[Anti-giardia activity of carum copticum on giardia lamblia cysts in vitro]

Giardiasis, a wide-spread, small intestine parasitic infection, is one of the main causes of human diarrhea, especially in young children. The prevalence of Giardia lamblia was reported to be between 1 and 25 percent; however, it is considerably higher under poor sanitary conditions. Metronidazole is used for the treatment of Giardiasis but it may have undesirable side effects. Carum copticum, a medicinal herb, has been used for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal effects for centuries. The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro effects of alcoholic extract, and essential oil from Carum copticum on Giardia lamblia. In this experimental study, Giardia lamblia cysts were incubated with the two different extracts of Carum copticum under standard laboratory conditions. After 60 minutes Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations [MIC] of Carum copticum alcoholic extracts and essential oil were 100 mg and 8 mg/ml, respectively. After 120 minutes, MIC of Carum copticum alcoholic extracts and essential oil were 75 mg and 6 mg/ml, respectively; and after 180 minute MIC of Carum copticum alcoholic extracts and essential oil were 75 and 4 mg/ml, respectively. Findings of this study indicate that Carum copticum is effective against Giardia lamblia in vitro