Itzia Azucena Rangel-Castañeda1, José Manuel Hernández-Hernández2, Armando Pérez-Rangel2, Sirenia González-Pozos3, Pilar Carranza-Rosales4, Claudia Lisette Charles-Niño5, Gabriela Tapia-Pastrana6, Mario Alberto Ramírez-Herrera1, Araceli Castillo-Romero5. 1. Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. 2. Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico, Mexico. 3. Unidad de Microscopía Electrónica LaNSE, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico, Mexico. 4. Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Noreste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Monterrey, Mexico. 5. Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. 6. Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Oaxaca, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica, San Bartolo Coyotepec, Mexico.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to investigate the amoebicidal potential of curcumin on Entamoeba histolytica, as well as its synergistic effect with metronidazole. METHODS: Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites were exposed to 100, 200 and 300 μm of curcumin, for 6, 12 and 24 h. Consequently, the viability of cells was determined by trypan blue exclusion test. All specimens were further analysed by scanning electron microscopy. For drug combination experiment, the Chou-Talalay method was used. KEY FINDINGS: Curcumin affected the growth and cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The higher inhibitory effects were observed with 300 μm at 24 h; 65.5% of growth inhibition and only 28.8% of trophozoites were viable. Additionally, curcumin also altered adhesion and the morphology of the trophozoites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed treated trophozoites with damages on the membrane, size alterations and parasites with loss of cellular integrity. In addition, the combination of curcumin + metronidazole exhibited a synergistic effect; the activity of both drugs was improved. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report evaluating the effectiveness of curcumin against E. histolytica. Our results suggest that CUR could be considered for evaluation in future pharmacological studies as a promising amoebicidal agent or as complementary therapy.
OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to investigate the amoebicidal potential of curcumin on Entamoeba histolytica, as well as its synergistic effect with metronidazole. METHODS:Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites were exposed to 100, 200 and 300 μm of curcumin, for 6, 12 and 24 h. Consequently, the viability of cells was determined by trypan blue exclusion test. All specimens were further analysed by scanning electron microscopy. For drug combination experiment, the Chou-Talalay method was used. KEY FINDINGS:Curcumin affected the growth and cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The higher inhibitory effects were observed with 300 μm at 24 h; 65.5% of growth inhibition and only 28.8% of trophozoites were viable. Additionally, curcumin also altered adhesion and the morphology of the trophozoites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed treated trophozoites with damages on the membrane, size alterations and parasites with loss of cellular integrity. In addition, the combination of curcumin + metronidazole exhibited a synergistic effect; the activity of both drugs was improved. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report evaluating the effectiveness of curcumin against E. histolytica. Our results suggest that CUR could be considered for evaluation in future pharmacological studies as a promising amoebicidal agent or as complementary therapy.