Activity of essential oils on the growth of Leishmania infantum promastigotes

In order to contribute to the search for new therapeutic agents for leishmaniasis, we report the effect of several essential oils on the growth of Leishmania infantum promastigotes. Eight of the tested essential oils revealed activity below 150 µg/ml, the most active being Cymbopogon citratus, Juniperus oxycedrus berries and Thymus capitelatus oils, with 50% effective concentration values in the range 16–51 µg/ml. The results support the concept that several essential oils or some of their constituents can become useful in the research of new therapeutic agents for leishmaniasis and in the clinical management of this parasitic disease.