Cestocidal effects of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits’ methanolic extract on the adult Dipylidium caninum

Abstract

Abstract Background The persistent problem of canine infection with Dipylidium caninum, in spite of the wide accessibility of drugs proposed essentially to kill cestodes, recommends the need to discover other effective alternative therapy. The present study aimed to explore the role of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits against the adult D. caninum, and whether its methanolic extract had any effect on the tegument of adult cestode which is essential for the protective function, following 12- and 24-h incubation in vitro. The tegumental alterations were assessed by using both light and scanning electron microscopic studies. Results The Balanites extract exhibited cestocidal effect in vitro on D. caninum, and the tegument of the adult worm appeared to be its primary target. This finding was supported by differences in extract response depending on the exposure period. After 12-h incubation in vitro with Balanites extract, the tegumental changes concerned the scolex other than the proglottides, while by 24-h incubation, the changes in the adult cestodes concerned the whole body surface. Conclusion The tegumental distortion appeared to be the main changes induced by treatment with the tested extract. This alteration would obviously disrupt the protective function of the tegument and facilitate expelling of the adult cestode from the dog’s intestine.