The Effects of Tropaeolum majus and Cupressus lusitanica on the Genus Paramecium Protozoa

Aims: This work was undertaken to evaluate the impact of two different medicinal plants known as Tropaeolum majus and Cupressus lusitanica on protozoa, genus Paramecium.

Methodology: For the culture of Paramecia, the method called “The growth of Paramecium in pure culture of bacteria” was employed by using an infusion of dried grasses and some nutrients. The aforementioned nutrients were food for bacteria and the bacteria were food for Paramecia. Microscopic examination allowed seeing if they have really grown, if they are active or constituted by all organelles including two nuclei: Macronucleus and Micronucleus. For the preparation of plant extracts, three types of plant extracts have been prepared: Boiled extracts, Crude extracts and Solvent extracts. Serial dilution was used for dissolution of extracts.

Results: Different concentrations of the plants extracts were applied on the Paramecia sample. After 24 hours of incubation period, microscopic observation was done to test the antimicrobial effects. For both plants, the crude and the solvent extracts showed anti-protozoal effects at concentrations 1 and 10-1 just after 24 hours. The boiled extracts and the low concentrations (10-2 & 10-3) of crude and solvent extracts were showed anti-protozoal effects, but after 5 days long incubation period. These effects were represented by: the death of paramecia, their inactivation, and disappearance of some organelles, cilia and/or one nucleus.

Conclusion: From this study we conclude that Tropaeolum majus and Cupressus lusitanica can be used as anti-protozoal medication in order to treat protozoan’s infection mainly Trichomoniasis. However, to improve its potency, further study is recommended on the isolation and purification of the active ingredient components.