Abstract
BackgroundToxoplasma gondii infection causes toxoplasmosis, an infectious disease with worldwide prevalence. The limited efficiency of drugs against this infection, their side effects and the potential appearance of resistant strains make the search of novel drugs an essential need. We examined Eurycoma longifolia root extract and fractions as potential sources of new compounds with high activity and low toxicity. The main goal of this study was to investigate the anti-T. gondii activity of crude extract (TACME) and four fractions (TAF 273, TAF 355, TAF 191 and TAF 401) from E. longifolia, with clindamycin as the positive control.MethodsIn vitro toxoplasmacidal evaluation was performed using Vero cells as host for T. gondii. Light microscopy technique was used to study in situ antiparasitic activity.ResultsSignificant anti-T. gondii activity was observed with clindamycin (EC50 = 0.016 μg/ml), follow by TAF 355 (EC50 = 0.369 μg/ml) and TAF 401 (EC50 = 0.882 μg/ml). Light microscopy revealed that most Vero cells were infected after 3 h of exposure to T. gondii. After 36 h of exposure to the E. longifolia fraction, the host Vero cells showed no visible intracellular parasite and no remarkable morphological changes.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that TAF 355 and TAF401 fractions may be the sources of new anti-T. gondii compounds.
Highlights
Toxoplasma gondii infection causes toxoplasmosis, an infectious disease with worldwide prevalence
Toxoplasmacidal activity The results of in vitro anti-T. gondii activity against T. gondii RH strain and selectivity are summarised in Table 1 and Figure 1
TAF 355 showed the greatest inhibition on T. gondii tachyzoites growth in Vero cells with lowest EC50 value (0.369 μg/ml) followed by TAF 401 (0.882 μg/ml)
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii infection causes toxoplasmosis, an infectious disease with worldwide prevalence. Parasitic diseases still cause a major challenge to human well-being, in poor populations living in tropical and subtropical climates with low-income economies [1]. One of the common infections in tropical and subtropical climates is toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. It is one of the most widespread protozoan parasites, chronically infecting approximately 30% of the global human population [2]. T. gondii causes severe neurological deficits in immunosuppressed patients (such as those with AIDS) and lymphadenopathy in healthy adults. It can cross the placenta (generally in women with no or low antibody levels) and cause congenital infections characterized by
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