Para depositar en Docta Complutense, identifícate con tu correo @ucm.es en el SSO institucional: Haz clic en el desplegable de INICIO DE SESIÓN situado en la parte superior derecha de la pantalla. Introduce tu correo electrónico y tu contraseña de la UCM y haz clic en el botón MI CUENTA UCM, no autenticación con contraseña.
 

First Insights into the Biological Activity and Molecular Docking of Citral (3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-Octadienal) Against Trichomonas vaginalis.

Citation

Mello, A.B.d.; Fenalti, J.M.; Baccega, B.; Wahast Islabão, Y.; Martins, F.O.; Birmann, P.T.; Casaril, A.M.; Barbosa, T.N.; Sena-Lopes, A.; Monteiro, F.L.; et al. First Insights into the Biological Activity and Molecular Docking of Citral (3,7-Dimethyl-2, 6-Octadienal) Against Trichomonas vaginalis. Microbiol. Res. 2025, 16, 96. https://doi.org/10.3390/ microbiolres16050096

Abstract

The increasing resistance of Trichomonas vaginalis to the only approved chemical family of drugs for treatment, the 5-nitroimidazoles, has prompted the exploration of new therapeutic agents against this prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infection. Natural products have emerged as a significant source of novel treatments for trichomoniasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-T. vaginalis activity of citral (3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal), the main constituent of the essential oil of Cymbopogon species, commonly known as lemongrass. Our findings indicate that citral exhibits a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 100 μM, effectively inhibiting the growth of T. vaginalis trophozoites within 12 h of exposure, and a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of approximately 40 μM after 24 h. Furthermore, the evaluation of nitric oxide (NO) levels suggests that citral possesses antioxidant properties. Molecular docking studies reveal a weak interaction with three parasite proteins: thioredoxin reductase (TvTrxR), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (TvPNP), and methionine gamma lyase (TvMGL). The present study highlights the potential of citral as a candidate for the development of no-nitroimidazole drugs, offering new avenues for trichomoniasis treatment and underscoring the importance of further investigation into citral’s mechanism of action.

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue

Description

Unesco subjects

Keywords

Collections