Phytochemical insights and leishmanicidal efficacy of Pongamia pinnata ethanolic leaf extracts

Abstract

Drug resistance and disease recurrence remain pressing challenges in controlling visceral leishmaniasis (VL), emphasizing the need for cost-effective, safe, and efficient therapies resistant to clinical resistance. Phytomedicine offers a promising solution in this regard. In our study, we evaluated the antileishmanial potential of Pongamia pinnata ethanolic leaf extract (PPE), a pharmaceutically significant medicinal plant. PPE demonstrated promastigote-killing activity with a half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 20.58 μg/ml. Furthermore, we observed a dose-dependent reduction in promastigote growth, noticeable morphological distortions, and genomic DNA fragmentation. A qualitative phytochemical analysis of PPE demonstrated the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds, which are likely contributors to its antileishmanial activity. These findings underscore the potential of PPE as a candidate for further exploration and development as a phytomedicine for VL treatment.