Effect of Five Mediterranean Shrubs Extracts on Larval Exsheathment of Haemonchus contortus

Abstract

Background: Mediterranean shrub species cover more than 70% of the total area in Tunisia and in summer when the herbaceous species have wilted, they constitute feeding resource for livestock. The use of tanniniferous shrubs seems to be a good alternative to control gastrointestinal nematodes infections in small ruminants. This study evaluated the in vitro anthelmintic (AH) effect of Ceratonia siliqua (C. siliqua), Periploca angustifolia Labill. (P. angustifolia) and Medicago arborea (M. arborea) against Haemonchus contortus third stage larvae (L3). Methods: The larval exsheathment assay (LEA) was used to determine the proportions (%) of exsheathment of five acetonic extracts at different concentrations (1200, 600, 300, 150 μg/ml). To confirm the role of tannins in the AH effects of extracts, polyvinyl polypyrolidone (PVPP) was used as deactivating chemical tannins. Result: The highest % L3 exsheathed was recorded for M. arborea (55.01%) and the lowest value was founded for C. siliqua and P. angustifolia leaves (16.26%). Our results were concentration-dependent (P less than 0.001). The % of exsheathment increased as the time of incubation increased (P less than 0.001). P. angustifolia pods recorded the lowest EC50 value (P less than 0.05). After PVPP addition, all the acetonic extracts showed a restoration of L3 exsheathment values similar to control values (P less than 0.001).

Recent Advances in the Control of Endoparasites in Ruminants from a Sustainable Perspective

“…Another strategy recently explored is the use of natural compounds produced by edible mushrooms [ 53 , 54 ] and fungi with nematocidal activity [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ], which, in the near future, are expected to replace, either fully or partially, chemically synthesized anthelmintic drugs routinely used in farms maintained under grazing systems. In recent years, other approaches, such as the use of bioactive plants for GIN control, have been widely explored [ 59 , 60 , 61 ]. Ethnoveterinary medicine is an ancient practice performed mostly by rural communities worldwide, which has emerged as a necessity to counteract anthelmintic resistance and the negative impacts of GIPN on animal welfare and performance [ 62 , 63 ].…”

“…The use of plants rich in these compounds as part of the diet for livestock under a nutraceutical approach could contribute to diminishing the parasite population in grazing animals [66,67]. Several studies, both in vitro and in vivo, have confirmed the use of PSM for GIPN control [60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69]. As the versatility of bioactive plants is one of their most appealing characteristics, they can be used as (i) a phytochemical source for drug development, (ii) as source of plant extracts or essential oils for animal drenching or (iii) as an addition to feedstuff with nutraceutical properties [70].…”