In Vitro Effects of Some Herbs Used in Egyptian Traditional Medicine on Viability of Protoscolices of Hydatid Cysts

• Published in: Korean journal of parasitology 2011, Vol.49 (3), p.255-263
• Main Authors: Yones, Doaa A, Taher, Gamal A, Ibraheim, Zedan Z
• Format: Article
• Language: Korean
• ISSN: 0023-4001; 1738-0006

The present work evaluated the effects of alcoholic extracts of salvia (Salvia officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and 2 pure compounds (thymol and menthol) on the viability of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices in vitro. Four different concentrations of each extract (2,500, 1,500, 1,000, and 500 ${\mu}g$/ml) and 3 different concentrations each of thymol and menthol (50, 10, and 1 ${\mu}g$/ml) were used. Concentration of 2500 ${\mu}g$/ml of both extracts showed a significant protoscolicidal activity on the 6th day. Complete loss of viability of protoscolices occurred with 500 ${\mu}g$/ml concentration of both extracts at day 6 and day 7 post-treatment (PT), respectively. Pure compounds, i.e., menthol and thymol, showed potent effects with 50 ${\mu}g$/ml concentration at day 2 and day 5 PT, respectively. These effects were compared with those of albendazole sulfoxide (800 ${\mu}g$/ml), a commonly used treatment drug for hydatidosis. Krebs-Ringer solution and the hydatid cystic fluid at a ratio of 4:1 was a good preservative solution which kept the protoscolices viable for 15 days.