Efficacy of a Combined Herbal Product Containing Indigofera argentea, Pistacia atlantica and Salvia hispanica in Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients Treated along Glucantime ®

Abstract

Background: Leishmaniasis is highly prevalent worldwide, and while conventional medicine offers numerous treatment methods for cutaneous leishmaniasis, Iranian traditional medicine suggests various remedies. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an herbal combination containing Indigofera argentea leaves, Pistacia atlantica resin, and Salvia hispanica seeds in patients with zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Methods: This study was conducted at the Leishmaniasis Department of Chabahar Health Center in southeastern Iran in 2021. It was a double-blinded randomized clinical trial involving 68 patients enrolled after clinical diagnosis, examination of smear samples using Giemsa staining, and PCR confirmation. The volunteers were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Both groups received 'Glucantime ® as the primary medication weekly until complete healing or up to 12 weeks. Glucantime ® was administered intralesionally at a dosage of 0.1 cc on the wound's margin, with repeat injections at 1 cm intervals along the wound edge when necessary. In addition to the main drug, the intervention group received the herbal product topically twice daily until wound healing or for up to 4 weeks, while the control group received a placebo in the same manner. Results: 82.35% of patients in the intervention group and 20.58% in the control group achieved complete healing within four weeks. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The herbal product demonstrated effectiveness in treating patients with zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Keywords

• Leishmaniasis
• Indigofera argentea
• Pistacia atlantica
• Salvia hispanica
• Iran