Abstract

Aim: Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan that is sexually transmitted and causes trichomonosis. It is one of the public health problems caused by sexually transmitted diseases. However, for a long time it received less attention than other parasitic and sexually transmitted diseases. Recently, the parasite has been associated with increased cases of HIV, miscarriages, infertility, pelvic inflammatory diseases and cervical and prostate cancers. Given the increasing resistance to the nitroimidazole class of drugs used in its treatment, new alternatives are needed. New drugs are increasingly being derived from natural products containing a large number of active compounds. In addition, different synthetic products or derivatives from old drugs are also used as an alternative for the treatment of trichomonosis. In this study, it was investigated whether Helianthemum ledifolium variates growing naturally in Turkey [H. ledifolium (L.) Miller var. ledifolium (L.) Miller; H. ledifolium (L.) Miller var. microcarpum Willk.; H. ledifolium (L.) Miller var. lasiacarpum (Willk.) Bornm.] aqueous and methanol extracts prepared by maceration method from the above-ground parts were evaluated for their in vitro anti-trichomoniasis activity against Trichomonas vaginalis.
Materials and Methods: The extracts prepared from H. ledifolium variates were added to the parasite grown in culture and checked at regular intervals to check for viability. each measurement was performed twice and averaged. Descriptive statistics of the data set are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). The values of lethal doses were determined using probit analysis for certain periods of time depending on specific concentrations (LD50 and LD90).
Results: Extracts prepared from H. ledifolium variates inhibited the growth of T. vaginalis in a dose-dependent manner starting from the 4th hour. The 4th hour LD50 values were 2.39 mg for ledifolium water extract, 6.63 mg for ledifolium methanol, 2.39 mg for lasiocarpium water, 1.99 mg for lasiocarpium methanol, 5.77 mg for microcarpium water, 8.76 mg for microcarpium methanol.
Conclusion: The study concluded that Helianthemum ledifolium varieties can be used for the treatment of the parasite. It was suggested that invitro studies could be carried out for the use of the plant in treatment.

Key words: Anti-protozoan, Anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity, Helianthemum ledifolium varieties, Trichomonosis