PSII-37 Determining the possible anthelmintic properties of allicin and pumpkin seed oil for mitigation of anthelmintic resistance found in gastrointestinal nematodes infecting ruminants

Abstract

Abstract Anthelmintics are a widely utilized treatment option for gastrointestinal nematodes infecting ruminants. Recently, these parasites have exhibited increasing resistance towards these drugs. Haemonchus controtus, a gastrointestinal nematode commonly found in small ruminants, has developed resistance towards multiple classes of anthelmintics, leading to huge economic losses worldwide. There are few novel drugs currently being developed, but certain plant-derived products have demonstrated anthelmintic properties when administered in various forms to ruminants. By utilizing these plant products, producers have the opportunity to decrease the rate of development of anthelmintic resistance, and prevent eggs from hatching when excreted by infected livestock. Therefore, it is hypothesized that specific plant-derived products will act as ovicidal agents in H. contortus eggs. The objective of this study was to determine the ovicidal activity of allicin (from Allium sativum) and pumpkin seed oil (PSO). H. contortus eggs were extracted from a pooled fecal sample of Boer and Spanish goats naturally infected with H. contortus. The eggs were then exposed to allicin or PSO at different concentrations. Experiments were replicated four times per concentration. To determine ovicidal activity, samples were observed for unhatched eggs and hatched worms for 24 hours. The 1:100 allicin dilution treatment tended (P = 0.053) to inhibit hatching more than the control. Furthermore, any worms that hatched in allicin treatments exhibited limited signs of motility. Pumpkin seed oil does not appear to possess the same ovicidal potency as allicin, but may still have potential as a larvicidal agent. Based on the current results, allicin is a potential ovicidal agent that may be used independently or incorporated with current treatment methods for H. contortus control.