The effect of the Persian Gulf brown algae extract (Sargassum Oligocystum) on Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) in vitro

Leishmaniasis is a disease which caused by Leishmania protozoan
parasitic. Plant extracts and their derived compounds, provide a rich source of medicinal
compounds which is by the World Health Organization considered as a candidate drug for the
treatment of many diseases. This study aimed to evaluate anti-Leishmania effects of Persian Gulf
brown algae extract compared to meglumine control drug in vitro.
Materials and Methods: Leishmania major promastigotes were cultured in RPMI-1640
medium containing 10% FBS and antibiotics, at temperature 1 ± 24 and the effect of different
concentrations of Persian Gulf brown algae was evaluated by MTT assay in comparison with
meglumine on Leishmania major promastigotes. The optical density was read by ELISA reader
at wavelength of 540-630 nm. The results are expressed as IC50 (Inhibitory Concentration %50).
Results: The IC50 amount of extract obtained as 20 μg/ mL for Leishmania major after 72
hours of incubation. So that the IC50 amount of meglumine control drug is 21.8 μg/mL for
Leishmania major.
Conclusions: The effectiveness of these extracts on these parasites is roughly equivalent
meglumine and have the potential of using as an anti-Leishmania drug but there is need to do
more tests to assess effects of this extract on Leishmania agents in animal models and In vivo.