Heightened parasite resistance urges the need for new therapeutic agents to treat diseases like leishmaniasis. Previously, extracts from ginseng exhibited antiprotozoal effects against malaria, trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis. In this study, we evaluated the antileishmanial activity of Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) using the Alamar Blue assay on promastigotes and axenically cultured amastigotes from clinical isolates of Leishmania aethiopica and Leishmania donovani. Amphotericin B served as the positive control, while 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and the culture medium were used as negative controls. Our results indicated that KRGE has a significant dose-dependent inhibition with IC 50 values of 18.09 ± 1.64 and 17.22 ± 0.47 µg/ml for promastigotes, and 14.06 ± 0.09 and 15.45 ± 0.33 µg/ml for axenic amastigotes of L. aethiopica and L. donovani, respectively. Moreover, KRGE exhibited selectivity indices (SIs) of 3.18 and 3.34 for promastigotes, and 4.09 and 3.72 for amastigotes, whereas amphotericin B had SIs of 34.05 and 32.70 for promastigotes, and 32.15 and 31.28 for amastigotes. Altogether, KRGE possesses promising antileishmanial activity against L. aethiopica and L. donovani, warranting further investigation using active compounds isolated form Korean red ginseng.

Background Toxoplasmosis has public health importance, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as pregnant women leading to congenital abnormalities and fetal losses. In this study, we aimed to determine the sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis in sheep at Mandeeq Slaughter House in Hargiesa and pregnant women attending antenatal care at Hargiesa Group Hospital. Methods Cross-sectional study design with systematic random sampling method and Questionnaire surveys were used for the collection data from sheep and pregnant women. Sera were collected and examined for anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using latex agglutination test. Results The overall prevalences of toxoplasmosis were 25.5% and 28% in sheep and human, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that female (AOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.38 - 3.47; p = 0.001) and young age groups of sheep (AOR = 3.04; 95% CI: 1.04-8.86; p = 0.041) were significantly associated with Toxoplasma gondii sero-positivity. In pregnant women, age groups between 25-34 (AOR = 2. 76; 95% CI: 1.07 - 7.14; P = 0.037), pregnant women who have cats in their home (AOR = 6.45; 95% CI: 2.37-17.52; P = 0.000), women who have close contact with garden soil (AOR = 6.74; 95% CI: 2.55-17.81; P = 0.000), poor hand washing practices before food eating (AOR = 29.5; 95% CI: 5.41– 161.11; P= 0.000) and drinking tap water (AOR = 8.4; 95% CI: 2.54 – 28.08; P = 0.000) were significantly associated with Toxoplasma gondii sero-positivity. Conclusion This is the first report regarding to toxoplasmosis in Hargeisa, where pregnant women should avoid eating uncooked mutton and close contact with cats besides good hygienic practices related to food handling.