Investigation of the anti-parasitic effect of the water extract of Thymbra spicata on Acanthamoeba castellani (L.) trophozoites and cysts

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the anti-parasitic activity of the water extract obtained from Thymbra spicata (L.). The plant material was extracted with methanol in a Soxhlet apparatus. The extract was then fractionated with water and chloroform. The water phase was frozen and freeze-dried. Afterward, this extract was applied on A. castellani trophozoites and cysts at various concentrations, and the viability rates were determined by counting under the microscope. At the end of the experimental process, it was determined that there was a strong correlation between the increasing extract concentration and the anti-parasitic effect. T. spicata extract was not effective enough to neutralize all cysts at any of the concentrations examined. T. spicata extract, at concentrations of 16.0 and 32.0 mg/ml, removed all trophozoites in the medium from the 24th h of the experiment. Based on this result, it was determined that the plant species evaluated here could be used to treat A. castellani infections. It will be possible to achieve a good effect on the cyst forms of the parasite species by testing higher extract concentrations, which cannot be evaluated during the experimental process. In addition, with advanced analyzes, it will be possible to reveal the chemical substance responsible for the activity in the plant species in question and to perform further analyzes on this substance.