Medicinal plants and their isolated compounds showing anti-Trichomonas vaginalis- activity.
Trichomonas vaginalis is a major of non-viral sexually-transmitted infection and an important cause of serious obstetrical and gynecological complications. Treatment options for trichomoniasis are limited to nitroimidazole compounds. The increasing resistance and allergic reactions to nitroimidazole and recurrent trichomoniasis make it essential to identify and develop new drugs against trichomoniasis. Medicinal plants are an important source for discovery of new medications. This review discusses the anti-trichomonas effects of medicinal plants and their chemical constituents to find better options against this pathogenic protozoon. Electronic databases were searched to collect all data from the year 2000 through September 2015 for in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies on the effect of medicinal plants on T. vaginalis. A total of 95 in vitro and clinical studies were identified. Only four human studies were found in this review. The Asteracea, Lamiaceae and Myrtaceae families contained the greatest number of plants with anti-trichomonas activity. Persea americana, Ocimum basilicum and Verbascum thapsus were the most efficacious against T. vaginalis. Plant metabolites containing alkaloids, isoflavonoid glucosides, essential oils, lipids, saponins and sesquiterpene lactones were found to possess anti-trichomonas properties. Assessing the structure-activity of highly-potent anti-trichomonas phytochemicals is suggested for finding natural, semisynthetic and synthetic anti-trichomonas compounds. Further clinical studies are necessary for confirmation of natural anti-trichomonas substances and completion of their safety profiles.
Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mozhgan
M
Mehriardestani
Department of Medicinal Plants and Drug Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
Atousa
A
Aliahmadi
Department of Industrial Pharmaceutical Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Tayebeh
T
Toliat
Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Evidence-Based Medicine Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: rojarahimi@gmail.com.
Roja
R
Rahimi
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000187:drug effects*
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D064209:Phytochemicals
Herb; Natural; Phytochemical; Trichomonas; Trichomoniasis