Franciellen Morais-Costa

In vitro and in vivo action of Piptadenia viridiflora (Kunth) Benth against Haemonchus contortus in sheep.

Anthelminthic resistant populations of Haemonchus contortus are a major problem in sheep rearing, but plant extracts may offer viable alternative treatments. In our preliminary studies, Piptadenia viridiflora was frequently selected by sheep grazing in the Cerrado. The present research evaluated its in vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activity. The HPLC chromatograms of P. viridiflora aqueous extract (AE) and ethanolic extract (EE) showed the presence of flavonoids. The total condensed tannin (proanthocyanidin) was 0.2 and 1.01% in AE and EE, respectively. In an egg hatching inhibition (EHI) test, the LC90 of AE was 2.4mg/mL, and, of EE, was 2.1mg/mL. After tannin extraction, higher EHI and lower LC90 were observed. In a larval development inhibition test, the LC90 of AE was 13.66mg/g of fecal culture. The highest dose of AE administered to mice (203.0mg/kg bw) was well tolerated, suggesting low toxicity. In vivo, AE was orally administered to lambs at 283mg/kg bw, and, at weeks one, two, and three post-treatment, the mean fecal egg count (FEC) was significantly lower than in untreated lambs (P<0.05). Blood parameters were normal and similar in untreated and treated sheep. For all lamb groups, the mean total serum protein was significantly higher at week two post-treatment than at other evaluated periods (P<0.05). Piptadenia viridiflora extracts had low condensed tannin content and exhibited high anthelminthic efficacy in vitro and significantly reduced FEC. Tannins were not shown to be the principal components affecting EHI, hence it is necessary to isolate and characterize the principal active P. viridiflora compounds, and to assess their possible synergism.

Efficacy of aqueous extracts of Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae) in inhibiting larval development and eclosion of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep

The anthelminthic efficacy in vitro of the aqueous extract of Genipa americana L. leaves was evaluated at final concentrations of 20, 30, 50, 75 and 100 mg (dry matter)/mL through egg hatching inhibition (EHI) tests and quantitative cultures. The observed lethal concentration LC90 values for hatching and L3 development inhibition were 79.8 and 28.7 mg/mL, respectively. The extract was more effective in larval development inhibition (LDI) than in hatching inhibition. Phytochemical analysis revealed tannins and flavonoids in the extract. The utilisation of G. americana as an anthelminthic may represent a viable alternative to synthetic products, although further studies are needed to verify its in vivo efficacy and to assess its toxicity in sheep.