The synergistic effect of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) and Artemisinin on the Plasmodium mortality rates of Physarum polycephalum and cell motility/chemotaxis of Dictyostelium discoideum utilized as an amoebic host

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

10th Grade

Presentation Topic

Microbiology

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Oral Presentation Award

1st Place

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum is an organism that causes the deadliest type of malaria. Its methods of adhesion and drug resistance make it lethal and difficult to treat. Artemisinin is a drug currently used as treatment, but resistance is increasing exponentially. A secondary drug to be used synergistically with artemisinin has been sought after. Physarum polycephalum is in the Plasmodium class and is biologically similar. This study focused on an accepted method of synergy-based prophylaxis, while maintaining neurological capabilities of Dictyostelium discoideum. EGCG (Epigallocatechin-3-gallate) is a cost-efficient, longer-lasting, and natural drug that has provided exceptional synergic results. The combination would offer treatment, while allowing the patient to recover with minimal neurological damage. The preliminary test was run using a well-plate synergy-test. Using 6 concentrations for each drug and combinations, the MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) was calculated. A fungal culture was created, and 10 random grids were chosen to count the active veins before and after this MIC was introduced. Two petri dishes were marked using a semi-marcation line, and D. discoideum was cultured to test for chemotaxis. Approximately 24 hours after introducing the MIC, the amoeba spores were quantified and coded into two groups. The hypothesis was supported for the fungal test with t(9)=10.18, p=0.000001. The hypothesis was supported for the amoeba test with t(9)=0, p=0.5. Therefore, results are statistically significant, displaying effectivity within the synergic combination. The FIC (Fractional Inhibitory Concentration) at 2.18>1 showed remarkable synergy between artemisinin and EGCG.

Location

Neville 221

Start Date

4-14-2018 12:15 PM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

COinS
 
Apr 14th, 12:15 PM

The synergistic effect of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) and Artemisinin on the Plasmodium mortality rates of Physarum polycephalum and cell motility/chemotaxis of Dictyostelium discoideum utilized as an amoebic host

Neville 221

Plasmodium falciparum is an organism that causes the deadliest type of malaria. Its methods of adhesion and drug resistance make it lethal and difficult to treat. Artemisinin is a drug currently used as treatment, but resistance is increasing exponentially. A secondary drug to be used synergistically with artemisinin has been sought after. Physarum polycephalum is in the Plasmodium class and is biologically similar. This study focused on an accepted method of synergy-based prophylaxis, while maintaining neurological capabilities of Dictyostelium discoideum. EGCG (Epigallocatechin-3-gallate) is a cost-efficient, longer-lasting, and natural drug that has provided exceptional synergic results. The combination would offer treatment, while allowing the patient to recover with minimal neurological damage. The preliminary test was run using a well-plate synergy-test. Using 6 concentrations for each drug and combinations, the MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) was calculated. A fungal culture was created, and 10 random grids were chosen to count the active veins before and after this MIC was introduced. Two petri dishes were marked using a semi-marcation line, and D. discoideum was cultured to test for chemotaxis. Approximately 24 hours after introducing the MIC, the amoeba spores were quantified and coded into two groups. The hypothesis was supported for the fungal test with t(9)=10.18, p=0.000001. The hypothesis was supported for the amoeba test with t(9)=0, p=0.5. Therefore, results are statistically significant, displaying effectivity within the synergic combination. The FIC (Fractional Inhibitory Concentration) at 2.18>1 showed remarkable synergy between artemisinin and EGCG.