<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-GB">Anti-leishmanial activity of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Agave americana </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">L.– A traditional Indian medicinal plant</span></span>

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:="" mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-GB">Due to lack of safe treatment and developing resistance to the available drugs for visceral leishmaniasis or <i>Kala-azar</i> - a fatal parasitic disease caused by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Leishmania donovani</i> - the search for drugs from natural resources is imperative. In the present study, the comparative <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">in vitro</i> anti-leishmanial activity of various fractions of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Agave americana</i> extracts has been evaluated. Extracts were prepared through successive solvent extraction through Soxhlet apparatus using benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol respectively. Among those extracts ethyl acetate fraction was capable of selectively inhibiting both stages of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Leishmania donovani</i> by generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Ethyl acetate fraction <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Agave americana</i> showed significant antileishmanial activity (IC­₅₀~25 µg/ml complete inhibition (IC₉₀) at 50 µg/ml. This observation emphasizes the need to extend studies related to traditional medicines from botanicals for better and safe alternatives to the available anti-leishmanials.</span>