Leishmania is a protozoan parasite that causes leishmaniasis,a disease prevalent in tropical regions.Vis-ceral leishmaniasis,also known as kala-azar in Asian countries,and cutaneous leishmaniasis are distributed world-wide.Chemotherapy with sodium stibogluconate and amphotericin B has shown significant effects.However,cur-rent treatment methods for leishmaniasis have various defects,including multiple side effects,prolonged treat-ment duration,varying efficacy across different regions,and the emergence of drug resistance.To address this ur-gent need,it is imperative to identify safer and more effective alternative treatment methods and seek for appropri-ate pharmacological targets.This review discusses key metabolic pathways that represent potential pharmacologi-cal targets,as well as emerging therapeutic strategies for leishmaniasis.

Leishmania is a protozoan parasite that causes leishmaniasis,a disease prevalent in tropical regions.Vis-ceral leishmaniasis,also known as kala-azar in Asian countries,and cutaneous leishmaniasis are distributed world-wide.Chemotherapy with sodium stibogluconate and amphotericin B has shown significant effects.However,cur-rent treatment methods for leishmaniasis have various defects,including multiple side effects,prolonged treat-ment duration,varying efficacy across different regions,and the emergence of drug resistance.To address this ur-gent need,it is imperative to identify safer and more effective alternative treatment methods and seek for appropri-ate pharmacological targets.This review discusses key metabolic pathways that represent potential pharmacologi-cal targets,as well as emerging therapeutic strategies for leishmaniasis.