Phytochemical composition and anthelmintic activities of Ficus sycomorus L. (Moraceae) on the bovine parasite Onchocerca ochengi and drug resistant strains of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

The anthelmintic activity of ethanolic, methanolic and methanolic/methylene chloride extracts of leaves stem bark and root bark of Ficus sycomorus was assessed in vitro by using the cattle parasite nematode Onchocerca ochengi and Caenorhabditis elegans. Extracts were diluted to different concentrations in 0,5 % DMSO in the presence of parasites and incubated at 37 ° C. The anthelminthic activity was observed in terms of number of live worms after 72 h of incubation. The methanolic/methylene chloride and methanolic extracts of leaves and roots bark showed higher activity on O. ochengi with LC50 values 0,45 µg/ml, 0,65 µg/ml and 0,22 µg/ml; 0,62 µg/ml, 0,55 µg/ml, 0,40 µg/ml respectively. Lower activity was observed with ethanolic extract of stem bark. LC50 values were 17,5 µg/ml, 12,5 µg/ml and 30 µg/ml respectively for leaves, roots bark and stem barks after 72 h of incubation. The wild strain WT of Caenorhabditis elegans was sensitive with the methanolic extracts of the leaves of Ficus sycomorus and CB3474 (ben-1 (e1880) was not sensitive in the presence of the methanolic extracts of the stem bark of Ficus sycomorus with the LC50 values 239.16 µg/ml and 872.13 µg/ml respectively.Tests with ivermectin have shown high effeciency on Onchocerca ochengi with LC50 value of 1 µg/ml. These results confirmed the efficiency and the use of Ficus sycomorus against nematode infections by traditional healers, herdsmen and pastoralists. According to our data, extracts of plant could be used as an alternative to fight Human and Bovine onchocerciasis.