In vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activity of Murraya koenigii against gastro-intestinal nematodes of sheep

Phytochemical Study of the Anthelminthic Potential of Guadeloupean Plant Biodiversity

Gastrointestinal parasitism is a major health and welfare problem in ruminants. Synthetic chemical anthelmintic drugs have led to the emergence of resistance in gastrointestinal strongyles, inducing the search for alternatives to control the infections that affect ruminants. The objective of this work was to evaluate the anthelmintic potential of plant extracts against Haemonchus contortus Rudolphi. Three plants of the Guadeloupean biodiversity, Momordica charantia L., Carica papaya L. and Sargassum spp., were selected based on their high polyphenolic content and natural abundance. The phytochemistry of plants was explored, a biological assay against the parasite H. contortus was carried out, and several hypotheses about the way of action were proposed by an innovative electrochemical screening method.

Anthelmintic efficacy of Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus leaf extract on juvenile and adult worms of Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda)

The leaves of Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus are used as an anthelmintic remedy by the tribal communities of upper Assam in India. The present study was carried out to validate the anthelmintic credentials of this plant. Mature and larval Hymenolepis diminuta worms were exposed to varying concentration of methanolic leaf extract of plant and parasites were observed for paralysis and mortality. At the end of the experiment, worms were collected and processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study to observe the effect of extract on tegument of parasite. The in vivo study was carried out in H. diminuta-rat model with 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg concentrations of extract. The in vivo anthelmintic efficacy was assessed by reductions in egg per gram (EPG) and worm counts after necropsy of animals. In vitro studies revealed the earliest mortality of larval worms in 1.05 ± 0.04 h by 30 mg/ml concentration and of adult worms in 2.05 ± 0.08 h. SEM study revealed extensive damage to the suckers, body tegument and microtriches of worms treated with 30 mg/ml concentration of extract. In in-vivo studies, 800 mg/kg dose of extract showed highest efficacy, with 59% and 54.25% reduction in EPG counts and worm count against juvenile worms, and 63.16% and 66.75% reduction in EPG counts and worm counts, respectively against adult worms. Although the effects were comparatively less than the reference drug, nevertheless this study reveals that P. thyrsiflorus possess anthelmintic efficacy and justify its use in traditional medicine against intestinal-worm infections.

Gastrointestinal parasites of the wild ungulates (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla) in the Hemis National Park, Ladakh, India

We evaluated the gastrointestinal parasitic prevalence and intensity of wild ungulates in the Hemis National Park of Ladakh by examining their fresh faecal samples. A total of 327 fresh faecal samples from three wild ungulates, blue sheep Pseudois nayaur (n = 127), Ladakh urial Ovis vignei vignei (n = 110), and Himalayan ibex Ibex siberica (n = 90) were collected between June 2021 and May 2022. The techniques of flotation and sedimentation were used to find parasite eggs and oocysts from the faecal samples. Out of 327 samples examined, 165 samples were infected with gastrointestinal parasites making an overall prevalence of 50.45%. Seven parasitic taxa, including one protozoan (Eimeria spp.), five nematodes (Nematodirus spp., Strongyloides spp., Haemonchus sp., Trichuris sp., and Trichostrongylus spp.), and one cestode (Monezia spp.), were found during the current investigation. Mixed infection was reported in 36 (11%) of the total examined samples. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was found to be highest in blue sheep (55.11%), followed by Ladakh urial (49.09%) and Himalayan ibex (45.55%). The highest prevalence was recorded in the summer (64.42%), and the lowest in the winter (33.82%). A significant difference in parasitic prevalence was observed across seasons in each of the three wild ungulate hosts. However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of parasites between these hosts.

In vitro anthelmintic activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Paraserianthes falcataria bark waste against Haemonchus contortus obtained from a local slaughterhouse in Indonesia

AIM

This study was conducted to determine the anthelmintic activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Paraserianthes falcataria bark against Haemonchus contortus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethanol extract of bark (E.E.B.) waste and aqueous extract of bark (A.E.B.) waste of P. falcataria (at concentrations 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1, 2.5, and 5%) and albendazole (2 mg/ml) as the positive control were placed in separate Petri dishes (50 mm). Twenty H. contortus worms were placed in Petri dishes and incubated at 37°C for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12 h. Mortality of each worm was ensured by pressing the body of the worm with a pair of tweezers and keeping it in lukewarm water for 5 min before declaring it dead. Mortality is defined as amount of death individuals and time of mortality of each worm was recorded. The parasites were then observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at an accelerating voltage of 15 Kv. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0 software, two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test to detect significant differences (p<0.05). The result was expressed as the mean ± standard deviation.

RESULTS

The E.E.B. and A.E.B. of P. falcataria contained active compounds, such as tannin, alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, steroid, and triterpenoid. E.E.B. had a higher content of phenol, while A.E.B. had a higher content of flavonoid. In this study, P. falcataria showed a significant effect (p=0.00) on H. contortus in vitro. E.E.B. (0.8%) was able to exterminate H. contortus completely after 6 h, more effective than A.E.B. (5%) while the positive control requires (2 mg/ml) after 2 h. SEM analysis of the worm treated with E.E.B. and A.E.B. showed damaged cuticle structure.

CONCLUSION

The aqueous and ethanol extracts of P. falcataria bark waste demonstrated anthelmintic activity against H. contortus.