Impact of Seasonal and Organ-Related Fluctuations on the Anthelmintic Properties and Chemical Profile of Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl Extracts

Abstract

The use of plants and their metabolites stands as a promising option to tackle parasitic infections by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in integrated control strategies. Still, the influence of environmental and phenological factors, and their interactions, in the wild on the metabolomics and biological properties of target plant species, is often disregarded. In this work, we hypothesized that variations in the anthelmintic (AH) properties and chemical composition of extracts from the salt tolerant species Cladium mariscus L. Pohl (sawgrass) may be influenced by seasonal factors and organ-parts. To test this hypothesis, acetone/water extracts were prepared from dried biomass obtained from aerial organs collected from sawgrass in consecutive seasons and tested against Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis by the larval exsheathment inhibition assay (LEIA) and egg hatching inhibition assay (EHIA). To ascertain the role of plant organ, the activity of leaves and inflorescences extracts from summer samples was compared. The role of polyphenols in the anthelmintic activity depending on GINs and fluctuations across seasons and plant organs was assessed using polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), coupled with an in-depth chemical profiling analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography completed with electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-ESI-MSn). Main differences in anthelmintic activities were observed for summer and autumn samples, for both assays. Moreover, inflorescences’ extracts were significantly more active than those from leaves against both parasite species on EHIA and against H. contortus on LEIA. Application of PVPP totally inhibit the AH effects based on EHIA and only partly for LEIA. Non-treated PVPP extracts were predominantly composed of flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, luteolin and glycosylated flavonoids, while two flavonoid glycosides were quantified in all PVPP-treated samples. Thus, the activity of such compounds should be further explored, although some unknown metabolites remain to be identified. This study reinforces the hypothesis of the AH potential of sawgrass and of its polyphenolic metabolites uses as nutraceutical and/or phytotherapeutic drugs.

Development of In Vitro Assays with the Canine Hookworm Uncinaria stenocephala and Assessment of Natural Plant Products for Anti-Parasitic Activity

“…However, the effects were somewhat less pronounced (36.1% and 35.9% in the LMA) than in the previous work by Bonde et al with A. suum L3 (97.8% and 42.1%) [24]. The difference in activity between the polar extracts SW1 and SW2 emphasizes the potential effects that harvesting location and time of year contribute to differences in bioactivity [27].…”

“…In livestock, high levels of anthelmintic drug resistance have meant that novel control and treatment (i.e., alternatives to synthetic drugs) options have been increasingly explored. One of these options is the use of plant extracts or other bioactive dietary compounds as functional food components [23][24][25][26][27]. Bioactive plants have been used for centuries but only recently have controlled scientific studies been employed to validate the use of these complementary treatment options and to identify the active compounds.…”

Salt-Tolerant Plants as Sources of Antiparasitic Agents for Human Use: A Comprehensive Review

“…P. lentiscus , L. monopetalum , C. mariscus, and H. italicum picardi were the most active in both GINs and life stages of the nematodes [ 77 ]. In particular, C. mariscus aerial parts collected during summer were more active against T. colubriformis (EC 50 = 77.8 µg/mL) [ 78 ]. Moreover, inflorescences presented the highest anthelmintic activity against T. colubriformis [EC 50 (LEIA) = 78.6 µg/mL; IC 50 (EHIA) = 848.2 µg/mL].…”

“…Moreover, inflorescences presented the highest anthelmintic activity against T. colubriformis [EC 50 (LEIA) = 78.6 µg/mL; IC 50 (EHIA) = 848.2 µg/mL]. Flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, luteolin, and glycosylated flavonoids are the main active components [ 78 ]. Some authors have also tested some halophyte extracts against S. mansoni, which is a helminth species and the causal agent of schistosomiasis in humans.…”