In vitro susceptibility ofEntamoeba histolytica andGiardia lamblia to some medicinal plants used by the people of Southern Mexico

Abstract

The antiprotozoal properties of six medicinal plants, used by the people of Southern Mexico to treat diarrhoea, were evaluated in vitroagainst Entamoeba histolyticaand Giardia lambliatrophozoites, the most active being the methanol extracts of Rubus coriifolius, Cuphea pinetorumand Helianthemum glomeratum. Further activity guided fractionation of Cuphea pinetorumroots extract led to the isolation of kaempferol and quercetin as the active principles. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.