Evaluation of Anti-
amoebic Potential of
Lauric Acid Against
Entamoeba histolytica
Azira NMS1, Wan Nor Amilah WAW2, Mohd-
Nawi SFA1, Bahaa Latif1, Zaini MZ1, Rosliza S1,
Nazli Z1
1 Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi
MARA,Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.
2School of Health Sciences, Health Campus,
Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Background
Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite
that causes amoebiasis especially in developing
countries. The spectrum of illness is ranged from
asymptomatic to fulminant disease.
Metronidazole has known to be the treatment of
choice in its infection. Other possible anti-
parasitic compounds have been studied in order
to provide possible choices of anti-amoebic in
combating the disease. Besides that, the
availability of other anti-amoebic compounds
helps to provide alternative choices and part of
the antimicrobial resistance strategies. Lauric
acid (LA) has been described to have
antimicrobial effect and one of major compound
in natural products. Thus, this study aims to
evaluate the anti-amoebic effect of lauric acids
in vitro.
Materials/Methods
This was an in vitro study whereby the
trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica HM1:
IMSS strain were axenically cultivated in TYI-S-
33 medium in culture flasks and incubated
anaerobically by using Anaerocult A (Merck).
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method Most of the natural products contain medium
was used to determine the anti-amoebic effect of chain triglycerides (MCT) (hedge, 2006). Lauric
lauric acid compound on E. histolytica. Scoring acid (LA/C12) has greatest antimicrobial activity
of all medium chain aliphatic fatty acids. This
of trophozoites growth was used in
effect is magnified when the acid is esterified to
determination of MIC. MIC was defined as the
lowest concentration of LA or metronidazole glycerol resulting in monolaurin, which has anti-
dilution at which a 1+ score (significant growth pathogenic properties. On parasite, LA induces
inhibition) was obtained in the majority of the trophozoite death by accumulating within the
triplicate wells after 24 hours incubation. Later, parasite cytoplasm resulting in rupture of the cell
scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used membrane(Rayan et al., 2005). Its spectrum of
activity can be broadened when combined with
to assess effects of sublethal concentration LA
on surface morphology of E. histolytica at 60 other substances. Other studies have shown LA
minutes, 37oC incubation. as one of the MCT that has the greatest
antibacterial activity and anti protozoal
Results properties in cows (Faciola et al., 2012) and on
ruminal protozoal in goats (Matsumoto et al.
Lauric acid (LA) exhibited minimum inhibitory
1991).
concentration (MIC) of 400 µg/ml (Table 1).
E. histolytica treated with lauric acid at sub- Conclusion
lethal concentration of 200 µg/ml which shown
Lauric acid efficacy as potential anti-amoebic
morphological alterations in terms of cells
should be exploited as one of alternative or
swelling, leakage of the cytoplasmic contents Figure 1: Scanning electron (SEM) of
adjunct therapy in combating amoebiasis.
and damaged plasma membrane at 60 minutes sublethal concentration of LA on E.
incubation (Figure 1). histolytica cells. A) E. histolytica trophozoites Acknowledgement
showing smooth surface and normal morphology We would to thank Dr. Lim Boon Huat from
Table 1:
(10000x). B) Trophozoites showing membrane School of Health Sciences, USM for his expert
Lauric acid Concentration Scoring
(ug/ml) wrinkling and abnormalities in surface opinion and for providing the stock culture of E.
800 1+ morphology after incubation with metronidazole histolytica HM1: IMSS strain. Special
acknowledgement to 600-RMI/RAGS
400 1+ (10000x). C) Trophozoites showing membrane
200 3+ 5/3(109/2013) research grant for the financial
wrinkling and shrinkage of cells after incubation
100 3+ support and last but not least to Universiti
50 4+ with LA (10000x). Teknologi Mara for the continuous support.
25 4+
12.5 4+ Discussion References
1. Faciola, A.P., Broderick, G. A., Hristov, A. and Leao, M.I. (2012). Effects of lauric acid on
6.25 4+ ruminal protozoal numbers and fermentation pattern and milk production in lactating dairy cows
2.Hegde B (2006). Coconut oil –ideal fat next to mother’s milk (Scanning coconut’s horoscope ).
3.13 4+ Metronidazole is the standard therapy in JLACM. 7:16-19.
3. Matsumoto, M., Kobayashi, T., Takenaka, A. and Itabashi, H. (1991). Defaunation effects of
1.56 4+ amoebiasis. However, some adverse reaction medium-chain fatty acids and their derivatives on goat rumen protozoa. Journal of General and
Blank (medium) - Applied Microbiology, 37: 439–445
has been reported related to the high dosage, 4.Rayan P, Stenzel D, McDonnell PA (2005). The effect of saturated fatty acids on Giardia
Medium + Eh 4+ duodenalis trophozoites in vitro. Parasitol. Res. 10:1432-1435.
duration of treatment and its. Alternative
0.6% alcohol + Eh 4+
Metronidazole (25ug/ml) + 1+
therapy that could possibly be obtained from
the natural products.
Eh
Copyright © 2017 Azira NMS and contact details: nazlizainuddin@yahoo.com