In vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activity of Stevia multiaristata extract on Echinococcus granulosus

ALBANI CLARA MARÍA; BORGO JIMENA; FABBRI JULIA; PENSEL, PATRICIA; SÜLSEN VALERIA; ELISSONDO MARIA CELINA

Simposio; ResNet NPND 1oth aniversary; 2021

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of the parasiteEchinococcus granulosus, which causes long-term infections in humans and animals, being a seriouspublic health problem [1]. Albendazole (ABZ), the main drug used against CE, has undesirable sideeffects and its efficacy is about 50% [2]. Thus, new treatment alternatives are urgently needed. Plantsfrom Stevia genus (Asteraceae) are a potential source of antiprotozoal and antimicrobial compounds.The antiparasitic activity of extracts from different Stevia species has recently been demonstrated onTrypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania braziliensis [3]. In the current study, we demonstrated the in vitroefficacy of the Stevia multiaristata extract against protoscoleces and murine cyst of E. granulosus.Moreover, we investigated the clinical efficacy of the S. multiaristata extract in a murine model of CE.S. multiaristata extract caused a rapid decrease on protoscoleces viability, reaching 0% at day 6 withthe concentration of 100 μg/ml. At the ultrastructural level, protoscoleces treated with 100 μg/mlexperimented a total loss of morphology at day 3 post-incubation. Loss of turgidity was detected in95% of cysts incubated during 2 days with 10 μg/ml and the collapse of the germinal layer was observedin 60% of cysts treated with 5 μg/ml during 4 days. Although the median weight of cysts recoveredfrom ABZ treated mice was lower than the observed in the control group, no significant differenceswere found (P > 0.05). In contrast, S. multiaristata treatment caused a significant decrease in theweight of the cysts compared with control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, S. multiaristata extractdemonstrated a marked in vitro and in vivo effect against E. granulosus larval stage.