roohallah Zare Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
Ali Jamshidi Behbahan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Behbahan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v16i1.11191

Keywords: Leishmaniasis; Plantago psyllium; Ulcer; Mice

Abstract

Background: Leishmania major is the etiologic agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran, and glucantime injection is currently used for its treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-leishmanial effect of topical Plantago psyllium and white vinegar in L. major infected BALB/c mice.

Methods: Thirty infected mice were divided into five groups as follows: Group‌ 1: treated with the combination of ovata powder and white vinegar, Group 2: treated with glucantime, Group 3: treated with white vinegar, Group 4: treated with the combination of ovata powder and water, and Group 5: without any treatment. All the groups were treated for 18 days. Lesion size was measured, and final smears were prepared for microscopic examination.

Results: The findings indicated that the difference in the mean areas of the ulcers in all the groups before and after treatment was not significant, except for the second (glucantime) and third (vinegar) groups. Also, the results showed that in the first, second, third, and fourth group, 6 (60%), 4 (80%), 3 (60%), and 2 (40%) mice were healed, respectively. However, ulcers remained in all the five mice of the control group.

Conclusion: The combination of ovata powder and white vinegar has been traditionally used to treat leishmanial lesions in Iran. It seems the most anti-leishmanial effect is related to vinegar and supported by Plantago. The route of treatment with this combination is very simple and painless in comparison with injection. Thus, further studies on this issue could help to design more effective and easy-to-use drugs.