IN VITRO RESPONSE OF BLASTOCYSTIS SPP. TO AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF SOME EGYPTIAN HERBS

Abstract

Blastocystis spp. is a protozoan parasite with controversial clinical significance and consensus for treatment. Metronidazole (MTZ) was considered the main line of treatment, but drug resistance and many side effects motivated the search for effective safe therapy. This study evaluated the in vitro therapeutic effects of aqueous extracts of nine Egyptian herbs on Blastocystis spp. compared to MTZ as standard control drug. Blastocystis-positive stool samples were obtained from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms by direct smears and FECT. Aqueous extract of herbal plants (A. sativum, N. sativa, P. nigrum, C. cyminum, Z. officinale, T. vulgaris, O. majorana, M. chamomilla & A. Judaica) were prepared. Positive samples were incubated with 0.1mg/ml concentration of tested herbal extracts on Jones medium at 37ºC versus 0.1mg/ml MTZ as a control. Parasite count was assessed after 24, 48, & 72hr post incubation. The A. sativum, M. chamomilla, A. Judaica & N. sativa extracts showed highly significant growth inhibition rate of Blastocystis species compared to MTZ followed by O. majorana, C. cymin- um & T. vulgaris extract. But, P. nigrum & Z. officinale extracts showed insignificant growth rate.