Effects of propolis extract on growth of Entamoeba histolytica (trophozoites) in vitro

Abstract

Amoebiasis is the third leading cause of death from parasitic disease worldwide. The causative protozoan parasite, Entamoeba histolytica, is a potent pathogen. Propolis is a natural resinous substance collected by bees from vegetable sources and it has a therapeutic properties have been investigated in this work. So we evaluated the inhibitory activity of ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) on Entamoeba histolytica trophozoite growth. Propolis inhibited the growth of E.histolytica trophozoites and the level of inhibition varied according to the extract concentration and incubation times, it also showed a marked activity on cell lysis of trophozoite. The highest reduction of parasite growth was observed in culture exposed to (25,50 mg/ml) of propolis, in all incubation periods (24,48 )h. Growth reduction by 76 % was observed in 12.5 mg/ml propolis-treated culture, while the concentrations of (25, 50) mg/ml were able to inhibit growth by more than 90%. Light microscopic study showed morphological changes in E.histolytica trophozoites.