The Anti-parasitic Effect of Extract of Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn Is Related to Its Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic and Anthelmintic Activities on Haemonchus contortus

Abstract

Background

Ceiba pentandra is a medicinal plant used as alternative therapy to control parasitic nematodes in livestock.

Objective

This study aims to investigate anti-parasitic effect of aqueous stem back extract of Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn through the evaluation of its anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.

Methods

In vitro, the efficacy of aqueous extract (75 to 2400 µg·mL⁻¹) diluted in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was tested against three stages of the life cycle of Haemonchus contortus through larval migration inhibition assay (LMIA), egg hatch assay (EHA), and adult worms motility inhibition assay (AMIA). In vivo, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the aqueous extract (150 and 300 mg·kg⁻¹) was evaluated on rodent using phlogistic and algic chemicals.

Results

Significant inhibition activity (P < 0.05) was obtained on EHA with the greatest inhibition of 46.63% obtained at 2400 µg·mL⁻¹. The plant treatment dramatically (P < 0.05) inhibited L3 larval migration as compared to PBS. The highest inhibition rate was 53.33 % at 1200 µg·mL⁻¹. Adding of polyvinylpolyrrolidone (PVPP) to the extract significantly (P < 0.01) reduced at 38.6% the activity of the plant extract on larval migration compared to extract without PVPP. The Ceiba pentandra extract reduced (P < 0.05) worm motility after 24 h post exposure as compared to control. In vitro, aqueous extract significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the paw inflammation induced by carragenine, with a significant (P < 0.05) reduction of the number of abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid to 41.11% at 300 mg·kg⁻¹ and the paw licking time induced by formaline in both phases to 57.22% and 63.59% at 300 mg·kg⁻¹ likened to control.

Conclusions

In vitro results suggest that, this plant possess anti-parasitic properties. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of C. pentandra can contribute to its anti- parasitic property.