Susceptibility of Giardia lamblia to Hovenia dulcis extracts.
Parasitol Res
; 97(5): 399-407, 2005 Nov.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16151735
ABSTRACT
Giardia lamblia is the causative agent of giardiasis, a common parasitic infection of the human and animal digestive tract. Although several drugs have been available to treat this infection, they present unpleasant side effects or cytotoxicity. In order to find a more natural treatment for the disease, we analyzed the effects of the methanolic extract and three fractions obtained from Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rhamnaceae) leaves on G. lamblia. Comparing all fractions, dichloromethane was more efficient in reducing Giardia growth. The exposition of G. lamblia to this fraction lead to degenerations in the surface, modifications in the cell shape and alterations in the localization of nuclei. Besides that, the adhesion of G. lamblia was also altered. Experiments revealed that the obtained fraction did not present cytotoxic effects in mammalian cells. In summary, dichloromethane fraction has strong antigiardial effects and could become an important new substance for the treatment of giardiasis.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Plant Extracts
/
Giardia lamblia
/
Rhamnaceae
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Parasitol Res
Journal subject:
PARASITOLOGIA
Year:
2005
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil