Effects of Methanolic Extract from Turmeric (Curcuma longa) against the In Vitro Multiplication of Several Babesia Species and Theileria equi

Abstract

Anti-piroplasm drugs currently on the market have proven toxicity to the host and parasite resistance. Plants are possible sources of novel drugs. Subsequently, a novel strategy should be used to find new anti-piroplasm agents that are both effective and safe. In the present study, we have evaluated the effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa) methanolic extract on the in vitro growth of Babesia (B.) bovis, B. divergens, B. caballi, and Theileria (T.) equi. The in vitro inhibitory effectiveness of turmeric was assessed using a fluorescence test. The enhancement in the in vitro inhibitory efficacy of turmeric when administrated in combination with diminazene aceturate (DA) was investigated using in vitro cultures of different piroplasm parasites. Turmeric reduced the in vitro growth of B. bovis, B. divergens, T. equi, and B. caballi with IC50 values of 0.830 0.078, 0.375 0.055, 1.405 0.575, and 0.720 0.090 mg/mL, respectively. An amount of 1 mg/mL turmeric for B. bovis, 0.5 mg/mL turmeric for B. divergens, 1 mg/mL turmeric for T. equi, and 0.5 mg/mL turmeric for B. caballi exhibited 73.43%, 80.065%, 73.47%, and 47.375% inhibitions in the growth of the parasites, respectively. When turmeric was combined with DA, its in vitro inhibitory impact on bovine Babesia and equine Babesia/Theileria parasites was amplified. These findings show that a methanolic extract of turmeric could be a promising medicinal plant for the treatment of babesiosis, especially when administered in conjunction with DA.

Evaluation of the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of Artemisia herba-alba against the growth of piroplasm parasites

“…For B. bovis , B. bigemina , and T. equi , A. herba-alba had lower IC50 values than Zingiber officinale rhizome, a recently identified herbal antibabesial candidate [ 18 ]. Similarly, the IC50 for B. bovis in A. herba-alba was lower than those reported after in vitro treatment with turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) [ 29 ].…”

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Peel Inhibits the In Vitro and In Vivo Growth of Piroplasm Parasites

“…This study investigated that pomegranate peel inhibited the growth of B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, T. equi, and B. caballi in vitro and B. microti in vivo. For the chosen Babesia species, pomegranate peel had lower IC50 values than allicin, a well-known herbal antibabesial medicine [21], turmeric (Curcuma longa) [17], and Zingiber officinale rhizome [10]. Interestingly, that pomegranate's therapeutic effects on splenic damage and oxidative stress in Plasmodium chabuadi-infected mice have been described, indicating the potential effectiveness of pomegranate as an antioxidant, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory drug [7].…”

“…This study investigated that pomegranate peel inhibited the growth of B. bovis , B. bigemina , B. divergens , T. equi , and B. caballi in vitro and B. microti in vivo. For the chosen Babesia species, pomegranate peel had lower IC50 values than allicin , a well-known herbal antibabesial medicine [ 21 ], turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) [ 17 ], and Zingiber officinale rhizome [ 10 ].…”

“…Pomegranate peel concentrations ranged from 0.025 to 30 mg/ml was used. The commonly used antibabesial drug, DA, was used as a controlled drug for the in vitro study [ 17 , 18 ]. Cultures of pRBCs without the medication and cultures containing only DMSO were generated as negative experimental controls.…”

“…b The IC 50 was reported in the previous study [ 10 ]. c The IC 50 was reported in the previous study [ 17 ].…”