title: In vitro activity of Arbutus unedo leaf extracts against Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoites.
abstract: Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is a flagellated protozoan commonly causing sexually transmitted disease. T. vaginalis infections are treated with a 5-nitroimidazole derivate. However, drug resistance has been known to occur for a long time and new alternatives are under investigation. Arbutus unedo is a wild plant mainly growing in maquis and rocky places of the seaboard in Southern Europe. In our study, ethanolic, water, hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Arbutus unedo leaves were tested in vitro against T. vaginalis trophozoites and the ethyl acetate extract of Arbutus unedo leaves was found to be effective (Growth inhibition rate (GI): 100%, at the concentration of 500 microg/ml). It may be a promising anti-trichomonacidal agent in the future and further experiments are needed.
authors.affiliation: Adnan Menderes University Medical School, Department of Parasitology, Aydin, Turkey. hatice@adu.edu.tr
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ertabaklar
authors.forename: Bijen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kivçak
authors.forename: Tuba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mert
authors.forename: Seray
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozensoy Töz
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates; D029791:Ericaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D010936:Plant Extracts; C007650:ethyl acetate