The Effect of Monomycin and Gentamycin Sulfate on Growth of Promastigotes of Leishmania Under In Vitro Conditions

Introduction: Given the prevalence of leishmaniasis in some parts of Iran and the medical problems caused by it and considering some reports on the effectiveness of monomycin in treating the disease, this study was performed to determine the effect of this drug on Leishmania major promastigotes in vitro. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted experimentally. Drug films containing ۱۵% monomycin sulfate and ۰.۵% gentamicin sulfate were prepared using ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) with the aim of developing a treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis. In order to investigate the mechanism of drug release and its effect on parasites, the modified Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) medium was used for the amplification of the parasites and the growth inhibition zone around the drug release areas was measured. The studied environments included environments containing drug discs, environments without drug discs, and environments with placebo discs. The rates of dead and live parasites were determined in these environments and statistically compared using chi-square test. Results: It was revealed that the growth of parasite colonies was inhibited in the plates containing drug films. In ۳-cm halo around the drug film, no parasite growth was observed and promastigotes were observed to be dead and degenerated. However, in the plates containing placebo and medium without film, parasitic colonies were observed. The survival rate of the parasites in placebo and drug-free plates was ۹۶% and it was ۷% in the drug plate (P<۰.۰۰۰). Conclusion: Monomycin and gentamicin sulfate drug discs have good potential for gradual release. They affect the growth of the parasite and can be used in humans.