Phytochemical and in vitro anthelmintic properties of mesocarp of fruit extracts from Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile (Zygophyllaceae)

 Balanites aegyptiaca L. (DEL) is a plant used in Burkina Faso in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal parasitosis. The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro anthelmintic activity of aqueous and hydro-ethanolic macerates (AM and HEM) of the fruit mesocarp from Balanites aegyptiaca against Haemonchus contortus.

 Phytochemical screening of the extracts was done using thin-layer chromatography. The egg hatch inhibition assay (EHIA) at 0.125, 0.15, 0.25, 0.625, 1.25, and 5 mg/mL and Adult worms mortality assay (AWMA) at 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 mg/mL concentrations were evaluated. Albendazole and levamisole were used as standards, and phosphate-buffered saline was used as a negative control. The antioxidant potential of extracts was evaluated using the ABTS [2,2’-azinobis (3-ethyl benzoin-6-sulphonate)] and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazine) methods and Fe3+ ion reducing power. The standards used were trolox and ascorbic acid.

 Several secondary metabolites such as sterols, triterpenes, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, and saponins were identified. For EHIA, the AM was more effective than HEM with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 0.35 mg/mL and 0.43 mg/mL, respectively. AM was even more effective for AWMA than HEM, with 50% lethal concentrations (LC50) of 3.15 mg/mL and 8.37 mg/mL, respectively. The DPPH method gave an IC50 of 834.55 μg/mL and the capacity to reduce ferric ion (Fe3+) to ferrous ion (Fe2+) was 270.4 µmol/Ascorbic acid equivalent.

 AM and HEM from the mesocarp of B. aegyptiaca have anthelmintic properties. AM is more effective than HEM, which justifies their use with priority for AM.