Herbal Medicines against Hydatid Disease: A Systematic Review (2000–2021)

Abstract

Echinococcosis is a serious public health issue that affects people and livestock all over the world. Many synthetic and natural products have been examined in vitro and in vivo on Echinococcus species but only a few are used clinically, however, they may cause some complications and side effects. To overcome these limitations, new horizons of herbal drugs to cure echinococcosis are opening with every passing day. To summarize the developments during the last 21 years, we conducted this review of the literature to identify medicinal herbs utilized throughout the world that have anti-Echinococcus activity. From 2000 to 2021, data were carefully obtained from four English databases: Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and OpenGrey. Botanical name, extraction technique, extract quantities, efficacy, duration of treatment, year of publication, and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were all well noted. Ninety-one published papers, with 78 in vitro and 15 in vivo, fulfilled our selection criteria. Fifty-eight different plant species were thoroughly tested against Echinococcus granulosus. Zataria multiflora, Nigella sativa, Berberis vulgaris, Zingiber officinale (ginger), and Allium sativum were the most often utilized anti-Echinococcus herbs and the leaves of the herbs were extensively used. The pooled value of IC50 was 61 (95% CI 60–61.9) according to the random effect model and a large degree of diversity among studies was observed. The current systematic study described the medicinal plants with anti-Echinococcus activity, which could be investigated in future experimental and clinical studies to identify their in vivo efficacy, lethal effects, and mechanisms of action.

Natural Products as Therapeutic Option for Echinococcossis

“…At a dosage of 1 mg/mL, Z. multiflora eliminated all scoleces in 5 min. At dosages of 60 g/mL and 2 mg/mL for 10 min, F. asafoetida and B. vulgaris were shown to have 100% effectiveness [1,2]. Two plant species, Z. multiflora and A. sativum, showed in vivo anti-echinococcal activity.…”

“…Two plant species, Z. multiflora and A. sativum, showed in vivo anti-echinococcal activity. In the in vivo studies for their validation against E. granulosus protoscoleces, the leaf extracts, peels and other parts were tested (Table 2) [1].…”

“…Helminths are generally classified into two main phyla: Platyhelminthes (cestodes and trematodes) and Nematodes [1]. A third of the 3 billion people living in low socioeconomic conditions in the developing countries of the Americas, Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa are infected with one or more helminthes.…”

“…In China, South America, Europe, Australia, and Africa, CE raises a serious economic and public health concern. Moreover, infestations with CE result in great losses to the livestock industry (about $3 billion every year) through reduced milk supply, lower fertility, increased mortality, weight loss as well as morbidity and mortality in humans [1,5].…”

“…Currently, anthelmintics, surgery, and percutaneous aspiration are the only treat-mentsavailableforCE.Thechemicalmedications used to treat human hydatid cysts are albendazole and mebendazole. In order to treat the disease, these medications are frequently used at high doses, which might have negative effects on the liver and otherorgans [1].…”