The anthelmintic effects of five plant extracts on the viability of Parascaris equorum larvae

Abstract

Summary Ascariasis is a very common parasitic disease in equids, especially in young horses. Despite the use of anthelmintic drugs, resistance has been frequently reported in populations of Parascaris equorum. As a result, herbal preparations are proposed for current control strategies. In this study, a modified method was used for hatching the eggs of P. equorum. After hatching, the effects of methanolic extract of Artemisia dracunculus, Eucalyptus camadulensis, Mentha pulegium, Zataria multiflora and Allium sativum (garlic) were investigated on the recovered larvae. For each extract, the anthelmintic effects of different concentrations (50, 75, 100 and 125 mg/mL) were evaluated at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 min after the challenge. The results showed that our modifications to the older method could enhance the hatching rate for the eggs of P. equorum (to an average of 98%). Potassium dichromate was also demonstrated in this study to be a favourable medium during embryonation. In addition, all the concentrations of A. dracunculus and M. pulegium and higher levels (≥100 mg/mL concentrations) of Z. multiflora extracts had significant lethal effects on larvae from the first to the fourth 10 min of the experiment. In contrast, E. camadulensis and A. sativum had not marked effects on larvae viability at any time of the challenge. In conclusion, our data suggest that A. dracunculus, M. pulegium and Z. multiflora have potential to be used as anthelmintic for the control of ascariasis in equid host; however, these effects remain to be confirmed through in vivo studies.

Botanical Control of Parasites in Veterinary Medicine

“…Microencapsulated, plant-based mixed functional food composed of several compounds isolated from EOs, given perorally to the pigs daily in a dose of 1.0 mg/kg after fourteen days significantly reduced worm counts (76.8%), female worm counts (75.5%), FEC (68.6%), and worm volume (62.9%) (Kaplan et al 2014). In a study of Rakhshandehroo et al (2017), methanolic extracts of Artemisia dracunculus and Mentha pulegium at all tested concentrations (50, 75, 100 and 125 mg/mL) had significant lethal effects on larvae of Parascaris (P.) equorum, which is common causative agent of disease in equids, especially young horses. Botanical anthelmintics have also shown an effect against various nematodes in dogs and cats.…”

Moringa oleifera as a Natural Alternative for the Control of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Equines: A Review

“…However, it has been shown that allicin, a molecule that belongs to the organosulfur group, is the most abundant (10 mg g −1 matter fresh) in Allium sativum, and that it is responsible for its characteristic odor when crushed, as well as the inhibition it exerts on the growth of Babesia caballi and Theleria equi at concentrations of 10 and 100 µM, respectively [100,101]. Contrary to this, Buono et al [14] reported that in the short term (15 days), there is no effect of Allium sativum on the elimination of intestinal strongyle eggs in horses, while when evaluating the control of Parascaris equorum using five plants with anthelmintic properties, only Artemisia dracunculus, Mentha pulegium, and Zataria multiflora showed potential for larval control from the first instar to the fourth at concentrations greater than 100 µg mL −1 , and Eucalyptus camadulensis and Allium sativum did not exert effective control over this parasite [102].…”

A survey of ivermectin resistance in Parascaris species infected foals in south-eastern Poland

“…infection. For example, extract of Artemisia dracunculus, Mentha pulegium, Zataria multiflora have potential to be used as anthelmintic for the control of ascariasis in horses [30]. This requires further research on their activity.…”