Optimizing the extraction conditions (solvent concentration and extraction time) of aqueous, alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Echinophora platyloba: antioxidant properties and its lethal effect on hydatid cyst Protoscolex in laboratory condition

Cystic echinocossosis (hydatidosis) caused by the larval stage of cestodes of the genus Echinococcus is an important and prevalent zoonotic disease. In human patients, surgical removal of the cysts is the treatment of choice in many cases however, leakage of the larva (protoscoleces) during the surgery and formation of new cysts is a concern. Presently, different solutions such as hypertonic saline and silver nitrate are used to inactivate the cyst-dwelling protoscoleces but each have some side-effects hence searching for novel protoscolicide formulations with high efficacy and low side-effects has been always in the focus. The aim of this study was to optimize the extraction conditions of Echinophora platyloba, to evaluate antioxidant properties of the extracts and to assess their protoscolicical effects in vitro. For this purpose, hydroalcoholic extracts of Echinophora platyloba were extracted in ethanol concentrations of 0, 50 and 100% and during 24, 48 and 72 hours. Response surface methodology (RSM) was perform to estimate optimal extract conditions. Finally, 200, 400 and 600 ppm concentrations of optimized extracts were tested on live protscoleces from sheep and goat livers collected from Hamedan abbatoir. Results showed that Echinophora platyloba extract prepared with absolute ethanol in 24 hours could inactivate 100% of protoscolicess after 5, 15 and 30 minutes of exposure. This in vitro study suggest that ethanolic extract of Echinophora platyloba can potentially be applied in vivo.