The in vitro anti-Leishmania Effect of Zingiber officinale Extract on Promastigotes and Amastigotes of Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica

Abstract

Objective: Recently, the use of pentavalent antimony compounds for Leishmaniasis treatment has been associated with disease recurrence, drug resistance, and severe side effects. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative treatment strategies. This study investigates the in vitro effects of Zingiber officinale on promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica. Methods: Promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica were cultured and mass-produced in an RPMI1640 medium enriched with other necessary compounds. The MTT colorimetric method and calculating the IC50 value were used to evaluate the anti-leishmania activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale. Results: The hydroalcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale inhibited the growth of Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica promastigotes in 24, 48, and 72 hours after in vitro incubation. The IC50 of hydroalcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale was 56 μg/mL for Leishmania major and 275 μg/mL for Leishmania tropica promastigotes after 72 hours. The IC50 of hydroalcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale was 75 μg/mL for Leishmania major and 325 μg/mL for Leishmania tropica amastigotes after 72 hours. Conclusion: The results showed that hydroalcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale has cytotoxicity properties, and Leishmania tropica has a higher resistance to hydroalcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale than Leishmania major. Further research is recommended.