Cytotoxic activity of Vitis labrusca extract in cultures of Trichomonas vaginalis

AIMS: To evaluate the anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of the extract of organic and conventional leaves of Vitis labrusca. METHODS: Organic and conventional grapevine leaf extracts were prepared with extractor Sohxlet. The total phenolic extracts were evaluated by Folin-Cicoalteau and High-Performace Liquid Chromatography. The antiparasitic activity of the extracts was performed on growth of T. vaginalis. Tests were conducted at three final concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 mg/mL. The trophozoites were counted by hemocytometer and their density was adjusted in Trypticase-Yeast Extract-Maltose (TYM) growth environment in order to obtain a final concentration of 1x105 trophozoites/ml. After incubated with the extracts for 24 hours at 37 °C, the count of motile trophozoites was taken by hemocytometer. The vehicle controls were performed by substituting the extract by water. RESULTS: The conventional leaf extract is rich in catechin and the organic in resveratrol. The extracts of V. labrusca showed no anti-T.vaginalis activity at concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/mL. However in the concentration of 20 mg/L conventional grapevine leaf extracts reduced by 100% and the organic extract by 48% the survival of trophozoites. Catechin polyphenols, quercetin and rutin were in higher concentration in the extract with greater efficacy, which may be the responsible for the anti-T. vaginalis action of the conventional extract. CONCLUSIONS: The vine leaf extract may be an alternative to combat T. vaginalis. Pre-clinical and clinical studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety of this intervention