ANTILEISHMANIAL ACTIVITY EVALUATION OF BLACK CUMIN EXTRACTS AGAINST LEISHMANIA TROPICA

Objectives: In addition to the high cost of antileishmanial drugs, the resistance that develops against these drugs and their side effects has led to the investigation of leishmanicidal active ingredients from natural sources that may be cheaper and have no side effects. The purpose of this study is to use in vitro assays to examine the antileishmanial effect of various extracts made from black cumin seeds. Methods: By using the shaking maceration technique, extracts of black cumin seeds were prepared by water, 60% aqueous ethanol, ethanol, methanol, chloroform, and n-hexane. The extracts' ability to inhibit Leishmania tropica isolates with the code MHOM/TR 2012/CBCL-LT was examined.  Results: The IC50 values for methanol, n-hexane, chloroform, water, ethanol, and 60% aqueous ethanol extracts were determined as 172.4, 355.5, 400.3, 673.3, 818.4, and 1148 µg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: The extracts of black cumin seeds have demonstrated antileishmanial activity against Leishmania tropica promastigotes. To verify black cumin seeds' potential as an antileishmanial source, in vivo antileishmanial research is required.                  Peer Review History: Received 8 February 2025;   Reviewed 13 March 2025; Accepted 24 April; Available online 15 May 2025