Europe PMC · 2026-03-03
A systematic review of 50 studies found 217 medicinal plant species with strong lab-tested activity against the parasites that cause leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness, identifying standout candidates like garlic, yarrow relatives, and several traditional remedy plants as potential starting points for new antiparasitic drugs.
217 plant species showed potent lab activity (IC₅₀ < 10 µg/mL) against Leishmania and/or Trypanosoma brucei across 50 eligible studies published 2003–2023.
67 species were active against both parasites, while 41 had documented traditional use specifically for leishmaniasis or sleeping sickness — validating ethnobotanical knowledge.
Standout candidates include garlic (allicin, ajoene), yarrow relative Achillea ptarmica (pellitorine), and Tridax procumbens (oxylipin), each with measurable antiparasitic compounds.
