Trypanocidal, trichomonacidal and cytotoxic components of cultivatedArtemisia absinthium Linnaeus (Asteraceae) essential oil

Artemisia absinthium is an aromatic and medicinal plant of ethnopharmacological interest and it has been widely studied. The use ofA. absinthiumbased on the collection of wild populations can result in variable compositions of the extracts and essential oils (EOs). The aim of this paper is the identification of the active components of the vapour pressure (VP) EO from a selected and cultivated A. absinthiumSpanish population (T2-11) against two parasitic protozoa with different metabolic pathways: Trypanosoma cruzi andTrichomonas vaginalis. VP showed activity on both parasites at the highest concentrations. The chromatographic fractionation of the VP T2-11 resulted in nine fractions (VLC1-9). The chemical composition of the fractions and the antiparasitic effects of fractions and their main compounds suggest that the activity of the VP is related with the presence oftrans-caryophyllene and dihydrochamazulene (main components of fractions VLC1 and VLC2 respectively). Additionally, the cytotoxicity of VP and fractions has been tested on several tumour and no tumour human cell lines. Fractions VLC1 and VLC2 were not cytotoxic against the nontumoural cell line HS5, suggesting selective antiparasitic activity for these two fractions. The VP and fractions inhibited the growth of human tumour cell lines in a dose-dependent manner.

Antitrichomonal and antioxidant activities of Dorstenia barteri and Dorstenia convexa

Dorstenia barteri and D. convexa extracts and some isolated components of the former were investigated for effectiveness against Trichomonas gallinarum and compared with quercetin and quercitrin. The antioxidant activity of the extracts/compounds was also determined. The minimum lethal concentrations (MLCs) for the extract of D. barteri leaves and twigs at 24 h were found to be 15.625 and 15.625 æg/ml, respectively. However, the MLCs of the leaf and twig extract of D. convexa were 125 and 437.5 æg/ml, respectively. The prenylated and geranylated chalcones were as active as the prenylated flavones, 6-prenylapigenin and the diprenylated derivative 6,8-diprenyleridictyol. The order of the antitrichomonal activity of the compounds at 24 h was: quercetin (0.121 æg/ml) > quercitrin (0.244 æg/ml) > or = bartericin B (0.244 æg/ml) > bartericin A (0.73 æg/ml) > stigmasterol (0.98 æg/ml) > 6,8-diprenyleridictyol = isobavachalcone = dorsmanin F (31.25 æg/ml). D. barteri extracts, quercitrin, and bartericin A, and the prenylated flavonoids had potent antioxidant properties. The twig extract of D. barteri was more potent than the leaf extract. Moderate (EC50 >50 æg/ml) and high (EC50 <50 æg/ml) antioxidant activities were detected in the leaf and twig extracts of D. barteri and the prenylated flavonoids. Prenylated flavonoids and the isolated compounds with antioxidant properties described here may account for the anti-inflammatory action of these extracts. The antitrichomonal and antioxidant activities shown by the extracts and compounds in this study are consistent with the ethnomedicinal and local use of the Dorstenia species studied.

A comparison of various methods for the determination of viability of parasitic flagellates.

To find out a simple, rapid, accurate, and reliable viability assay for in vitro anti-protozoa drug testing, a comparison among the various methods for the determination of flagellate viability was made. Micro-colony forming efficiency up to 90% for three different flagellates was obtained by the agar plate method. Macro-colony forming efficiency obtained by the culture tube method was generally lower (20-45%). Viability determined by trypan blue exclusion correlated closely with viability determined by micro-colony count (r = 0.94). The growth of the remaining parasites survived from serum treatment was not inhibited while that from metronidazole pretreatment was inhibited. The standard regrowth assay based on the 48-hr cultivation could be applied only for those survival not inhibited. The inhibitory effect of metronidazole on parasites was further testified by the longer generation time for metronidazole-pretreated flagellates in comparison with that for control (p less than 0.001). If the inhibitory effect of a drug is involved in the mechanisms against parasites, only the trypan blue exclusion and the micro-colony count can give an accurate and reliable viability determination. Moreover, the simple and rapid diagnosis provided by trypan blue exclusion is especially useful for the in vitro anti-protozoa drug susceptibility test.

O uso da associaçäo tinidazol - tioconazol no tratamento das vaginites causadas por Trichomonas, Gardnerella vaginalis ou Candida albicans / The use of tinidazole - tioconazole combination in the treatment of vaginal infection due to Trichomonas, Gardnerella vaginalis or Candida albicans

Estuda-se a eficácia e tolerabilidade da associaçäo tinidazol-tioconazol no tratamento de 60 pacientes portadoras de vulvovaginites causadas por Trichomonas, Gardnerella ou Candida albicans. A associaçäo foi administrada sob a forma de creme vaginal, contendo cada dose 150 mg de tinidazol e 100 mg de tioconazol, aplicada duas vezes ao dia durante três dias. As avaliaçöes clínico-laboratoriais foram realizadas na inclusäo, no 7§ e no 28§ dia após início do tratamento. Foi observada nas 60 pacientes uma reduçäo significativa (p < 0,01) em todos os parâmetros clínicos estudados (corrimento, inflamaçäo, eritema, fissura, odor e prurido) no 7§ e 28§ dias. A avaliaçäo microbiológica revelou no 7§ e 28§ dias 90% e 82%, respectivamente, de ausência do patógeno inicial, sendo estes resultados estatisticamente significativos (p < 0,001). A avaliaçäo clínica global evidenciou resultados excelentes ou bons em 95% das pacientes no 7§ dia e em 88% das mesmas no 28§ dia. Näo foram observadas reaçöes adversas em todo o período de estudo. A associaçäo tinidazol-tioconazol revelou ser bastante eficaz e muito bem tolerada no tratamento destes três tipos de vaginites estudadas