Correlation of radical-scavenging capacity and amoebicidal activity of Matricaria recutita L. (Asteraceae)

Acanthamoeba is a widely distributed genus worldwide and it has been isolated from many environments such as water, soil, dust and many others (Lorenzo-Morales et al., 2015). To date, molecular classification of Acanthamoeba genus established 20 genotypes: T1-T20 that are based on the rRNA sequence of the isolates (Booton et al., 2005; Corsaro et al., 2015; Magnet et al., 2014; Nuprasert et al., 2010; Qvarnstrom et al., 2013). Of the 20 genotypes, T4 is the most abundant in the environment and includes many patho-genic strains that have been associated with lethal encephalitis and Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) (Lorenzo-Morales et al.,. 2013; Siddiqui et al., 2012). Current therapeutic approaches against these infections are affected by drug resistance, variable efficacy between strains, toxic side effects and long course treatments. Therefore, there is a need to identify novel sources of drugs that are active against Acanthamoeba. Recently, agents with plant origins have been widely studied as a source of novel antiprotozoal drugs including Acanthamoeba (Derda and Hadas, 2014; Lorenzo-Morales et al., 2015; Sifaoui et al., 2014).

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