Phytochemical analysis and in vitro anthelmintic activity of Lophira lanceolata (Ochnaceae) on the bovine parasite Onchocerca ochengi and on drug resistant strains of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

BackgroundOnchocerciasis is one of the tropical neglected diseases (NTDs) caused by the nematode Onchocerca volvulus. Control strategies currently in use rely on mass administration of ivermectin, which has marked activity against microfilariae. Furthermore, the development of resistance to ivermectin was observed. Since vaccine and safe macrofilaricidal treatment against onchocerciasis are still lacking, there is an urgent need to discover novel drugs. This study was undertaken to investigate the anthelmintic activity of Lophira lanceolata on the cattle parasite Onchocerca ochengi and the anthelmintic drug resistant strains of the free living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and to determine the phytochemical profiles of the extracts and fractions of the plants.MethodsPlant was extracted in ethanol or methanol-methylene chloride. O. ochengi, C. elegans wild-type and C. elegans drug resistant strains were cultured in RPMI-1640 and NGM-agar respectively. Drugs diluted in dimethylsulphoxide/RPMI or M9-Buffer were added in assays and monitored at 48 h and 72 h. Worm viability was determined by using the MTT/formazan colorimetric method. Polyphenol, tannin and flavonoid contents were determined by dosage of gallic acid and rutin. Acute oral toxicity was evaluated using Swiss albino mice.ResultsEthanolic and methanolic-methylene chloride extracts killed O. ochengi with LC50 values of 9.76, 8.05, 6.39 μg/mL and 9.45, 7.95, 6.39 μg/mL respectively for leaves, trunk bark and root bark after 72 h. The lowest concentrations required to kill 50% of the wild-type of C. elegans were 1200 and 1890 μg/mL with ethanolic crude extract, 1000 and 2030 μg/mL with MeOH-CH2Cl2 for root bark and trunk bark of L. lanceolata, respectively after 72 h. Leave extracts of L. lanceolata are lethal to albendazole and ivermectin resistant strains of C. elegans after 72 h. Methanol/methylene chloride extracted more metabolites. Additionally, extracts could be considered relatively safe.ConclusionEthanolic and methanolic-methylene chloride crude extracts and fractions of L. lanceolata showed in vitro anthelmintic activity. The extracts and fractions contained polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids and saponins. The mechanism of action of this plant could be different from that of albendazole and ivermectin. These results confirm the use of L. lanceolata by traditional healers for the treatment of worm infections.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1904-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Myrciaria tenella (DC.) O. Berg (Myrtaceae) Leaves as a Source of Antioxidant Compounds

“…Moreover, animals treated with 10 mg/mL had reduced survival under stress, and their body length indicated that the CEE at this concentration is toxic to the worms. Our results showed that the CEE at 10 mg/mL affected the worm’s life span and development, raising some hypotheses: firstly, since the CEE is a mixture of molecules including rutin, which has antimicrobial activity, this may affect the OP50 E. coli growth and consequently the C. elegans ingestion [4,44,47]; secondly, rutin or tannins present in the CEE may react with the proteins or glycoproteins present in the C. elegans cuticle and affect the development and life span of the worm [48,49]; and lastly, a third scenario could postulate that the CEE antioxidant activity at 10 mg/mL reduces ROS production to a deleterious level, creating an unbalanced REDOX state in the worm. These hypotheses may explain why the CEE was able to affect stress resistance and worm development, despite reducing the basal ROS level.…”

In-vitro Anthelmintic Effects of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Marrubium vulgare Leaves Against Bovine Digestive Strongyles

“…Moreover, plants with anthelmintic activities contain phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins. This anthelmintic activity may be attributed to an individual or a combined effect of the bioactive compounds (14).…”

In Vitro Anticoccidial Activity of Olive Pulp (Olea europaea L. var. Chemlal) Extract Against Eimeria Oocysts in Broiler Chickens

“…This anticoccidial activity could be attributed to an individual or a combined effect of the bioactive compounds [72]. These constituents could play many beneficial-associated properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects associated with compounds rich in bioactive elements (e.g., polyphenolic) [73,74].…”