# In vitro protoscolicidal effects of Hypericum perforatum, Thymus vulgaris, Pimenta racemosa, and Mentha piperita against Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces

## TL;DR

This study tests the effectiveness of four herbal extracts in killing Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces in a lab setting.

## Contribution

The study identifies Hypericum perforatum, Thymus vulgaris, and Pimenta racemosa as potential protoscolicidal agents for cystic echinococcosis.

## Key findings

- Aqueous extracts of H. perforatum, T. vulgaris, and P. racemosa significantly reduced protoscolex viability.
- Higher concentrations and longer incubation times increased the protoscolicidal effect.
- Mentha piperita showed less effectiveness compared to the other three herbs.

## Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), an endemic zoonotic disease in Turkiye, is caused by the helminth Echinococcus granulosus. It has threatened the livestock industry and is of major medical and socio-economic importance to humans. Surgery is still the main practice of treatment, despite the risk of relapses and several adverse effects. Due to their minimal side effects, herbal products have been widely used for thousands of years to treat various infections. The present study was designed to investigate the in vitro protoscolicidal effect of extracts from Hypericum perforatum, Thymus vulgaris, Pimenta racemosa, and Mentha piperita against hydatid cyst protoscoleces. The livers and lungs of the sheep were obtained from a private abattoir, and the protoscoleces were collected under sterile conditions. The fi nal herbal products were extracted using the aqueous extraction method. Different concentrations of herbal extracts (50, 100, and 150 mg/ml) were tested on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces, following different times of incubation (5, 10, and 60 min). The viability of the protoscoleces was assessed by a 0.1 % eosin staining method. Extracts of H. perforatum, T. vulgaris, and P. racemosa exhibited a statistically signifi cant effect on protoscoleces mortality (P<0.001) when compared with the negative control. The present experimental study indicated that aqueous extracts of H. perforatum, T. vulgaris, and P. racemosa could be potential candidates as valuable and useful sources of protoscolicidal agents for CE.