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