In vitro anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of Haplophyllum myrtifolium

Introduction: In the classic treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis infection, although metronidazole has been used since the 1960s, there has been an increase in MTZ-resistant T. vaginalis strains and failure in the treatment of trichomoniasis causes serious concerns. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the in vitro antitrichomonal activities of extracts (ethanol and total alkaloid) and pure compounds (chrysosplenetin, dictamnine, gamma-Fagarine, skimmianine) of H. myrtifolium against T. vaginalis. Methodology: H. myrtifolium was collected from the town of Honaz in Denizli, located in the Aegean region of Turkey, and preparation of extracts and isolation and structure elucidation of pure compounds were performed. Later, different concentrations of extracts and pure compounds were incubated with T. vaginalis trophozoites isolated from Turkey, which are known to be sensitive to metronidazole. Results: It was found that ethanol extract caused a more effective lysis on T. vaginalis trophozoites compared with total alkaloid extract (P < 0.05). No compounds except for furoquinoline alkaloid skimmianine prepared above 37.5 µg/mL were found to have any inhibitory effect on T. vaginalis trophozoites. Conclusion: The ethanol extract of H. myrtifolium and skimmianine can be considered as potential candidates for antitrichomonal drug development.

Morphology, Anatomy and Palynology of Turkish endemic species Haplophyllum myrtifolium, H. vulcanicum & H. megalanthum (Rutaceae) and their systematics implications

Haplophyllum is one of the taxonomically difficult genera in the Rutaceae. Three Turkish endemic species of Haplophyllum, namely Haplophyllum myrtifolium, H. vulcanicum and H. megalanthum, have similar morphological features, therefore identification of the species are extremely difficult. In the present study, morphological, anatomical and palynological characteristics of the species are examined in order to understand the usefulness of these characteristics for systematics purposes. Morphological characteristics of leaves and corollas, absence/or presence of glandular hairs on the stem and inflorescence, expansion form of filaments and ovarium appendage are useful for specific delimitation among the species. Anatomical characters such as number of cortex layers and sclerenchymatic cell layers in stem, size of the vascular bundle in the midrib provide information of taxonomical significance. In addition, exine sculpturing pattern of pollen grains can be used for taxonomic purposes.