Antitrichomonal activity of Peganum harmala alkaloid extract against trichomoniasis in pigeon (Columba livia domestica)

1. This study was designed to evaluate the antitrichomonal effects of P. harmala alkaloid extract against T. gallinae, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as comparing it to that of metronidazole, conventional antitrichomonal medication and harmine and harmaline, the two alkaloids present in P. harmala.2. T. gallinae were collected by the wet mount method from infected free-living pigeons. The in vitro assay was performed using multi-well plates containing test compounds in final concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50 or 100g/ml. The in vivo assay was done on 60 experimentally infected pigeons dosed with metronidazole at 50mg/kg body weight (BW) or alkaloids at 25mg/kg BW.3. The 24h minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of alkaloid extract was 15 mu g/ml while that of metronidazole was 50 mu g/ml. Harmine and harmaline revealed 24h MIC of 30 and 100 mu g/ml, respectively. Treatment of infected pigeons with alkaloids led to a full recovery after 3 d but with metronidazole total eradication of trophozoites was not achieved.4. In conclusion, data of the present study suggested P. harmala is a potent natural anti-trichomonal agent, effective against T. gallinae.