In vitro anti-protozoan activity of methanolic extracts of Caralluma procumbens against Tritrichomonas foetus.

Tritrichomonas foetus is a flagellated venereal parasite that causes Trichomoniasis. Among various infections, Tritrichomonas infection is a major threat to animal husbandry contributing to heavy economic loss due to fetal deaths or abortions. Plants are a great source of a variety of secondary products that consist of different bioactive compounds with medicinal properties. Species of Caralluma are known to be sources of potential therapeutic molecules. However, no studies have been carried out on the anti-protozoan activity of Caralluma procumbens against Tritrichomonas foetus. Hence the effect of different concentrations of Caralluma extract on the growth and survival of Tritrichomonas foetus was examined. Methanolic extract of Caralluma procumbens, at the concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/ml inhibited the growth of Tritrichomonas foetus completely after 24 hours of incubation. A concentration of 2 mg/ml inhibited 80% growth of Tritrichomonas foetus after 48 hours of incubation with Caralluma extract. The results of the current study suggest that C. procumbens could be suitable for treatment and prevention of protozoan induced Trichomoniasis and prove to be an effective therapeutic strategy without any nonspecific effects. Further studies in this line will help in identification of effective structural bioactive components present in the methanol extract of C. procumbens.