IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EFFECT OF Eugenia uniflora EXTRACTS ON GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODE OF SHEEP

Abstract: This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo action of Eugenia uniflora extracts on sheep gastrointestinal nematode. In the egg hatchability inhibition assay, aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts were tested in the concentrations ranging from 40 to 1.25 mg/mL. The cytotoxic effect was measured using the MTT assay on VERO cells at concentrations ranging from 4000 to 1.95 μg/mL. The chemical composition was analyzed through the qualitative phytochemical screening. In the in vivo test, 100 mg/kg of the hydroalcoholic extract was administered orally for three days in sheep naturally infected and fecal collection was performed to estimate the egg count per gram of faeces (EPG). Different extracts of E. uniflora inhibited hatchability of eggs with a percentage of inhibition ranging from 14.56 to 99.75%, being the hydroalcoholic most effective than the aqueous. In phytochemical analysis, compounds with anthelmintic action were observed, such as flavonoids, saponins, tannins and triterpenes. Extracts showed moderate to null cytotoxicity under the conditions tested. Reduction of EPG was observed only in control group (anthelmintic). The extracts of E. uniflora proved promising with in vitro action, requiring studies that assess other concentrations and forms of in vivo administration.