In Vitro Anthelmintic Efficacy of Haloxylon salicornicum Leaves Extract using Adult Heamonchus contortus Worms

Abstract

Herbal dewormers always remained a constant and consistent source of curing various health constraints including parasitic infestations. In this study, anthelmintic efficacy of aqueous methanolic and ethyl acetate extract of Haloxylon (H.) salicornicum was investigated against Heamonchus contortus. Four serial dilutions (25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125mg/mL) were tested to evaluate the highest effective dose of both extracts. Levamisol (0.55mg/mL) in case of adult motility assay and oxfendazole (25, 12.5 and 6.25µg/mL) in egg hatch assay were used as standard drugs. After administration of extracts, a highest mean paralysis (10.00±0.00) of all adult worms of H. contortus was exhibited only in 8 and 10 hours post exposure respectively, at highest tested dose of 25mg/ml. Ethyl acetate and aqueous-methanol extracts were found to inhibit egg hatching up to 91 and 63% respectively, at dose of 25mg/mL. Hence, the results of current study exhibited a strong anthelmintic potential of H. salicornicum leaves against haemonchosis. Further in vivo studies would be needed to determine the optimal non-lethal dose to maximize the anthelmintic potential of H. salicornicum against this parasite in livestock.