Evaluation of the anthelmintic activity of an acetone extract of Coriandrum sativum L. seeds against Haemonchus contortus in sheep
Abstract
The gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus is a major economic and pathogenic challenge to livestock productivity worldwide. Extensive use of synthetic drugs like albendazole and ivermectin, the mainstays for controlling these infections, has resulted in the emergence and spread of anthelmintic resistance in gut nematodes. Hence, there is growing interest in plant-based alternatives that utilize secondary metabolites to disrupt parasite physiology. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of an acetone extract of Coriandrum sativum L. seeds against different developmental stages of H. contortus. The extract was characterized for chemical composition using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro assays were conducted to evaluate the effects of the extract on adult worms, larvae, and eggs at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4%. Adult worm motility and mortality, larval migration and mortality, and egg hatchability were determined and compared with albendazole as positive control and distilled water as negative control. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of phenolic and related metabolites in the extract with quercetin identified at the highest concentration of 38.89 mg/g. The extract showed a significant dose- and time-dependent anthelmintic activity in all the parameters studied. The motility of adult worms at highest concentration (4%) was reduced to 6.33% after 12 hours and mortality was 100% within 48 hours. Similarly, larval migration was inhibited by 93.33% and larval mortality was 96.33% after 48 hours. Furthermore, egg hatchability was completely inhibited (0%) after 72 h of exposure to the 4% concentration. The effect of the extract at 4% was almost comparable to the commercial drug albendazole. The acetone seed extract of C. sativum displayed a potent natural anthelmintic activity against different developmental stages of H. contortus. These inhibitory effects may be related to the phenolic compounds identified in the extract. These findings suggest that further investigations should be conducted on the economic feasibility, sustainability, and scalability of C. sativum seed extract as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for parasite management in livestock.