In vitroassessment of the anthelmintic activity ofHedysarum carnosumDesf. at different phenological stages and from six locations in Tunisia

Abstract

SUMMARYGastrointestinal nematodes are compromising productivity of grazing sheep and goats. Therefore, scientists have been looking for cost-effective alternative options. Forage legumes (Fabacea Family) contain tannins that could improve livestock performance and their health as well. The present study aimed to (i) determine thein vitroanthelmintic (AH) activity of 19 acetonic extracts ofHedysarum carnosumDesf onHaemonchus contortusby a larval exsheathment assay (LEA); (ii) test the anthelmintic activity of condensed tannins using a deactivating reagent, polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP); (iii) study the effect of location and the phenological stage on the percentage of exsheathment. The LEA was used at different concentrations (150, 300, 600, 1200µg mL−1of acetonic extract/mL of purified buffer solution (PBS)). The larval exsheathment is concentration, location, phenological stage dependent. All extracts, caused a delay of the percentage of exsheathment over 50% so the AH activity ofH. carnosumwas confirmed. After addition of PVPP, the % exsheathment was similar to the 150µg mL−1concentration. The biplot showed that Loc1(S), Loc4(B), Loc 5(PF), Loc 6(BM) and Loc 6(PF) were isolated from other plant extract sample. Ourin vitrostudy showed thatH. carnosumseems to be a promising alternative to AH drugs.