Background: With respect to the prevalence of leishmaniosis in our country and the problems occurred in the therapeutic approaches and also with respect to the previous successful reports of paromomycin efficacy in this regard, the present study was conducted to determine the effects of paromomycin and gentamicine sulphate on promastigotes of Leishmania major.

Materials and methods: It was an experimental study. The base of films composed of ethyl cellulose and HPMC (hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose) containing paromomycin 15% and gentamicine 0.5%. To determine the rate and duration release from the films and its killing effects on leishmania promastigotes, a cloning system of parasite was established by using a set of modified NNN medium without liquid layer. The medium plates were divided in 3 groups, the media contain of drug films, placebo films, and media containing no film.

Results: results showed no colonies of Leishmania in a 30mm radius envelop the drug films. On the other hand, grown colonies of Leishmania promastigotes were found in placebo and control plates. Frequency of dead parasites were 98% and 5% in the placebo-control plates and drug plates, respectively (p<0.000).

Conclusion: Paromomycin and gentamicine drug films have good potential of drug releasing and suitable killing effects in vitro condition. It is suggested that the therapeutic effect of this new form of drug be achieved in human models.