IN VITRO EFFICACY OF VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS EXTRACTS AGAINST TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS: A POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

Ahmet Özbilgin; İbrahim Çavuş; Varol Tunalı; Yener Özel; Çağla Yıldız Alagöz; Hüsniye Kayalar

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v9i4.1149

Ahmet Özbilgin Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Manisa, Türkiye.
İbrahim Çavuş Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Manisa, Türkiye.
Varol Tunalı Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Manisa, Türkiye. Izmir University of Economics Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Izmir, Türkiye.
Yener Özel Balikesir University Faculty of Medicine Department of Microbiology, Balikesir, Türkiye.
Çağla Yıldız Alagöz Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Manisa, Türkiye.
Hüsniye Kayalar Ege University Faculty of Pharmacy Department of Pharmacognosy, Izmir, Türkiye.

10.22270/ujpr.v9i4.1149

Keywords:

Drug discovery, parasitic diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, treatment failure, Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract

Aim and objectives: Trichomonas vaginalis is the most prevalent nonviral sexually transmitted infection globally. The current treatment, 5-nitroimidazole derivatives has raised concerns as a result of drug reliance, allergies, and drug resistance, driving efforts to identify alternative therapies. The Vitex species recognized for their pharmacological attributes including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties are promising candidates for further investigation.

Methods: In this study, the potential of Vitex agnus-castus extracts against T. vaginalis was explored. The water, ethanol, and 60% aqueous ethanol extracts from both leaves and fruits were examined for their effects on metronidazole (MET)-resistant (TV 50143) and sensitive strains (TV-78). Cytotoxicity was evaluated on L929 mouse fibroblast cells to determine the minimum lethal dose for each extract under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Results: Antitrichomonial activity, cytotoxic activity and Selectivity Index (SI) values revealed distinct efficacy profiles. Leaf water extract displayed a balanced selectivity profile, while leaf 60% ethanol extract showed moderate to high selectivity. The fruit 60% ethanol extract exhibited significantly elevated selectivity with SI values of 2 and 1 under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively, for the MET-sensitive reference strain, and 3 and 5, respectively, for the MET-resistant reference strain.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential of the fruit 60% ethanol extract as a promising candidate for future drug development. Further investigations into its mechanisms and optimization are warranted to enhance its efficacy against T. vaginalis.

Peer Review History:

Received 13 May 2024; Reviewed 15 July 2024; Accepted 21 August; Available online 15 September 2024

Academic Editor: Dr. Amany Mohamed Alboghdadly, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, amanyalboghdadly@gmail.com