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Anthelmintic activity of phenolic acids from the axlewood tree Anogeissus leiocarpus on the filarial nematode Onchocerca ochengi and drug-resistant strains of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 June 2013

D. Ndjonka ,
E.D. Abladam ,
B. Djafsia ,
I. Ajonina-Ekoti ,
M.D. Achukwi  and
E. Liebau
D. Ndjonka*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, PO Box 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
E.D. Abladam
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, PO Box 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
B. Djafsia
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, PO Box 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
I. Ajonina-Ekoti
Affiliation:
Institute for Zoophysiology, Schlossplatz 8, 48143Muenster, Germany
M.D. Achukwi
Affiliation:
Veterinary Research Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Wakwa Regional Centre, P.O. Box 65, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
E. Liebau
Affiliation:
Institute for Zoophysiology, Schlossplatz 8, 48143Muenster, Germany
*
* E-mail: dede_ndjonka@yahoo.com
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Abstract

The effect of three phenols (ellagic, gentisic and gallic acids) from the axlewood tree Anogeissus leiocarpus on Onchocerca ochengi and drug-resistant strains of Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism for research on nematode parasites, is investigated. Worms were incubated in different concentrations of phenols and their survival was monitored after 48 h. Among the three acids, ellagic acid strongly affected the survival of O. ochengi microfilariae, O. ochengi adults, a wild-type C. elegans and anthelmintic-resistant strains of C. elegans, namely albendazole (CB3474), levamisole (CB211, ZZ16) and ivermectin (VC722, DA1316), with LC50 values ranging from 0.03 mm to 0.96 mm. These results indicate that the binding of ellagic acid in the worm differs from that of resistant strains of C. elegans. The efficacy of both gallic and gentisic acids was not significantly changed in resistant strains of C. elegans treated with levamisole (ZZ16, LC50= 9.98 mm, with gallic acid), albendazole (CB3474, LC50= 7.81 mm, with gentisic acid) and ivermectin (DA1316, LC50= 10.62 mm, with gentisic acid). The efficacy of these three pure compounds is in accordance with the use of A. leiocarpus from its locality of origin. The in vivo toxicity data reveal that the thresholds are up to 200 times higher than the determined LC50 values. Thus, ellagic acid could be a potential option for the treatment of nematode infections, even in cases of drug resistance towards established anthelmintic drugs.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 88 , Issue 4 , December 2014 , pp. 481 - 488
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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