Promising effects of formononetin, a natural isoflavone derived from herbs, against Toxoplasma gondii (original) (raw)
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Journal of Veterinary Medical Science
Nowadays, herbal extracts are considered to be a potential source for developing new drugs that will overcome resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. This study was aimed to explore the efficacy of several Egyptian plant extracts against Toxoplasma gondii infection in vitro for future development of a new, safe, and effective compound for T. gondii. Methanol extracts from Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile), Laurus nobilis, Citrullus colocynthis, Cinnamum camphora, Boswellia scara, and Melissa officionalis plants and oil extracts (either essential or fixed oils) of some plants such as: lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), marjoram (Origanum majorana), watercress (Nasturtium officionale), wheat germ (Triticum aestivum), sesame (Sesamum indicum), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), clove (Syzygum aromaticum), jojoba (Simmondsia chinesis), and basil (Ocimum basilicum) were investigated for their anti-Toxoplasma activities. The methanol extracts from C. colocynthis and L. nobilis and the oil extracts from lemon grass and marjoram were active against T. gondii with half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC 50) of 22.86 µg/ml, 31.35 µg/ml, 4.6 µg/ml, and 26.24 µg/ml, respectively. Their selectivity index (SI) values were <10. Interestingly, the methanol extract from M. chamomilla and oil from citronella had the lowest IC 50 values for T. gondii (3.56 µg/ml and 2.54 µg/ml, respectively) and the highest SI values (130.33 and 15.02, respectively). In conclusion, methanol extract from M. chamomilla and oil from citronella might be potential sources of novel therapies for treating toxoplasmosis.
Phytoecdysteroids as modulators of the Toxoplasma gondii growth rate in human and mouse cells
Parasites & Vectors, 2015
Background: Searching for new effective drugs against human and animal toxoplasmosis we decided to test the anti-Toxoplasma potential of phytoecdysteroids (α-ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone) characterized by the pleiotropic activity on mammalian organisms including the enhancement of host's anti-parasitic defence. This objective was accomplished by the in vitro evaluation of T. gondii growth in phytoecdysteroid-treated immunocompetent cells of selected hosts: humans and two strains of inbred mice with genetically determined different susceptibility to toxoplasmosis. Methods: Peripheral mononuclear blood cells were isolated from Toxoplasma-positive and Toxoplasma-negative women (N = 43) and men (N = 21). Non-infected mice (C57BL/6, N = 10 and BALB/c, N = 14) and mice (BALB/c, N = 10) challenged intraperitoneally with 5 tissue cysts of the T. gondii DX strain were also used in this study as a source of splenocytes. The effects of phytoecdysteroids on the viability of human PBMC and mouse splenocytes were evaluated using the MTT assay. The influence of phytoecdysteroids on PBMCs, splenocytes and T. gondii proliferation was measured using radioactivity tests (the level of 3[H] uracil incorporation by toxoplasms or 3[H] thymidine by PBMCs and splenocytes), which was confirmed by quantitative Real-Time PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using SigmaStat 3.5 (Systat Software GmbH). The best-fit IC50 curves were plotted using GraphPad Prism 6.0 (GraphPad Software, Inc.). Results: Our results showed that phytoecdysteroids promote the multiplication of Toxoplasma in cultures of human or murine immune cells, in contrast to another apicomplexan parasite, Babesia gibsoni. Additionally, the tested phytoecdysteroids did not stimulate the in vitro secretion of the essential protective cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-10), neither by human nor by murine immune cells involved in an effective intracellular killing of the parasite. Conclusions: Judging by the effect of phytoecdysteroids on the T. gondii proliferation, demonstrated for the first time in this study, it seems that these compounds should not be taken into consideration as potential medications to treat toxoplasmosis. Phytoecdysteroids included in the food are most likely not harmful for human or animal health but certain nutrients containing ecdysteroids at high concentrations could promote T. gondii proliferation in chronically infected and immunocompromised individuals. In order to assess the real impact of ecdysteroids on the course of natural T. gondii invasion, in vivo research should be undertaken because it cannot be ruled out that the in vivo effect will be different than the in vitro one. However, taking into account the possible stimulating effect of ecdysteroids on some opportunistic parasites (such as Toxoplasma or Strongyloides) further studies are necessary and should focus on the mechanisms of their action, which directly or indirectly enhance the parasite growth. Since ecdysteroids are considered as potential drugs, it is essential to determine their effect on various parasitic pathogens, which may infect the host at the same time, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Activity of Green Algae Extracts against Toxoplasma gondii
Medicinal & Aromatic Plants
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoa of economic significance in livestock. Infected livestock meat and products act as a source of T. gondii infection in humans. Current drugs against T. gondii are limited by hypersensitivity and toxicity, and are not effective against the encysted bradyzoite stage of T. gondii. Thus, there is urgent need for safe and effective therapeutic agents against T. gondii. Marine algae possess potent antifungal and antibacterial properties, but there are no reports on its anti-protozoal activity. Therefore, in this study we obtained nhexane and methanol extracts of green algae (Chlorophyceae) and analyzed their content by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, as well as tested their in vitro anti-Toxoplasma activities. Compared to the n-hexane extract of Chlorophyceae, the methanol extract contained higher content of flavonoids/ polyphenols, alkaloids (elaeocarpidine and auramine), and artemisic acid. Importantly, the methanol extract had more potent anti-Toxoplasma activity (IC 50 =4.43 ± 1.26 µg/mL) than the n-hexane extract (IC 50 =23.32 ± 3.97 µg/ mL), corroborating the higher content of flavonoids, alkaloids, and artemisic acid in methanol extracts than in nhexane extract. The anti-Toxoplasma IC 50 values of the methanol and n-hexane extracts were 34-fold and 7-fold lower than their respective cytotoxic IC 50 values in human fibroblast cell line. Consistent with our findings, flavonoids, alkaloids and artemisic acid have previously been shown to have potent anti-Toxoplasma activity. Together, our results show that Chlorophyceae contains significant amounts of bioactive compounds with potent anti-Toxoplasma activity.
A Brief Insight on Anti-Toxoplasma Gondii Activity of Some Medicinal Plants
2014
The treatment of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection accentuates the problem of the limited effectiveness of the available anti-parasitic agents and their side effects and also, the potential appearance of resistant Toxoplasma strains. Thus, the search of the newer and more effective drugs is needed. This study aimed to review the efficacy of some herbal plants extracts on T. gondii infection, in an attempt to overcome the side effects of hazardous drugs. It was found that many herbal plants extracts exhibit anti-Toxoplasma activity including Nigella sativa, Zingiber officinale, Myrrh, Piper nigrum, Capsicum frutescens, Curcuma longa, Azadirachta indica (neem) and Melia azedarach. However, their efficacies in human toxoplasmosis remain to be confirmed in clinical trials. The use of such medicinal plants extracts has a more beneficial effect in prophylaxis as well as treatment of this protozoan infection through being safer, acceptable, affordable, culturally compatible, widely available at low cost and suitable for treatment of chronic toxoplasmosis.
Anti-protozoal efficacy of medicinal herb extracts against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum
Veterinary Parasitology, 2003
The purpose of this study was to determine whether alcohol extracts of herbs (Sophora flavescens Aiton, Sinomenium acutum (Thunb.) Rehder and E.H. Wilson, Pulsatilla koreana (Yabe ex Nakai) Nakai ex T. Mori, Ulmus macrocarpa Hance and Torilis japonica (Houtt.) DC.) from South Korea, possess in vitro anti-protozoal activity against cultures of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. These herbs have been used as human anti-parasitics in Asian countries for many years. Alcohol extracts of these herbs were serially diluted to final concentrations ranging from 625 to 19.5 ng/ml in media and added to wells containing either T. gondii or N. caninum tachyzoites in equine dermal (ED) cells. Parasite growth inhibition was measured using 3 H-uracil incorporation as compared to untreated controls.
In vitro Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Activity of Root Extract/Fractions of Eurycoma longifolia Jack
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012
Background: Toxoplasma gondii infection causes toxoplasmosis, an infectious disease with worldwide prevalence. The limited efficiency of drugs against this infection, their side effects and the potential appearance of resistant strains make the search of novel drugs an essential need. We examined Eurycoma longifolia root extract and fractions as potential sources of new compounds with high activity and low toxicity. The main goal of this study was to investigate the anti-T. gondii activity of crude extract (TACME) and four fractions (TAF 273, TAF 355, TAF 191 and TAF 401) from E. longifolia, with clindamycin as the positive control.
Anti-Toxoplasma Activities of Some Egyptian Plant Extracts: An In Vitro Study
Acta Parasitologica
Purpose Toxoplasmosis is a globally widespread parasitic disease which causes major health problems in human and animals. This research was conducted to assess the effect of some Egyptian herbal extracts against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) tachyzoites in vitro. Methods The methanol extracts of Withania somnifera, Cyper rotundus, Acacia nilotica,Chrysanthemum cinerariae folium, Anethum graveolens, Raphanus sativus, Ceratonia siliqua, Elettaria cardamomum and Cuminum cyminum were tested against T. gondii tachyzoites. Results Among the tested plants, the extracts from Raphanus sativus, Cuminum cyminum, and Ceratonia siliqua exhibited high anti-Toxoplasma activities at 50 µg/ml, relative to sulfadiazine. They showed low IC50 values on T. gondii (7.92, 9.47 and 13.52 µg/ml, respectively) and high selectivity index values (100.79, 59.19, and 29.05, respectively). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) findings indicated evident morphological changes in tachyzoites treated with these three h...
Toxoplasmosis and anti-Toxoplasma effects of medicinal plant extracts-A mini-review
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2016
Toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed parasitic protozoan disease, caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The infection can result in more severe symptoms with potentially lifethreatening in case of immunocompromised individuals. Sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine are the two drugs used as a part of standard therapy for toxoplasmosis. Researchers have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of medicinal plants for toxoplasmosis, which can be used as an alternative to standard drug therapy with reduced side effects. Traditional herbal plants are used by people to cure a large number of parasitic disorders. This review provides new insights into various medicinal plants that are used traditionally for the treatment of toxoplasmosis and other parasitic infections, which can be useful as an alternative treatment option for Toxoplasma gondii infections.
Anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom extract
Scientific Reports
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection continues to rise globally in humans and animals with high socioeconomic and public health challenges. Current medications used against T. gondii infection are limited in efficacy, safety, and affordability. This research was conducted to assess the higher fungi extract effect on T. gondii tachyzoites growth in vitro and possibly decipher its mechanism of action. Furthermore, we evaluated the extract's effect on human foreskin fibroblast viability. The methanol extracts of Turkey tail (TT) mushroom was tested against T. gondii tachyzoites growth using an RH-RFP type I strain that expresses red fluorescent protein throughout culture in a dose-dependent manner using a fluorescent plate reader. Similarly, we tested the effect of the extract on host cell viability. We observed that TT extract inhibited tachyzoites growth with a 50% minimum inhibitory concentration (IC50s), IC50 = 5.98 ± 1.22 µg/mL, and 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50s), CC50...
In vitro Effect of Harmine Alkaloid and Its N-Methyl Derivatives Against Toxoplasma gondii
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2021
Toxoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent and neglected zoonotic global diseases caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The current pharmacological treatments show clinical limitations, and therefore, the search for new drugs is an urgent need in order to eradicate this infection. Due to their intrinsic biological activities, β-carboline (βC) alkaloids might represent a good alternative that deserves further investigations. In this context, the in vitro anti-T. gondii activity of three βCs, harmine (1), 2-methyl-harminium (2), and 9-methyl-harmine (3), was evaluated herein. Briefly, the three alkaloids exerted direct effects on the parasite invasion and/or replication capability. Replication rates of intracellular treated tachyzoites were also affected in a dose-dependent manner, at noncytotoxic concentrations for host cells. Additionally, cell cycle analysis revealed that both methyl-derivatives 2 and 3 induce parasite arrest in S/M phases. Compound 3 showed the highest irreversible parasit...