The anthelmintic effects of Artocarpus lakoocha stem extract on Fasciola gigantica

Triclabendazole is currently used for chemotherapeutic treatment of fascioliasis in the cattle; however, the parasites’ eggs have been found in the gallbladder after treatment. Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. has been used to cure parasitic infections in human in the Southeast. Therefore, the efficacy of Artocarpus lakoocha stem (AL) extract on newly excysted juveniles and adult of Fasciola gigantica was evaluated after incubating the parasites in M-199 medium containing 250, 500, 750 and 1000 µg/ml of the crude extract, or triclabendazole (TCZ) at the concentrations of 80 µg/ml as the positive control using percentage of larvae migration inhibition (LMI) assay and observation by Transmission electron microscope (TEM). The percentage of LMI were 74% and 76% when flukes treated with AL extract at 250 and 500 µg/ml, and flukes treated with extract at 750 and 1000 µg/ml were 100% of LMI. The ultrastructure of tegument showed numerous granules type I and II that migrated up to the apical surface. The swelling and blebbing of the apical plasma membrane as well as swollen mitochondria in the syncytium and tegumental cells which exploded. The serve swollen mitochondria and vacuole were observed in the muscle bundle. The necrotic substances were found in the tegumental cells, muscle bundles, parenchymal cell, and vitelline cells after 12 h. Hence, in vitro studies should be performed to evaluate whether the AL extract may act as a potential anthelmintic drug for treatment fascioliasis.

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