SUMMARYCyclic GMP (cGMP) is responsible for various cellular functions including signal pathways and it acts as a mediator for nitric oxide (NO). In order to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of the plant-derived isoflavones, the crude peel extract ofFlemingia vestitaand pure genistein were tested with respect to the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), NO efflux and the cGMP concentration inRallietina echinobothrida, the cestode parasite of domestic fowl. For comparison, the parasites were also treated with genistein (the major isoflavone present in the crude peel extract), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a known NO donor, and praziquantel (PZQ), the reference drug. At the time of onset of paralysis in the parasite, the activity of NOS showed a significant increase (35–46%) and a 2-fold increase of NO efflux into the incubation medium in the treated worms in comparison to the respective controls. The cGMP concentration in the parasite tissue increased by 46–84% in the treated test worms in comparison to the controls. The results show that the isoflavones, genistein in particular, from the crude peel extract ofF. vestitainfluence the cGMP concentration in the parasite tissue, which plays a major role in the downstream signal pathways.
Electron microscopic observations on the alterations of tegumental surface of Raillietina echinobothrida treated with root-peel extract of Potentilla fulgens
