Anti-Trichomonas vaginalis Activity of Saponins from Ilex paraguariensis ("Mate") Fruits

SUMMARY. This study evaluates the in vitro anti-trichomonads activity of a saponin enriched fraction (MSF) obtained from the fruits of Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil (Aquifoliaceae). The MSF showed better anti-trichomonads activity than polysorbate and tyloxapol. A similar activity was obtained for quillaja saponins, but this fraction presented the highest cytotoxicity to mammalian cells as follows: quillaja > tyloxapol > polysorbate 80 > MSF. Neither the co-addition of MSF and metronidazole (MTZ) nor the pretreatment of the trophozoites with MSF prior to the addition of MTZ elicited a significant effect on MTZ activity.