Extract Has Antiamoebic Activity to Trophozoites and Changes Expression of Autophagy-Related Genes.

, a well-known medicinal plant, has been used for several therapeutic purposes as it contains numerous pharmacological active compounds. Our study reported an anti-parasitic activity of seed extract against . The stress induced by the extract on the surviving trophozoites for encystation and vacuolization was examined by microscopy, and transcriptional expression of autophagy-related genes was investigated by quantitative PCR. Our results showed that the surviving trophozoites were not transformed into cysts, and the number of trophozoites with enlarged vacuoles were not significantly different from that of untreated control. Molecular analysis data demonstrated that the mRNA expression of tested ATG genes, i.e., ATG3, ATG8b, and ATG16, was at a basal level along the treatment. However, upregulation of ATG16 at 24 h post treatment was observed, which may indicate an autophagic activity of this protein in response to the stress. Altogether, these data revealed the anti- activity of extract and indicated the association of autophagy mRNA expression and cyst formation under the extract stress, representing a promising plant for future drug development. However, further identification of an active compound and a study of autophagy at the protein level are needed.