In vitro anthelmintic effects of Artemisia afra and Mentha longifolia against parasitic gastro-intestinal nematodes of livestock

• Main Authors: Nthatisi Innocentia Molefe, Ana Mbokeleng Tsotetsi, Anofi Omotayo Tom Ashafa, Oriel Matlhahane Molefi Thekisoe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bangladesh Pharmacological Society 2012-08-01
• Series: Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology
• Subjects: Artemisia afra; Mentha longifolia; gastrointestinal nematodes; anthelmintic activity; egg hatch; larval development
• Online Access: https://www.banglajol.info/index.php/BJP/article/view/11437

Gastrointestinal nematodes are the most widespread and economically important class of the helminths. The major threat posed by nematode infections is the productivity loss due to their ability to disrupt nutrient utilization of the livestock resulting in hunger and malnutrition. Acetone and aqueous extracts were prepared from Mentha longifolia and Artemisia afra and tested on egg hatch, larval development and larval mortality assays at three concentrations 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg/mL. Certain percentages of egg hatch and larval mortality were inhibited by both plants; however, larval development was totally inhibited at all concentrations as compared to the negative control. Generally the acetone extracts from the two plants were most effective against parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes of livestock. This report therefore validates the folkloric use of these species in the management of internal parasites by the Basotho of the eastern Free State Province of South Africa.