Abstract
Acanthamoeba genus is widespread in the environment, including the hospital water sources and medical devices especially in dental units and dialysis machines. It poses a threat to public health as it is responsible for human infection. In inappropriate conditions, it forms cyst with high levels of resistance to disinfection methods. The aim of this study was to isolate the pathogen from the dental units and hospital water network and treatment of Acanthamoeba with Trachyspermum ammi essential oil that have the ability to kill cysts. The amoebicidal activity of T. ammi oil was determined in vitro. Out of T. ammi oil showed that, higher concentrations (90 mu g/mL after 72 and 96 hrs and 100 mu g/mL after 24 and 48 h) was more active, being able to kill 100% of the Acanthamoeba cysts. The results showed the cysticidal activity of T. ammi essential oil, LC50 values estimated to be 73.31, 61.69, 57.21 and 53.01 mu g/mL with 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, respectively. This is the first report of in vitro cysticidal activity of T. ammi essential oil and the activity of this oil makes it a promising anti-Acanthamoeba.