Comparison of the Synergistic Effects of Black Tea and Microwave with Gentamicin and Microwave on Acanthamoeba cyst Mortality In vitro.

Abstract

Objective: Drug resistance in Acanthamoeba poses a significant challenge, prompting the need for alternative treatments. This research aimed to explore the combined treatment of chemical or phytomedicines and microwaves radiation.

Methods: The Acanthamoeba strain was cultivated on non-nutrient agar. Black tea extracts were prepared using the maceration method. Final concentrations of 0.75 mg/mL and 0.375 mg/mL of gentamicin and tea, respectively, were used in this study. The samples were divided into 12 groups based on drug incubation time and repeated radiation exposure, either before or after incubation. The effects of combining gentamicin and black tea extracts with microwave exposure were then evaluated on the parasite.

Results: Our results showed that the growth inhibition of Acanthamoeba was significantly higher in the combined treatment groups compared to gentamicin, black tea, or microwave radiation alone (p<0.0001-p<0.04). It seems that the microwave radiation led to an increasing trend in growth inhibition within 72 hours.

Conclusion: Microwave radiation can play a significant complementary role in the treatment of Acanthamoeba cysts by gentamicin and black tea extracts. This effect was more significant on the irradiated cysts incubated with gentamicin and also depended on the increase in incubation time and the repetition of radiation.