The In Vitro Protoscolicidal Effects of Methanolic Extracts of Portulaca and Achillea on Hydatid Cyst Protoscoleces

Hydatid disease, caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, is a significant global zoonosis. Surgical intervention is the primary treatment, but the use of chemical scolicidal agents is often limited by their adverse side effects. This has driven interest in exploring effective natural alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal efficacy of methanolic extracts from Portulaca oleracea and Achillea millefolium against protoscoleces (PSCs) of hydatid cysts. PSCs were aseptically collected from infected sheep livers and lungs obtained from a municipal slaughterhouse. The scolicidal activity of three concentrations of each extract (۵۰, ۱۰۰, and ۲۰۰ mg/mL) was assessed at exposure times of ۵, ۱۵, ۳۰, ۴۵, and ۶۰ minutes. Protoscolex viability was determined using ۰.۱% eosin staining. Data from three independent experiments were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test. Both extracts exhibited significant, time- and concentration-dependent scolicidal activity. For P. oleracea, the mortality rate ranged from ۱.۳۳% (at ۵۰ mg/mL after ۵ min) to ۹۵.۶۷% (at ۲۰۰ mg/mL after ۶۰ min), while for A. millefolium, it ranged from ۲.۶۷% (at ۵۰ mg/mL after ۵ min) to ۹۴.۶% (at ۲۰۰ mg/mL after ۶۰ min). The highest concentration (۲۰۰ mg/mL) of both extracts resulted in > ۹۴% mortality after ۶۰ minutes of exposure, showing no significant difference compared to the positive control (P > ۰.۰۵). Although P. oleracea demonstrated marginally higher efficacy at shorter exposure times, the difference between the two extracts was minimal with prolonged incubation. Methanolic extracts of Portulaca oleracea and Achillea millefolium possess potent in vitro scolicidal properties, particularly at higher concentrations and with extended exposure. These findings indicate that both plants are promising natural candidates for use as scolicidal agents, meriting further investigation through in vivo and clinical studies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hydatid Cyst ، Echinococcus granulosus ، Protoscoleces ، Portulaca oleracea ، Achillea millefolium ، in vitro