In vitro Scolicidal Effect of Ethonolic Extracts of Juglans regia and Carica papaya on Hydatid Cysts of Sheep and Goats from North Western Himalayas

Abstract

Over a century ago, there are anecdotal stories of the use of therapeutic antihelminthic plants, such as papaya (Carica papaya) against cestode infections. Various studies have explored the efficacy of traditional plants in the inactivation of protoscolices and have reported the scolicidal effect of plants. Further, these plants have relatively lower side effects compared to chemotherapeutic agents and are suggested to be used for treatment of this disease in humans as well. Thus, in the present study the in vitro scolicidal effect of C. papaya and J. regia on Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices was explored from sheep, goat and human cysts in Jammu region of North Western Himalayas. The ethanolic extracts of J. regia and C. papaya showed significant scolicidal activity against E. granulosus, under in-vitro conditions with reference to the known standard drug “Praziquantel”. Against J. regia, highest mortality was observed at 30 mg/ml concentration at different exposure time as 10 min. (88.58%), 20 min. (91.24%), 30 min. (93.16%) and 40 min. (96.64%). Against C. papaya, highest mortality was observed at 30 mg/ml concentration at different exposure time as 10 min. (82.95%), 20 min. (85.83%), 30 min. (90.23%) and 40 min. (92.95%).