Parasitic infections remain a major global health challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings where they are closely tied to poverty and inadequate sanitation. The increasing emergence of drug resistance and the limited accessibility of current therapies highlight the urgent need for novel, safe, and affordable alternatives. Mangifera indica L. (mango), a widely cultivated fruit tree deeply rooted in traditional medicine, has long been used to treat conditions symptomatic of parasitic diseases, including fever, diarrhea, and dysentery. Phytochemical investigations have revealed a rich spectrum of bioactive compounds, notably mangiferin, phenolic compounds and terpenoids, which exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. This review critically synthesizes evidence on the antiparasitic potential of M. indica against protozoa, such as Plasmodium, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica, and free-living amoebae, as well as helminths. Strongest evidence exists for malaria and helminth infections, where both crude extracts and isolated compounds demonstrated significant activity in vitro and in vivo. Encouraging but limited findings are available for leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis, while data on toxoplasmosis and amoebiasis remain largely speculative. Variations in efficacy across studies are influenced by plant parts and extraction methods, with ethanolic extracts and mangiferin often showing superior results. Despite promising findings, mechanistic studies, standardized methodologies, toxicological evaluations, and clinical trials are scarce. Future research should focus on elucidating molecular mechanisms, exploring synergistic interactions with existing drugs, and leveraging advanced delivery systems to enhance bioavailability.

Background and Aim: Acanthamoeba spp. is free-living protozoa capable of causing severe infections, notably Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is difficult to manage due to cyst resistance and the cytotoxicity of current treatments. Plant-derived com­pounds represent a promising alternative strategy. This study investigated the amoebicidal, anti-adhesive, and cytotoxic properties of Mangifera indica L. (mango) leaf extract against ocularly relevant Acanthamoeba spp. Materials and Methods: Crude ethanolic leaf extract of M. indica was prepared and evaluated against Acanthamoeba polyphaga American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 30461 and Acanthamoeba castellanii ATCC 50739. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum parasiticidal concentration were determined for trophozoites and cysts. Morphological changes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Anti-adhesion assays were conducted using polystyrene surfaces, with a commercial multipurpose contact lens (CL) solution as a control. Cytotoxicity was tested in Vero cells using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide assay to establish the minimum cytotoxic concentration. Results: The extract inhibited trophozoite growth at 2 mg/mL and demonstrated cysticidal activity at 4 mg/mL for A. polyph­aga and 32 mg/mL for A. castellanii. SEM revealed disruption of trophozoite morphology, loss of acanthopodia, and sur­face perforations in cysts. At MIC levels, adhesion was reduced by >70%, and even at 1/8 MIC, inhibition remained above 50%, comparable to a commercial multipurpose solution. Cytotoxicity assessment showed >80% Vero cell viability at 0.125 mg/mL, indicating a favorable therapeutic window. Conclusion: This is the first report demonstrating amoebicidal and anti-adhesive effects of M. indica L. leaf extract against ocular Acanthamoeba species. The dual trophozoiticidal and anti-adhesive actions, combined with low cytotoxicity, high­light its potential for development as a plant-based therapeutic agent, particularly in ocular formulations or CL disinfectants. Future work should focus on phytochemical isolation, mechanistic studies, and novel delivery systems to enhance efficacy and safety. Keywords: Acanthamoeba, amoebicidal activity, anti-adhesion, cytotoxicity, Mangifera indica L., ocular infection.

Acanthamoeba spp., free‐living amoebae (FLA), are the causative agents of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). These diseases have limited treatment options; therefore, drug discovery remains a critical priority. This study evaluated the leaf extract of Annona muricata L., which contains quercetin, formulated in silica nanoparticles against Acanthamoeba species. The anti‐ Acanthamoeba effect of the nanoformulation was determined by its MIC and percentage viability. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the nanocompound‐directed effect on trophozoites and cysts. The nanoquercetin exhibited anti‐ Acanthamoeba activity, showing greater effectiveness against the trophozoites of Acanthamoeba polyphaga ATCC 30461 (AP) (MIC > 2 mg/mL) compared to cysts (MIC > 8 mg/mL) and against A. triangularis WU19001 (AT) trophozoites (MIC > 4 mg/mL) compared to cysts (MIC > 8 mg/mL). It also showed reduced activity against Acanthamoeba castellanii ATCC 30010 (AC3) trophozoites (MIC > 4 mg/mL) compared to cysts (MIC > 8 mg/mL) and A. castellanii ATCC50739 (AC5) trophozoites (MIC > 4 mg/mL) compared to cysts (MIC > 8 mg/mL). The anti‐ Acanthamoeba activity of A. muricata on all four species was compared to chlorhexidine, which had MIC values of 0.008 mg/mL for AC3 and AT trophozoites and 0.016 mg/mL for AC5 and AP trophozoites. For cysts, chlorhexidine exhibited MIC values of > 0.0128 mg/mL for AC3 and AP, 0.032 mg/mL for AC5, and 0.064 mg/mL for AT. All MIC values demonstrated inhibition of Acanthamoeba species with reduced viability exceeding 90%. SEM findings revealed morphological changes in Acanthamoeba , indicating parasitic inhibition. Quercetin‐loaded silica nanoparticles demonstrated anti‐ Acanthamoeba activity with low cytotoxicity. This indicates the potential of quercetin as a nano‐enhanced natural therapeutic or contact lens‐care agent. This study is limited by its in vitro design, small parasite strain panel, and potential nanoparticle variability. This highlights the need for in vivo validation, ocular/contact lens model testing, and formulation optimization for improved cysticidal efficacy.

Ticks of the genus Hyalomma are a key vector for the transmission of various microorganisms to humans and animals. Current research focuses on evaluating herbal medicines and natural products for tick control. This study assessed the acaricidal effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of the plants Achillea millefolium L. and Ferula asafoetida H. Karst. against Hyalomma sp. ticks in vitro, while determining their toxicity using the MTT assay. The acaricidal activities of both plant extracts were evaluated at concentrations of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/ml after exposure times of 15, 30 and 60 minutes, using spray and contact methods. The chemical composition of the extracts was analysed via gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and toxicity was assessed by the MTT assay. Results indicated that A. millefolium L. extracts achieved 100 % mortality at 200 mg/ml after 15 minutes and at 150 mg/ml after 30 minutes of exposure. In contrast, F. asafoetida H. Karst. exhibited 100 % mortality at 200 mg/ml after 60 minutes. The main chemical components identified in A. millefolium L. and F. asafoetida H. Karst. were docosane (9.82%) and 2-Methoxy-3-methylbutanoic acid (13.9%), respectively. The MTT toxicity test revealed that A. millefolium L. exhibited low toxicity across all concentrations, while F. asafoetida H. Karst. showed significant cytotoxicity against the Vero cell line. These findings demonstrate that both plants possess acaricidal activity, with A. millefolium L. showing the most potent effects at lower concentrations. However, further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of these extracts in vivo.