Ultrastructural Changes on Entamoeba histolytica HM1-IMSS Caused by the Flavan-3-Ol, (−)-Epicatechin

 

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Abstract

The flavan-3-ol, (−)-epicatechin has been previously identified as the most important antiamoebic compound among the extracts from two medicinal plants: Rubus coriifolius and Geranium mexicanum. Here we report the effects of epicatechin on Entamoeba histolytica morphology, analyzed by electronic microscopy. E. histolytica trophozoites were incubated for 48 h at 37 °C in the presence of 1.9 µg/mL epicatechin and processed for electronic microscopy analysis. Epicatechin induced nuclear and cytoplasmic changes in the treated trophozoites. These morphological alterations are identical to the cellular changes experienced by E. histolytica trophozoites undergoing programmed cell death (PCD), suggesting that epicatechin could be an alternative compound to treat amoebiasis.

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Prof. Dr. María Esther Ramírez

Lab. de Biología Molecular 1
Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía-IPN

Guillermo Massieu Helguera, No. 239, Fracc. La Escalera, Ticomán, CP 07320

Mexico City

Mexico

Phone: + 55 57 29 60 00 ext. 5 55 34

Fax: + 55 57 29 60 00 ext. 5 55 34

Email: estherramirezmoreno@yahoo.com