ArticlePDF Available

Antigiardial Activity of some Cucurbita Species and Lagenaria Siceraria

Authors:
Mona A M Mageed at Omdurman Islamic University
Mona A M Mageed
Download full-text PDF
Read full-text
Download citation

Abstract and Figures

This study was carried out to evaluate antigiardial activity of Cucurbita maxima D, Cucurbita pepo L and Lagenaria siceraria. Variety supreme court seeds petroleum ether and methanolic extracts in vitro tests were perform using three concentrations (1000 ppm, 500 ppm and 250 ppm). The highest activity against Giaradia lambelia, with respect to time, was obtained from C. maxima seeds petroleum ether extract which exhibited 100% mortality within 48 giving IC50 of 548.80 ppm (with a concentration of 1000 and 500 ppm) followed by L. siceraria petroleum ether extract which exhibited 100% mortality within 72 hours with IC50 of 95.65 ppm whereas Metronidazol, a pure compound, (positive control) showed 100% mortality within 96 hours. On the other hand the lowest antigiardial activity was recorded by C. pepo petroleum ether extract (83.67% mortality with 500 ppm concentration within 96 hours ) giving IC50 of 60671.32ppm whereas C. maxima and L. siceraria methanol extract exhibited 100 % mortality within 96 hours with IC50 35.6ppm and 120 hours with IC50 8.9ppm respectively (with 1000ppm concentration). The best result was obtained by C. maxima petroleum ether extract at 250 ppm (up to 100% mortality within 72 hours) with IC50 1 ppm. This result will approve that this species (C. maxima) is a promising species in treating Giardia lambelia and agree with traditional claims.
Figures - uploaded by Mona A M Mageed
Author content
All figure content in this area was uploaded by Mona A M Mageed
Content may be subject to copyright.
Content uploaded by Mona A M Mageed
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Mona A M Mageed on Feb 11, 2015
Content may be subject to copyright.
JOURNAL OF FOREST PRODUCTS & INDUSTRIES, 2013, 2(4), 43-47 ISSN:2325–4513(PRINT) ISSN 2325 - 453X (ONLINE)
RESEARCH ARTICLE 43
Abstract— This study was carried out to evaluate antigiardial
activity of Cucurbita maxima D, Cucurbita pepo L and Lagenaria
siceraria. Variety supreme court seeds petroleum ether and
methanolic extracts in vitro tests were perform using three
concentrations (1000 ppm, 500 ppm and 250 ppm). The highest
activity against Giaradia lambelia, with respect to time, was
obtained from C. maxima seeds petroleum ether extract which
exhibited 100% mortality within 48 giving IC50 of 548.80 ppm
(with a concentration of 1000 and 500 ppm) followed by L.
siceraria petroleum ether extract which exhibited 100% mortality
within 72 hours with IC50 of 95.65 ppm whereas Metronidazol, a
pure compound, (positive control) showed 100% mortality within
96 hours. On the other hand the lowest antigiardial activity was
recorded by C. pepo petroleum ether extract (83.67% mortality
with 500 ppm concentration within 96 hours ) giving IC50 of
60671.32ppm whereas C. maxima and L. siceraria methanol
extract exhibited 100 % mortality within 96 hours with IC50
35.6ppm and 120 hours with IC50 8.9ppm respectively (with
1000ppm concentration). The best result was obtained by C.
maxima petroleum ether extract at 250 ppm (up to 100%
mortality within 72 hours) with IC50 1 ppm. This result will
approve that this species (C. maxima) is a promising species in
treating Giardia lambelia and agree with traditional claims.
Index Terms— Cucurbita maxima D, Cucurbita pepo L and
Lagenaria siceraria, Gairdia lameblia
I. INTRODUCTION
edicinal plants are still invaluable source of safe, less
toxic, lower price, available and reliable natural resources
of drugs all over the world. People in Sudan and in other
developing countries have relied on traditional herbal
preparations to treat themselves. Therefore, it is useful to
investigate the potential of local plants against these disabling
diseases [1and 2].
The treatment of giardiasis consists of the use of one or more
drugs, with metronidazole being the first choice. Other
nitroimidazolic derivatives (secnidazole, tinidazole, and
ornidazole), benzimidazoles (albendazole, mebendazole),
* Corresponding author: wasyko2002@yahoo.com
furazolin, quinacrine and paromomycin have also been
employed in therapeutic regimens. However, these drugs have
adverse effects including gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea,
headache, leucopoenia, myopia, neuralgia, and allergic
dermatitis and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Furthermore,
they can lead to neurotoxic effects, ataxia, convulsions and
vertigo, bringing about the interruption of treatment. In addition,
mutagenic and carcinogenic effects have been described in
laboratory animals [3-8].
Thus the need of alternative drugs to reduce their burden of
purchasing the synthetic drugs especially after the problem of
getting resistant to many clinical patients against metronidazole
[9 and10] and thus new antigiardial drugs are probably required.
Cucurbits are well –recognized source of secondary metabolites
such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins and
cucurbitacins (tetracyclic triterpenoids) which impart a bitter
flavor to many Cucurbits [11and 12]. Terpenoids which are rich
in oxygen, are of potent antigiardial activity [13].
From ancient time the seeds of the genus Cucurbita and
Lagenaria were used in treating intestinal parasites.
Experimental research was carried out at the Parasitology and
Chemistry laboratories of the Jorge Basadre Grohmann
National University, in Tacna, for testing Cucurbita maxima as
antiparasitic agent against canine tape worms in vitro and in
vivo using albino mice, It was found that the MIC of 23 gr. of
pumpkin seeds in 100 ml. of distilled water can produce an
antihelminthic effect [14].
With the purpose of searching for new antigiardial agents, in the
present work Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima and lagenaria
siceraria which are used traditionally for treatment of clinical
signs associated with giardiases were selected to evaluate the
activity of their petroleum ether and methanolic crude extracts
against Giardia lamblia trophozoites in vitro.
Antigiardial Activity of some Cucurbita
Species and Lagenaria Siceraria
Ihsan Mohamed Elhadi 1, Waleed S. Koko2*, Mahmoud M. Dahab2, Yahia Mohamed El Imam3,
Mona Abdu Elmonem Abdu El Mageed1
1Depart of pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan.
2Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Research Institute, National Center for Research, Khartoum, Sudan.
3Faculty of Pharmacy, The National Ribat University.
(Received April 09, 2013; Accepted July 04, 2013)
M
JOURNAL OF FOREST PRODUCTS & INDUSTRIES, 2013, 2(4), 43-47 ISSN:2325–4513(PRINT) ISSN 2325 - 453X (ONLINE)
44
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant materials
The seeds of Cucurbita pepo L, Cucurbita maxima D, and
Lagenaria siceraria variety supreme court were collected
between April 2008 and August 2008. The seeds of Cucurbita
pepo, Cucurbita maxima were collected from Khartoum state
whereas Lagenaria siceraria variety supreme court was
gathered from Saudi Arabia. The plants were identified and
authenticated by the taxonomists Dr, Abdu Elgabar Nasir
Gumaa, Department of Biology, Faculty of Education,
Khartoum University. The seeds were air-dried and coarsely
ground to poweder.
Preparation of Crude extracts
30 grams of the coarsely ground material of the seeds were
successively extracted by Soxhlet apparatus using petroleum
ether, and methanol.
The extracts were then filtered and evaporated under reduced
pressure using rotatory evaporator.
Parasite isolate
G.lambelia used in all experiments were taken from patient. All
positive samples were examined by wet mount preparation.
Trophozoites of G. lambelia were performed at 37 1C in
RPMI 1640 medium containing 5% bovine serum. The
trophozoites were maintained for the assays and were employed
in the log phase of growth. Parasites were counted under the
microscope by haemocytometer chamber.
In vitro susceptibility assays
In vitro susceptibility assays used the sub- culture method of
Cedilla et al., [15]. This is highly stringent and sensitive method
for assessing the anti-protozoal effects (gold standard)
particularly in Entamoba histolytica, Gairdia intestinalis and T.
vaginalis [16].
5 mg from each extract was dissolved in 50 µl of dimethyl
sulfoxzide (DMSO) at eppendorf tube containing 950 µl D.W in
order to reach concentration of 5 mg/ml (5000ppm). The
concentrates were stored at -20°C for further analysis.
Sterile 96-well microtite plate was used for different plant
extracts, positive control and negative control.
Three out of 8 columns of microtitre plate wells ( 8 columns ×
12 rows ) were chosen for each extract, 40 μl of an extract
solution (5 mg/ml) were added to the first column wells C-1: On
the other hand , 20 μl of complete RPMI medium were added to
the other wells of` the second column and third column ( C-2
and C-3) . Serial dilutions of the extract were obtained by taking
20 µl of extract to the second column wells and taking 20 μl out
of the complete solution in C-2 wells to C-3 wells and
discarding 20 μl from the total solution of C-3 to the remaining
20 μl serial solutions in the successive columns. 80 μl of culture
medium was complemented with parasite and added to all wells.
The final volume in the wells was 100 μl.
Each test included metronidazole pure compound
[(1-(2-hydroxyethl)-2-methyl-5 nitroimidazole], a drug was
used as positive control in concentration 312.5 gml, whereas
untreated cells were used as a negative controls (culture
medium plus trophozoites). Samples were taken for counting at
0, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours.
For counting, the samples were mixed with Trypan blue in equal
volumes The final number of parasites was determined with
haemocytometer in triplicate.
The mortality % of parasite for each extract activity was carried
out according to the following formula:
Mortality of parasite (%) = Control negative- tested sample with extract×100
Control negative
Statistical analysis
All data were presented as means ± S.D. Statistical analysis for
all the assays results were done using Microsoft excel program.
Student t test was used to determine significant difference
between control and plant extracts at level of P < 0.05.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Out of six extract investigated, 5 extracts (83.33) exhibited
100% mortality of parasite within 120 hours or less (Figure 1, 2,
3, 4, 5 and 6).
Out of 5 active extracts, one showed 100% mortality within 48
hours, one within 72 hours whereas one within 96 hours and two
within 120 hours.
Three extracts (60%) attained 100% mortality by
concentrations: (1000, 500 and 250ppm) and two extracts (40%)
attained 100% mortality only at 1000ppm.
Figure 1. In vitro activity of Cucurbita maxima seeds
petroleum ether extract against Giardia lambelia; mortality
percentage in relation to time
JOURNAL OF FOREST PRODUCTS & INDUSTRIES, 2013, 2(4), 43-47 ISSN:2325–4513(PRINT) ISSN 2325 - 453X (ONLINE)
45
Figure 2. In vitro activity of Cucurbita maxima seeds
methanolic extract against Giaradia lamblia
Figure 3. In vitro activity of Cucurbita pepo seeds petroleum
ether extract against Giaradia lambelia: ; mortality percentage
in relation to time
Figure 4. In vitro activity of Cucurbita pepo seeds methanolic
extract against Giaradia lambelia
Figure 5. In vitro activity of Lagenaria siceraria seeds pet
ether extract against Giaradia lambelia: ; mortality percentage
in relation to time
Figure 6. In vitro activity of Lagenaria siceraria seeds
methanol extract against Giaradia lambelia: ; mortality
percentage in relation to time
Giardia lamblia is an important cause of acute and chronic
gastrointestinal disease throughout the world and has been
identified as the etiologic agent in numerous waterborne
outbreaks of diarrheal disease. Although G. lamblia is among
the most prevalent enteric protozoal infections in humans, it is
relatively recently that improvements in t he in vitro cultivation
of this organism have allowed reliable, reproducible tests to
assess the in vitro activity of therapeutic agents against G.
lambelia [17].
Calzada et al.[18] reported that methanolic extracts of nineteen
plant species of Mexican origin, distributed among thirteen
families, and described potent giardicidal activity in six species
(Acalypha phleoides, Cnidoscolus tehuacanensis, Geranium
nievum, Hellianthella quinquenervis, Heliopsis longipes and
Teloxys graveolens), with IC50 values less than or equal to 20.64
μg/mL.
The results represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4. 5 and 6, revealed
that, the highest activity against Giaradia lambelia, with respect
JOURNAL OF FOREST PRODUCTS & INDUSTRIES, 2013, 2(4), 43-47 ISSN:2325–4513(PRINT) ISSN 2325 - 453X (ONLINE)
46
to time, was obtained from C. ma. seeds petroleum ether extract
which exhibited 100% mortality within 48 hrs giving IC50 of
548.80ppm (with a concentration of 1000 and 500ppm)
followed by L. s. petroleum ether extract which exhibited 100 %
mortality within 72 hours with IC50 of 95.65ppm whereas
Metronidazol, a pure compound, (positive control) showed
100% mortality within 96 hours. On the other hand the lowest
antigiardial activity was recorded by C. p. petroleum ether
extract (83.67% mortality with 500 ppm concentration within
96 hours ) giving IC50 of 60671.32ppm whereas C. ma. and L. s.
methanol extract exhibited 100 % mortality within 96 hours
with IC50 35.6ppm and 120 hours with IC50 8.9ppm respectively
(with 1000ppm concentration).
It had been clearly noticed that all studied extracts reached
100 % mortality except C. p. petroleum ether extract. The best
result was obtained by C. ma. petroleum ether extract at 250
ppm (exhibited 100% mortality within 72 hours) with IC50
1ppm. This result will approve that this species (C. ma) is a
promising species in treating Giaradia lambelia better than
synthetic antigiardial drugs.
The antigiardial activity of C. ma. and other studied species
could be due to the presence of triterpene (Cucurbitacins) as has
been demonstrated by Loiy et al., [19] who investigated the
antigiard [20] ial activities of Citrullus lanatus var. citroides
(wild watermelon) fruits petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, butanol
crude extracts as well as Cucurbitacin E and Cucurbitacin L
2-O-β-glucoside pure isolated compounds from C. lanatus var.
citroides. Cucurbitacin E and Cucurbitacin L 2-O-β-glucoside
were revealed to have strong potent antigiardial activity against
Giardia lamblia in vitro with IC50= 2 and 5 µg/ml after 5 days
respectively. It could be due to the presence of essential oil of
the seeds as had been demonstrated by Marisa et al., who
evaluated the anti-Giardia activity of phenolic-rich essential oils
obtained from Thymbra capitata, Origanum virens, Thymus
zygis subsp. Sylvestris chemotype thymol, and Lippia
graveolens aromatic plants. The tested essential oils inhibited
the growth of Giardia lamblia at IC50 (71– 257) μg/ml since the
first hour of incubation and were able to kill almost 50% of the
parasites population in a time-dependent manner.
The phytochemical screening of C. ma. and the other studied
species revealed the presence of triterpene in the seeds
petroleum ether extract as well as methanolic extract, and GC-
Ms analysis of seeds oil declared the presence of Myristic,
Stearic, Palmitic, Linolenic, ω6, Arachidic acid and other fatty
acids [21]. All these constituents could be the causative factors
of antigiardial activity for the above investigated species.
IV. CONCLUSION
It has been concluded that the seeds of the studied species can
solved the problem of diarrhea that caused by Giardia
intestinalis instead of Metronidazol which has been
demonstrated to have side effects and they can be used
traditionally or can be formulated
REFERENCES
[1] Flavia M.M. Amaral, Maria Nilce S. Ribeiro1, José M.
Barbosa-Filho, Aramys S. Reis, Flávia R.F. Nascimento3, Rui O.
Macedo (2006). Plants and chemical constituents with giardicidal
activity. Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy 16(Supl.): 696-720.
[2] Koko, W.S., M. Ahmed Mesaik, S. Yousaf, M. Galal, M. Iqbal
Choudhary (2008) In vitro immunomodulating properties of selected
Sudanese medicinal plants. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 118,
26-34
[3] Campanati L, Monteiro-Leal LH 2002. The effects of the
antiprotozoal drugs metronidazole and furazolidone on trophozoites of
Giardia lamblia (P1 strain). Parasitol Res 88: 80-85.
[4] Harris JC, Plummer S, Turner MP, Lloyd D (2000). The
microaerophilic flagellate Giardia intestinalis: Allium sativum (garlic)
is an effective antigiardial. Microbiology 146: 3119-3127.
[5] Harris JC, Plummer S, Lloyd D (2001). Antigiardial drugs. Appl
Microbiol Biotechnol 57: 614-619.
[6] Morgan UM, Reynoldson JA, Thompson RCA 1993. Activities of
several benzimidazoles and tubulin inhibitors against Giardia spp. in
vitro. Antimicrobial Agents Chemistry, 37: 328-331.
[7] Petri-Jr WA (2003). Therapy of intestinal protozoa. Trends
Parasitology, 19: 523-526.
[8] Upcrof, JA., Dunn, L.A., Wrigh, JM., Benakli, K., Upcrof, P.,
Vanelle, P. (2006) 5- nitroimidazole drugs effective against
metronidazole- resistant. Trichomonas vaginalis and Giardia
dodenalis spp. Animicrobial agents And Chemotherapy 50, 344-347.
[9] Iran, M, Kezaeian Mal Izaddoost .M . (2006) In vitro
antitrichomonas activity of Allium ehrtifolium (Persian shallot) in
comparison with metrondizole. Iranian Journal of Rubi Health 35: 92
-94.
[10] Pratibha Tiwari, Divya Singh and Man Mohan Singh. (2008)
Anti-Trichomonas activity of Sapindus saponins, a candidate for
development as microbicidal contraceptive, Journal of
Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 62(3):526-534.
[11] Edeoga H.O., Osuagwu G.G.E., Omosun G., Mbaebie B.O.,
Osuagwu A.N. (2010). Pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential of
some wild Cucurbitaceae species from south – east Nigeria. Recent
Research in Science and Technology, 2(1): 63–68.
[12] Timothy J. Ng (1993). New opportunities in the Cucurbitaceae:
Potential biochemical and medicinal uses. Janick J.and Simon J.E.
(eds), New crops. Wiley, New York, 538-546.
[13] Machado M, Dinis AM, Salgueiro L, Cavaleiro C, Custódio JB,
Sousa Mdo C (2010). Anti-Giardia activity of phenolic-rich essential
oils: effects of Thymbra capitata, Origanum virens, Thymus zygis
subsp. sylvestris, and Lippia graveolens on trophozoites growth,
viability, adherence, and ultrastructure. Parasitol. Res., 106(5):
1205-1215.
[14] Díaz Obregón D, Lloja Lozano L, Carbajal Zúñiga V. (2004).
Preclinical studies of Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin seeds), a traditional
intestinal antiparasitic in rural urban areas. Rev. Gastroenterol Peru;
24(4):323-7
[15] Cedillo-Rivera, R.,Chave,B.,
Gonzalez-Robles,A.,Tapia-Contreras,A., Yepez-Mulia, L., (2002) In
vitro effect of nitazoxanide against Entamoba histolytica, Gairdia
lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoites. The journal of
eukaryotic microbiology 49, 201-208.
[16] Arguello-Garcia, R., Cruz-suto,M., Romero-Montoya,L,
Ortega-Pierres, G. (2004) Variability and variation in drug
susceptibility among Giardia duodenalis isolates and clones exposed
to 5-nitromidazoles and benzimidazoles in vitro. Journal of
Antimicrobial chemotharpy 54, 711-721.
JOURNAL OF FOREST PRODUCTS & INDUSTRIES, 2013, 2(4), 43-47 ISSN:2325–4513(PRINT) ISSN 2325 - 453X (ONLINE)
47
[17] Boreham, P. F. L., R. E. Phillips, and R. W. Shepherd. (1984).The
sensitivity of Giardia intestinalis to drugs in vitro. Journal of
Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 14:449-461.
[18] Calzada F, Meckes M, Cedillo-Rivera R, Tapia-Contreras A,
Mata R (1998). Screening of Mexican medicinal plants for
antiprotozoal activity. Pharm Biol, 36:305-309.
[19] Loiy Elsir Ahmed Hassan, Waleed S. Koko, El-Badri E. Osman,
Mahmoud M. Dahab and Hasnah Mohd Sira (2011). In vitro
antigiardial activity of Citrullus lanatus Var. citroides extracts and
cucurbitacins isolated compounds. Journal of Medicinal Plants
Research, 5(15): 3338-3346.
[20] Marisa Machado, Augusto M. Dinis, Ligia Salgueiro, Carlos
Cavaleiro, José B. A. Custódio & Maria do Céu Sousa (2010).
Anti-Giardia activity of phenolic-rich essential oils: effects of
Thymbra capitata, Origanum virens, Thymus zygis subsp. sylvestris,
and Lippia graveolens on trophozoites growth, viability, adherence,
and ultrastructure. Parasitol Res.106: 1205 - 1215
[21] Ihsan M. Elhadi (2012). Phytochemical, pharmacological and
toxicological studies of four species of Cucurbitaceae. PhD thesis in
pharmacognosy , faculty of Pharmacy, Omdurman Islamic University,
140-172.
... The antiprotozoal effect of the Cucurbita genus against numerous parasite species has been documented, including Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Histomonas meleagridis, Tetratrichomonas gallinarum, Plasmodium falciparum, and Giardia lamblia [78][79][80][81][82][83]. Furthermore, C. pepo extracts showed anthelmintic effects against Raillietina spp., Heterakis spp., Heligmosoides bakeri, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia solium, and Aspiculuris tetraptera [35,[84][85][86][87]. Boros et al. [36] showed that C. sativum and C. pepo alcoholic extracts completely inhibited the mobility of T. spiralis and T. britovi larvae. ...
The Effects of Coriandrum sativum L. and Cucurbita pepo L. against Gastrointestinal Parasites in Swine: An In Vivo Study
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2023
Parasitic diseases are responsible for substantial losses in reproduction and productivity in swine, creating a major impairment to efficient and profitable livestock management. The use of phytotherapeutic remedies has notably increased over the past decade due to their bioavailability, decreased toxicity, non-polluting nature, and to some extent due to their antiparasitic effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiparasitic potential of Cucurbita pepo L. and Coriandrum sativum L. against protozoa and nematodes found in swine. The samples were collected from weaners, fatteners, and sows and examined via flotation (Willis and McMaster), active sedimentation, Ziehl-Neelsen staining as modified by Henricksen, a modified Blagg method, and eggs/oocyst culture. The parasite species detected were Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum spp., Balantioides coli (syn. Balantidium coli), Eimeria spp., and Cryptosporidium spp., depending on age category. A dose of 500 mg/kg bw/day of C. pepo and 170 mg/kg bw/day of C. sativum powders, administered for ten consecutive days, demonstrated a pronounced anthelmintic (pumpkin) and antiprotozoal (coriander) effect against the aforementioned parasites. Future studies are required to ascertain the optimal dose that maximizes their antiparasitic effectiveness. The current study represents the first Romanian report on the in vivo antiparasitic activity of these two plants tested on digestive parasites in swine.
View
... Seeds also contain omega 6 and omega 3 fats and high in fiber. 9 Pharmacological Activities of C. maxima Seeds Anticancer activity, anti-obesity, 10 diuretic activity, 11 cardiotonic activity, 12 human over active urinary bladder, 13 humoral immune response, 14 protease inhibitory of seed coat extract, 15 anti-inflammatory in seed extract-fore gut induced injury, 16 CNS stimulant activity, 17 anti-parkinsonism activity, 18 anti-giardial activity, 19 anti-helminthic activity, 20 anti-diabetic/ anti hyperlipidemia, 21 cytotoxicity, and antibacterial activity. 22 Burn wound Healing Activities of C. maxima Seeds Burn injury can be defined as skin damage caused by extreme heat, electricity radiation or corrosive chemicals. ...
Preliminary Phytochemical Investigation and Eff ect of Cucurbita maxima Seeds Oil on Burn Wound Healing in Iraq
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2023
Cucurbita maxima seeds oil were extracted by hot and cold method, identifi ed their phytochemical components as it contains alkaloids, fl avonoids, saponins and tannins and analyzed to explain its ability to heal burn wound. Male albino 32 Sprague- Dawley rats were divided into four rats in each cage which included a positive control group (Mebo ointment): two rats for fi rst-degree burn and two for the second one, negative control group: two rats for fi rst-degree burn and two for the second one, cold method: 100% concentration with two rats for fi rst-degree burn and two for the second one and hot method: 100, 75, 50, 25 and 10% concentration with two rats for fi rst-degree burn and two for the second one for each concentration. The results showed that the extracts of C. maxima seeds oil at fi rst and second-degree burn by the cold method were not effi cient so it could neglect where it compared to the hot procedure at the same time the concentrations 100, 75, 50, 25, and 10% were signifi cant as LSD5% were more than 0.01 when compared with the negative standard, while when compared with the positive standard 100 and 75% were signifi cant while 25, 10% were insignifi cant and 50% had the same activity as the positive standard. Also, there is a signifi cant diff erence between concentration at fi fth week; 100 and 75% has the largest signifi cant diff erences which is 0.01 among the other concentrations. At second-degree burn we notice that all the concentrations 100, 75, 50, 25, and 10% were signifi cant as LSD5% were more than 0.01 when compared with the negative control, while when compared with the positive control 100 and 75% were signifi cant while 25, 10% were insignifi cant and 50% had the same activity as the positive standard. Also there is a signifi cant diff erence between concentrations at fi fth week, 75% has the largest signifi cant diff erence among the other concentrations. As a fi nal result the concentration 100 and 75% were the best concentration in the treatment of burn wound as the 100% contained a large amount of extract and 75% contained a suffi cient quantity of extract in addition to the ointment base vaseline which aid in keeping the skin wet enough to avoid shrinkage of it and help in the rehabilitation of skin epithelial cells. This study of C. maxima seeds oil is the fi rst study in the healing of burn wound on rats in Iraq
View
... The presence of triterpenes such as Cucurbitacin E and Cucurbitacin L 2-0-β glucosides in pumpkin seeds are responsible for their anti-giardial effect. Elhadi et al. (Mageed, 2013) showed that, petroleum ether extract of C. maxima (250 ppm) has 100% efficacy against giardia in 3 days; inferring that C. maxima can be considered as an effective anti-giardial agent. ...
Vegetable seeds: A new perspective in future food development
Article
  • Sep 2022
Traditionally, vegetables are consumed as ingredients of daily household meals. Before cooking, vegetables are washed thoroughly, unpeeled, and deseeded, followed by chopping into desired shapes and sizes. Vegetable peels and seeds are also byproducts of various food industries. If they are not used, they will contribute significantly to global garbage. On the other hand, developing novel functional foods and food ingredients out of unorthodox sources has become a trending issue among researchers. The focus of this review was to access the utility of seed flour from sixteen commonly eaten seed‐bearing vegetables such as ash gourd (Benincasa hispida), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), buffalo gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima), capsicum (Capsicum annuum), drumstick (Moringa oleifera), Gnetum (Gnetum gnemon), hemp (Cannabis sativa), lady’s finger (Abelmoschus esculentus), noni (Morinda citrifolia), pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica), pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), ridge gourd (Luffa acutangular), snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina), spine gourd (Momordica dioica), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) have been presented. A complete picture of the nutritional qualities, phytochemical constituents, health benefits of these vegetable seeds, and their impact on the fortification of ready‐to‐eat foods have been illustrated. The development of functional food goods (bakery products, milk products, cereal‐based products, and meat products) from food waste (vegetable seeds) is extensively discussed in this study. It also highlights possible research gaps related to this field.
View
... We speculated that this particular difference might have influenced the activity of the C. pepo extracts, which are most commonly known for their antiparasitic properties. Various authors assign the anthelmintic properties of pumpkin seeds to cucurbitin (a nonprotein amino acid), cucurbitacins (terpenoids), or fatty acids [10,11]. However, only a few in vitro or in vivo studies have been performed to identify the pure components of the extracts; as a result, these assumptions have not yet been confirmed. ...
ATR-FTIR-based fingerprinting of some Cucurbitaceae extracts: A preliminary study
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2018
The attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) fingerprinting of some selected cucurbits was performed on three types of seed extracts (alcoholic, cold-water, and hot-water) in order to elaborate a characteristic FTIR profile of their family representatives and to determine their biochemical content. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed on Cucumis melo subsp. melo var. ‘Inodorus’, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita pepo var. ‘Cylindrica’, Cucurbita maxima Duchesne subsp. maxima convar. maxima var. ‘Hokkaido’ to determine the similarities between their seed extracts. The ethanol extract of the Cucurbita pepo seeds was different from the other seed extracts because in addition to esters, it contained free fatty acids, which could influence its pharmacological activity. The main variable differentiating the extracts was the absorption band at 2920–2925 cm-1, which represented saturated fatty acids. The obtained results were analyzed by various statistical tools to evaluate the fingerprints of the selected species of cucurbits.
View
... The ethanolic extract of the seeds gave 100% inhibition for Entamoeba histolytica in vitro at concentration 500 g/ml after 96 hours exposure. [38] The petroleum ether extract gave 100% mortality against Giardia lamblia in vitro after 72 hours' exposure with IC50 96 ppm. While the methanolic extract gave 100 mortality after 120 hours with IC50 9 ppm. ...
Review of Sudanese medicinal plants tested for antiparasitical activity
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2018
Background: Review articles, especially in medicinal plants' research, are very important in saving time, materials and efforts, to reach the ultimate goal for application of the findings. This study is considered as the most comprehensive review in this field since it covered about 53 studies during the period 1986-2016. Objectives: The study is designed to define the current status of Sudanese medicinal plants' research seeking for antiparasitical activity, in order to define the gaps in this field and provide basic data for setting future strategic plans in medicinal plants' research in Sudan. Methods: The current review was done by collecting data on medicinal plants native to Sudan, which have been reported to possess potential antiparasitical activity. This was carried out by reviewing various research papers, review papers, short communications, MSc and PhD theses and published books, during the period 1986-2016. The sources of data were initially gathered from the major scientific databases such as science web of Knowledge, Science Direct, Pubmed and Google. Results: The study revealed that, at least 49 plant species belonging to 29 families were screened and tested for their antiparasitical activity in Sudan during the mentioned period. The family Fabaceae was the most screened family with 10 species. The species Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. received the greatest attention by researchers and has been tested in six different studies. At least 24 species of parasites belonging to 16 genera were investigated in search for antiparasitical activity. The species Plasmodium falciparum received the greatest attention by Sudanese researchers and has been investigated in 25 different studies out of the 53 studies reviewed. Conclusions: Parasitic diseases represent a major health problem in Sudan. The search for medicinal plants with antiparasitical activity is badly needed to help overcome this problem. The current study will highlight the most promising plants and define the gaps for completing the research in this highly important field.
View
... Giardia lamblia is a eukaryotic parasite that colonized the small intestine and caused diarrhoea in humans and other mammals (Adam, 2001). Many plants have been reported to have potent antigiardial activity (Hassan et al., 2011;Elhadi et al., 2013). Twig extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol) of C. decidua possessed significant dose and time dependent antigiardial activity. ...
Capparis decidua Edgew (Forssk.): A comprehensive review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and nutrapharmaceutical potential
Article
  • Feb 2018
Capparis decidua, a medicinal plant of family Capparaceae grows abundantly in wild arid regions of Asia, Africa and Saudi Arabia. The plant has found wide folk medicinal applications along with its nutritional value. C. decidua possessed many pharmacological attributes such as antidiabetic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-nociceptive, antirheumatic, hypolipidemic, antiatherosclerotic, anti-tumor, antigiardial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anticonvulsant activities. These marvellous bioactivities of the caper plant can be attributed to the presence of a wide range of phytochemicals including alkaloids (capparisinine, capparisine, stachydrine, isocodonocarpine), phenolics, flavonoids, sterols and fatty acids. This review focuses on detailed phytochemistry, folk medicinal uses and pharmacological attributes of this multipurpose plant. Moreover, we also covered the importance of plant as a source of functional food and nutrapharmaceuticals.
View
... Garlic possesses some biocidal effects as acaricidal (Aboelhadid et al. 2013); insecticidal (Kalu et al. 2010); anthelmintic (Mantawy et al. 2012); antiprotozoal (Ibrahim 2013); moulscicidal (Mantawy and Mahmoud 2002): and antimicrobial and antifungal effects (Harris et al. 2001). Similarly, pumpkin has nematicidal ; antiprotozoal (Grabensteiner et al. 2008;Elhadi et al. 2013);antidiabetic, antibacterial, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, anticancer, anthelmintic, antimutagenic, immunomodulatory, and antiinflammatory activities (Caili et al. 2006). ...
In vitro control of the camel nasal botfly, Cephalopina titillator, with doramectin, lavender, camphor, and onion oils
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2013
Camels are very important livestock particularly in arid and semiarid lands. The oestrid fly, Cephalopina titillator (Clark), causes nasopharyngeal myiasis in camels, and it is widely distributed in many camel breeding areas triggering health hazards and severe economic losses in camels. The prevalence of infestation of camels (slaughtered at Tokh’s slaughterhouse, Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, during the period from September 2011 to March 2012) was 41.67 % (100 out of 240). Most infested camels developed clinical signs of nasal discharge, restlessness, loss of appetite, difficulty in breathing, frequent sneezing, and snoring. Postmortem examination of infested camels explained that breathing of the animal is greatly impaired because of blockage of the nasopharynx by larvae and/or mucofibrinous secretions. The larval count per camel ranged from 1 to 250 (mean 28.45±6.48). In vitro larval immersion tests were carried out to determine the efficacy of doramectin (0.003 %) as well as some essential oils (50 % each) such as lavender, camphor, and onion oils against the second and third larval stages (L2 and L3) of C. titillator. Another trial had been done for imitating what could happen if the area around camels were treated with an insecticide or an insect repellent. All treated L2 died 18 h posttreatment (PT) with both doramectin and lavender, and 100 % mortality was reached for L3 after 24 and 30 h PT with lavender and doramectin, respectively. Doramectin and lavender induced the highest response against C. titillator as their lethal time (LT50) values after treatment of L2 were 3.40 and 3.60 h, respectively, and those of L3 were 4.99 and 5.53 h, respectively. Against both L2 and L3 of C. titillator and based on LT50 values of onion oil and those of other applied materials, doramectin and lavender oil were four times more effective than onion oil, and camphor oil was two times more effective than onion oil. Based on LT50 values of essential oils and those of doramectin, as a reference substance, the relative speed of efficacy indicated that camphor and onion oils were, respectively, two and four times less effective than doramectin and lavender. With regard to fumigant technique, neither the insecticide, New Pyrosol®, nor the insect repellent, Keto®, was effective in controlling C. titillator larvae. Our results indicated that doramectin and lavender could be selected as drugs of choice for controlling C. titillator, but it is not permitted to use doramectin on dairy animals during lactation. Lavender (50 %) has a great potential to be developed as a novel larvicide and could be used as nasal drench against nasal botfly which will reflect on camel production and the national economy. DOI 10.1007/s00436-013-3415-2 http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00436-013-3415-2#
View
... In a previous study, Amorim et al. (1991) investigated that the antimalarial effect of ethanol extracts of C. maxima seeds against Plasmodium berghei ans 50% reduction in the blood parasite amount was observed in the infected rats given the extracts at a dose of 250/500 mg/kg. Antigiardial effects of petroleum ether and methanol extract of C. maxima and C. pepo seeds at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 ppm were investigated by Elhadi et al. (2013). The extract dose of C. maxima obtained after petroleum ether extraction at 500 and 1000 ppm have 48 h, whereas 250 ppm concentration has 100% activity against giardia in 72 h. ...
Evaluation of the anthelmintic activity of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita maxima) in mice naturally infected with Aspiculuris tetraptera
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2015
The aim of this study was to investigate the anthelmintic effect of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita maxima) against Aspiculuris tetraptera in naturally infected mice. For this purpose, the natural infection was determined by the cellophane tape (on the anal region), and the centrifugal flotation methods of stool samples in approximately 150 male Swiss albino mice (27 to 35 g). The infected mice (29 animals) were divided into four groups. The animals in the first (G1) and second groups (G2) received water and ethanol extracts of pumpkin seeds orally at the dose suggested for human for 7 days, respectively. The mice in the positive control group (G3) were treated with ivermectin intramuscularly at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg body weight. The mice in fourth groups (G4) received the same amount of serum physiologic orally. The mice were housed in clean polypropylene cages and maintained under standard laboratory conditions at an ambient temperature of 20±2°C with 45% relative humidity and a 12 h light dark cycle. At the eighth day of the study, all animals were killed humanly following inhalation anaesthesia. After euthanasia, the number of parasites in the intestine was counted. Data obtained from the treatment groups were compared using one-way ANOVA. The percentage efficacy of the drugs was calculated. The results of the study showed that the efficacies for water (G1) or ethanol (G2) extracts of pumpkin seed and ivermectin were 81, 85 and 91% compared with the negative control, respectively. These results revealed that pumpkin seed has high anthelmintic activity against nematodes as well as its continued use in traditional medicine for the treatment of helminthiasis.
View
... We thought that cinnamon might have affected trophozoites attachment leading to their slipping and disintegration while with ginger many trophozoites were still attached in-situ and passed out after intestinal wash. The reduction of both fecal cyst and intestinal trophozoites was nearly similar to those in previously published reports (10,21,22,28,29,30,31). ...
Ginger and Cinnamon: Can This Household Remedy Treat Giardiasis? Parasitological and Histopathological Studies
Article
Full-text available
  • Oct 2014
Giardia lamblia is one of the most common protozoal infections in human especially children. Metronidazol (MTZ) is the drug of choice for treatment of giardiasis; its chemical composition possesses major threats and is becoming less sensitive. This study aimed to search for natural extracts alternative to MTZ. In-vivo effects of dichloromethane extracts of ginger and cinnamon in doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/day separately were studied on 30 experimentally infected albino rats divided into 6 groups (5 rats each). Plant extracts were started on the 6th day post infection for 7 successive days. The study was evaluated by fecal cyst and intestinal trophozoite counts, histopathology, scanning and transmission electron microscopic examinations of the small intestinal mucosa. Ginger and cinnamon caused reduction of fecal cyst and trophozoites counts. Histopathology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after exposure to each extract revealed evident improvement of intestinal mucosal damage produced by G. lamblia infection and direct structural injury to the trophozoites. However, these results were more obvious after exposure to cinnamon extracts. We confirmed the potential therapeutic effects of ginger and cinnamon extracts on G. lamblia infection in albino rats as a promising alternative therapy to the commonly used antigiardial drugs.
View
... We thought that cinnamon might have affected trophozoites attachment leading to their slipping and disintegration while with ginger many trophozoites were still attached in-situ and passed out after intestinal wash. The reduction of both fecal cyst and intestinal trophozoites was nearly similar to those in previously published reports (10,21,22,28,29,30,31). ...
Ginger and Cinnamon: Can This Household Remedy Treat Giardiasis? Parasitological and Histopathological Studies
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2014
Abstract Background: Giardia lamblia is one of the most common protozoal infections in human especially children. Metronidazol (MTZ) is the drug of choice for treatment of giardiasis; its chemical composition possesses major threats and is becoming less sensitive. This study aimed to search for natural extracts alternative to MTZ. Methods: In-vivo effects of dichloromethane extracts of ginger and cinnamon in doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/day separately were studied on 30 experimentally infected albino rats divided into 6 groups (5 rats each). Plant extracts were started on the 6th day post infection for 7 successive days. The study was evaluated by fecal cyst and intestinal trophozoite counts, histopathology, scanning and transmission electron microscopic examinations of the small intestinal mucosa. Results: Ginger and cinnamon caused reduction of fecal cyst and trophozoites counts. Histopathology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after exposure to each extract revealed evident improvement of intestinal mucosal damage produced by G. lamblia infection and direct structural injury to the trophozoites. However, these results were more obvious after exposure to cinnamon extracts. Conclusion: We confirmed the potential therapeutic effects of ginger and cinnamon extracts on G. lamblia infection in albino rats as a promising alternative therapy to the commonly used antigiardial drugs.
View
Screening of Mexican Medicinal Plants for Antiprotozoal Activity
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 1998
The MeOH extracts from 19 Mexican medicinal plants belonging to different families have been assessed for antiprotozoal activity against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. Five plant extracts, derived from Acalypha phleoides, Cnidoscolus tehuacanensis, Geranium niveum, Hellianthella quinquenervis and Teloxys graveolens, were found to possess significant activity against both protozoa, but were less potent than metronidazole. These findings tend to support the ethnomedical use of the species for the treatment of infectious diarrhoea in Mexican traditional medicine.
View
Plants and chemical constituents with giardicidal activity
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2006
  • REV BRAS FARMACOGN
Intestinal infection caused by Giardia lamblia represents a serious public health problem, with increased rates of prevalence in numerous countries. Increased resistance of the parasite and the side-effects of the reference drugs employed in the treatment of giardiasis make necessary to seek new therapeutic agents. Natural products, especially of plant origin, represent excellent starting point for research. The objective of this study is to review the literature on plant extracts, fractions and chemical constituents whose giardicidal activity has been investigated in vitro. The review describes 153 (one hundred and fifty-three) plant species from 69 (sixty-nine) families that were evaluated for their giardicidal activity. The geographical distribution of the plant species, the part used, preparation, strain of Giardia lamblia tested and the results obtained by the authors are also given. One hundred and one compounds isolated from plant species, classified by chemical class, are presented. Recent aspects of research on natural products of plant origin employed in the treatment of giardiasis are also discussed.
View
Short Communication Invitro Antitrichomonas Activity of Allium hirtifolium (Persian Shallot) in Comparison with Metronidazole
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 2005
  • IRAN J PUBLIC HEALTH
Trichomonas vaginalis infection is a sexually transmitted infection causing vaginitis and acute inflammatory disease of the genital mucosa. Although Metronidazole resistance in T. vaginalis is well documented, The only drug approved for the treatment of trichomoniasis in some countries is metronidazole. Genus Allium plants including garlic; shallot and onion have had an important medicinal role for centuries. Some study have proven antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiproto- zoal and antihelmintic properties of genus Allium plants. at first PSHE and PSDE ( persian shallot hydroalcoholic and dichlromethanic extract) was prepared in ethanol/water (50:50) and dichlromethane respectively at cool temperature (10ºC). genus Allium plants extracts were shown to decrease the oxygen uptake, reduce the growth of the organism, inhibit the syn- thesis of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids and damage membranes. In this study the Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of PSHE, PSDE and metronidazole respectively were 10, 5 and 2µg/ml. Persian shallot inhibited growth of T. vaginalis at low concentrations and in short times, therefore this plant have some antitrichomonas components (including allicin, ajoene and other organosulfides) that antimicrobial properties of these was proven.
View
Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Potential of some wild Cucurbitaceae Species from South – East Nigeria.
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2010
The phytochemical screening of some wild Cucurbitaceae species from South – East Nigeria, was investigated to determine their pharmaceutical and Therapeutic potential. The four plant species used for the study were Lagenaria vulgaris, Trichosanthes cucumerina, Momordica charantia and Luffa cylinderical. The leaves, pericarp and seeds of the plants were investigated. Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponin and tannins were found in all the plant parts analyzed and in all the plant species. Averagely, the phytochemical constituent of the plants are as follows: alkaloid (0.02- 0.07 mg ml-1), flavonoid (0.05- 0.12 mg ml-1), phenol (0.077- 0.978 mg ml-1), saponin (0.04- 0.08 mg ml-1) and tannin (0.283- 0.982 mg ml-1). The leaves of the plants have the highest amount of tannins and phenols, while the seeds contain the highest concentration of alkaloids and flavonoids. The least amount of saponin was found in the seeds of the plants. The results obtained were discussed in respect to the roles of the plants and their phytochemicals in maintenance of good health.
View
Anti-Giardia activity of phenolic-rich essential oils: Effects of Thymbra capitata, Origanum virens, Thymus zygis subsp. sylvestris, and Lippia graveolens on trophozoites growth, viability, adherence, and ultrastructure
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2010
  • Parasitol Res
The present work evaluates the anti-Giardia activity of phenolic-rich essential oils obtained from Thymbra capitata, Origanum virens, Thymus zygis subsp. sylvestris chemotype thymol, and Lippia graveolens aromatic plants. The effects were evaluated on parasite growth, cell viability adherence, and morphology. The tested essential oils inhibited the growth of Giardia lamblia. T. capitata essential oil is the most active followed by O. virens, T. zygis subsp. sylvestris, and L. graveolens oils. The tested essential oils at IC50 (71-257) microg/ml inhibited parasite adherence (p < 0.001) since the first hour of incubation and were able to kill almost 50% of the parasites population in a time-dependent manner. The main ultrastructural alterations promoted by essential oils were deformations in typical trophozoite appearance, often roundly shape, irregular dorsal and ventral surface, presence of membrane blebs, electrodense precipitates in cytoplasm and nuclei, and internalization of flagella and ventral disc. Our data suggest that essential oils induced cell death probably by processes associated to the loss of osmoregulation caused by plasmatic membrane alterations. Experiments revealed that the essential oils did not present cytotoxic effects in mammalian cells. In conclusion, T. capitata, O. virens, T. zygis subsp. sylvestris chemotype thymol, and L. graveolens essential oils have antigiardial activity in vitro and seem to have potential for the treatment of the parasitic disease caused by the protozoan G. lamblia.
View
The microaerophilic flagellate Giardia intestinalis: Allium sativum (garlic) is an effective antigiardial
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2001
Whole garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract and some of its components were assayed for antigiardial activity. Whole garlic extract gave an IC(50) at 24 h of 0.3 mg ml(-1). Most of the components assayed were inhibitory to the organism, especially allyl alcohol and allyl mercaptan, with IC(50) values of 7 microg ml(-1) and 37 microg ml(-1) respectively. Studies with calcofluor white indicated that whole garlic and allyl alcohol collapse the transmembrane electrochemical membrane potential (Deltapsi) of the organism, as indicated by uptake of the fluorochrome. Electron microscopy allowed the morphological changes that occur with garlic inhibition to be recorded. Both the surface topography and internal architecture of the organism changed during incubation with the biocides. Both whole garlic and allyl alcohol resulted in fragmentation of the disc and an overexpression of disc microribbons, internalization of flagella, vacuole formation and an increase in distended vesicles. Allyl mercaptan, however, only gave an increase in distended vesicles, suggesting that this biocide has a different mode of action.
View
In vitro antigiardial activity of Citrullus lanatus Var. citroides extracts and cucurbitacins isolated compounds
Article
  • Aug 2011
  • J MED PLANTS RES
The present study was conducted to investigate the antigiardial activities of Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (wild watermelon) fruits, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, butanol crude extracts as well as Cucurbitacin E and Cucurbitacin L 2-O-β-glucoside pure isolated compounds from C. lanatus var. citroides. Cucurbitacin E and Cucurbitacin L 2-O-β-glucoside were revealed to have strong potent antigiardial activity against Giardia lamlia in vitro with IC 50 = 2 and 5 ng/ml after 5 days respectively. The ethyleacetate extract was the best among all examined extracts followed by petroleum ether and butanol with IC 50 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 µg/ml respectively. The results suggest that all the crude extracts and isolated compounds were active against G. lamblia, hence C. lanatus var. citroides may be recommended as new source for the treatment of giardiasis.
View
The sensitivity of Giardia intestinalis to drugs in vitro
Article
  • Dec 1984
Techniques are described for the isolation, microculture and assessment of viability of Giardia intestinalis. The susceptibility of five recent Brisbane isolates and the Portland I stock to metronidazole, tinidazole, furazolidone and quina-crine has been determined. All stocks showed little variation in sensitivity to these drugs. The 3H-thymidine incorporation assay proved to be a much more sensitive method of assessing relative drug activity than either motility or dye exclusion methods. Tinidazole proved to be the most effective drug in vitro followed by furazolidone and metronidazole. Quinacrine was the least effective. The generation time of stocks in vitro varied from 12.5 to 44.2 h and the possible significance of this to failures in treatment is discussed.
View
Activities of several benzimidazoles and tubulin inhibitors against Giardia spp. in vitro
Article
  • Mar 1993
Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that albendazole is effective against Giardia spp. in vitro and in vivo, prompting an investigation of the effects of several related benzimidazoles (BZs) on the viability of this protozoan parasite. A range of BZs was tested, and their effects were compared with those of a number of microtubule inhibitors. The effects produced by the two types of drugs were markedly similar, namely, trophozoite detachment and distortion of morphology and general structure, indicating a potential antimicrotubule mode of action for BZs. Mebendazole, albendazole, and fenbendazole proved to be among the most effective BZs tested, exhibiting apparent irreversibility. Nocodazole, oxfendazole, and albendazole sulfoxide, among others, produced transient inhibitions only. Further studies are required to evaluate all available BZs and other antigiardial agents to ensure the development of the most effective and safest antigiardial agent possible.
View
Antigiardial drugs
Article
  • Jan 2002
Giardia intestinalis is a world-wide cause of intestinal infection. Treatment of this debilitating disease is usually accomplished using one of several drugs. Metronidazole is the treatment of choice, but benzimidazoles are now being used more frequently. Other treatments include quinacrine, paromomycin and furazolidone. Even though these drugs are all used to treat the same disease, their modes of action differ in all cases. However, resistance is increasing and new alternatives are being sought. New wave antigiardials all appear to have their roots in natural herbal remedies. This mini-review looks at the current treatments available, their efficacy, side effects and different modes of action and addresses a possible way forward using natural products.
View