Abstract
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 10% 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 (0.1%, 0.01%, 0.001%, and 0.0001%) over different exposure durations (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes). Viability was also determined using the 0.1% eosin exclusion test, where dead protoscoleces absorbed the dye and appeared red under light microscopy. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) and normal saline served as positive and negative controls, respectively.
Results: The findings revealed a pronounced time- and dose-dependent scolicidal effect. The 0.1% concentration of the A. dracunculus extract was the most potent, achieving 100% mortality of protoscoleces at the 30-minute interval. Conversely, the 0.01% concentration reached only 40% mortality within the same duration. Although the positive control (AgNO3) showed a more rapid onset of action, reaching 100% 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.