Invitro effectiveness of Punica granatum Aqueous Extract on Viability of Echinococcus granulosus Protoscolex

Hydatid cyst is observed in any organ, especially in liver and lung. Use of effective scolicidal agents during hydatid cyst surgery is essential to prevent the secondary infection. Most of these agents are not safe and effective. Many studies have shown that Punica granatum has antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitical effects. This study was undertaken for the first time to evaluate the scolicidal effect of P. granatum aqueous extract in vitro.
Material & Viability of protoscoleces of hydatid cyst was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. Normal saline and hypertonic saline were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Protoscoleces were treated with 60, 70 and 80 mg/ml of the sour P. granatum extract (based on the total amount of citric acid). All extracts were examined for 5, 10, and 15 minutes. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test were used for data analysis.
Sour P. granatum extract at the concentration of 80 mg/ml killed 100% of protoscoleces after 15 minutes of application. Scolicidal effect of Sour P. granatum extract at the concentration of 70 mg/ml was lower than that in 80 mg/ml. However, after 15 minutes of application, all of protoscoleces were killed. We observed a statistically significant difference in the protoscolicidal activity of the sour aqueous extract with different dilutions (60, 70, 80 mg/ml) (p > 0.05).
Our results suggest that aqueous extract of P. granatum can be a promising source of potential protoscolicidal agent. Regarding the usage of pomegranate and aqueous extract as drink and food, it seems this component is harmless and safe. Therefore, after being examined in vivo and additional experiments, it may be used as a suitable and effective scolicidal in surgery.