Licochalcone a: A promising antiparasitic drug against giardiasis

Giardiasis, caused by Giardia duodenalis, is a prevalent and significant zoonotic disease. While nitroimidazole drugs are primarily used to treat giardiasis, the urgent need for the development and formulation of new drugs has arisen due to increasing drug resistance. Several plant derived medicine have been employed as antiparasitic drugs. This study has evaluated the anti-Giardia effect of Licochalcone A (Lic A) through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. We determined the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of Lic A, analyzed the adhesive ability of G. duodenalis, and assessed intestinal morphology and various indicators in the gerbil model. The in vitro assays demonstrated that the IC₅₀ value of Lic A against G. duodenalis was 27.42 μM. Additionally, Lic A significantly inhibited the adhesiveability of G. duodenalis trophozoites, impairing their cell structure and cytoskeleton. In vivo experiments showed that Lic A significantly mitigated weight loss due to G. duodenalis infection, and lowered the intestinal parasite load. Histopathological examinations in gerbils indicated that Lic A could reduce intestinal damage, increase the height of intestinal villi, decrease crypt depth, and maintain the integrity of intestinal structure. Furthermore, Lic A altered cytokine levels and enhanced the body's antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, Lic A exbibits significant anti-Giardia effects both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its potential as a promising antiparasitic drug candidate against giardiasis.