In Vitro Scolicidal Effects of Artemisia Dracunculus Hydroalcoholic Extract Against Echinococcus Granulosus Protoscoleces

Introduction: Cystic echinococcosis is a significant zoonotic infection that poses a substantial public health and economic burden worldwide. While surgical intervention is the primary treatment modality, intraoperative leakage of viable protoscoleces remains a leading cause of recurrence, occurring in approximately ۱۰% of cases. Traditional chemical scolicides, though effective, are frequently associated with serious side effects, including sclerosing cholangitis and liver tissue damage. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal efficacy of the purified organic extract of Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon) against the protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus. Methods: Protoscoleces were aseptically aspirated from naturally infected sheep livers obtained from a local slaughterhouse. Moreover, the scolicidal activity of the purified organic extract was tested at four concentrations (۰.۱%, ۰.۰۱%, ۰.۰۰۱%, and ۰.۰۰۰۱%) over different exposure durations (۵, ۱۰, ۱۵, ۲۰, ۲۵, and ۳۰ minutes). Viability was also determined using the ۰.۱% eosin exclusion test, where dead protoscoleces absorbed the dye and appeared red under light microscopy. Silver nitrate (AgNO۳) and normal saline served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Results: The findings revealed a pronounced time- and dose-dependent scolicidal effect. The ۰.۱% concentration of the A. dracunculus extract was the most potent, achieving ۱۰۰% mortality of protoscoleces at the ۳۰-minute interval. Conversely, the ۰.۰۱% concentration reached only ۴۰% mortality within the same duration. Although the positive control (AgNO۳) showed a more rapid onset of action, reaching ۱۰۰% lethality at nearly all tested points, the plant extract demonstrated significant inhibitory potential at its highest tested dose. Conclusion: A. dracunculus extract exhibits potent in vitro scolicidal properties. While further research is required to standardize its bioactive components and assess in vivo safety, this extract represents a promising biological alternative for reducing surgical recurrence in hydatid disease.