<italic>In vivo</italic> evaluation of anti-parasitic effects of <italic>Artemisia absinthium</italic> extracts on Syphacia parasite

Abstract

Herbs are the common resources for drugs in the both forms of traditional or pure products. WHO prepared a comprehensive list of herbs as well as their extracts are currently using for experimental trials against a variety of diseases. Such herbal products could be used for providing novel effective drug targets. This study has been carried out in order to evaluate the effects of various native herbs are currently used for anti parasitic purposes in Iran as well as their application in traditional medicines. The authors examined direct effects of Artemisia absinthium extract in removing Syphacia parasite in the experimental mouse. Herbal extract was prepared by dried plant in absolute ethanol, mixed well, incubated and finally extracted by evaporator rotation device. Experimental mice were treated with A. absinthium extract 10 days after infection by orally inoculated with Syphacia ova. Mice were examined by observation of Syphacia ova in their feces. Three groups of mice were treated with A. absinthium extract at concentrations of 2.5%, 5% and 10% respectively, whereas the fifth group was administrated with Pyrantel pamoate. Microscopical examination of feces indicated no Syphacia ova in all experimental groups, which was verified later by hitopathological study of target organs at the terminal stage of experiment. It is concluded here that pharmacological application of Artemisia absinthium extract was able to decrease the number of Syphacia parasite ova in mice with least pathophysiological side effects. This will draw new insights in designing novel anti-parasitic drugs are extracted from plants are grown especially in the Middle East, South East and central Asia.