In Vitro Study of Antiamoebic Activity of Methanol Extracts ofArgemone mexicanaon Trophozoites ofEntamoeba histolyticaHM1-IMSS

Abstract

Infections caused by parasites in humans represent one of the main public health concerns. Amoebiasis, a parasitic infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), is considered endemic in Mexico, where Argemone mexicana (A. mexicana) has been used in traditional medicine to treat intestinal parasitic diseases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential biological activity of A. mexicana on E. histolytica. For this purpose, a methanolic extract was prepared from A. mexicana leaves, and a differential fractionation was carried out with solvents of different polarities. The inhibitory capacities of the extract and its fractions were evaluated in vitro using HM1-IMSS, a strain of Entamoeba histolytica. A. mexicana extract was found to have a growth-inhibiting activity for E. histolytica, showing IC50 = 78.39 μg/mL. The extract was characterized phytochemically, and the methanolic extract fractions were analyzed by liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Berberine and jatrorrhizine were present in the active fractions, and these compounds may be responsible for the antiparasitic activity. The identification of amoebicidal activity of A. mexicana on E. histolytica gives support to the traditional use. Further studies with berberine and jatrorrhizine will be carried out to understand the mechanism involved.

In Vitro Effect of Methanolic Extract of Argemone mexicana against Trichomonas vaginalis

“…Antiparasitic activity of A. mexicana against different etiological agents has been demonstrated, as for example it has been found that it has effective activity against P. falciparum has also been demonstrated, as the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of this plant exhibited an IC50 of 5.9 μg/ml [24]. Activity of the methanolic extract of A. mexicana leaves against E. histolytica trophozoites has been reported, and the results revealed a dose-dependent behavior with lethality percentages of 98.1% and 75.0% at concentrations of 500 μg/ml and 125 μg/ml, respectively [25]. At the moment there are no reports of the use of extracts of A. mexicana or its fractions against T. vaginalis and our results seem even more promising when sub-fractions of the extracts [26] or the majority metabolite are evaluated, as in our case that Berberine showed a greater inhibitory capacity (IC50 = 40.7 μg/ml) compared to complete extracts analyzed by the Probit test, in which it can be seen that the upper and lower limits are overlapped between AmexS and AmexL, but not with berberine.…”

In Vitro Antischistosomal Activity of the Argemone mexicana Methanolic Extract and Its Main Component Berberine

“…The control of schistosomiasis is based on praziquantel which has many deficiencies ( 22 ). Many investigations have evaluated several substances from plant origin, such as berberine, abundant in A. mexicana , shown promising properties against L. tropica , L. infantum , Trichomonas vaginalis, and E. histolytica ( 15 , 23 , 24 ). However, no studies have been conducted against S. mansoni .…”

Antiprotozoal Activity Against Entamoeba histolytica of Flavonoids Isolated from Lippia graveolens Kunth

“…After column chromatography (silica gel, Sephadex), this residue afforded the known flavonoids pinocembrin (1), sakuranetin (2), cirsimaritin (3), and naringenin (4), with significant antiamoebic activity (Figure 1). Currently, metronidazole is the most used commercial drug for the treatment of amoebiasis, however, since drug resistance by E. histolytica is increasing, the use of higher doses to overcome the infection is needed, thus causing unpleasant side effects [10,11]. Considering these undesired side effects as well as the development of resistant strains of E. histolytica against metronidazole, more efficient and safer antiamoebic agents are required [12][13][14].…”