In vitro anthelmintic activity of Tunisian fabacae (Hedysarum coronarium L., ecotype Bikra 21) against Haemonchus contortus

The use of bioactive tanniniferous plants was suggested as an alternative to control gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) infections in small ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic effect of acetonic extract of Hedysarum coronarium (Ecotype Bikra 21, sulla) as fresh or dried biomass (hay) in the infective larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus. The larval exsheathment assay (LEA) was used to determine the proportions (%) of exsheathment of two plant acetonic extracts at different concentrations (1200, 600, 300, 150 μg/ml). To confirm the role of tannins in the anthelmintic effects of extracts, polyvinylpolypyrolidone (PVPP) was used as deactivating chemical tannins. The results indicated that the proportion of exsheathement was dose-dependent. Fresh sulla had the highest levels of total tannins (TT), total phenols (TP), condensed tannins (CT) and the highest biological activity (BA). It also stopped nearly the exsheathment process. Tannins are involved in anthelmintic (AH) effects because of the restoration of L3 exsheathment to values similar to those of controls after the addition of PVPP. It is concluded that in vivo investigation should be conducted to confirm the AH activity of sulla. * Corresponding Author: A. Aissa  [email protected] International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR) ISSN: 2223-7054 (Print) 2225-3610 (Online) http://www.innspub.net Vol. 7, No. 4, p. 103-110, 2015 International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR) ISSN: 2223-7054 (Print) 2225-3610 (Online) http://www.innspub.net Vol. 5, No. 1, p. 14-22, 2014