Synergistic effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil with glucantime against cutaneous Leishmaniasis in vitro and in vivo

Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by several species of Leishmania in humans, carnivores and rodents. Cutaneous leishmaniasis has been reported from various areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of herbal, peppercorn, almond powder and castor oil on Leishmania species and cutaneous lesion in vitro and its effect on lesion formation in mice. Methods: E. camaldulensis essential oil (EO) was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Promastigotes were cultured in Schneider and PRMI-1640 medium. Using MTT assay, biological activity and toxicity levels of EO was disclosed compared to glucantime. Mice were infected with promastigotes (5 x 10(4)/ml) and after two weeks, 10 mu l of EO (group1), EO + glucantime (group2), glucantime (group3) and control (group4) were assessed. Results: IC50 of EO against cultured promastigotes at time intervals 24, 48 and 72 h included 690, 270 and 140 mu g/ml, respectively and for glucantime included 27, 12 and 8 mu g/ml, respectively. IC50 was decreased in exposure of EO + glucantime. A significant effect of EO + glucantime against the process of wound progress and cutaneous nodule in the tail base of treated mice compared to the control group was observed. Conclusion: We observed that using combination therapy with E. camaldulensis EO and glucantime will exert a higher efficient effect on the growth of the parasite in vitro and in vivo wound healing. Further research regarding other pharmacological aspects of this herbal compounds and cellular circuits seem necessary.