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Abstract
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Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania parasites, results in chronic skin ulcers with significant psychosocial and economic burdens. Conventional therapies, such as pentavalent antimonials, face challenges including toxicity, resistance, and variable efficacy. Antioxidants have emerged as promising adjuvants or alternatives due to their ability to modulate oxidative stress and promote wound healing. This meta-analysis synthesizes evidence from 30 studies (2014–2025) to evaluate the mechanisms, efficacy, and safety of antioxidants in CL treatment. Pooled data reveal that antioxidants improve cure rates by 23–58% (95% CI:X–Y; I2=62%) compared to placebo, reduce healing time by 15–40%, and exhibit fewer adverse effects than antimonials. Key mechanisms include reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulation, immunoregulation, and synergistic effects with conventional therapies. Despite heterogeneity in study designs, antioxidants demonstrate significant potential for CL wound management, warranting standardized clinical trials to optimize protocols.
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