Effect of Cocos nucifera oil on Iraqi strains of Leishmania in-vitro

Leishmaniasis is a disease spread by sand-fly vectors of Phlebotomus spp. It is classified as one of the 17 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is considered a major invasive parasite among immunocompromised individuals. Leishmaniasis presents in various forms, including cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). The rate of manifestation is contingent upon the species implicated and the immunological response elicited by the infection .To investigate the impact of different concentrations of Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT) oil on the proliferation of promastigotes of Leishmania tropica and Leishmania donovani, two types of promastigotes were subjected to in vitro analysis using chamber counting. During the designated period of incubation, the specimens were subjected to incubation for durations of 24, 48, and 72 hours. The results of this study demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the survival of promastigotes when compared to the control group. The findings of this study revealed a notable inhibitory effect on the proliferation of Leishmania tropica and Leishmania donovani promastigotes in vitro upon exposure to MCT oil. It is recommended to conduct further investigations on the impact of MCT oil on amastigotes and to carry out in vivo studies in future research endeavors