Pharmaceutical activity of a synthetic heterocyclic (C₁₅H₁₂N₅OCl) compound on <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> and <i>Giardia lamblia</i>

Abstract

Background. Intestinal parasites are among the most important infectious agents with an impact on human health. Indeed, in the lack of an available treatment option, these parasites could constitute a real health problem in the population. In the present study, we investigated for the first time the effect of a novel synthetic heterocyclic ((C15H12N5OCL)2-(benzo(d)(1,2,3)triazol-1-yl)-N-benzylideneacetohydrazine) compound on two intestinal parasites (Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia). Methods. The parasite isolates tested were collected from outpatients at the General Pediatric Hospital in Kirkuk, Iraq, between September 2019 and January 2020. Thus, we studied the in vivo and in vitro pharmaceutical activity of the ingredient on both parasites. The toxicological effects of the substance on some blood parameters and liver and kidney function tests were also studied. Results. After five days of treatment, the drugs in vivo action on G. lamblia resulted in an inhibition rate of 88.2% at a dose of 1 mg/kg. On the other hand, we observed that the influence of this synthetic substance on cultured E. histolytica was very close to the metronidazole effect. The maximum result was at a concentration of 1 g/ml and was obtained after 72 hours of incubation with an inhibition rate of 89.4%. The substance did not affect the blood parameters or the studied liver and kidney functions. Conclusion. It can be concluded that this substance is highly effective against both E. histolytica and G. lamblia, and that it has no toxic effects on the studied parameters. Therefore, it could be a promising pharmacophore for intestinal protozoan parasites including E. histolytica and G. lamblia and an alternative or competitor to the current medications available.