Anthelmintic efficacy of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo Linnaeus, 1753) on ostrich gastrointestinal nematodes in a semiarid region of Paraíba State, Brazil

Effect of Selected Entomopathogenic Fungal Species on Embryonic Development of Ascaris suum (Nematoda)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of using five selected species of entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, B. brongniartii, Conidiobolus coronatus, Isaria fumosorosea, and Metarhizium robertsii) in the bioregulation of the dispersive stages of the parasitic nematode-Ascaris suum. Experimental cultures of each of the selected entomopathogenic fungi, as well as a control culture without fungi, were incubated with A. suum eggs at 26 °C for 28 days. Development of the A. suum eggs was observed using a light microscope on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days of incubation. The API-ZYM® test was used to determine, semiquantitatively, the activity of 19 hydrolytic enzymes from the entomopathogenic fungi. The cytotoxicity of the fungi was determined using tetrazole salt MTT. It was found that none of the five tested strains of entomopathogenic fungi showed an ovicidal effect, and none of them colonized the A. suum egg shells. However, ovistatic activity was observed mainly until the 14th day of incubation by I. fumosorosea, M. robertsii, and B. bassiana. In the MTT test, M. robertsii showed moderate cytotoxicity, while the other species showed low cytotoxicity. Among the strains tested, I. fumosorosea showed the highest spectrum of hydrolase production (13 out of 19 enzymes gave a positive reaction from 3 to 5; 20-40 nM or more). The absence of morphological changes in the A. suum egg shells suggests that the antagonistic effect of the studied entomopathogenic fungi may be due to their cytotoxicity, associated with the production of secondary metabolites-toxins (M. robertsii) and enzymatic activity (I. fumosorosea).

Ameliorating the antiparasitic activity of the multifaceted drug ivermectin through a polymer nanocapsule formulation

Ivermectin (IVM) is a potent antiparasitic widely used in human and veterinary medicine. However, the low oral bioavailability of IVM restricts its therapeutic potential in many parasitic infections, highlighting the need for novel formulation approaches. In this study, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocapsules containing IVM were successfully developed using the nanoprecipitation method. Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) was used as an oily core in the developed nanocapsules. Previously, PSO was chemically analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). The solubility of IVM in PSO was found to be 4,266.5 ± 38.6 μg/mL. In addition, the partition coefficient of IVM in PSO/water presented a logP of 2.44. A number of nanocapsule batches were produced by factorial design resulting in an optimized formulation. Negatively charged nanocapsules measuring around 400 nm demonstrated unimodal size distribution, and presented regular spherical morphology under transmission electron microscopy. High encapsulation efficiency (98-100%) was determined by HPLC. IVM-loaded capsules were found to be stable in nanosuspensions at 4°C and 25°C, with no significant variations in particle size observed over a period of 150 days. Nanoencapsulated IVM (0.3 mM) presented reduced toxicity to J774 macrophages and L929 fibroblasts compared to free IVM. Moreover, IVM-loaded nanocapsules also demonstrated enhanced in vitro anthelmintic activity against Strongyloides venezuelensis in comparison to free IVM. Collectively, the present findings demonstrate the promising potential of PCL-PSO nanocapsules to improve the antiparasitic effects exerted by IVM.

Seeds of Cucurbita maxima and Carica papaya are effective for controlling monogeneans in the gills of Leporinus macrocephalus

This study was carried out to evaluate the anthelminthic efficacy of seeds of Cucurbita maxima and Carica papaya for controlling monogeneans in the gills of Leporinus macrocephalus, besides hepatosomatic and splenosomatic index and condition factor of host. The fish were fed with seeds of C. maxima or C. papaya for seven days, and these treatments did not cause any mortality among them. Jainus leporini, Urocleidoides paradoxus, Urocleidoides eremitus and Tereancistrum parvus were the monogeneans found, and their prevalence in fish fed with seeds of C. papaya was 100%, while in fish fed with C. maxima the prevalence was 42.8%. Fish fed with seeds of C. papaya showed decreased in intensity and abundance of monogeneans, while fish fed with seeds of C. maxima presented decreased in abundance. Feeding of L. macrocephalus with seeds of C. maxima or C. papaya had efficacy of 69.6 and 67.8%, respectively. The hepatosomatic index of fish fed with seeds of C. maxima or C. papaya was not affected by the treatments. However, the splenosomatic index and condition factor of fish fed with C. maxima seeds decreased. Seeds of C. maxima and C. papaya may be used for controlling monogeneans of L. macrocephalus in fish farming.

Effectiveness of flor-de-seda and pomegranate aqueous extracts on eggs of the Heterakoidea Superfamily isolated from naturally infected japanese quails

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic efficacy of flor-de-seda (Calotropis procera S.W.) and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) extracts on gastrointestinal nematode eggs of Japanese quails. Stool samples were collected from a herd of 5,000 adult birds raised on the floor at a commercial farm in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The samples were packed in plastic bags, kept refrigerated and transported for laboratory analysis. The eggs were placed in 2.5 ml of the suspension and 2.5 ml of flor-de-seda and pomegranate extracts in concentrations of 50; 25; 12.5; 6.25 and 3.12%. Readings were subsequently taken at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The aqueous pomegranate extract at 25 and 50% was more efficient on the larvae hatching. The flor-de-seda aqueous extract in both concentrations and evaluation periods showed similar action to that of the positive control treatment (Albendazole 10%). The pomegranate and flor-de-seda aqueous extracts have anthelmintic activity on the development of larvae in eggs of the Heterakoidea Superfamily and are therefore presented as an alternative to replace the drugs commonly used to control helminths in Japanese quails.

Anthelmintics in the future: current trends in the discovery and development of new drugs against gastrointestinal nematodes

The control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs), the most abundant and serious parasites of livestock, has become difficult because of the limited number of available drugs and fast development of drug resistance. Thus, considerable efforts have been devoted to developing new anthelmintics that are efficient against nematodes, especially resistant species. Here, we summarize the most recent results using various approaches: target-based or high-throughput screening (HTS) of compound libraries; the synthesis of new derivatives or new combinations of current anthelmintics; the repurposing of drugs currently approved for other indications; and lastly, the identification of active plant products. We also evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each of these approaches.

Anthelmintic Potential of Cucurbita pepo Seeds on Hymenolepis nana

OBJECTIVE

The main drug used against Hymenolepis nana is praziquantel (PZQ), which causes side effects and toxicity. In contrast, natural extracts have limited side effects and are safer. Past researches have proved that pumpkin seeds are effective as natural antimicrobial and antiparasitic treatment. The present study investigates a natural alternative and less expensive treatment against H. nana using pumpkin seeds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Healthy female albino mice were divided into four groups: normal control, infected control with H. nana, infected and treated with PZQ, and lastly, the group infected and treated with pumpkin seeds' extract.

RESULTS

Pumpkin seeds aqueous extract showed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the number and length of H. nana adult worms, number and viability of eggs in comparison to the infected control group and PZQ group. Pumpkin seed aqueous extract is proven to be an effective anthelmintic against H. nana.

CONCLUSION

We recommend pumpkin seed extract as a natural alternative, less expensive and safe therapy for H. nana. This is the first study in Saudi Arabia to investigate the therapeutic effect of pumpkin seeds' extract on H. nana.