Efficacy of Teucrium polium leaves extract as anticoccidial and anthelmintic: In vitro study

ABSTRACT Natural sources are microbiological species and medicinal plants, which could be potential new sources for development of drugs against different diseases. Coccidiosis affects many animals and leads to great economic losses. Drug-resistant strains of Eimeria species have emerged because of overuse and misuse of drugs. In vitro, using Eimeria papillata oocyst and earthworm (Eisenia fetida), we evaluated the anticoccidial and anthelmintic effect of Teucrium polium leaves extract (TPLE). Using infrared spectroscopy showed the presence of thirteen compounds for TPLE. Mebendazole (10 mg/mL) caused paralysis and earthworm death by 13.91±0.373 and 18.2±0.980 min, respectively, while, for TPLE (100 mg/ml) were 4.23±0.077 and 4.817±0.386 min. Also, the histological study revealed obvious surface architecture abnormality for treated worms. Moreover, TPLE (300 mg/mL) and formalin (5%) at 72, 96, and 120 hrs led to inhibition of sporulation by approximately 100% with marked deformities, while TPLE (200, 100, 50, and 25 mg/mL), amprolium, DettolTM, and phenol at 120 hr approximately 65.9%, 23.6%, 4.8%, 3.2%, 12.6%, 68.4%, and 46.6%, respectively. This pilot investigation revealed that TPLE possesses anticoccidial and anthelmintic activity, encouraging additional testing in vivo to create a new medication for the treatment of coccidiosis and helminthiasis.