In vitro effects of Cucurbita moschata seed extracts on Haemonchus contortus

Background: Echinococcus granulosus parasite causes a zoonotic disease which is important for public and veterinary health. Since pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita sp.) are used as traditional vermifuge in Iran, they may be a potential herbal anthelmintic. Methods: This study was designed in 2016 to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal effect of Cucurbita moschata seeds form northern part of Iran. Hydroalcoholic and petroleum ether extracts were prepared by maceration and soxhlet respectively. Both extracts with four different concentrations (100, 10, 1, 0.1 mg/ml) were incubated against protoscoleces in 5, 15, 30 and 60 min. Results: Maximum mortality was 16% with 1% hydroalcoholic extract in 60 min. The highest mortality with organic extract was 4% with 10% concentration in 60 min (P=0.015). Conclusion: Since highest mortality was 16%, the extract did not reach to LD50 (50% mortality). Therefore, the potency of the total extract is not sufficient as potential scolicidal drug.

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In vitro health beneficial activities of Pumpkin seeds from Cucurbita moschata cultivated in Lemnos

International Journal of Food Studies ◽

10.7455/ijfs.v4i2.282 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Danai Sakka ◽

Haralabos C. Karantonis

Keyword(s):

Platelet Activating Factor ◽

Health Improvement ◽

Cucurbita Moschata ◽

Pumpkin Seed ◽

Anti Oxidant ◽

Pumpkin Seeds ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Locally Grown ◽

Seed Extracts

Pumpkin seeds are commonly consumed in Greece. Although Cucurbita moschata is locally grown in Lemnos and is traditionally used in pumpkin pies, the seeds are currently discarded after consumption of the fruit flesh. The aim of the present study was to investigate the nutritional functionality of pumpkin seeds from Cucurbita moschata grown in Lemnos.Cucurbita moschatas’ seeds, raw or roasted, were appropriately extracted and the results are presented for raw versus (vs) roasted seed extracts. The phenolic content was expressed as μg gallic acid/g of seeds according to Folin-Ciocalteau assay (370.3 ± 19.1 vs 551.0 ± 22.0). Antioxidant capacity was expressed as equivalent amount for 50% scavenging in mg of seeds for DPPH (50.03 ± 5.91 vs 25.82 ± 6.77) and ABTS (17.85 ± 0.77 vs 12.77 ± 0.76) assays, and as μmol of trolox/g of seeds for FRAP (1.19 ± 0.05 vs 2.50 ± 0.23) and CUPRAC (2.13 ±0.11 vs 3.25 ± 0.06) assays. Anti-inflammatory/anti-thrombotic and anti-diabetic activities were expressed as mg of seeds for 50% inhibition of platelet activating factor (0.62 vs 0.15) and as μg of seeds for 25% inhibition of alpha-glycosidase (40.0 vs 61.0) activities respectively. Moreover, anti-atherogenic activity was expressed as the % increase in lag time of human plasma oxidation (62.7 versus 163.2)Raw and roasted pumpkin seed extracts exert anti-oxidant, anti-thrombotic/anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic and antidiabetic activities. Cucurbita moschata seeds may represent a novel opportunity for development of functional foods, with a local interest in Lemnos that would contribute also to the regional public health improvement.

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IN VITRO EFFECTS OF SOME HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS ON INFECTIVE LARVAE OF HAEMONCHUS CONTORTUS OF GOAT

Bangladesh Journal of Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.3329/bjvm.v3i1.11355 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 55-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M Shahiduzzaman ◽

MK Islam ◽

M Rahman ◽

MMH Mondal

Keyword(s):

Sodium Chloride ◽

Boric Acid ◽

Potassium Permanganate ◽

Haemonchus Contortus ◽

Larvicidal Effect ◽

Infective Larvae ◽

Bleaching Powder ◽

In Vitro Effects ◽

Household Chemicals

In vitro effects of some household chemicals on infective larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus of goat were screened during the period from January 2002 to April 2003. Solutions of 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg / ml were screened for in vitro effects on infective larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus. The percent non-motile L3 was increased when immersed in increasing solutions of the household chemicals (p < 0.01) except sodium chloride. Of 10 household chemicals, potassium permanganate showed 100% in vitro larvicidal effect at 1 mg / ml concentration. Boric acid showed the second highest larvicidal effect (78.95%) followed by alum (71.86%), bleaching powder (71.43%) and borax (68.97%) at their highest concentration of 20 mg / ml.

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