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In vitro activity of Cameroonian and Ghanaian medicinal plants on parasitic (Onchocerca ochengi) and free-living (Caenorhabditis elegans) nematodes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 September 2010

D. Ndjonka ,
C. Agyare ,
K. Lüersen ,
B. Djafsia ,
D. Achukwi ,
E.N. Nukenine ,
A. Hensel  and
E. Liebau
D. Ndjonka*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon Institute for Zoophysiology, Hindenburgplatz 55, 48143Muenster, Germany
C. Agyare
Affiliation:
Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, Hittorfstrasse 56, 48149Muenster, Germany
K. Lüersen
Affiliation:
Institute for Zoophysiology, Hindenburgplatz 55, 48143Muenster, Germany
B. Djafsia
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon
D. Achukwi
Affiliation:
Parasitology Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Wakwa Regional Centre, P.O. Box 65, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
E.N. Nukenine
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon
A. Hensel
Affiliation:
Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, Hittorfstrasse 56, 48149Muenster, Germany
E. Liebau
Affiliation:
Institute for Zoophysiology, Hindenburgplatz 55, 48143Muenster, Germany
*
*E-mail: dede_ndjonka@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of selected medicinal plants from Cameroon and Ghana were assessed for their in vitro anthelmintic activity by using the bovine filarial parasite Onchocerca ochengi and the free living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism for research on nematode parasites. Worms were incubated in the presence of different concentrations of extracts and inhibitory effects were monitored at different time points. Among the extracts used in this study, ethanolic extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus, Khaya senegalensis, Euphorbia hirta and aqueous extracts from Annona senegalensis and Parquetina nigrescens affected the growth and survival of C. elegans and O. ochengi significantly. The mortality was concentration dependent with an LC50 ranging between 0.38 and 4.00 mg/ml for C. elegans (after 72 h) and between 0.08 and 0.55 mg/ml for O. ochengi after a 24 h incubation time. Preliminary phytochemical screenings on these extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, carbohydrates and tannins in the extracts. Accordingly, application of A. leiocarpus, K. senegalensis, E. hirta and A. senegalensis extracts could provide alternatives in the control of helminthic infections.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 85 , Issue 3 , September 2011 , pp. 304 - 312
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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