Phytochemical Screening and Antiprotozoal Effects of the Methanolic Berberis Vulgaris and Acetonic Rhus Coriaria Extracts

Abstract

Berberis vulgaris (B. vulgaris) and Rhus coriaria (R. coriaria) have been documented to have various pharmacologic activities. The current study assessed the in vitro as well as in vivo inhibitory efficacy of a methanolic extract of B. vulgaris (MEBV) and an acetone extract of R. coriaria (AERC) on six species of piroplasm parasites. The drug-exposure viability assay was tested on three different cell lines, namely mouse embryonic fibroblast (NIH/3T3), Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells. Qualitative phytochemical estimation revealed that both extracts containing alkaloid, tannin, saponins and terpenoids and significant amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols. The GC-MS analysis of MEBV and AERC revealed the existence of 27 and 20 phytochemical compounds, respectively. MEBV and AERC restricted the multiplication of Babesia (B.) bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. caballi, and Theileria (T.) equi at the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.84 ± 0.2, 0.81 ± 0.3, 4.1 ± 0.9, 0.35 ± 0.1 and 0.68 ± 0.1 µg/mL and 85.7 ± 3.1, 60 ± 8.5, 90 ± 3.7, 85.7 ± 2.1 and 78 ± 2.1 µg/mL, respectively. In the cytotoxicity assay, MEBV and AERC inhibited MDBK, NIH/3T3 and HFF cells with half-maximal effective concentrations (EC50) of 695.7 ± 24.9, 931 ± 44.9, >1500 µg/mL and 737.7 ± 17.4, >1500 and >1500 µg/mL, respectively. The experiments in mice showed that MEBV and AERC prohibited B. microti multiplication at 150 mg/kg by 66.7% and 70%, respectively. These results indicate the prospects of these extracts as drug candidates for piroplasmosis treatment following additional studies in some clinical cases.

Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A Review

“…For example, natural products could be a potential alternative for controlling the pathogen associated with diseases [1][2][3][4][5]. Recently, antibiotics and most drugs on the market have shown unwanted symptoms and the emergence of resistant pathogenic microorganisms, toxic effects related to these drugs, and withdrawal issues restricting their use in many countries [6], therefore, much attention has been paid to the herbal extracts and pharmacologically active molecules extracted from different plant species that are used previously in the traditional medicine [7][8][9][10][11]. Many plant species have been reported to exert pharmacological properties due to their phytoconstituents such as glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids (e.g., monoterpenes, diterpenes, and sesquiterpenes).…”

Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae)

“…Therefore, research towards the finding the optimum dose to prevent the adverse effects of plants and discovering new molecules with potent pharmacological effects are necessary in future. [116,117].…”

Phytochemical Characterization and Chemotherapeutic Potential of Cinnamomum verum Extracts on the Multiplication of Protozoan Parasites In Vitro and In Vivo

“…Theileriosis and babesiosis are tick-transmitted diseases with significant economic impacts in the bovine and equine industries all over the world [1]. Babesia divergens and B. microti mainly affect cattle and rodents, respectively, and reveal zoonotic significance [2].…”

“…Babesia divergens is the main reason for babesiosis in Europe, mainly in immunocompromised humans, while B. microti is the main known etiologic agent responsible for human babesiosis in the USA. Babesia bovis, as well as B. bigemina, are the most pathogenic agents in cattle [1], while Theileria equi and Babesia caballi are considered the most devastating infections in horses. Horses and cattle that survive acute infections may become permanent sources for continuous transmission [3].…”

“…However, some human cases showed resistance to atovaquone and azithromycin combination, moreover, imidocarb dipropionate has shown strong toxicity to the host, and DA-resistant parasites have emerged [2,6]. Although several studies have documented the effectiveness of antipiroplasmic herbal extracts such as Syzygium aromaticum methanolic extract [7], methanolic Cuminum cyminum seeds extract and acetonic Myrtus communis roots [8], and methanolic Olea europaea and acetonic Acacia laeta [9] against the growth of piroplasm parasites, none of these extracts are used by veterinarians for the treatment of clinical cases [1]. Notably, there is an urgent and continuing need to identify alternative drugs to treat piroplasmosis.…”