Gas chromatography analysis of plant extracts to examine ingredients: Turmeric extracts on Leishmania Promastigotes and anti-Leishmania effect of Ginger

Turmeric extract and aroma oil of Curcuma longa exhibit inhibition properties against various bacteria, parasites, and pathogenic fungi. We investigated the effects of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Turmeric extract on Leishmania promastigotes and used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for analyzing plant extracts. The hydroalcoholic extractions obtained from the two plants were diluted in 70% ethanol to three different concentrations; 12.5, 100, and 500 mg mL-1. The Leishmania significant strains were propagated in an artificial medium to reach sufficient parasites. The survival percentage of Leishmania promastigotes was affected significantly by the time and concentration of the extracts (P < 0.05). The repeated measures pattern showed an interaction effect between various time points and treatment with the extracts. Statistics analysis showed a significant difference between different concentrations and extract samples (P < 0.05). GC-MS showed that the survival rate of Leishmania promastigotes treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Ginger at 3-time points (24, 48, and 72 hours) was lower than Glucantime and Turmeric extract. The survival rate of promastigotes treated with Turmeric extract was similar to those treated with Glucantime but lower than those treated with a combined extract of Ginger and Turmeric at a concentration of 500 mg mL-1.