Induction of apoptosis by hydroalcoholic and methanolic extract of Deracocephalum kotschyi on Trichomonas vaginalis.

Trichomonas vaginalis (T.vaginalis) causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection. Dracocephalum kotschyi (D. kotschyi) belongs to the family of Labiatae. Its antispasmodic and analgesic properties are well known in Iran. This work aimed to look into the antitrichomonal activity of D. kotschyi extracts against T. vaginalis in vitro. D. kotschyi was gathered in Isfahan Province, Iran, and extracts were prepared and isolated. Later, T. vaginalis trophozoites obtained from Iran, which are metronidazole-sensitive, were incubated with various doses of extracts. Cell viability was used to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and percentage of growth inhibition (GI%). Cytotoxicity of the extracts was determined by MTT assay on the J774.A1 cell line. The effect of extracts during the initial stage of apoptosis was assayed using the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) Annexin V Apoptosis Detection Kit I (BD Pharmingen™). Compared to MTZ, extracts generated more efficient lysis on T. vaginalis trophozoites. Evaluation of the in vitro anti trichomonal properties of D. kotschyi essential extracts shows that it effectively induces apoptosis on T. vaginalis between 100 and 500 µg/ml after 48 h without toxicity on hematopoietic cells. According to this study, D. kotschyi extracts induce programmed death in T. vaginalis. The extracts of D. kotschyi can be used to develop antitrichomonal drugs. © Indian Society for Parasitology 2022.