Antiprotozoal Potential of Cultivated Geranium macrorrhizum Against Giardia duodenalis, Trichomonas gallinae and Leishmania infantum

TL;DR

This study explores the antiprotozoal potential of Geranium macrorrhizum essential oils, showing strong activity against certain parasites like Trichomonas gallinae and Leishmania infantum.

Contribution

The study is the first to evaluate the antiprotozoal activity of G. macrorrhizum from controlled cultivation, identifying germacrone as a key bioactive compound.

Findings

Essential oils from G. macrorrhizum showed strong antiparasitic activity against Trichomonas gallinae and Leishmania infantum.

Germacrone, a compound in the essential oils, exhibited strong and selective antiparasitic activity.

The essential oils caused distinct morphological changes in parasites, different from conventional drugs.

Abstract

Plant-derived natural products are an invaluable source of structurally diverse secondary metabolites with ecological and pharmacological significance. Geranium macrorrhizum, a species known for producing essential oils rich in monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenes, has been scarcely explored for its antiparasitic potential. This study represents the first comprehensive evaluation of the antiprotozoal activity of G. macrorrhizum obtained from cultivated plants. Plant material was produced under controlled greenhouse cultivation systems, ensuring high-quality and reproducible metabolite profiles. Essential oils were obtained through hydrodistillation and chemically characterized by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). In vitro assays were conducted against Giardia duodenalis, Trichomonas gallinae, and Leishmania infantum to assess antiparasitic efficacy and cytotoxicity. The results demonstrated strong activity of essential oils against Trichomonas gallinae, and Leishmania infantum, indicating the relevance of lipophilic compounds—especially germacrone—as key bioactive constituents. Germacrone exhibited strong and selective antiparasitic activity, outperforming its structural analogues. Microscopic analyses revealed distinct parasite-specific morphological alterations, differing from those induced by conventional drugs such as metronidazole and amphotericin B. These findings highlight G. macrorrhizum obtained through biotechnological cultivation as a novel and sustainable source of natural antiprotozoal agents. The study underscores the importance of integrating controlled cultivation with phytochemical and biological evaluation to advance the discovery of innovative bioactive compounds.

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