title: In vitro effects of berberine sulphate on the growth and structure of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis.
abstract: The plant alkaloid, berberine sulphate, inhibited the growth of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis in BI-S-33 medium, and induced morphological changes in the parasites. Exposure of E. histolytica to berberine caused a clumping of chromatin in the nucleus, and the formation of autophagic vacuoles and aggregates of small vacuoles in the cytoplasm. In berberine-treated G. lamblia, an irregularly-shaped vacuole appeared in the cytoplasm and gradually enlarged during culture. The trophozoites became swollen and deposits of glycogen were seen in the cytoplasm. Trichomonas vaginalis was also affected by the berberine; autophagic vacuoles increased in number soon after exposure, and one large vacuole, which was characteristic of treated cells, appeared. These observations demonstrate that, in vitro, this drug was effective against E. histolytica, G. lamblia and T. vaginalis. Another alkaloid, coptisine, was inactive against the three parasites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kaneda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torii
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aikawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D001599:Berberine