In vitro effects of various plants extracts on the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. This disease, with roughly 170 million new infected people worldwide per year, is associated with various problems such as pre-term delivery, high infant mortality or low birth weight. In addition, trichomoniasis increases patient susceptibility to HIV infection. The mainstay medication for trichomoniasis is metronidazole, but some resistant strains to this treatment have been identified. Moreover, treatment with metronidazole is associated with numerous side effects. Thus efforts to identify new alternative drugs in order to control trichomoniasis are vital. The use of medicinal herbs has gained widespread acceptance in both developing and non-developing societies because of owing to fewer side effects and better patient tolerance. In our search for alternative drugs in the treatment of trichomoniasis, we reviewed the effect of different plant extracts on Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro. © 2013 Bentham Science Publishers

Development of a Latex Agglutination Test as a Simple and Rapid Method for Diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis Infection.

Trichomoniasis is a worldwide infection and due to its complications rapid and accurate diagnosis of infection especially in pregnant women is very important. In this study, development of a latex agglutination test using native antigens for rapid diagnosis of trichomoniasis is investigated. Trichomonas vaginalis was harvested from TYIS33 culture medium and anti Trichomonas vaginalis antiserum was raised in rabbits. Salt precipitation method was used for antibody purification. Polyesteren latex particles coated with purified antibody and used for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis. Clinical samples of vaginal discharge were collected from 500 women and examined for Trichomonas vaginalis by using wet mount, culture and latex agglutination tests. Sensitivity and specificity of latex test was determined considering culture as golden standard. Sensitivity and specificity of latex agglutination test was 100% and 81% and those of wet mount were 33.3% and 100%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values of latex agglutination test were 6% and 100%, respectively. Due to inconvenient sensitivity and specificity of the latex agglutination test developed in this study, further work is recommended to improve the test

In-vitro effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Tanacetum parthenium extract on Trichomonas vaginalis

Background: Trichomonas vaginalisis a flagellate parasite causing vaginosis as a common sexual transmitted disease. Metronidazole is the drug of choice for this disease; but due to its side effects it is necessary to search for an alternative drug. In this study, the effect of Tanacetum parthenium on Trichomonas vaginalis was investigated. Methods: Using percolation method, hydro-alcoholic extracts of Tanacetum parthenium was prepared. The extract was dried using vacuum rotary evaporator. Different doses of the extract were added to 8 tubes containing culture medium of Trichomonas vaginalis; metronidazole was added to 1 tube. Finally, 104 Trichomonas vaginalis was added to each tube. Every 24 hours for 3 days, the tubes were seen for count and motion of the parasite under the microscope. Findings: In concentrations of 4, 5, 8 and 10 mg/ml of Tanacetum parthenium, the parasite did not grow. The effect of the extract on Trichomonas vaginalis was similar to the effect of metronidazole. Conclusion: Tanacetum parthenium has efficient effect against Trichomonas vaginalis growth in culture medium; so, this herb can be considered as alternative drug for methronidazole

In-vitro effect of menthe piperita and salvia officinalis extracts on trichomonas vaginalis

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellate parasite causing vaginosis, a common sexual transmitted disease. Metronidazole is the drug of choice for this disease but due to its side effects, it is necessary to search for an alternative drug. In this study, the effect of Menthe piperita and Salvia officinalis on Trichomonas vaginalis was investigated. Methods: Hydro-alcoholic extracts of the two herbs were prepared. The extracts were dried using vacuum rotary evaporator. Different concentrations of the extracts in comparison with methronidazole were added in test tubes containing culture medium and the parasite. All test tubes were kept in 37°C for 24 hours. The tubes were then expected for the parasite growth. Findings: In concentrations of 2, 2.5, 4, 5, 8, and 10 mg/ml of Salvia officinalis and in concentrations of 4, 5, 8, and 10 mg/ml of Menthe piperita the parasite did not grow. The effect of the extracts on Trichomonas vaginalis was similar to the effect of metronidazole on the parasite. Conclusion: Salvia officinalis and Menthe piperita had efficient effect against Trichomonas vaginalis growth in culture medium and s,o these two herbs can be considered as alternatives drugs. However, more investigation is recommended

Immunological cross reaction between cancer cells and hydatid cyst

Background and aims: Hydatid cyst is the larval stage of the tape worm Echinococcu granulosus. Anticancer effects of some parasites have been shown. Moreover, existence of common antigens between some parasites especially hydatid cyst and cancers have been reported. So, immunological cross reaction between hydatid cyst and cancer cell antigens has been investigated in this study. Methods: In this laboratory descriptive study, different hydatid cyst antigens were prepared and antibody raised against them in rabbits. In dot immunoblotting, those antigens were probed with sera of patients with cancers (collected from Imam Hossein Hospital in Isfahan). Also, cross reaction among excretory secretory products of cancer cells and antisera raised against different hydatid cyst antigen was investigated. In order to remove carbohydrate bands of antigens, sodium periodate buffer was used. Results: Antisera raised against laminated & germinal layers of hydatid cyst reacted with excretory secretory products of cancer cells. Also, antigens of hydatid cysts reacted with cancer patients sera. Carbohydrate bands of antigens were involved in some immunological cross reactions. Conclusion: Results of this work emphasis existence of common antigens between hydatid cyst and cancers. Therefore, more study about these common antigens is recommende

Effect of Chaerophyllum macropodum extracts on Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro

Introduction: Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is a protozoan parasite causing trichomoniasis or trichomonal vaginitis. The infection is considered as non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD). Metronidazole and Tinidazole are now the drugs of choice for the treatment of this infection. However, resistant to these drugs has also been reported. So it is necessary to search for effective alternative drugs with fewer side effects. Chaerophyllum macropodum (C. macropodum) plant have been used against some parasites. Therefore, in this study the effects of different extracts of this plant on T. vaginalis in culture media have been investigated. Methods: In this experimental study hydro-ethanol extracts of C. macropodum leaves were prepared. Anti-T. vaginalis activities of the extracts were tested in concentrations of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100 and 150 mg/ml following 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation of cultured media. Results: All extract concentrations showed some degrees of growth inhibition activity on T. vaginalis. However crude extract was more efficient. Conclusion: C. macropodum showed an anti-T. vaginalis activity. More investigations are recommended to use this plant as an antiparasitic drug

Echinococcus granulosus genotypes in Iran

Hydatidosis, caused by Echinococcus granulosus is one of the most important zoonotic diseases, throughout most parts of the world. Hydatidosis is endemic in Iran and responsible for approximately 1 of admission to surgical wards. There are extensive genetic variations within E. granulosus and 10 different genotypes (G1-G10) within this parasite have been reported. Identification of strains is important for improvement of control and prevention of the disease. No new review article presented the situation of Echinococcus granulosus genotypes in Iran in the recent years; therefore in this paper we reviewed the different studies regarding Echinococcus granulosus genotypes in Iran

Parasites and chronic renal failure.

Suppression of the human immune system results in an increase in susceptibility to infection by various infectious agents. Conditions such as AIDS, organ transplantation and chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) are the most important cause of insufficient immune response against infections. Long term renal disorders result in uremia, which can suppress human immune system. Parasitic infections are one of the most important factors indicating the public health problems of the societies. These infections can be more hostile and life threatening in susceptible individuals than in the normal people. In these patients some parasitic infections such as blastocystiosis, cryptosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis have been reported to be more prevalent. This review aimed to give an overview about parasitic infections in patients with renal disorders

Parasites and cancers: parasite antigens as possible targets for cancer immunotherapy

An adverse relationship between some parasite infections and cancer in the human population has been reported by different research groups. Anticancer activity of some parasites such as Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara canis. Acantamoeba castellani and Plasmodium yoelii has been shown in experimental animals. Moreover, it has been shown that cancer-associated mucin-type O-glycan compositions are made by parasites, therefore cancers and parasites have common antigens. In this report anticancer activities of some parasites have been reviewed and the possible mechanisms of these actions have also been discussed

Effects of different extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on Trichomonas vaginalis parasite in culture medium.

BACKGROUND Trichomonas vaginalis is considered one of the main causes of vulvovaginitis in women. Metronidazole with vast side effects is now the drug of choice for treatment of this infection. In an attempt to find an alternative drug, the effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on this parasite was shown in previous studies. In this investigation, the effect of different extracts of this plant on T. vaginalis in culture medium has been investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five different extracts including total extract, diethyl ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water fractions were prepared. The extracts were dried using vacuum rotary evaporator and then they were used for in vitro anti-trichomonas experiments. RESULTS Crude extract of E. camaldulensis showed 80% growth inhibition (GI) in a concentration of 12.5 mg/ml during 24 h. Diethyl ether extract in a concentration of 25 mg/ml showed 100% GI during 24 h. With ethyl acetate extract, 100% GI was detected with the minimum concentration of 12.5 mg/ml in the first 24 h. Finally, water extract in a concentration of 50 mg/ml showed 80% and 100% GI after 48 and 72 h, respectively. CONCLUSION Ethyl acetate fraction is the extract which showed the highest percentage of GI (100%) with the least concentration (12.5 mg/ml) after 24 and 48 h