Anthelmintic Potential Research Articles

Investigation of anthelmintic potential of oyster mushroom Pleurotus florida

Investigation of anthelmintic potential of oyster mushroom Pleurotus florida

Evaluation of Cymbopogon schoenanthus essential oil in lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus

Hematophagous gastrointestinal parasites cause significant economic losses in small ruminant grazing systems. The growing reports of multi-drug resistant parasites call for intensive research on alternative treatments for anthelmintics to help small ruminants cope with these parasites. Two-month-old lambs with mean body weight (BW) of 22.5kg were experimentally infected with a multidrug-resistant Haemonchus contortus strain. Infected animals were dosed orally with Cymbopogon schoenanthus essential oil to evaluate its anthelmintic potential. Eighteen animals were allocated into three groups of six animals, and each received one of the following treatments: Group 1 – control (10mL of water), Group 2 –C. schoenanthus essential oil (180mg/kg BW); and Group 3 –C. schoenanthus essential oil (360mg/kg BW). Animals received the oil once a day for 3 consecutive days. Lambs were evaluated clinically for blood biochemistry before, at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after treatment, and then were euthanized to assess the total worm burden. No statistically significant reduction in fecal egg count, packed cell volume or total worm count was observed after treatments. Also, no statistical difference among group means for blood levels of urea, creatinine, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase was found. Larval development assay (LDA) and egg hatch assay (EHA) were performed from feces of treated animals at 1, 5, 10 and 15 days after essential oil administration. An inhibition in LDA was observed 1 day after the 3-day treatment in larvae from feces of animals treated with 360mg/kg essential oil. In conclusion, the essential oil at the doses of 180mg/kg and 360mg/kg was safe to sheep, but failed as an anthelmintic treatment when applied to young sheep artificially infected with a multidrug-resistant H. contortus strain.

Anthelmintic activity of Clerodendrum viscosum

The juice of the fresh leaves of Clerodendrum viscosum is widely used in the treatment of helminthiasis in folklore medicine. In this present study we have investigated the folklore claim methodically and scientifically. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves and roots of the plant are tested against Pheretima posthuma & Ascardia galli to ascertain their anthelmintic potential. All the extracts showed significant anthelmintic activity in dose dependent manner; the ethanolic extract of root at a dose of 200 mg/ml exhibited better anthelmintic activity than the reference drug, Piperazine citrate (10 mg/ml) against both type of worms.

Anthelmintic activities of chloroform and methanol extracts of Buchholzia coriacea Engler seed

The anthelmintic potentials of the chloroform and methanol extracts of Buchholzia coriacea Engler seed were investigated. In folklore medicine, B. coriacea (Capparidaceae) is believed to be useful in the treatment of various kinds of ailments and diseases. At doses of 10 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, the extracts were tested against Eudrilus eugeniae (earthworm) and Bunostomum phlebotomum (cattle hookworm). The extracts exhibited dose-dependent anthelmintic effects on the earthworms and hookworms. The methanol extract at 50 mg/kg was the most active extract against the helminths, and the activity of the methanol extract was not significantly different from that of piperazine hydrate (reference drug, 10 mg/kg) against the earthworms.

A comparative study of the anthelmintic potential of Cleome Viscosa L. and Cleome Burmanni W. and A.

Methanol, aqueous and chloroform extracts of Cleome viscosa and Cleome burmanni were tested for anthelmintic potential against the Indian earthworm Pheritima posthuma. Different concentrations of the extracts ranging from 50-2000 μg/ml were tested and results expressed as time required for paralysis and death of the worms. Piperazine citrate was used as a reference standard and DMSO (1%) as the negative control. The methanol extracts of Cleome viscosa and Cleome burmanni exhibited significant anthelmintic activity. Methanol extract of Cleome viscosa at a concentration of 2000 μg/ml was detected to be the most effective treatment dose. Thin layer chromatography of methanol extracts of both plants revealed the presence of terpenoids.

In vivo evaluation of anthelmintic potential of medicinal plant extracts against Dactylogyrus intermedius (Monogenea) in goldfish (Carassius auratus)

In the present study, an attempt has been made to petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts of Prunus amygdalus Batsch seeds (Semen amygdali), Cimicifuga foetida L. rhizomes (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Peucedanum decursivum (Miq.) Maxim roots (Radix Peucedani), Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng. seeds (Semen Momordicae), and Bupleurum chinense DC. roots (Radix Bupleuri chinensis) for their in vivo anthelmintic activity against monogenean Dactylogyrus intermedius in goldfish (Carassius auratus). The results showed that the efficacies of methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts from R. Bupleuri chinensis were found to be, in this order, more effective than others with the 48 h-EC(50) and EC(90) values of 3.5 and 6.9, 6.0 and 8.4, 7.4 and 11.2 mg/L, respectively, followed by ethyl acetate extract of R. cimicifugae and chloroform extract of R. peucedani with EC(50) 189.2 and 240.4 mg/L. The promising methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts from R. Bupleuri chinensis were subjected to acute toxicity tests for the evaluation of their safety to the host. After 48-h exposure, the mortalities of goldfish were recorded, and the established LC(50) values were 10.1-, 4.2-, and 8.4-fold higher than the corresponding EC(50). These results indicated that the three extracts from R. Bupleuri chinensis exhibit potential to be used as preferred natural antiparasitics for the control of the D. intermedius, especially for the methanolic one.

Potentilla fulgens (Family Rosaceae), a medicinal plant of north-east India: a natural anthelmintic?

The cestode parasite, Raillietina echinobothrida and the trematode, Gastrothylax crumenifer were exposed to the ethanolic root peel extract of Potentilla fulgens, an antiparasitic local medicinal plant of Meghalaya, India, to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of the plant. The parasites were incubated in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100mg crude alcoholic extract per ml of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at a temperature of 37±1°C. Paralysis and death were observed at 2.00±0.05 and 2.80±0.06h for the cestode and 1.21±0.06 and 2.18±0.04h for the trematode parasites at the highest test concentration of the plant extract. The commercial anthelmintic, Praziquantel (PZQ) showed higher activity at the tested concentration (0.02mg/ml). To further investigate the efficacy of the plant extract, vital tegumental enzymes of the parasite viz. Acid phosphatase (AcPase), Alkaline phosphatase (AlkPase) and Adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) were studied. Quantitatively, the total enzyme activity of AcPase, AlkPase and ATPase was found to be reduced significantly by 69.20, 66.43 and 29.63% for R. echinobothrida and 47.96, 51.79 and 42.63% for G. crumenifer, respectively compared to the respective controls; histochemical study also showed reduction in the visible staining of the enzymes. The reference drug, PZQ also showed more or less similar effect like that of the plant extract. The result suggests that phytochemicals of P. fulgens have anthelmintic potential.

Paralytic and lethal effects of Trichosanthes dioica root extracts in experimental worms

Context: Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), called pointed gourd in English, is a dioecious climber and its roots are traditionally used in India as a hydrogouge cathartic, tonic, and febrifuge, and in the treatment of jaundice, anasarca, and ascites.Objective: To evaluate the in vitro effects of different solvent extracts of T. dioica root in experimental worms, viz. annelids and nematodes.Materials and methods: The in vitro paralytic and lethal effects of defatted dichloromethane (DCTD), methanol (METD), and aqueous (AQTD) extracts of T. dioica root were evaluated against Pheretima posthuma (Annelida) and Ascaridia galli (Nematoda) by keeping the worms in different concentrations of each test extract under specific experimental conditions followed by determination of mean paralysis and lethal times. Albendazole was used as the reference drug.Results and discussion: All the extracts demonstrated concentration-dependent paralytic and lethal effects on P. posthuma and lethal effects on A. galli. The DCTD was found to be the most potent followed by the METD and AQTD. A. galli was found to be more sensitive than P. posthuma against all extracts, indicating T. dioica root as an effective nematocide.Conclusion: The present study establishes the in vitro wormicidal property of T. dioica root extracts against the experimental worms, showing promising nematocidal (and hence anthelmintic) potential.

Anti-microbial, Anti-oxidant and Anthelmintic Activity of Crude Extract of Solanum xanthocarpum

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial, anti-oxidant and anthelmintic potential of extracts of the herb Solanum xanthocarpum. The antimicrobial activity was tested against selected bacterial and fungal species by agar well diffusion method and the antioxidant activity was assessed using FRAP and reducing power scavenging assays. While that of anthelmintic activity was performed against the erthworms. The FRAP assay evaluates the ability of a substance to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins; phytosterols and carbohydrates in the plant.

Investigation of anthelmintic potential of few plants from Satpuda hills

The aqueous extract of Cassia fistula bark (Bahava) and Costus speciosus (Pewda) were investigated separately for their anthelmintic activity using earthworms (Eisenia foetida) and tapeworms (Taenia saginata) as test animals. Various concentrations (10–50 mg/ml) of plant extracts were tested. Both the aqueous extracts possess vermicidal activity and found to be effective as anthelmintic..

Evaluation of Bauhinia variegata Linn Stem Bark for Anthelmintic and Antimicrobial Properties

This research work was taken up to investigate the anthelmintic and antimicrobial potential of the stem bark of Bauhinia variegata Linn. The crude ethanolic extract of the plant was evaluated for anthelmintic activity using Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma and Ascardia galli as test worms. Various concentrations (10-100 mg/ml) of ethanolic extract were tested in the bioassay, which involved determination of time of paralysis (P) and time of death (D) of the worms. Piperazine citrate (10mg/ml) included as reference standard. Antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanolic extract was evaluated by agar disc diffusion method and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined by broth dilution method by using some bacterial and fungal strains of microorganism. Ciprofloxacin (5μg/ml) and Cotrimazole (25μg/ml) were used as reference standard for the antibacterial and antifungal studies respectively. The ethanolic extract showed promising anthelmintic and antimicrobial activities and results were comparable with the standards included in the study.

Synthetic studies on novel benzimidazolopeptides with antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anthelmintic potential

Four substituted benzimidazolyl-benzoic/salicylic acids 5-8 were synthesized by interaction of 5,6-dimethyl-/6-nitrobenzimidazoles with diazotized substituted/unsubstituted aminobenzoic acids in the presence of cupric chloride. The coupling of compounds 5-8 with different amino acid ester hydrochlorides/dipeptide/tripeptide/tetrapeptide methyl esters afforded novel benzimidazolopeptide derivatives 5a-f, 6a-h, 7a-g and 8a-g. The structures of all newly synthesized compounds were established on the basis of analytical, IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and mass spectral data. Selected peptide ester derivatives were further hydrolyzed by using lithium hydroxide (LiOH) to yield corresponding acid derivatives 5b(a)-d(a), 6e(a)-g(a), 7c(a)-e(a) and 8e(a)-g(a). All peptide derivatives were screened for their antimicrobial, anthelmintic and cytotoxic activities. Almost all newly synthesized benzimidazolopeptides have shown moderate to good anthelmintic activity against all three earthworm species and good antimicrobial activity against pathogenic fungal strains Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger, gram negative bacterial strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Compounds 8g and 8g(a) possessed significant cytotoxic activity against Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) and Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell lines.

Evaluation of Anthelmintic Potential of Ethanolic Plant Extracts from Northern Cameroon Against Eggs and Infective Larvae of Haemonchus contortus

Evaluation of Anthelmintic Potential of Ethanolic Plant Extracts from Northern Cameroon Against Eggs and Infective Larvae of Haemonchus contortus

Novel sources of anthelmintics

The G-series of naturally occurring compounds from Eucalyptus species contain representatives that are endoperoxides and Mannich bases. Mannich bases have been shown to be effective in killing protozoa in vitro. Previous studies of the role of cells of the immune system reveal that helminth parasites are susceptible to free radical attack. A 3-year research project studied the anthelmintic potential of endoperoxides and/or Mannich bases derived from G-compounds. Results from 1 series of synthetic analogues which show a positive relationship between chemical structure and anthelmintic activity are reported here. A G-Mannich base with an aromatic ring side chain as well as a long aliphatic side chain was the most active analogue in the series with an LD 50<0.1 mM in an in vitro larval motility assay. This work showed that Mannich bases are a potential source of compounds for parasite control. More work on formulation and pharmacokinetics is required to advance these compounds to the threshold of commercial production.

Efficacy of intraruminal albendazole boluses against Dicrocoelium dendriticum in sheep.

The anthelmintic potential of albendazole (ABZ) in intraruminal boluses (Proftril-Captec) was investigated in sheep harbouring naturally acquired Dicrocoelium infection. The anthelmintic efficacy was assessed by coprological testing during the autumn pasture and comparison of worm counts in 22 necropsied animals (11 treated and 11 untreated) at the end of the experiment. The mean faecal egg count (EPG) in treated animals dropped significantly during week 2, and between the 4th and the 12th week the faecal samples were almost negative. The health status of treated animals improved significantly during the first 2 weeks. Helminthological dissection of livers and small intestines revealed 91.8% efficacy, but a small number of live adult flukes were found in all treated animals.

Epsiprantel, a new tapeworm remedy. Preliminary efficacy studies in dogs and cats

The anthelmintic potential of epsiprantel, 2-(cyclohexylcarbonyl)-4-oxo-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,12 b-octahydropyrazino[2,1- a][2]benzazepine, was revealed using the tapeworms Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis in the cat, and Taenia pisiformis and T. hydatigena in the dog. Subsequent controlled tests in cats demonstrated oral efficacy of 100% against D. caninum with a single dose of 2·5 mg/kg. Although consistently 100% effective against T. taeniaeformis at 5 mg/kg, a single worm was found in one cat treated at 7·5 mg/kg. In experimental infections of Taenia pisiformis in dogs, 100% activity was achieved from a single oral dose of 1 mg/kg. No adverse reaction or drug-associated toxicity were observed at dose levels used.

Activity of luxabendazole against liver flukes, gastrointestinal roundworms, and lungworms in naturally infected sheep.

The anthelmintic potential of luxabendazole was investigated in sheep harboring mixed naturally acquired helminth infections. Results were assessed by comparing worm counts of the treated groups (seven animals each) on days 7-8 posttreatment with those of the nontreated control group, except for protostrongylid lungworms, for which the changes in pre- and posttreatment group mean larval counts/g feces were assessed for intensity effect. A single oral treatment at doses of 10.0 or 12.5 mg/kg body wt removed 97.6% of the adult Fasciola hepatica and 63.2%-83.8% of the Dicrocoelium dendriticum. Luxabendazole at 7.5, 10.0, and 12.5 mg/kg proved 100% effective in removing adult worms of the genera Haemonchus, Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia and Nematodirus as well as tissue-associated larval stages of gastrointestinal nematodes of the abomasal mucosa. The drug showed an intensity effect of 79.7%-87.6% against Strongyloides papillosus. Luxabendazole removed all Dictyocaulus filaria and reduced the fecal excretion of larvae of protostrongylid species (Protostrongylus rufescens, Neostrongylus linearis, Cystocaulus ocreatus, Muellerius capillaris) by 97.8%-99.6%. The efficacy of luxabendazole compared favorably with that of Diplin Kombi (oxyclozanide and levamisole), which was used as a reference drug.

Anthelmintic activity of a benzimidazoline compound in sheep by abomasal infusion.

In vitro and in vivo data on the benzimidazoline compound indicate anthelmintic potential when introduced directly into the abomasum.