Anti-Candida activity of Quercus infectoria gall extracts against Candida species

In Vitro anthelmintic efficacy of medicinal plant essential oils against Marshallagia marshalli: Evidence on oxidative/nitrosative stress biomarkers, DNA damage, and egg hatchability

One of the major public health problems is drug resistance in parasitic diseases. It is therefore important to find new active ingredients to combat parasites. Herbal products such as essential oils (EOs) may show promise in treating infections caused by gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). This study investigated the in vitro anthelmintic activity of the EOs of Lavandula angustifolia and Quercus infectoria against Marshallagia marshalli. The in vitro study was based on an egg hatch test (EHT), adult and larval motility inhibition tests, DNA damage, and several biomarkers of oxidative/nitrosative stress, including superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and glutathione peroxidase [GSH -Px], protein carbonylation [PCO], malondialdehyde [MDA], total antioxidant status [TAS], and nitric oxide levels [NO]. Different concentrations of Lavandula angustifolia and Quercus infectoria EOs (1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg/ml) were used to determine the anthelmintic effect on three stages of the life cycle of M. marshalli, i.e. eggs, larvae and adult parasites, for 24 hr. The results showed that EOs of L. angustifolia and Q. infectoria play an important role as anthelmintics. These essential oils significantly reduced the egg hatching and motility of larval and adult worms. This anthelmintic effect is dependent on concentration and time. Furthermore, the EOs of L. angustifolia and Q. infectoria caused oxidative/nitrosative stress (reduced SOD, GSH-Px and CAT and increased MDA, PCO and NO) and DNA damage, thereby providing significant antihelminthic effects. Based on the results, it seems that the EOs extracted from L. angustifolia and Q. infectoria may be effective in the control and treatment of M. marshalli infections. Further research is needed to investigate their potential for in vivo use in the treatment of parasitic infections.

Effectiveness of plant-based hand sanitizer incorporating Quercus infectoria gall extract

AIMS

Quercus infectoria (Qi), a traditional herbal plant with a broad spectrum of activities on multidrug-resistant bacteria, has been developed for hand sanitizer applications.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using agar-well diffusion and broth microdilution method. Bactericidal activity was determined following the European Standard 1276 antibacterial suspension test. Neutralization assay was performed to assess antirespiratory syncytial virus. Safety, stability, and skin permeation of Qi hand gel was investigated. Qi hand sanitizer gel inhibited microorganisms ranging from 99.9% to 99.999% against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus, Staph. epidermidis, Staph. pseudintermedius, Staph. saprophyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. A significant reduction in main human dermatophytes including Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, and Talaromyces marneffei of ∼50% was observed (P < .05). Qi hand sanitizer gel inactivated >99% viral particles entering human laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Scanning electron micrographs further illustrated that Qi hand sanitizer gel disrupted microbial cell membrane after 1-min contact time resulting in cell death. Qi hand sanitizer gel delivered emollient compounds through simulated human skin layers and showed no cytotoxicity on fibroblast cells. Moreover, Qi hand sanitizer gel demonstrated stability under extreme conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Qi hand sanitizer gel was able to inhibit various microorganisms including bacteria, dermatophytes, and virus.

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activities of Quercus sp. Galls (Oak Galls): A Systematic Review of Studies Published in the Last 5 Years

Quercus species have been widely used in traditional medicine, and recently, researchers' attention has focused on galls of the genus Quercus as a source of health-promoting phytochemicals. This review presents a summary of the most recent findings on the phytochemistry and bioactivity of oak galls, following the screening of scientific papers published in two relevant databases, PubMed and Embase, between January 2018 and June 2023. The oak galls are rich in active compounds, mostly gallotannins and phenolic acids. Due to these secondary metabolites, the reviewed studies have demonstrated a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, antimicrobial properties, tissue-protective effects, and antitumor, anti-aging, and hypoglycemic potential. Thus, oak galls are a promising natural matrix, to be considered in obtaining pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations used in anti-aging strategies and, together with medications, in the management of age-related diseases. In further evaluations, the valuable functional properties of oak galls, reported mostly in preclinical studies, should be confirmed with clinical studies that would also take into account the potential health risks of their use.

Green extraction of Quercus infectoria gall with supercritical CO2 and methanol co-solvent

Green extraction of supercritical liquid CO2 (SCFE-CO2) using co-solvent methanol can produce a more complete phenolic acid composition and a higher quantity when compared to those without using co-solvent. The extract was devoid of toxicity. SCFE-CO2 is carried out by putting 100 g of Quercus infectoria gall of size 0.3 mm into extraction tube at temperature of 60 °C and the pressure of 20 MPa with a CO2 flow rate of 25 ml/min using co-solvent methanol with variation of flow speed 0.05, 0.5, 1.5, 3, and 6 for 60 min. The extract is analyzed using LC-MS/MS, the total phenolic content is determined using the Folin-Ceocateu method, and the toxicity value is determined using the Vero cell. According to the results, the green method of extracting SCFE-CO2 with methanol co-solvent can produce a peak and identify about 27 phenolic compounds, and increasing the rate of flow of methane co-solvent will greatly affect the outcome of the extraction to a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min, while adding a co-solvent with a flow speed above 0.5 does not affect the result. Repeated extraction of some of the largest phenolic peaks provide phenol content with minimal extract variability (div. sd. 0.1%), and the addition of soluble methanol will also increase the TPC concentration but does not increase the IC50 toxicity value above 1000.

Evaluation of the antibacterial effect of hydroalcoholic extract of the galls of Quercus infectoria on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Background

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) plays a vital role in some destructive forms of periodontitis. While mechanical and chemical plaque control is the first step in periodontitis treatment, side effects of adjunctive chemical agents such as chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash have led to the application of natural alternatives with minimal side effects. Therefore, this study evaluated the antibacterial effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Quercus infectoria (Qi) galls on Aa in vitro.

Methods

The hydroalcoholic extract of Qi was obtained by the maceration method, and Aa bacterial strain was cultured. The inhibition zone diameter was measured through the agar well diffusion method. Also, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined by the broth microdilution method. All the experiments were repeated three times. 0.2% CHX was used as a control.

Results

The inhibition zone diameter of Aa increased with increasing concentration of Qi extract. While MIC and MBC values for CHX were 0.0039 and 0.0078 mg/mL, respectively, both MIC and MBC values of the Qi extract for this bacterium were similar, i.e., 2.5 mg/mL, which was significantly higherd.

Conclusion

Since other in vivo studies have confirmed the other properties of this extract and its safety in terms of cytotoxicity and mutagenicity, hydroalcoholic extract of Qi may be used in mouthwashes or local delivery systems to affect periodontal biofilm.

LC-MS/MS-based Targeted Metabolomic Profiling of Aqueous and Hydro-alcoholic Extracts of Pistacia integerrima Linn., Quercus infectoria Olivier and Terminalia chebula Retz

Background

Pistacia integerrima (PI) galls, being rich in polyphenolic compounds, owing to its high restorative worth and restricted assets and exorbitant utilization lead to the overexploitation of the species and availability issues. It is expected to categorise under the red list of threatened taxa. Ayurveda text Bhaishajaya Ratnavali mentioned Quercus infectoria (QI) as ‘pratinidhi’ or substitute of PI and Yogaratnakara (abhavvarga) text reference indicated Terminalia chebula (TC) having the same therapeutic character as in PI. Hence, this study was focused on the comparative quantification of major polyphenolic compounds in aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of PI, QI and TC by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS).

Objectives

The LC-MS/MS method was used for the determination of polyphenolic compounds in aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of PI, QI and TC.

Materials and Methods

The LC-MS/MS method was developed for the quantification of targeted polyphenolic compounds and validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection and limit of quantification. Analysis performed by LC-MS/MS 6460 C triple quad coupled with Agilent HPLC. The chromatographic separation was performed on the RP C18 column with gradient elution.

Results

The developed method of LC-MS/MS was used for the quantitative estimation of gallic acid, corilagin acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, rutin hydrate, ellagic acid, quercetin and morin hydrate in PI, QI and TC. As per method validation parameters, calibration plots were found to be linear, accurate, precise and specific for LC-MS/MS. The calibration plot exhibited an excellent coefficient of determination ( R2 ≥ 0.99), and extraction recovery was found 96.20%–103.71%. Gallic acid and ellagic acid are the most abundant compound among eight targeted polyphenolics in all extracts.

Conclusion

The finding of LC-MS/MS analysis of polyphenolic compounds in aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts indicates that PI, QI and TC are having phytochemical similarities up to an extent in polyphenolic compounds as a secondary metabolite; however, a firmer opinion can be formed after a comparative efficacy study and the evaluation of all three extracts.

A review of the phytochemical, pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological evaluation of Quercus Infectoria galls

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Quercus Infectoria galls (QIG) have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Uyghur medicine for the treatment of diarrhea, hemorrhage, skin disease, and many other human ailments. Medicinal applications of QIG have become increasingly popular in Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, and Iran.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The present paper reviewed the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, analytical methods, biological activities, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and drug interactions of QIG to assess the ethnopharmacological uses, explore its therapeutic potential, and identify future opportunities for research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information on QIG was gathered via the Internet (using Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Elsevier, ACS, Pubmed, Web of Science, CNKI, and EMBASE) and libraries. Additionally, information was also obtained from local books and PhD and MS dissertations.

RESULTS

QIG has played an important role in traditional Chinese medicine. The main bioactive metabolites of QIG include tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and steroids. Scientific studies on the QIG extract and its components have shown its wide range of pharmacological activities, such as cholinesterase- and monoamine oxidase-inhibitory, antitumor, anti-hypertension, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antiparasitic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory.

CONCLUSIONS

The ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, pharmacological, and analytical methods of QIG were highlighted in this review, which provides information for future studies and commercial exploration. QIG has a huge potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Moreover, comprehensive toxicity studies of this plant must be conducted to ensure its safety. Additional investigations are recommended to transmute the ethnopharmacological claims of this plant in folklore medicines into scientific rationale-based information. Research on pharmacokinetics studies and potential drug interactions with standard-of-care medications is still limited, which calls for additional studies particularly on humans. Further assessments and clinical trials should be performed before it can be integrated into medicinal practices.

In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Aqueous Quercus infectoria Gall Extract

Objectives

Our study reports the immunomodulatory potency of Quercus infectoria gall extract in vitro. The aqueous extract was prepared and examined for its effects on cell proliferation, phagocytic activity, nitric oxide (NO) production, and cytokine synthesis by murine macrophages.

Methods

Proliferative, phagocytic activity, and NO production of extract-treated and control cells were studied using proliferative assay, flow cytometry, and Griess reaction, respectively. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the macrophage culture.

Results

Treated macrophages had a higher proliferative rate and phagocytic activity compared to untreated macrophages. The cell treatment with an extract concentration of 64 μg/mL demonstrated a significant decrease in NO production (p < 0.001). An increase in cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-23, TGF-β1) was observed; however, this increase was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that gall extract possesses the potential for augmenting immunomodulatory activity by cellular mediated mechanism and could play a role in regulating the innate immune response.

Removal of Salmonella Typhimurium Biofilm from Food Contact Surfaces Using Quercus infectoria Gall Extract in Combination with a Surfactant

Quercus infectoria (nutgall) has been reported to possess antimicrobial activities against a wide range of pathogens. Nevertheless, the biofilm removal effect of nutgall extract has not been widely investigated. In this study, we therefore evaluated the effect of nutgall extract in combination with cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) against preformed biofilm of Salmonella Typhimurium on polypropylene (PP) and stainless steel (SS) coupons in comparison with other sanitizers. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of nutgall extract and surfactants (CTAB and sodium dodecyl sulfate; SDS) were assessed. CTAB showed a more efficient antimicrobial activity than SDS and was selected to use in combination with nutgall extract for removing biofilm. To determine the biofilm removal efficacy, the PP and SS coupons were individually submerged in 2x MBC of nutgall extract (256 mg/ml) + 2x MBC of CTAB (2.5 mg/ml), nutgall extract alone (256 mg/ml), CTAB alone (2.5 mg/ml), distilled water, and 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite for 5, 15, and 30 min. The remaining sessile cells in biofilm were determined. Overall, the greatest biofilm removal efficacy was observed with nutgall extract + CTAB; the biofilm removal efficacy of sanitizers tended to increase with the exposure time. The SEM analysis demonstrated that S. Typhimurium biofilm on PP and SS coupons after exposure to nutgall extract + CTAB for 30 min displayed morphological alterations with wrinkles. This study suggests nutgall extract + CTAB may be an alternative to commonly used sanitizers to remove biofilm from food contact surfaces in the food industry and household.

Cytoprotective effects of creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) extracts against toxicity induced by venom of the black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus ornatus)

The venom of Crotalus ornatus (vCo) poses a threat to human health, as it contains a mixture of toxins that can cause cytotoxic, necrotic, and hemolytic effects. The present study assessed methanolic and acetone extracts from leaves and flowers of Larrea tridentata, as well as the bark of Quercus virginiana as potential suppressors of the toxic effects of vCo in vitro. The content of total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins of the plant extracts were quantified for the suppression of vCo cytotoxicity in two cell culture models, human lymphocytes and porcine aortic endothelial (PAE) cells. Extracts from Q. virginiana displayed a greater concentration of total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. Co-incubation of lymphocytes and PAE cells with fixed concentrations of vCo and plant extracts resulted in decreased vCo-induced cytotoxicity. A 24-hour co-incubation of lymphocytes with vCo (2.36 ± 0.17 µg/mL) and 0.5 µg/mL of methanolic leaf extract from L. tridentata (LLM) significantly suppressed the venom-induced cytotoxicity by 37.33 ± 8.33%. Similarly, the LLM extract (4 µg/mL) caused a significant decrease in vCo cytotoxicity after 24 hours in PAE cells. In contrast, while the acetone extract of Q. virginiana bark (QA) suppressed cytotoxicity by 29.20 ± 3.51% (p < 0.001) in lymphocytes, it failed to protect PAE cells against vCo after 24 hours. In PAE cells, a shorter 4-hour co-incubation showed significant suppression of cytotoxicity with both extracts. Our results collectively suggest that LLM and QA possess cytoprotective properties against the in vitro toxic effects of vCo, and thus establish extracts from these plants as potential therapeutic interventions against Crotalus envenomation.

Phytochemicals and Cytotoxicity of Quercus infectoria Ethyl Acetate Extracts on Human Cancer Cells

Conventional and modern cancer treatment were reported to manifest adverse effects to the patients. More researches were conducted to search for selective cytotoxic agent of plant natural product on cancer cells. The presences of wide range phytochemicals in Quercus infectoria (QI) extract have been implicated with the cytotoxic effect against various types of cancer cell which remain undiscovered. This present study aimed to evaluate cytotoxic effect of QI extracts on selected human cancer cells and then, the most potent extract was further analysed for general phytochemical constituents. QI galls were extracted successively with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol yielded three main extracts; n-hexane (QIH), ethyl acetate (QIEA) and methanol (QIM), respectively. The most potent extract was qualitatively analysed for the present of tannin, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Next, the extracts were tested to determine the cytotoxic activity against cervical cancer cells (HeLa), breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and liver cancer cells (Hep G2) using MTT assay. Cytotoxic activity of QI extracts against normal fibroblast (L929) cell line was also evaluated to determine the cytoselective property. Meanwhile, DMSO-treated cells served as negative control while cisplatin-treated cells served as positive control. The most potent extract then chosen to be further investigated for DNA fragmentation as hallmark of apoptosis using Hoechst staining. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannin, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. QIEA extract exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells with (IC₅₀ value = 6.33 ± 0.33 μg/mL) and showed cytoselective property against L929 cells. DNA fragmentation revealed QIEA induced apoptosis in the treated cells. The richness of phytochemical constituents in QIEA extract might contribute to the potency of cytotoxic activity towards HeLa cells.

In Vitro Antimalarial and Toxicological Activities of Quercus infectoria (Olivier) Gall Extracts

BACKGROUND

The spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistance in common antimalarial drugs, including artemisinin-based combination therapies, has necessitated the discovery of new drugs with novel mechanisms of action. In the present study, the in vitro antimalarial and toxicological activities of acetone, methanol, ethanol and aqueous extracts of Quercus infectoria (Q. infectoria) galls were investigated.

METHODS

The extracts were assessed for the antimalarial potential using a malarial SYBR Green I fluorescence-based (MSF) assay, while the toxicity was screened by using brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT), haemolytic assay, and cytotoxicity assay against normal embryo fibroblast cell line (NIH/3T3) and normal kidney epithelial cell line (Vero).

RESULTS

The acetone extract showed the highest antimalarial activity (50% inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 5.85 ± 1.64 μg/mL), followed by the methanol extract (IC50 = 10.31 ± 1.90 μg/mL). Meanwhile, the ethanol and aqueous extracts displayed low antimalarial activity with IC50 values of 20.00 ± 1.57 and 30.95 μg/mL ± 1.27 μg/mL, respectively. The significant antimalarial activity was demonstrated in all extracts and artemisinin (P < 0.05). All extracts were non-toxic to brine shrimps (50% lethality concentration, LC50 > 1000 ppm). Furthermore, no occurrence of haemolysis (< 5%) was observed in normal erythrocytes when treated with all extracts compared to Triton X-100 that caused 100% haemolysis (P < 0.05). The acetone and methanol extracts were non-toxic to the normal cell lines and statistically significant to artemisinin (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Taken together with satisfactory selectivity index (SI) values, the acetone and methanol extracts of Q. infectoria galls could serve as an alternative, promising and safe antimalarial agents.

Synergistic effect of probe sonication and ionic liquid for extraction of phenolic acids from oak galls

Phenolic acids of oak gall were extracted using ultrasonic-probe assisted extraction (UPAE) method in the presence of ionic liquid. It was compared with classical ultrasonic-bath assisted extraction (CUBAE) and conventional aqueous extraction (CAE) method, with and without the presence of ionic liquid. Remarkably, the UPAE method yielded two-fold higher extraction yield with the presence of ionic liquid, resulting 481.04 mg/g for gallic acids (GA) and 2287.90 mg/g for tannic acids (TA), while a decreased value of 130.36 mg/g for GA and 1556.26 mg/g for TA were resulted with the absence of ionic liquid. Intensification process resulted the highest yield of 497.34 mg/g and 2430.48 mg/g for GA and TA, respectively, extracted at temperature 50 °C with sonication intensity of 8.66 W/cm² and 10% duty cycle, diluted in ionic liquid, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [Bmim][Tf₂N] at concentration of 0.10 M with sample-to-solvent ratio 1:10 for 8 h. Peleg's model successfully predicted the UPAE process confirming that extraction capacity is the controlling factor in extracting phenolic acids. Hence, it can be concluded that UPAE method and ionic liquid have synergistic effect as it effectively enhanced the extraction efficiency to increase the bioactive constituents yield.

A Review of Quercus infectoria (Olivier) Galls as a Resource for Anti-parasitic Agents: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Parasitic diseases represent one of the causes for significant global economic, environmental and public health impacts. The efficacy of currently available anti-parasitic drugs has been threatened by the emergence of single drug- or multidrug-resistant parasite populations, vector threats and high cost of drug development. Therefore, the discovery of more potent anti-parasitic drugs coming from medicinal plants such as Quercus infectoria is seen as a major approach to tackle the problem. A systematic review was conducted to assess the efficacy of Q. infectoria in treating parasitic diseases both in vitro and in vivo due to the lack of such reviews on the anti-parasitic activities of this plant. This review consisted of intensive searches from three databases including PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus. Articles were selected throughout the years, limited to English language and fully documented. A total of 454 potential articles were identified, but only four articles were accepted to be evaluated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Although there were insufficient pieces of evidence to account for the efficacy of Q. infectoria against the parasites, this plant appears to have anti-leishmanial, anti-blastocystis and anti-amoebic activities. More studies in vitro and in vivo are warranted to further validate the anti-parasitic efficacy of Q. infectoria.

Anti-microbial Activity of Aqueous Quercus infectoria Gall Extract against Pathogenic Leptospira

Background

Quercus infectoria gall extract is known to have broad spectrum anti-microbial activity in vitro. This study was conducted to determine the anti-microbial activity of Q. infectoria gall extract against pathogenic Leptospira and to evaluate the morphological changes of extract-treated cells using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Methods

A two-fold serial microdilution broth assay was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of aqueous Q. infectoria gall extract against the L. interrogans serovar Javanica and the L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, at concentrations ranging from 4.00 mg/mL to 0.0078 mg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined by sub-culturing the broth from the microtiter plate wells that showed no apparent growth or turbidity to the freshly prepared Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) broth media, and it was subsequently observed under a dark field microscope following three weeks of incubation for purposes of growth detection. The cell morphology of both extract-treated and untreated L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorhagiae was analysed using the SEM.

Results

The results of the broth microdilution assay demonstrate that the aqueous Q. infectoria gall extract possesses anti-microbial activity against both of the L. interrogans serovars with MIC values of 0.125 mg/mL. The MBC values for the L. interrogans serovar Javanica and the L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorhagiae are 0.125 mg/mL and 0.250 mg/mL, respectively. The SEM micrograph shows changes in shape and size of the extract-treated cells (at 8× MIC) in comparison to the untreated cells.

Conclusion

The Q. infectoria gall extract displays anti-microbial inhibition and killing activity against the pathogenic Leptospira isolates, and thus has the potential for further exploration of its efficacy and use in the treatment of leptospirosis.

Antileishmanial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of Quercus infectoria Olivier extract

Currently, there is no effective vaccine available, and chemotherapy is the main approach for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). During recent decades, studies have demonstrated that a number of plant-derived compounds may act as new therapeutic tools against leishmaniasis. This study was evaluated the antileishmanial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of Quercus infectoria Olivier (oak) extract. The total amount of phenolic and flavonoid compounds was measured in oak extract. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was also performed to determine the amount of quercetin and gallic acid in this plant. This extract (0-80g/mL) was evaluated in vitro against promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms of Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) using MTT assay and in a macro-phage model, respectively. Then oak extract was tested on CL in infected male BALB/c mice with L. major in order to evaluate the antileishmanial activity topically. Moreover, cytotoxicity effects of oak in murine macrophage cells were tested by MTT assay. Antioxidative activity of oak was also determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1,1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging test. The amount of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the oak extract was 57.50 and 1.86%, respectively. The amount of quercetin and gallic acid in the oak extract was 0.0064 and 0.22%, respectively. The findings revealed that oak significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the growth rate of promastigote of (IC50 12.65μg/mL) and amastigotes (IC50 10.31μg/mL) as a dose-dependent response. In the in vivo assay, after 4 weeks of treatment, 91.6, 66.66, and 50% recovery was observed in the infected mice treated with 20, 10, and 5mg/kg of oak extract, respectively. After treatment of the infected mice with the concentration of 10 and 20mg/kg of oak, the mean diameter of lesions, parasite load and mean number of parasites was significantly (P<0.05) reduced. Selectivity index of greater than 10 for oak revealed that oak extract had no cytotoxic effects on macrophage cells. Moreover, DPPH test demonstrated that radical inhibition occurred at greater power with increasing the concentration of oak. To conclude, the present study showed potent antileishmanial and antioxidant activity of oak extract; whereas this plant had no toxic effect on mammalian cells.