Utilization of wild desert plant extracts for the <i>in vitro</i> control of gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle.

Abstract

<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to evaluate the effects of plant extracts from desert species on egg-hatching inhibition (EHI) and larval mortality of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) in cattle under <i>in vitro</i> conditions.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Hydro-alcoholic extracts of tasajillo [<i>Cylindropuntia leptocaulis</i> (DC) F.M. Kunth], coyonoxtle [<i>Cylindropuntia imbricata</i> (Haw) F.M. Kunth], mariola (<i>Parthenium incanum</i> Kunth), and mesquite [<i>Neltuma juliflora</i> (Sw.) Raf.] were tested. GIN eggs and infective larvae were exposed to the plant extracts in decreasing doses, and the median lethal dose₅₀ (LD₅₀) and maximum lethal dose₉₉ (LD₉₉) were calculated using the SAS PROBIT procedure.<h4>Results</h4>The <i>C</i>. <i>imbricata</i> extract demonstrated the highest EHI at a small LD₅₀ (2.31 mg/ml) and achieved 100% larval mortality at a 5.8 mg/ml concentration. The <i>P</i>. <i>incanum</i> extract showed the highest larval mortality at the LD₉₉ (6.50 mg/ml), although <i>N</i>. <i>juliflora</i> had the lowest LD₅₀. However, the <i>N</i>. <i>juliflora</i> pod extract was the least effective overall. These findings indicate that <i>C. imbricata</i> was the most effective extract for inhibiting egg hatching, while <i>P. incanum</i> was the most effective for promoting larval mortality under <i>in vitro</i> conditions.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The small doses used against eggs and larvae of nematode parasites suggest that wild desert plants could provide a viable and ecological alternative for the <i>in vitro</i> control of GINs in cattle.