Background: Leishmania major is one of the main causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis in many world regions, including Iran. Common treatments for this disease include pentavalent antimonial compounds, amphotericin B, and paromomycin-based formulations. However, these treatments face challenges such as drug resistance, high toxicity, and high costs. Consequently, there is a growing need for alternative therapeutic approaches.
Objectives: The present study evaluates the inhibitory effect of nano-chitosan loaded with Allium ursinum (A. ursinum) extract against L. major under in vitro conditions.
Methods: Initially, chitosan/extract nanoparticles (NChi/Ex) were synthesized by loading A. ursinum extract onto chitosan, and their physicochemical properties were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Subsequently, Leishmania major parasites were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium, and the effect of NChi/Ex on the parasites was assessed using the MTT assay.
Results: The results showed that the average size of the synthesized nanoparticles was 145.3 nm, with a polydispersity index (PI) of 0.277, indicating a relatively uniform particle distribution. The FTIR spectrum confirmed the successful loading of A. ursinum extract onto chitosan, as characteristic peaks corresponding to the functional groups of both components were observed. The NChi/Ex nanoparticles exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect, with the highest inhibition occurring at a concentration of 50 µg/ml after 48 hours, achieving 100% inhibition of Leishmania major.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that NChi/Ex exhibited greater efficacy than chitosan or A. ursinum extract alone. This study underscores the potential of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with A. ursinum extract as a promising therapeutic strategy against Leishmania major, with potential applications in laboratory research and possibly in animal models.