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Introduction Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem that causes by parasite of the genus Leishmania. The pentavalent antimonial compounds that used for treatment are not safe or effective enough. The aim of the present study was preparation and evaluation of the efficacy of green synthesized silver nanoparticles against Leishmania major (L. major) in vitro. Methods To synthesis silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), ginger extract was added to the 0.2mM AgNO3 aqueous solution (1:20). Effects of different concentrations of Ag-NPs on the number of L. major promastigotes were investigated using counting assay. The MTT test was applied to determine the toxicity of Ag-NPs on promastigotes of L. major, as well as, macrophage cells. Then, to evaluate the anti-amastigotes effects of Ag-NPs, parasites within the macrophages were counted by light microscope. Furthermore, to determine the induced apoptosis and necrotic effects of Ag-NPs on promastigotes, flow cytometry method was employed using annexin staining. Results The effect of Ag-NPs on promastigotes and amastigotes of L. major was effective and has a reverse relationship with its concentration. According to the results of anti-amastigote assay, the IC50 value of this nanoparticle was estimated 2.35 ppm after 72h. Also, Ag-NPs caused Programmed Cell Death (PCD) in promastigotes of L. major and showed 60.18% of apoptosis. Discussion Based on the mentioned results, it can be concluded that Ag NPs has a beneficial effect on promastigote and amastigote forms of L. major in vitro. Hence, these nanoparticles could be applied as promising antileishmanial agents for treatment of Leishmania infections.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a tropical disease that is opportunistic in immunocompromised patients. Objectives: In this research, our goal was to assess the anti-parasitic effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) based on ginger extract on T. gondii tachyzoites. Methods: This study was conducted to assess the effects of various concentrations of nanoparticles on the parasite using light microscopy. The MTT assay was also conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of silver nanoparticles based on ginger extract on macrophage cells. In addition, the potential apoptosis of T. gondii by silver NPs was assessed using the flow cytometry technique. Results: Based on the tachyzoite assay using microscopic examination, it was observed that the higher the NPs concentration and the longer the parasite’s exposure to NPs, the greater the lethal effect of NPs on tachyzoites. The IC50 (inhibitory concentration) for NPs against T. gondii tachyzoites was 2 ppm. Also, according to the MTT assay, the 40 ppm concentration of nanoparticles had the most toxic impact on macrophages. Moreover, silver NPs led to apoptosis in approximately 55.22% of tachyzoites based on the flow cytometry technique. Conclusions: Based on the above results, it is concluded that silver nanoparticles based on ginger extract have a lethal effect on T. gondii and induce apoptosis in this parasite. This study encourages further studies in vivo.

Background;: Leishmaniasis is one of the major diseases caused by the intracellular parasite of Leishmania. It has become one of the most dangerous health problems today. Our aim of the present study is to compare the effects of Sambucus ebulus leaf and fruit extracts on Leishmania major in vitro. Methods: In this study, we used MTT, promastigote and amastigote assay to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of the extract on parasite and we compared their effects. The flow cytometry technique was also used to detect the apoptotic effect of the extracts on promastigotes. Results: According to MTT experiment IC50 concentration of leaf and fruit extracts on parasite was 157 μg/ml and 265 μg/ml, respectively. After analysis by flow cytometry, leaf and fruit extracts also showed apoptosis effect. Leaf and fruit extract caused 40.2 and 2.67 percent apoptosis. Conclusion: Based on the above assessment, we determined that the S. ebulus leaf extract has a more toxic effect on promastigotes and amstigotes than its fruit extract and maybe in the future that be used as a drug candidate.

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