In vitro Effect of Sophora flavescens on the Ultrastructure of Trichomonas vaginalis Donne

Choi, Won Gyu; Cho, Yoo Joung; Chu, Jong Phil

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Trichomonas vaginalis is a pathogenic protozoa infecting human genitourinary tract. Metronidazole is currently the drug of choice to treat T. vaginalis infection. However, because of the side effects and the occurrence of resistant strains of metronidazole, it is needed to investigate alternatives.
METHODS
The antiprotozoal effect of aquatic extract from Sophora flavescens on the growth and fine structure of T. vaginalis was examined by using trypan blue exclusion assay and electron microscopy.
RESULTS
One hour after the addition of 4 mg/mL extract and half hour after the addition of 5 mg/mL showed antiprotozoal effect. One to two hours after the addition of 3 mg/mL extract, the movement of flagella and axostyle had disappeared, but death of the cells had not occurred until two hours after the addition. The fine structure of the cytoplasm was also changed half an hour to two hours after addition. The number of polyribosome decreased when that of single ribosomes in the cytoplasm increased.
CONCLUSION
These results indicated that S. flavescens had the antiprotozoal effect on T. vaginalis by inhibition of cell multiplication as well as an impairment of protein synthesis.