Amoebicidial effect of Hypericum perforatum extract on Acanthamoeba castellani trophozoites

Abstract

This study investigated the in vitro efficiency of Hypericum perforatum ethanolic extracts against Acanthamoeba castellani trophozoites. Cytotoxic effects of plant extract were determined. The protective action of plant extract against DNA damage was shown in the study, as well. The amoebicidial activity of H. perforatum ethanolic extracts was set on using in vitro ethanolic extraction (in quantities from 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg/ml). Different concentrations of H. perforatum ethanolic extracts and trophozoites were merged to determine the amoebicidial activity of the plant extract. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using a modified 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2 H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The effect of plant extract on hydroxyl radical-induced DNA damage was determined by electrophoresis on agarose gel. The growth of trophozoites terminated in H. perforatum ethanolic extracts with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50)/24 h for 30 mg/ml. The same extract solution had more vigorous amoebicidial activity on the trophozoites with IC50/72 h. Hypericum perforatum showed more substantial inhibitory effects on human cervical carcinoma cell lines (HELA) at concentrations of 5, 2.5, and 1.25 mg/mL at 72 h. The ethanolic extract of H. perforatum was more effective against Acanthamoeba and showed DNA protective activity. Hypericum perforatum extract has amoebicidial potential against A. castellani trophozoites, the causative agent of acanthamoebiasis. The results support that H. perforatum extract may be a nominee for developing an effective natural agent for treating acanthamoebiasis.