Nanoformulating Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil with an extreme effect on Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major

Major causatives for cutaneous leishmaniasis, the most common form of leishmaniasis, in the old world are Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica. Investigating the leishmanicidal effects of essential oils and preparing their nano/formulation is a promising approach for developing new green drugs. In this study, the ingredients of Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil were investigated using GC/MS analysis, and its antioxidant effect was then evaluated using the DPPH assay. Moreover, the leishmanicidal effect of the essential oil against L. major and L. tropica was investigated; obtained half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50)s were 16.53 and 7.56 mu g/mL. After that, a practical dosage form of C. zeylanicum, i.e., the nanoemulsion with a 52 +/- 4 nm droplet size and a low droplet size distribution index (SPAN = 0.97), was prepared. Interestingly, after treatment of both species with nanoemulsion, their viability was reduced to 0%. The prepared nanoformulation could be considered a potent anti-leishmanial agent for other species and in vivo studies.

Automated summary

The study investigated the leishmanicidal effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil and prepared a nanoemulsion, showing significant anti-leishmanial effects against Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica in vitro; post-treatment with the nanoemulsion resulted in 0% viability for both species.