Abstract
Development of helminthes resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs coupled with high costs and misuse of conventional drugs call for the search of medicinal plants as alternative source of helminthes control. In vitro studies were conducted to determine the anthelmintic activity and phytochemical compounds of Zanthoxylum chalybeum. Bioassay was conducted using 70% ethanol and aqueous extracts’ in serial dilutions parallel to serial dilutions of albendazole in three replicates. Ascaris suum model was used for the assays. Phytochemical methods and thin layer chromatography (TLC) were used for qualitative phytochemical analysis. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the Z. chalybeum inhibited 100 and 93% worm motility, respectively for 48 h post exposure. There was significant differences in motility inhibition by all dose levels’ that were dose-dependent when compared with negative control (F(5, 53) = 10.62, P = 0.001; R2 = 0.92). There was a significant difference in mean motility inhibition by the different methods of extraction (F(2, 53) = 323.80, P = 0.001). The ED50 of ethanolic and aqueous extracts were 30.85 and 6.28 mg/ml, respectively. The potency of the plants extracts and albendazole significantly differed (P = 0.001). The extracts contained tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, reducing sugars, coumarins derivatives, anthracenones, and anthocyanins. TLC characterization indicated the presence of polyphenols and sapogenins. In conclusion, Z. chalybeum root extracts showed anthelmintic potential and the phytochemical compounds present justify the plant’s ethno-veterinary use and could be used as improved traditional medicines. Key words: Ascaris suum, medicinal plants, motility inhibition, Nakasongola.
Highlights
Helminthes infections remain a big challenge both in developed and developing countries despite being the most neglected among the healthcare systems
This study results suggest that the root bark of Z. chalybeum have potential anthelmintic activity justifying their traditional ethno-veterinary use by the pastoral communities not withstanding under dosing revealed in the cattle corridor of Uganda that could be exploited for sustainable livestock helminths control or reduce the risk of helminths resistance to conventional drugs
The phytochemical constituents present in the plant validates the basis for their use as anthelmintic “drugs” and direct to plant’s role in medicinal uses
Summary
Helminthes infections remain a big challenge both in developed and developing countries despite being the most neglected among the healthcare systems. This is attributed to their chronic debilitating nature and the epidemiological characteristic of continuous contamination of the environment. The disease may be attributed to lack of resources to regularly de-worm affected individuals in addition to development of parasite resistance to conventional drugs resulting from poor use of drugs. Parasites infections are like to increase in the face of climate change (Weaver et al, 2010; Tinsley et al, 2011)
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