Effects of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Myrtus Communis Leaves on Trophozoites and Cysts of Acanthamoeba: An In Vitro Study

Background and Aims: Acanthamoeba is a ubiquitous amphizoic organism which can cause lethal diseases such as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and unfortunately, the infection has now increased in the world. The aim here was to evaluate in vitro anti-Acanthamoeba properties of crude aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Myrtus communis. Materials and Methods: In this experimental research, a clinical isolate of Acanthamoeba was cultured and genotyped. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Myrtus communis were prepared. Then, various concentrations of Myrtus communis extracts (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/ml) were tested at three different times (24, 48 and 72 hr) on trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba in vitro. The viability of trophozoites or cysts was tested by trypan blue method. Unstained (viable) and stained (nonviable) parasites were evaluated by counting with a neobar lam. Results: The percentage of viablity of trophozoites and cysts after adding ethanolic extract of Myrtus communis was 0% and 8.62%, respectively. Moreover, at 10 mg/ml concentration of aqueous extract of Myrtus communis, 0% trophozoites and 31.10% cysts lived after 72 h. Conclusions: This extract can be used as a safe anti-Acanthamoeba agent against trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba and further investigations are recommended to show the effects of this plant as an antiparasitic drug in animal models and volunteer infected people.