Anti-protozoal Activity of Conifer Green Needle Complex against Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract

Treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis typically involves using nitroimidazoles (such as metronidazole and tinidazole). Some T. vaginalis strains have become resistant to these drugs, so the development of new drugs is necessary. Clinical samples were taken from 80 males and 70 females (aged 17–45). The sensitivity of T. vaginalis in these samples to CGNC (100, 200, 300 and 500 mg/mL) and metronidazole (10, 15, 25 and 50 μg/mL) was evaluated. All 10 isolates were sensitive to at least one concentration of CGNC. Three strains were sensitive (all cells were killed) to 100 mg/mL CGNC, while there was a decrease in the number of Trichomonas present in the other samples when compared with the control. Six strains were sensitive to 200 mg/mL CGNC, while those strains that grew in the presence of CGNC showed a reduction in numbers when compared with the control. Nine strains were sensitive to 300 mg/mL CGNC. The strain not sensitive to 300 mg/mL CGNC showed a decrease in the number of Trichomonas present (<10² cells/mL) when compared to the control (10⁴ cells/mL). All strains were sensitive to 500 mg/mL CGNC. Three strains (one motile and two non-motile) were sensitive to all concentrations of CGNC and one of the non-motile strains was resistant (MIC 50 μg/mL) to metronidazole. The other two strains were moderately resistant (MIC 15 and 25 μg/mL) to metronidazole. Of the 10 Trichomonas strains, four were resistant to metronidazole (MIC 50 μg/mL) and sensitive to at least one concentration of CGNC. CGNC may be used as a treatment for T. vaginalis infections and should be considered for clinical strains resistant to metronidazole.