Scolicidal Effects of Gallic Acid, One of the Major Compounds of Plants, on Protoscolices of Hydatid Cyst

Abstract

Background: Today’s, the recurrent of hydatidosis remain as a concern in many surgeries. Exposure of a suitable effective scolicidal agent with protoscolex-rich fluid can prevent these complications. In recent studies more have been considered to importance of natural products particularly herbal medcines to evaluate their scolicidal effects. Gallic acid a type of organic acid is one of the main known effective biological phenolic substances of plants. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Gallic acid on protoscolices of hydatid cysts in in vitro. Methods: In this experimental study, the protoscolices were obtained from liver hydatid cysts of infected sheep. Gallic acid solution was used at the concentration of 25, 30 and 35 mg/mL for 1, 3, and 5 minutes. The live protoscolices were detected by 0.1% eosin dye. Data analysis was performed by SPSS version 11.5 and one-way ANOVA test. Results: The Gallic acid at the concentration of 25 mg/mL disabled 35.65%, 52.21% and 65.38% of protoscolices after 1, 3 and 5 min of faced time together, respectively. Also, the scolicidal rate of Gallic acid at concentration of 30 mg/mL was 29.92%, 63.80% and 67.76% after 1, 3 and 5 min, respectively. It was observed that concentration of 35 mg/mL Gallic acid on protoscolices caused 92.08% and 100% mortality rate of parasites after 1 and 3 minutes, respectively (compared with 9.9% in control groups). Conclusions: The findings of present study showed that Gallic acid as an effective constituent of some herbal scolicidal agent can be considered as responsible for killing of protoscolices. However, further studies will be needed to confirm this phytochemicals active component in animal models.