<i>In Vitro</i> and <i>In Vivo</i> Effects of <i>Astragalus Ecbatanus</i> Extract against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Given the distinctive characteristics of <i>Astragalus</i> in the treatment of diseases and the strengthening of the immune system, for the first time, this study represents the first attempt to study the <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> leishmanicidal effects of chloroform extract of <i>A. ecbatanus</i> (AECE) on <i>Leishmania major</i>. The <i>in vitro</i> activity was determined against <i>L. major</i> (MHOM/AF/88/KK27). In addition, the effect of AECE on the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and the rate of macrophage infectivity was evaluated. The, antileishmanial effects of topical administration of AECE at 10 and 20 mg/kg were evaluated <i>In vivo</i> on cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) index of AECE and amphotericin B for promastigotes was found to be 76.3 and 2.78 μg/mL, respectively. The number of amastigotes exhibited a dose-dependent decline following treatment with AECE. The IC₅₀ and 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) for AECE were 39.4 and 408.3 µg/ml, respectively. The extract was observed to induce the creation of NO while simultaneously reducing the level of macrophage infection. Following a four-week course of AECE therapy, the lesions of CL were observed to have healed in the infected mice. Additionally, the number of the amastigote forms of <i>Leishmania</i> in the CL lesions was significantly reduced following AECE therapy in infected mice (p<0.05). These findings demonstrate the considerable inhibitory and eliminatory effects of AECE on <i>Leishmania</i> <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i>. Even though we have identified some cellular mechanisms of action for AECE, e.g. reducing the infectivity rate and the induction of NO production against <i>Leishmania</i> parasites, further experiments are essential to identify the specific mechanisms of action, assess safety, and determine its ability in animals and human subjects.