The In vitro biological activity testing of Vitex doniana bark extract and Flueggea virosa root extract against Taenia solium metacestodes

  • Victoria Michelo Musale University of Zambia
  • Kabemba Evans Mwape University of Zambia
  • Simbarashe Chitanga University of Namibia
Keywords: Taenia solium, Flueggea virosa, in-vitro, Vitex doniana, and biological activity

Abstract

Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm, is a foodborne parasite of global concern affecting more than 50 million people globally with more than 80% of these being in the developing world. Infection of the brain with larval stages (metacestodes) leads to neurocysticercosis, a leading cause of epilepsy in endemic areas of the world where pig rearing is common. People in pig rearing communities rely on local herbs for their primary health care. Exploring the use of these herbs as anthelminthics will give insights into the biological activity of locally available herbs and open up avenues for more research on local herbs. The objective of this study was to determine the in-vitro anthelminthic activity of locally used anti-parasitic herbs namely Vitex doniana bark extract and Flueggea virosa root extract against T. solium metacestodes. An experimental in-vitro study using intact T. solium metacestodes with full bladder walls was conducted to check for cysticidal activity of the locally available herbs of V. doniana bark extract and F. virosa outer root cover extract. Non-evagination of metacestodes at incubation, post-treatment was used as indicator of activity of the extract against the metacestode. Treatment with praziquantel was used as a positive control. The herbs (V. doniana and F. virosa) and drug extracts (Praziqauntel) were tested in five different concentrations. Vitex doniana at concentration of 50µg/ml resulted in evagination of 64%, while F. virosa had 52% at the same concentration. Vitex doniana and F. virosa showed a dose dependent response, in that the higher the dose the higher the biological activity. This study showed an association between T. solium metacestodes response to V. doniana and praziquantel (Chi square = 29.63 versus tabulated value 3.84) indicating that there was an association between exposure of metacestodes to the treatment of V. doniana and Praziquantel. The same was observed with F. virosa and praziquantel (Chi square = 42.28). Vitex doniana showed more biological activity than F. virosa, but both had at least biological activities above 50%. This shows that both herbs have potential to be anthelmintics against T. solium metacestodes, and are recommended to be explored further in animal models for activity against the adult tapeworm.

Author Biographies

Kabemba Evans Mwape, University of Zambia
School of Veterinary Medicine, Professor
Simbarashe Chitanga, University of Namibia
School of Veterinary Medicine, Professor

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Published
2024-06-06
How to Cite
1.
Musale V, Mwape K, Chitanga S. The In vitro biological activity testing of Vitex doniana bark extract and Flueggea virosa root extract against Taenia solium metacestodes. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 6Jun.2024 [cited 25Dec.2024];7(4). Available from: https://humanities.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1194
Section
Biomedical Sciences