Extracts of Euphorbia hirta Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) and Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel (Apocynaceae) demonstrate activities against Onchocerca volvulus Microfilariae in vitro

Abstract

BackgroundOnchocerciasis transmitted by Onchocerca volvulus is the second major cause of blindness in the world and it impacts negatively on the socio-economic development of the communities affected. Currently, ivermectin, a microfilaricidal drug is the only drug recommended for treating this disease. There have been speculations, of late, concerning O. volvulus resistance to ivermectin. Owing to this, it has become imperative to search for new drugs. World-wide, ethnomedicines including extracts of Euphorbia hirta and Rauvolfia vomitoria are used for treating various diseases, both infectious and non-infectious.MethodIn this study extracts of the two plants were evaluated in vitro in order to determine their effect against O. volvulus microfilariae. The toxicity of the E. hirta extracts on monkey kidney cell (LLCMK2) lines was also determined.ResultsThe investigations showed that extracts of both plants immobilised microfilariae at different levels in vitro and, therefore, possess antifilarial properties. It was found that all the E. hirta extracts with the exception of the hexane extracts were more effective than those of R. vomitoria. Among the extracts of E. hirta the ethyl acetate fraction was most effective, and comparable to that of dimethanesulphonate salt but higher than that of Melarsoprol (Mel B). However, the crude ethanolic extract of E. hirta was found to be the least toxic to the LLCMK2 compared to the fractionated forms.ConclusionsExtracts from both plants possess antifilarial properties; however, the crude extract of E. hirta was found to be least toxic to LLCMK2.

In Vitro Assessment of Anthelmintic Activities ofRauwolfia vomitoria(Apocynaceae) Stem Bark and Roots against Parasitic Stages ofSchistosoma mansoniand Cytotoxic Study

“…It was reported that the bark of R. vomitoria can be used against such parasites as lice and scabies. Attah et al (2013) showed that roots of R. vomitoria possess antifilarial properties against Onchocerca volvulus [ 24 ]. In this study, we evaluated the root and stem bark of R. vomitoria as an important but not yet known aspect of the schistosomicidal effect on two different life stages of S. mansoni .…”

A Comparison of Bioactive Constituents and in Vitro Antioxidant Potential of Asthma Weed (Euphorbia Hirta), With Those of Other Antiasthmatic Plants Growing in Tabuk Region, Saudi Arabia

“…4). The bioactive constituents of E. hirta include flavonoids (quercetin and myrcetin), sterols, tannins, and triterpenoids (Attah et al, 2013;Onyeka et al, 2018;Salehi et al, 2019). The abundance of these bioactive substances makes them powerful scavengers.…”

An Ethnomedicinal Survey of Plants Used To Treat Malaria in the Central Region of Ghana

“…This interesting concept could bring together small quantities of active compounds present in individual herbs to benefit from their therapeutic effect [19] , as has been used in the preparation of allopathic drugs as combined therapy. Most of the plants [20] Artemisia annua which is also reported to possess a contraceptive agent [21] , Phyllanthusniruri [22] , and Nigella sativa [23] could contain important properties like antioxidants, free radical scavenging activities, hypolipidemic potential and protection against apoptosis of erythrocytes, anti-microfilarial, antianphylactic regulate blood glucose [19,20,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] to treat multiple symptoms as mentioned earlier. Leaves are easy to process and have always formed the major plant part for use [18] in decoctions for easy extraction of ingredients although stem barks are reported to be preferred by the people of India [33] .…”