Investigation of Antiparasitic Effect of Juniperus communis L. Fruits Extracts.

Abstract

Objective: Juniperus communis (J. communis) (common juniper) is a plant that has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. This study aims to evaluate the antiparasitic effects of ethanol, methanol, chloroform, and water extracts of J. communis fruits against Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania tropica, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Blastocystis.

Methods: The antiparasitic activities of fruit extracts prepared at room temperature using the shaking maceration method were tested against Plasmodium falciparum using the ring stage survival test, and against Leishmania tropica, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Blastocystis using the broth microdilution method.

Results: The chloroform extract of J. communis fruits was found to be effective on Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania tropica, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Blastocystis parasites at concentrations of 15, 10, 30 and 30 µg/mL, respectively.

Conclusion: The chloroform extract of J. communis fruits has shown strong antiparasitic activity against the investigated parasite species. These findings support the plant's antiparasitic potential and hold promise for future medical applications. Especially its effectiveness against metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis strains is important for the development of alternative treatment options. This study highlights the potential use of J. communis as a medicinal plant and will contribute to the literature on research related to the isolation and structural determination of its active compounds.