In-vitro anthelminthic activity of crude aqueous extracts of Aloe ferox, Leonotis leonurus and Elephantorrhiza elephantina against Haemonchus contortus

Abstract

Aloe ferox (Mill), Leonotis leonurus (L) R. BR; and Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels are plants frequently used by resource-limited farmers in the Eastern Cape Province to control gastrointestinal parasites in goats. A study was conducted to validate their anthelminthic activities in-vitro on the egg and larvae of the nematode parasite Haemonchus contortus. The crude aqueous extracts of leaves of A. ferox and L. leonurus; and roots of E. elephantina were used. Eggs and larvae of the parasite were incubated at 25 degrees C in aqueous extracts at concentrations of 0.625-20 mg/ml for 48 h and 7 days for the egg hatch and larval development assays respectively. Albendazole and water were the positive and negative controls respectively. Inhibition of egg hatching and larval development increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing concentrations of the extracts. E. elephantina and L. leonurus extracts had 100% egg hatch inhibition at concentration as low as 2.5 mg/ml and 1.25 mg/ml respectively, whereas A. ferox extracts had 100% inhibition at concentrations of 20 mg/ml. At the lowest concentration tested (0.625 mg/ml), E. elephantina inhibited egg hatching >96% and this was comparable to albendazole at the same concentration. E. elephantina and L. leonurus also totally inhibited larval development at concentrations of 1.25 mg/ml. The study provided evidence that A. ferox, E. elephantina and L. leonurus extracts possess anthelminthic activity, thus justifying their use in the treatment of GI helminthosis. There is however need to assess the safety of these plants in vivo and also to undertake in vivo efficacy studies.

Commercially Important Medicinal Plants of South Africa: A Review

“…e most abundant components of the volatile compounds included 3, 6 octatriene (23.86%), 3-cyclohexane-1-hetanol (7.31%), bornylene (5.24%), 1, 3-cyclopentadiene (4.07%), and 5-methyl-3-heptanol (3.92%). Scienti�c studies have veri�ed numerous traditional uses such as laxative effects [30] and antioxidant [31], antiin�ammatory [32,33], antimicrobial [34], anthelmintic [35], and anticancer [36] properties. Using the low-dose streptozotocin diabetes rat model, recent studies have shown promise of A. ferox in treating diabetes [37].…”

Anthelmintic activity of Cymbopogon citratus against Haemonchus contortus

“…One promising alternative has been to research and identify plant products with anthelmintic properties (MAPHOSA et al, 2010). The selection of candidate plants with nematicidal activity involves several experimental stages, including an initial screening using in vitro assays with free-living stages of H. contortus (CAMURÇA-VASCONCELOS et al, 2005), and subsequent in vivo evaluations (JESÚS-GABINO et al, 2010).…”

In vitro effects of Coriandrum sativum, Tagetes minuta, Alpinia zerumbet and Lantana camara essential oils on Haemonchus contortus

“…These concerns have led to the search for and evaluation of alternative control methods (ATHANASIADOU et al, 2001). One promising alternative investigated for the control of gastrointestinal parasites has been the use of phytotherapics (MAPHOSA et al, 2010). Efforts are being made to evaluate several medicinal plants for their anthelmintic potential in different parts of the world.…”