In vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Croton tiglium Seeds Extract on Haemonchus contortus

Background: Haemonchus contortus is a blood sucking parasite whose habitat is the abomasum of ruminants, which poses a significant threat to the health and production of sheep and goats in warm temperate and tropical regions. H. contortus leads to anemia, hypoproteinemia, reduced exercise tolerance and edema subcutaneous tissue that can result in the death of animals. In acute infection, animals suddenly become anemic and many are found dead. Even in the chronic phase, the condition is accompanied by a mild but persistent parasitic burden and is characterized by weight loss, widespread malaise and in some individuals, anemia. The objective of this study was to identify the anthelmintic activity of Croton tiglium seeds extract against Haemonchus contortus and comparison with some drugs used against internal and external parasites. Methods: A study was performed to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of the methanolic extract of Croton tiglium seeds against Haemonchus contortus using an adult worm motility test. Six graduated concentrations of extract (25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg/ml), were tested at different periods and changes over time in the viability of worms were registered for 2, 4 and 6 hr. Normal RPMI-1640 medium and ivermectin 0.1% were used as negative and positive control, respectively. Also, a histological study was conducted on the the integumentary tissue of the H. contortus and the changes that occur in it were observed. Result: At 2 and 4 h post treatment, the concentrations of C. tiglium seeds extract (100, 125 and 150 mg/ml) have caused significantly higher mortality compared to the other concentrations, while, similar to ivermectin that caused death for nematodes within 6 h. The lower concentration (25 mg/ml) was significantly more lethal than the negative control (RPMI-1640 medium) at 2, 4 and 6 h of exposure. Each concentrations damages the cuticle and muscles of H. contortus. The increase in concentration is proportional to the increase in damage to the integumentary. The present study indicated that all concentrations of methanolic extract of C. tiglium seeds produced anthelmintic activity.