Ahmet YOKUŞ, Ahmet Duran ATAŞ
Türk Fen ve Sağlık Dergisi - 2026;7(2):142-160
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease with significant global health implications. Over 20 species of Leishmania are pathogenic to humans and can be found in the blood and various tissues. Leishmaniasis is one of the seven most significant tropical diseases and is second only to malaria in terms of mortality caused by protozoan parasites. It occurs on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Leishmaniasis is a disease with a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from clinically self-limiting skin lesions to fatal visceral forms. Existing therapies suffer from toxicity, high cost, and emerging drug resistance, underscoring the urgent need for novel treatments. Thiazoles are heterocyclic bioactive compounds with a five-membered ring containing sulfur and nitrogen. Thiazole derivatives exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, analgesic, and antimicrobial, including antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, anticancer, antiallergic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antipsychotic properties. Thiazole derivatives, known for their diverse pharmacological properties, have recently emerged as potent antileishmanial candidates. The evidence suggests that thiazole derivatives represent promising scaffolds for future drug development.
