Anthelmintic Activity of Hydroethanolic Extract of Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton (Fabaceae) on the Small Ruminant Parasite Haemonchus contortus

Abstract

Anthelmintics used to control haemonchosis in small ruminants have several limitations; the most notable of which are resistance and reinfestation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anthelmintic effect of the hydroethanolic extract of Senegalia senegal (HESS) against the parasite Haemonchus contortus . The hydroethanolic extract was tested in vitro on the various developmental stages of H. contortus and in vivo in goats infested by this parasite. The acute toxicity of HESS was assessed in mice according to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Line 425. HESS inhibited egg hatching with LC 50 values = 1.51 mg/mL and LC 90 = 2.57 mg/mL; this extract was also lethal with LC 50 values = 1.25 mg/mL and LC 90 = 1.99 mg/mL on Stage 3 larvae and LC 50 = 1.28 mg/mL and LC 90 = 1.04 mg/mL on adult females; HESS at a dose of 500 mg/kg deparasitized goats, inducing a 91.27% reduction in fecal egg excretion, a 94.73% reduction in parasite load, and a 57.65% reduction in female fertility. The secondary metabolites present in the extract were phenolic compounds, of which tannins (243.12 ± 0.76 mg ECA/gDM) accounted for the majority. HESS at a dose of 2000 mg/kg did not induce any clinical signs of toxicity or mortality in mice. These results would justify the traditional use of S. senegal to control the gastrointestinal strongyle, H. contortus.