In vitro effect of essential oil and methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts of Ferulago angulata on Trichomonas vaginalis protozoan

Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection in the world, with resistant cases spreading. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ferulago angulata extracts and essential oil on Trichomonas vaginalis protozoan.

In this study, methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts and essential oil of F. angulata aerial parts were prepared and tested to determine the minimum lethal concentration (MLC) and the percentage of growth inhibition (GI%). The tests were carried out on two clinical isolates of T. vaginalis under aerobic conditions and against metronidazole and control.  The tests were surveyed after 24 and 48 hours of incubation.

After 24 hours, the MLC of methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts and essential oil were 250, 500, 250 and 500 μg/ml, respectively. The MLC of ethyl acetate and hexane extracts were reduced to 250 and 125 μg/ml, after 48 hours. GI% at Sub-MLC for extracts and essential oils were 24.3% to 93.2%, after 24 hours, and from 51.6% to 95.1% after 48 hours. Also, the mean MLCs of metronidazole after 24 and 48 hours were 9.3 and 4.6 μg/ml.

The results of this study showed that F. angulata has anti-trichomonial potential. Thus, more investigations it is necessary to purify the constituents of essential oil and extracts. Further in vitro and in vivo experiments will clarify the antimicrobial potential of the plant to make a more correct judgment.