The activity of extracts chara vulgaris against promastigotes of leishmania tropica.

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by Leishmania parasite, this disease considers as a major health problem worldwide. The available therapy is unsatisfactory expensive with a cytotoxic side effects. Studies of marine algae as a source of pharmacological active compounds have increased worldwide. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of a type of green algae (Chara vulgaris) on promastigotes of L. tropica, by using. various concentrations (500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.6 µg/mL) in vitro by MTT assay [3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2.5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide)], to investigate its effect on the proliferation of promastigotes, by three incubation periods (24, 48, 72 hr.) The results showed a significant (p< 0.05) decrease in survived of promastigotes in treatment groups with concentrations that ranged between 15 to 500 μg/ ml. This study revealed a major growth inhibition effect of the organic extract of C. vulgaris against L. tropica promastigotes, and the extract of ethyl acetate showed potential activity is better than the aqueous extract.

Keywords

• Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Chara vulgaris, Promastigot