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Natural Anti-Leishmaniasis Compounds in Traditional Iranian Medicine
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N. Mohseni *   , S.E. Sajjadi , A.A. Eskandarian , H.A. Yousefi , M. Mansurian , Y. Shokoohinia , N. Mohseni |
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Abstract: (28241 Views) |
Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by different strains of Leishmania. The disease affects many people in different countries, particularly in the developing countries. With regard to the symptoms and complications, the disease is categorized into the three types of cutaneous, cutaneous-mucosal, and visceral leishmaniasis. The cutaneous type of the disease is more common, and is prevalent in some countries including Iran. Leishmaniasis is transmitted via the bit of Phlebotomus papatasi and some other species of Phlebotomus.
According to the World Health Organization reports, more than 350 million people in 88 countries are at the risk of the disease. Currently, 12 million people around the world are affected by the disease, and it is estimated that 1-2 million new cases of the disease occur each year. Almost 90% of the cutaneous leishmaniasis cases occur in Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Peru, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.
Considering the several and dangerous adverse effects of currently available drug formulations, many attempts have been carried out to find drugs of plant origin that are more effective and affordable with less adverse effects. Evaluation and identification of medicinal plants used in the traditional medicine and their constituents could facilitate achieving this goal. So far, the anti-leishmaniasis effect of some plants and plant compounds such as quinones, terpenes, alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, lactones, chalcones, tetralones, and saponins have been confirmed. In this study, we have reviewed the medicinal plants used in the traditional medicine of countries and the plants’ constituents to introduce new sources to achieve compounds effective against leishmaniasis |
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| Keywords: Leishmaniasis, Traditional medicine, Medicinal plants |
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Memorial article: Origianal Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2011/07/23 | Accepted: 2012/01/14
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