In vitro anti-eimeriosis and anthelmintic activities for Achillea fragrantissima

ABSTRACT The effectiveness of many plants has been reported as anthelmintic and anticoccidial because they possess active compounds. Excessive use of drugs has led to the emergence of drug-resistant Eimeria species. This study was designed to evaluate anticoccidial and anthelmintic activity of Achillea fragrantissima flower extract (AFFE) and leaves extract (AFLE). Infrared spectroscopy showed nine phytochemical compounds. Chemical examination revealed AF rich in phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. Flower extract showed the highest percentage inhibition of DPPH radical at 500 µg/mL (82.2%) compared to leaves extract (74.5%). AFFE and AFLE (100 mg/ml) caused paralysis and earthworm death by 13.67±1.96 and 15.25±2.48 min and 4.19±0.05 and 4.70±0.28 min, respectively, compared to mebendazole. In histological study, a clear defect was found in surface architecture of treated groups of worms with extract. At 96 h, significant inhibition (100%) of process sporulation for E. papillata oocyst was observed when exposed to AFFE (300 and 200 mg/mL), while AFLE was 98.4 and 96%, respectively. Additionally, amprolium, DettolTM, phenol, and formalin 5% showed different levels of inhibition. Results revealed anticoccidial and anthelmintic activities of AFFE and AFLE, which encourages conducting many in vivo studies to find an effective and cheap treatment.