EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF A PLANT ALKALOID (BERBERINE DERIVED FROM BERBERIS ARISTATA) ON T. VAGINALIS IN VITRO

Abstract

T. vaginalis is the most prevalent non viral sexually transmitted disease (SID) in the world. It affects mostly women and has a wide variety of clinical manifestations ranging from severe vaginitis to asymptomatic carrier state in 10-50% with one-third of them becoming symptomatic within 6 months. Trichomoniasis in men is largely asymptomatic and those infected are considered the source of most infections to women. The organism can be recovered in 30-60% of male sexual partners of infected women, usually presenting with self-limiting mild urethritis. Treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis relies on the 5- nitroimidazole compounds: metronidazole, tinidazole and ornidazole. Metronidazole is the one used nowadays, however, it is recommended not to be used during pregnancy particularly during the first trimester as it is known to be mutagenic and carcinogenic in bacteria. It is also known to be injurious to newborn thus it is contraindicated during lactation. Moreover, treatment failures are now well recognized, mainly due to the emergence of resistant isolates of the parasite The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of berberine sulphate (derived from plants, with minimal side effects) as an antitrichomonal drug when added to axenic culture of T. vagina/is. The plan of the work was 1- isolation and culture of the parasite. 2- addition of the tested drug (BS) in vanous concentrations to the inoculated culture tubes.