Résumé
This study was carried out to identify the efficacy of Caparis spinosa root extract on promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major. Caparis spinosa extracts were prepared. Promastogotes of L.major [1×10[6] parasites/ml]were incubated at 26 degree C for 24,48 and 72hours in fresh medium[NNN], in absence or presence of different concentrations [0.1,0.3,0.5,0.7,0.9 mg/ml] of Caparis spinosa methanolic root extract. It was determined that anti-protozoal activity of Caparis extract [0.9 mg/ml] was similar to glucantime as a gold standard drug [p<0.05] and both were able to kill 97.8 % of promastigotes after72 hours. Microscopic observation showed that mainly complete lyses of promastigotes after treating with0.9 mg/ml of Caparis spinosa for72hours. Higher extract concentrations had more effect on promastigote population [p<0.05]. It was demonstrated that Caparis sponosa root extract has positive effect on amastigotes of leishmania major. It was determined 0.7 mg/ml and 0.9 mg/ml Caparis root extract concentrations were more effective than other concentrations on amastigots of Leishmania in ulcers. The mean of ulcer size of the mice that received 50 micro l of 0.7 mg/ml and 0.9 mg/ml Caparis root extract were less than mice receiving 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5. The mean of ulcer size of the mice that received 50 micro l of 0.9 mg/ml Caparis spinosa root extract were significantly smaller than control group after six weeks[p<0.05] ,but the mean of ulcer size in mice which had been received glucantime [150 mg/ml]and Caparis root extract were not significantly different [p>0.05]. The results were suggestive that Caparis root extract had significantly similar effect in reduction of ulcer size as compared to glucantime [p<0.05]