Antileishmanial Activities of Greek Juniper (Juniperus excelsa M.Bieb.) Against Leishmania major Promastigotes

Abstract

Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions of Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa M.Bieb. from the family Cupressaceae) were evaluated for antileishmanial activities against Leishmania major promastigotes compared to meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime). In vitro toxicity assay was performed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and microplate ELISA reader. Extracts were prepared in ethanol/dimethyl sulfoxide (80/20) at 10 to 0.62 mg/mL. The standard was prepared in phosphate-buffered saline at 500 to 15.62 mg/mL. Both leaf and fruit extracts and related fractions showed strong inhibitory effects against promastigotes, significantly different from that of the standard. The leaf extract and the respective petroleum ether fraction showed maximum effectiveness compared to other fractions and also fruit extract and fractions (IC 90 ¼ 1.89 + 0.03 and 0.90 + 0.03 mg/mL, respectively). Regarding the potent activities of nonpolar fractions of Greek juniper leaf extract, these fractions can be suggested for further investigation.

Efficacy of cryotherapy plus topical Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb cream versus cryotherapy plus placebo in the treatment of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis: A triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial

“…Few studies have shown the in-vitro leishmania promastigocidal effect of J . excelsa M. Bieb [ 44 , 52 ], and also its efficacy in the treatment of CL in an animal model [ 53 ]. Therefore, the current randomized controlled clinical trial has evaluated the efficacy of the leaf extract of this native plant on human CL for the first time.…”

“…Persian Juniper has been shown to have an effect on cell-cycle phases of MCF-7 breast cancer cell line [ 85 ]. Satisfactory antileishmanial activity of Juniperus species have also been demonstrated in a few in-vitro and in-vivo studies [ 44 , 53 , 86 ]. In addition, antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of high content of terpenoids in essential oil and considerable phenolic content in extracts of J .…”

“…excelsa essential oil has several compounds with proved anti-inflammatory, anti-toxicity and wound healing effects, which have been reported in several studies [ 42 , 43 ]. In addition, there is some evidence that shows that this plant has anti-leishmaniasis activities in in-vitro and in-vivo studies [ 44 ]. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of J .…”

In vitro and in vivo Assessment of Anti-Leishmanial Efficacy of Leaf, Fruit, and Fractions of Juniperus excelsa Against Axenic Amastigotes of Leishmania major and Topical Formulation in BALB/c Mice

“…The leaf extract with IC 50 = 0.97 mg/mL had the highest efficacy against L. major amastigotes. Similarly, in a research by Moein et al the antileishmanial activity total extract of leaves, fruit, and fractions against promastigotes of L. major at concentrations of 0.625 to 10 mg/mL showed a potent anti-leishmanial effect (22). Since the metabolic pathways, culture conditions, pH, and temperature vary in the amastigotes and promastigotes, the sensitivity to the drug is different.…”

“…Greek Juniper has been used by Iranian folk practitioners for a long time (21). In recent studies, the anti-leishmanial activity of leaves, fruit, and fractions of J. excelsa on leishmania promastigotes had a potent effect, moreover, in a clinical trial study, the topical form of J. excelsa was effective against leishmaniasis lesions (22,23). The anti-leishmanial activity of this plant may be regarded as the presence of components, such as alkaloids, monoterpene, diterpene, sesquiterpene, and saponins as well as flavonoids (24,25).…”