Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Use of Topical Herbal Remedy for treatment of Drug-Resistant Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Case Report

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

Mehdi Shafiei_Bafti 1
Ali Ghobadi 2
Mahdiye Mohammadnejad 3
Iraj Sharifi 4

1 Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Persian Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Center for Disease Control, Deputy for Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

4 Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

https://doi.org/10.34172/jkmu.4127
Abstract
Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic infectious disease characterized by skin lesions and scarring. Although standard treatments are available, some patients experience treatment failure or exhibit inadequate therapeutic responses, highlighting the need for alternative or adjunctive therapies.
Case Report: This report describes the case of a 33-year-old woman with treatment-resistant cutaneous leishmaniasis who failed to respond to conventional therapies. The patient voluntarily opted to use the herbal topical product derived from Commiphora myrrha resin. The product was applied topically to the lesion twice daily. After six weeks of consistent application, the lesion healed completely without recurrence.
Conclusion: This case highlights the therapeutic potential of C. myrrha resin, which is known for its antiparasitic properties, as a primary treatment option for Leishmania major-induced cutaneous leishmaniasis and as an adjuvant therapy for L. tropica infections. Further research is warranted to validate its efficacy and explore its mechanisms of action in larger clinical studies.

Highlights

Mehdi Shafiei_Bafti (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

 

Keywords

Leishmaniasis
Herbal medicine
Myrrh resin
Persian traditional medicine
Subjects
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Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume 32
Pages 1-3

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