Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo anthelmintic efficacy of Cyperus compressus Linn., a traditionally used anthelmintic plant in parasite-animal models

Abstract

Background: The decoction of the roots of Cyperus compressus (Cyperaceae) is used to treat helminth infection by the Santhal tribe of Assam. The study evaluated the anthelmintic efficacy claims of the plant C. compressus through pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo studies employing available parasite-animal models such as Hymenolepis diminuta-Wistar rat (cestode) and Syphacia obvelata-Swiss mice (nematode) models. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, reducing sugars, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, and steroids. In vitro studies were conducted employing H. diminuta and S. obvelata. In vitro studies against H. diminuta revealed mortality of parasites at 8.3 ± 0.05 h at the highest concentration of C. compressus methanolic root extract (30 mg/ml), whereas reference drug praziquantel (PZQ), showed mortality at 5.84 ± 0.01 h. Against S. obvelata, in the same concentration of the extract, mortality of parasites occurred in a much later time of 24.13 ± 0.03 h, whereas in the reference drug albendazole (ABZ), the parasites showed mortality at 7.24 ± 0.08 h. In vivo studies against H. diminuta revealed 61.74% reduction in the eggs per gram (EPG) counts and 24% reduction in worm counts at the highest dose of 700 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of plant extract. Against S. obvelata, at 700 mg/kg b.w., 28.92% and 33.85% reduction in EPG and worm counts were recorded respectively. Conclusion: Although the reference drugs showed better in vitro and in vivo efficacy, the plant extract showed a better in vitro efficacy against cestode parasite compared to its nematode counterpart indicating that it possesses a better cestocidal efficacy. EPG reductions were higher against H. diminuta, whereas worm count reduction was higher against S. obvelata. The findings justify the use of C. compressus as an anthelmintic in the traditional medicine of the Santhals of India.