Potent lethal effect of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil on Blastocystis spp.: An in vitro study

Abstract

Blastocystis spp. are protozoan inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract, with an incidence usually reaching 5% in developed countries, exceeding 40% in individuals with chronic gastrointestinal illness, and can reach up 76% in developing countries [1,2]. Infection with Blastocystis spp. can be detected in stool samples of asymptomatic individuals or patients complaining of diarrhea [3]. However, as the data depend on methods used for diagnosis, blastocystosis is likely underestimated [4]. Currently, Blastocystis spp. are included in WHO water sanitation programs [5]. It has been linked to the increased risk of allergic skin manifestations [6] , and inflammatory bowel disease [1] ; recently, a relation between blastocystosis and development of irritable bowel syndrome was reported [7]. Colorectal carcinoma was also linked to blastocystosis [8] , as solubilized antigen of Blastocystis spp. was reported to promote the growth of human colorectal cancer cells [9]. Thus, therapy of blastocystosis is required to avoid or reduce the development of its possible complications. Lately, contradictory findings about the response of blastocystosis to MTZ treatment emerged, with efficacy rates ranging from 0% to 100% [10-12]. In this context, there is a need for new therapeutic agents against blastocystosis with high effectiveness and low toxicity. In recent times, the study of plants used by traditional medicine is a mean of alternative treatment, and several anti-parasitic properties of natural products have been identified [13]. Of those natural products is Syzygium aromaticum eugenol rich essential oil. Commonly known as clove, it is native to tropical America and Australia [14]. The oil extract has been widely investigated due to its availability and high essential-oil contents, and has long been considered to have medicinal properties [15] , including anti-bacterial [16] , anti-trypanosomal [17] , and antimalarial actions [18]. Islamuddin et al., [19] reported that S. aromaticum essential oil induced apoptosis in L. donovani promastigotes. Additionally, it was found to have anti-Giardia activity [20]. S. aromaticum essential oil medicinal actions were attributed to the major component 'eugenol', that constitutes 89% of the oil [21] .

Effect of Alcoholic Extract of Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum) on Viability of Protoscolices of Sheep Hydatid Cysts in Vitro

“…The results of this study in accordance, with Ueda-Nakamura et al, [20] who observed 100% inhibition of Leishmania amazonensis with the concentration of 100 μg/ml. In a study conducted by Hayam M Ezz Eldin [21], a significant inhibition of 95.1% was observed with concentration of 100 mg/ml after 24 h, which also progressed to complete inhibition (100%) after 72hours of treatment. In addition, the anthelminthic activity of the EJUA-BA | March 2023 eugenol of Syzygium aromaticum against the fish parasite Gyrodactylus sp.…”

“…They indicate a similar mode of action of the clove on helminths as with some anthelminthic drugs [21,[29][30][31][32].…”