Abstract
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. is a xerophylous plant that originated in tropical and subtropical America. This plant is popularly known in Brazil as “palma forrageira” (cactus pear) and plays a fundamental role in animal nutrition, mainly in the Northeastern semi-arid region of the country. The plant has several uses since it presents bioactive compounds that confer biological and pharmacological properties. In this context, the cactus pear can also be considered a potential product to combat parasite infections. The objective of this study was to chemically characterize the O. ficus-indica hydroalcoholic extract (OFIEOH) and to determine its efficacy against gastrointestinal parasites using in vitro tests. Initially, the hydroalcoholic extract from cladode peels of O. ficus-indica was produced by maceration for 21 days. For the chemical characterization, colorimetric dosages were performed for carbohydrates, proteins, phenols and condensed tannins. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry/electron spray ionization (LC-MS/ESI) was used to characterize the polyphenolic profile of the OFIEOH extract. Fifteen compounds were identified in the OFIEOH extract, such as methyl, glycosylated and aglycone quercetin derivatives and aglycone and glycosylated kaempferol derivatives. Tri-glycosylated methyl quercetin derivatives were the main compounds identified. In vitro egg hatch (EHT) and larval migration tests (LMT) were used in a range of concentrations of OFIEOH from 12.5 to 100 mg/mL for EHT and 12.5 to 200 mg/mL for LMT. In addition, the LMT was used to test ivermectin (IVM) (from 11.4 to 57.1 µM), associated with the inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50) for OFIEOH. The combination of OFIEOH (12.5 to 200 mg/mL) plus the IC50 of IVM was also tested. The efficacy of OFIEOH alone varied from 19.33 to 90.0% using the EHT. The LMT revealed an efficacy of 5.78 to 77.26% for the extract. Both tests showed a concentration-dependence inhibitory effect. We found a drug-extract antagonistic neutralizing effect when doses of IVM were added to OFIEOH (maximum efficacy of 73.78%), while a positive additive effect was observed when OFIEOH was added to the IC50 of IVM (IC50 of 82.79 for OFIEOH alone against an IC50 of 55.08 of OFIEOH + IVM). The data from this work indicate that OFIEOH alone may be considered as a suitable ecofriendly product to control gastrointestinal parasites of sheep, offering a more holistic approach to improve animal farming and welfare. The drug-extract interaction is also a promising therapeutic alternative, reducing the final dose to the host, with an optimum combination effect.
Highlights
In recent decades, the use of medicinal plants in human and veterinary medicine has been expanding as an aid to the prevention and treatment of diseases, caused by bacteria or parasites [1,2].In Brazil, the use of medicinal plants for such purposes presents strong influence from the Native indigenous people, African and European culture [3,4]
Among the various plants studied for pharmacological purposes, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae) is a plant popularly known in Brazil as “palma forrageira”
Due to the importance of O. ficus-indica to animals in Brazil and other regions [6,8], the aim of this work was to perform a phytochemical characterization of the hydroalcoholic extract of O. ficus-indica cladode peels (OFIEOH), as well as to perform in vitro egg hatch and larval migration tests to determine its efficacy against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep
Summary
The use of medicinal plants in human and veterinary medicine has been expanding as an aid to the prevention and treatment of diseases, caused by bacteria or parasites [1,2].In Brazil, the use of medicinal plants for such purposes presents strong influence from the Native indigenous people, African and European culture [3,4]. (Cactaceae) is a plant popularly known in Brazil as “palma forrageira” (cactus pear) It is widely known because of its nutritional and medicinal usage [5,6]. This cactus was introduced to Brazil during the end of the 19th century with the objective to produce carmine dye [7]. The vegetative parts, called cladodes, are adaptations of the stems that replace the leaves in their photosynthetic function and can store large amounts of water that is used by animals [6] This high-water content property is considered an important quality to semi-arid regions of Brazil, as it may be the only alternative water supply for animals during long drought periods [9]. The cactus can be considered a potential product for veterinary purposes, being a source of a new anti-parasitic compound [10,11]
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