{rfName}

Indexed in

License and Use

Licencia

Altmetrics

Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Analysis of institutional authors

Navarro-Rocha, JulianaAuthor

Share

January 25, 2026
Publications
>
Article
No

Antiprotozoal Potential of Cultivated Geranium macrorrhizum Against Giardia duodenalis, Trichomonas gallinae and Leishmania infantum

Publicated to: International Journal Of Molecular Sciences. 27 (2): 1125- - 2026-01-23 27(2), DOI: 10.3390/ijms27021125

Authors:

Marcos-Herraiz, S., Irisarri-Gutiérrez, M. J., Carrión, J., Azami Conesa, I., Suárez Lombao, R., Navarro-Rocha, J., Del Moral, J. F. Q., Fernández Barrero, A., Ochoa Larrigan, E., González-Coloma, A., Gómez-Muñoz, M. T., & Bailén, M.
[+]

Affiliations

Aleovitro S.L., Pol. Pinoa 8, 48170 Zamudio, Spain - Author
Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain - Author
Department of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain - Author
Department of Plant Science, Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA), Avda. Montañana 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain, Agrifood Institute of Aragon—IA2 (Calle Miguel Servet, 177), University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain - Author
Department of Preventive Medicine, Public Health and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain - Author
ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain - Author
ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain - Author
Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28006 Madrid, Spain - Author
See more

Abstract

Plant-derived natural products are an invaluable source of structurally diverse secondary metabolites with ecological and pharmacological significance. Geranium macrorrhizum, a species known for producing essential oils rich in monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenes, has been scarcely explored for its antiparasitic potential. This study represents the first comprehensive evaluation of the antiprotozoal activity of G. macrorrhizum obtained from cultivated plants. Plant material was produced under controlled greenhouse cultivation systems, ensuring high-quality and reproducible metabolite profiles. Essential oils were obtained through hydrodistillation and chemically characterized by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). In vitro assays were conducted against Giardia duodenalis, Trichomonas gallinae, and Leishmania infantum to assess antiparasitic efficacy and cytotoxicity. The results demonstrated strong activity of essential oils against Trichomonas gallinae, and Leishmania infantum, indicating the relevance of lipophilic compounds—especially germacrone—as key bioactive constituents. Germacrone exhibited strong and selective antiparasitic activity, outperforming its structural analogues. Microscopic analyses revealed distinct parasite-specific morphological alterations, differing from those induced by conventional drugs such as metronidazole and amphotericin B. These findings highlight G. macrorrhizum obtained through biotechnological cultivation as a novel and sustainable source of natural antiprotozoal agents. The study underscores the importance of integrating controlled cultivation with phytochemical and biological evaluation to advance the discovery of innovative bioactive compounds.
[+]

Keywords

Aceites esencialesGiardiaLeishmaniaProductos naturalesResponsible consumption and productionTrichomonas

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal International Journal Of Molecular Sciences due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2026, it was in position 72/320, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

[+]

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-02-19:

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 1.

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

Continuing with the social impact of the work, it is important to emphasize that, due to its content, it can be assigned to the area of interest of ODS 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, with a probability of 44% according to the mBERT algorithm developed by Aurora University.
[+]

Awards linked to the item

This work has been partially financed by Grants PID2020-114207RB-I00 (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation), PID2019-106222RB-C32/SRA (State Research Agency), PID2023-148406OB-I00 (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and Universities), PID2024-156361OB-C22 (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and Universities).
[+]