Cytotoxic effect of extracts of Ganoderma sp. in Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomoniasis is the most common worldwide non-viral STI (sexually transmitted infection) caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis. This infectious disease has been associated with pregnancy interruption, reproductive infeasibility, and susceptibility to HIV (Masha et al., 2019). The current therapy includes metronidazole and tinidazole; however, failures include low adhesion to treatment and drug resistance. Thus, the search for new metabolites is an alternative to conventional treatment.
Extracts and chemical constituents from basidiomycota fungi have shown antiparasitic action (Lenzi et al, 2018). Among the searches about macrofungi, Ganodermataceae family has been the most studied group, mainly Ganoderma genus, wherein studies over the last 40 years led to the isolation of about 431 secondary metabolites from assorted species (Baby et al, 2015).
Herein, we used a fruiting body of Ganoderma sp., which was collected in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The specimen was dried and ground, powder macerated using ethanol 95%. Afterward, the specimen was partitioned with solvent ethyl acetate and cyclohexane; solvents were reduced by pressure and extracts quantified and tested against T. vaginalis as described by Duarte et al, 2009. The extracts (20mg/mL) were incubated with T. vaginalis trophozoites (ATCC 30236 isolate) for 24 h at 37 °C, 5.0% CO2. The number of viable trophozoites was assessed by counting parasites using exclusion by trypan blue dye (0.2%) and hemocytometer according to Diamond LS,1957. Results were expressed as living organisms compared to untreated parasites, considering motility and normal morphology.
Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoites viability was totally inhibited (100%) by one Ganoderma extract (VOG2012). The results demonstrated potent anti-T. vaginalis activity.