Anthelmintic activity of Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil and its major component, citronellal, on sheep gastrointestinal nematodes

• Published in: Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 644 - 651
• Main Authors: Araújo-Filho, José Vilemar de, Ribeiro, Wesley Lyeverton Correia, André, Weibson Paz Pinheiro, Cavalcante, Géssica Soares, Rios, Thays Tabosa, Schwinden, Gabriela Maria, Rocha, Letícia Oliveira da, Macedo, Iara Tersia Freitas, Morais, Selene Maia de, Bevilaqua, Claudia Maria Leal, Oliveira, Lorena Mayana Beserra de
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária 01-10-2019; Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria
• Subjects: alternative control; Animals; Anthelmintics - pharmacology; Eucalyptus - chemistry; Female; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Haemonchiasis - parasitology; Haemonchiasis - veterinary; Haemonchus - drug effects; Haemonchus - isolation & purification; Haemonchus - ultrastructure; Haemonchus contortus; Mice; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; monoterpenoid; Oils, Volatile - isolation & purification; Oils, Volatile - pharmacology; Parasite Egg Count; Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; PARASITOLOGY; Phytotherapy; Sheep - parasitology; Sheep Diseases - parasitology; VETERINARY SCIENCES; alternative control; Haemonchus contortus; monoterpenoid; fitoterapia; monoterpenoide; Phytotherapy; controle alternativo
• ISSN: 0103-846X; 1984-2961; 1984-2961
• DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612019090

This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil and citronellal on sheep gastrointestinal nematodes. Essential oil composition was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The substances were evaluated in vitro using adult worm motility test (AWMT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The acute toxicity test in mice and the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) in sheep were performed. Citronellal was confirmed as the essential oil major constituent (63.9%). According to the AWMT, 2 mg/mL of essential oil and citronellal completely inhibited Haemonchus contortus motility at 6 h post exposure. H. contortus exposed to essential oil and citronellal exhibited internal ultrastructural modifications. The lethal dose 50 values in mice were 5,000 and 2,609 mg/kg for essential oil and citronellal, respectively. E. citriodora essential oil reduced sheep epg at 14 days post treatment by 69.5% (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in epg between the citronellal and negative control groups (P>0.05). The interaction between citronellal and other constituents in the essential oil may be relevant for its in vivo anthelmintic activity. Thus, E. citriodora essential oil and citronellal pharmacokinetic studies may help elucidate the anthelmintic activity of these compounds.