In vitro anthelmintic activity of Euphorbia hirta L aqueous extracts on small ruminant’s gastrointestinal parasites evaluation.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose With the aim of proposing an effective and accessible alternative for small ruminant gastrointestinal parasitosis control, the in vitro anthelmintic activity of Euphorbia hirta on Haemonchus contortus biology was evaluated. Methods Aqueous extracts were used to determine phytochemistry and for the biological tests of adult worm mortality as well as egg hatching and L3 larval migration inhibition. Aqueous extract concentrations of 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/mL were used for the adult worm mortality test, while concentrations of 0.31, 0.62, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/mL were used for the egg hatching and L3 larval migration inhibition tests. Results The results show a total polyphenol content of 17.5 mgEAG/100 mg, total flavonoids of 0.24 mgEQ/100 mg and condensed tannins of 0.17 mgEAT/100 mg. Adult worm mortality was concentration dependent, reaching 100% at 50 and 100 mg/mL concentrations, from the sixth hour, with a lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of 21.09 mg/mL. The 50% inhibitory concentration of egg hatching (IC50) was 1.7 mg/mL, while the IC50 of larval migration recorded was 0.78 mg/mL. Conclusion In view of the results obtained, the in vitro anthelminthic activity of the aqueous extract of E hirta was confirmed. However, further biological studies will be needed to validate these results, with a view to their wider use.