INVESTIGATION OF IN-VITRO EFFICACY OF PISTACIA ATLANTICA SUBSP. KURDICA EXTRACTS AGAINST TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted
diseases worldwide that refractory trichomoniasis is increasing. The aim of this study was evaluation of
extracts of Pistacia atlantica subsp. Kurdica against Trichomonas vaginalis.
Materials & Methods: The extracts of P. atlantica including n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and
hydroalcoholic were extracted by maceration. Five T. vaginalis isoleates subjected to extract
suscebtibility testing using diferent concentrations consist of 62.5, 125, 250,500, 1000, 2000 and 4000
µg/ml after 48 hrs incubation under aerobic condition and at 35.5 °C. Susceptibility test was performed
in duplicate and repeated two times for each isolate.
Results: The extracts had potent activity against T. vaginalis. After 48 hrs incubation, the utmost activity
was related to ethyl acetate and n-hexane extract with the lowest MIC of 125 µg/ml and mean MIC of
337 and 387 µg/ml, respectively. The minimum activity was related to methanolic and hydroalcoholic
extract with the least MIC and mean MIC of 2000 µg/ml. The results of MLC and MIC tests were exactly
compatible and they indicate the activity of the extracts on the parasites. The T. vaginalis isolates were
susceptible to metronidazole, MICs ranged from 3.1 to 6.2 µg/ml and a mean of 4.2 µg/ml and a standard
deviation of 1.5 µg/ml.
Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the ethyl acetate and n-hexane extract of P. atlantica
have a significant activity aganst T. vaginalis parasite. Therefore, future studies are needed to identify
the compounds of the extracts and their antimicrobial properties are evaluated in vivo and in vitro.