In Vitro Antitrichomonal Effect of Nigella Sativa Aqueous Extract and Wheat Germ Agglutinin

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common parasitic sexually transmitted diseases in the world. Metronidazole was known as the most effective drug for human trichomoniasis., however, drug resistance and toxicity appeared. This study was designed to investigate the in vitro inhibitory activity of wheat germ agglutinin and Nigella sativa aqueous extract on the growth and motility of Trichomonas vaginalis in comparison to metronidazole. The inhibitory effect was dose related. Minimal lethal concentration of wheat germ agglutinin was 250μg 250μg/ml in all incubation periods. Minimal lethal concentration of metronidazole was 50μg 50μg/ml after 24 hours. However, lower doses of metronidazole showed a minimal lethal concentration of 25μg 25μg/ml after 48 h and 12μg 12μg/ml after 72 h of incubation; whereas, lower doses of wheat germ agglutinin failed to completely inhibit the parasite growth. Although N. sativa aqueous extract had the lowest effect on parasite growth, producing a lethal effect only after 48 h, it still has a remarkable effect. All drugs remarkably inhibited the motility of the trophozoites. The results showed a promising effect of using wheat germ agglutinin and N. sativa aqueous extract in treating T. vaginalis infection.