Evaluation of the anti-parasitic effect of extracts of hop leaves on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces

ALBANI C; IGLESIAS A; MAGGI M; ELISSONDO MC

Salta

Congreso; IX Congreso Argentino de Parasitología; 2022

Asociación Argentina de Parasitología

Cystic echinococcosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, which produces long-term infections in humans and animals. Available anti-parasitic treatment is mostly limited to benzimidazoles, mainly albendazole. However, it has undesirable side effects and their efficacy is about 50%. Based on the problematic described, new treatment alternatives are urgently needed. Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is primarily known as bittering agentin brewing industry. However, its uses have become more diverse in recent years. It is appreciated in phytotherapy, for its sedative, digestive, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Also the antiparasitic activity was shown for some hop purified compounds on Trypanosoma brucei. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of methanolic extracts of different H. lupulus varieties against protoscoleces of E. granulosus. Viable and free protoscoleces were treated with 100 μg/ml of different H. lupulus extracts. The varieties tested were Bullion, Cascade, Traful, Mapuche and Victoria.Culture tubes were followed microscopically every day. Viability assessment using the methylene blue exclusion test was performed. Control protoscoleces remained viable throughout the experimental period and no morphological changes were bserved. The greatest protoscolicidal effect was observed with the Mapuche variety where the viability decreased to 20%at day 9. Moreover, protoscoleces treated with Mapuche during 3 days showed soma contraction, rostellar disorganization and presence of blebs in the tegument. The treatment with the variety Victoria caused the first morphological alterations at day 6 and the viability decreased to 35% at day 12. The varieties Cascade, Traful and Bullion caused a slower effect. In conclusion, the methanolic extracts of the H. lupulus varieties Mapuche and Victoria demonstrated a marked in vitro effect against E. granulosus protoscoleces.