Scolicidal Effects of Different Concentrations Hydroalcoholic Extract of Punica granatum Root on Hydatid Cyst Protoscolices

Hydatidosis caused by Echinococcus spp. is a major zoonotic infection that is detrimental to both humans and animal hus‌bandries in many countries. Treatment of hydatid disease is mainly surgical, with medical treatment being reserved as a coadjuvant treatment. Use of effective scolicidal agents during surgery of cystic echinococcosis is essential to reduce the recurrence rate. The goal of this study was to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Punica granatum root on hydatid cyst protoscolices. Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices were collected from the liver of sheep infected with the hydatid cyst. Various concentrations of plant extracts(a.b.c) were used in different exposure times for viability assay of protoscolices. Among the root extracts tested, 0.1% con‌centrations had strong scolicidal effects in 6 hr. 0.1% and 0.01% concentrations of pomegranate root had protoscolices activity against in 4hr and 6 hr, respectively. The finding suggests that Punica granatum root might be used as a protoscolices agent in treatment of hydatid cyst.