anti-leishmania effect of ferula asafoetida extract on leishmanaia major and determined it cytotoxicity on mammalian cells

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the zoonotic diseases being considered as a health problem in iran and several countries around the world (1). at present, glucantime is used to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis. due to its high side effects and resistance, the use of alternative therapies, especially the use of plants and natural compounds, has been considered by researchers (2). the aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro anti-leishmania activity of hydroalcoholic extract of ferula asafoetida on leishmania major, and to determine its toxicity using mtt assay. in this experimental study, the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of f. asafoetida on l. major parasite at concentrations of 300-1200 μg/ml was evaluated and its cytotoxicity on mammalian cells was determined. mortality percentages and lc50 values were also calculated. the main compounds of extract were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. data were analyzed by graphpad prism 6 software. the ic50 of f. asafoetida extract after 24 hr on l. major was calculated to be 37.00±2.00 mg/ml. the highest mortality (100%) was observed at a concentration of 1200 μg/ml after 72 hr of exposure. however, f. asafoetida was significantly cytotoxic against mammalian cells. the major chemical components of f. asafoetida were identified as 2-methoxy-3-methyl-butyric acid and methyl ester. the extract of f. asafoetida has an inhibitory effect on the growth of l. major and it is suggested that more complete studies be performed on the components of this plant and in vivo lethal effect of the parasite.