In Vitro Effect of Methanolic Extract of Argemone mexicana against Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract

Infections caused by <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> in humans are one of the main public health problems caused by sexually transmitted diseases. Objective of this study was to evaluate potential biological activity of the medicinal plant <i>Argemone mexicana</i> (Mexican poppy) on <i>T. vaginalis</i>. Methanolic extracts of the stems and leaves of <i>A. mexicana</i>, and different fractions were prepared with solvents of different polarities. The extracts and functional groups were detected containing sterols, triterpenes, quinones, flavonoids and, alkaloids. Extracts from both the stems and leaves of <i>A. mexicana</i> inhibited the growth of <i>T. vaginalis</i> with half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of 70.6 and 67.2 μg/ml, respectively. In the active fractions, the most abundant compounds were berberine and jatrorrhizine, with presumed antiparasitic activity.