In vitro lethal effect of Zingiber officinale R. on protoscolices of hydatid cyst from sheep liver

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis (Hydatid disease) is a zoonotic disease caused by <em>Echinococcus granulosus</em>. The aim of this study, was to evaluate the scolicidal activity of methanolic extract of <em>Zingiber officinale</em> (Rosc.) family Zingibe - raceae, against protoscolices of hydatid cyst. Protoscolices were collected aseptically from sheep livers containing hydatid cyst and were exposed to different concentrations of ginger extract for various exposure times. Scolicidal activity of <em>Z. officinale</em> extract at concentration of 25 mg/mL was 25.6%, 39.1%, 56.7%, 83.7%, 98.1% and 100% after 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min of exposure respectively. Scolicidal effect of this extract at concentration of 50 mg/mL was 52%, 85.8 %, 99.6% and 100% after 10, 20, 30 and 40 min of exposure respectively. <em>Z. officinale</em> extract at concentration of 100 mg/mL killed 76.5 %, 87% and 100 % of protoscolices after 10, 20 and 30 min respectivly. The results of this study showed that the methanolic extract of <em>Z. officinale</em> has high scolicidal activity and might be used as a natural scolicidal agent.