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Extracts of pine bark (Pinus sylvestris) inhibit Cryptosporidium parvum growth in cell culture

Abstract

The widespread apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum is responsible for severe gastrointestinal disease in humans and animals. The treatment options are limited, and the efficacy of available drugs is low. Bark contains condensed tannins (CT), which are bioactive compounds previously shown to inhibit parasite development. Here, we examined the anti-cryptosporidial properties of bark extract of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) against C. parvum by means of an in vitro growth inhibition test. We hypothesized that bark extracts would have dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the development of C. parvum in cell culture. Bark extracts from Scots pine extracted with acetone, methanol, and water as solvents, were investigated using human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells infected with C. parvum. Oocysts were inoculated onto the cell monolayer and bark extract was added at 7 different concentrations. Parasite growth inhibition was quantified by qPCR. The acetone and methanol extracts demonstrated a sigmoid dose-dependent inhibition of C. parvum. The IC50 values were 244.6 and 279.1 µg dry matter extract/mL, and 25.4 and 24.1 µg CT/mL, for acetone and methanol extracts, respectively. The IC50 for both extracts were similar, both with regards to the dry matter concentration of each extract and to CT concentrations. Given the limited treatment options available for Cryptosporidium spp., the evidence generated in our study encourages further investigation into the in vitro and in vivo effects of pine bark extracts against C. parvum.
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Category

Academic article

Client

  • Research Council of Norway (RCN) / 268264

Language

English

Author(s)

  • Berit Marie Blomstrand
  • Heidi L Enemark
  • Øivind Øines
  • Håvard Steinshamn
  • Inga Marie Aasen
  • Karl-Christian Mahnert
  • Kristin Sørheim
  • Spiridoula Athanasiadou
  • Stig Milan Thamsborg
  • Ian Woolsey

Affiliation

  • Norwegian Centre for Organic Agriculture
  • Norwegian Veterinary Institute
  • Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research
  • SINTEF Industry / Biotechnology and Nanomedicine
  • Norsk Treteknisk Institutt
  • Scotland's Rural College
  • University of Copenhagen

Date

16.07.2021

Year

2021

Published in

Parasitology Research

ISSN

0932-0113

Volume

120

Page(s)

2919 - 2927

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