<i>In vitro</i> anti-leishmanial activity of <i>Boswellia sacra</i> gum resin extract on <i>Leishmania major</i> promastigotes

Background:The adverse effects of traditional chemical treatments have driven interest in herbal compounds for leishmaniasis therapy.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the anti-leishmanial effect of Boswellia sacra gum resin extract on the survival of Leishmania major promastigotes.Methods: Leishmania major strain (MHOM/IR/75/ER) was adjusted to 2 10 5 parasites per well.Promastigotes were exposed to a range of B. sacra gum resin extract concentrations (15,25, 50, 70, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 g/ml) for 24 hours.Viability and cytotoxic effects were assessed using the MTT assay (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) with absorbance measured at 450 nm.Result: The B. sacra gum resin extract reduced promastigotes viability at various concentrations, with statistically significant effects observed at 800, 1600, and 3200 g/mL (P 0.05).Cytotoxic effects at 1600 and 3200 g/mL were significantly greater than those at 15, 25, and 50 g/mL (P 0.01). Conclusion:Based on the in vitro anti-leishmanial activity observed, Boswellia sacra resin extract warrants further investigation as a potential agent against cutaneous leishmaniasis.Future in vivo studies are recommended to evaluate efficacy and safety.