In vitro Anthelmintic activity against Hamonchus contortus adult worms and antioxidant properties of hydroalcoholic extract of fruits of Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Introduction: Low-income populations in developing countries have traditionally used medicinal plants to treat themselves and their animals for gastrointestinal parasitosis. This study aimed to investigate the anthelmintic properties of the fruits of Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst. Methods: Hydroalcoholic maceration was performed with 70% ethanol of Piliostigma reticulatum fruit powder. Phytochemical screening of the extracts was done using thin-layer chromatography. The content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the extract and the antioxidant capacity were determined by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP tests. The in vitro anthelmintic activity was evaluated on adult worms of Haemonchus contortus. Levamisole is a standard. Results: The assay revealed that the extract of the fruits of P. reticulatum is rich in phenolic compounds with 187.32 ± 0.07 µg ETG/mg and low in flavonoids to 9.4 ± 0.06 µg EQ/mg. The extract showed intense antiradical activity by ABTS test IC50 = 6.36 ± 0.23µg/mL and high iron reducing power 3352.45±24.70 µmol/mL. The anthelmintic activity was moderate with IC50 = 10.42 mg/mL against 0.27 for levamisole. Conclusion: Piliostigma reticulatum fruit extract has potent antioxidant activity and anthelmintic properties. Its traditional use in the treatment of intestinal parasitosis is therefore justified.