Phytochemical analysis and anthelmintic potential of Nigella sativa against the trematode, Cotylophoron cotylophorum

Abstract

Paramphistomosis caused by amphistomes constitutes a major group of diseases, causing considerable economic loss to livestock industry in India. Chemical control of helminths coupled with improved management has important parasitic control strategy throughout the world. However increasing problems of development of resistance in helminths against anthelmintics led to the proposal to screening medicinal plants for their anthelmintic activity. Hence the present study was undertaken to elucidate the phytochemical analysis and anthelmintic potential of Nigella sativa against the trematode, Cotylophoron cotylophorum. The flukes were exposed to five different sub-lethal concentration of ethanol extract of Nigella sativa (NsEE) for 2, 4 and 8h. The motility response of the drug- treated parasites was recorded with the aid of Electronic micromotility meter (EMM). The maximum inhibition of motility was observed at 0.5 mg/ml concentration after 8 h of exposure. Phytochemical and GC – MS analysis of ethanol extract of Nigella sativa revealed various compounds possessed remarkable anthelmintic activity. The present study enlightened the anthelmintic effect of ethanol extracts of Nigella sativa suggest that could be used as phytotherapeutic agents to combat the paramphisotmes infection in livestock.