Evaluation the scolicidal and cytotoxic effects of Froriepia subpinnataagainst protoscolex of Echinococcus granulosus in vitro

Hydatidosis is one of the most important and prevalent parasitic diseases in Iran. Due to the fact that no definite and reliable treatment for this disease has been recorded so far, the aim of this study was to investigate the antiparasitic effect of Froriepia subpinnata (F. subpinnata) on the protoscolex stage of Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) in vitro.

F. subpinnata plant was collected from the forest areas of Mazandaran province and extracted using maceration method and methanolic extract was prepared in concentrations of 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 μg / ml. Protoscoleces E. granulosus was isolated from the liver, spleen and lungs of sheep. Different concentrations of drug along with albendazole were incubated as positive control in 96 well plates with protoscoleces for 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours and finally the survival rate of the parasite was examined using 0.01% Eosin as vital staining.

According to the results, the survival rate of protoscoleces is significantly reduced as the increase in the concentration of the drug and the incubation time. Concentration of 200 μg / ml of methanolic extract of the F. subpinnata was the most appropriate dose, which eliminated 100% of protoscoleces after 48 hours. The results of MTT test also showed that the methanolic extract of this F. subpinnata, even at a concentration of 1600 μg / ml, had no toxicity on the HeLa cell line.

The results indicated that the F. subpinnata has suitable scolicidal effects and after additional and confirmatory tests can be used as a natural antiparasitic treatment.