Anti-protozoan Effects of Methanol Extracts of the Ferula szowitsiana on the Trichomonas Vaginalis Trophozoites in vitro

Objectives: Trichomonas vaginalis which is flagellated unicellular organism is the causative agent of vaginitis. Medications used to treat trichomoniasis often have unpleasant side effects or are not effective. Given the prevalence of this disease, the production of safe, effective and affordable medicines is necessary. Various species of ferula are antibacterial and anti-fungal and anti- protozoan. So far, no study has been done on the effect of Ferula szowitsiana on trophozoite of Trichomonas vaginalis. Materials and Methods: Coma (Ferula), native to Eastern Azerbaijan province, was collected and methanol extracts were prepared. Trophozoite of Trichomonas vaginalis was cultured in vitro in CPLM medium and the effect of the mentioned extracts on the growth and survival of Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoite was measured by Mack-master slide. Results: Concentrations of 2 and 3 mg/ml in Methanol extracts of F. szowitsiana and could inhibit the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoite completely after 72- hour incubation. Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoite survived at concentrations of 0.5 and 0.375 and 0.25 mg/ml and methanol extract of F. szowitsiana were 42, 52 and 68%, respectively. The reduction of the number of parasites was visible 48 hours after incubation which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Ferula extract in different concentrations inhibited the growth of the dose-dependent trophozoite of Trichomonas vaginalis. The results of this study showed that native species of F. szowitsiana is suitable for the study of anti-trichomonas nature of it in vitro. Therefore, further study and identification of effective components in the methanol extract in the studied species are required.