DJAFSIA BOURSOU1*, KALMOBE JUSTIN2, ADAMOU MOĂŹSE1, MASSABE MBAPPE D. G.3, ABESSOLO ABESSOLO H.1 and NDJONKA DIEUDONNÉ3Â
1 Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, Hematology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Garoua, Po Box 317, Garoua, Cameroon.Â
2 Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon.Â
3 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon.Â
*Corresponding author: vboursou1@gmail.com, +237 694 597Â 848.
Received: 23 May 2025, Reviewed: 02 Jul 2025, Revised: 15 Jul 2025, Accepted: 27 Jul 2025, Published: 01 Oct 2025Â
https://doi.org/10.63342/cjbbs2025.33.021.eng
ABSTRACT
Haemonchosis is among the leading nematodosis of ruminants, particularly in sheep, with important economic losses. During the last decades, several approaches using anthelminthic drugs were conducted with a continuously decreasing success. Nowadays, it is well established that Haemonchus contortus is resistant to the three classes of anthelmintics in several countries. Currently, the approaches of grazing management and the use of alternative natural compounds are also implemented to control these infections. The present study aimed to evaluate the activity of the ethanolic extract of the seeds of Cucumis melo on H. contortus. For this purpose, the seeds were extracted in a 70% ethanol solution. The obtained powder was solubilized in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at various concentrations (0 to 3.75 mg/mL) to which the assessed stages were submitted. The activity (mortality and egg hatching inhibition) was monitored at different time points (0, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h). The extract was active on diverse stages in a concentration-dependent manner. In adult females, a 100% mortality rate was reached after 24h with an LC50 of 0.5 ±0.09 mg/mL, which was significantly weaker than the levamisole control (0.33 ±0.02 mg/mL). The effect on larval migration was similar to the conventional drug effect, with IC50 values of 1.71 ± 0.10 mg/mL and 1.74 ± 0.25 mg/mL, respectively, for extract and levamisole. On larvae, the lethal activity was very similar in the presence of either levamisole or seeds extract, with an IC50 value of 0.86 ± 0.25 mg/mL and 1.19 ± 0.25 mg/mL, respectively. A qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed that the assessed extract contains alkaloids, tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and triterpenes. The hydro-ethanolic extract of the seeds of C. melo did not induce any sign of toxicity in mice at the dose of 2000 mg/kg. Altogether, this extract is a good source of anthelminthic chemical compounds, especially those active on larval migration and egg hatching.
Key-Words: Cucumis melo seeds, Anthelminthic, Haemonchus contortus, levamisole.
RÉSUMÉ
L’haemonchose est l’une des principales nĂ©matodoses des ruminants, notamment les moutons Ă l’origine d’importantes pertes Ă©conomiques. Au fil des dĂ©cennies, diverses stratĂ©gies utilisant des mĂ©dicaments anthelminthiques ont Ă©tĂ© mises en Ĺ“uvre, avec un succès dĂ©croissant. Aujourd’hui, il est reconnu que Haemonchus contortus est rĂ©sistant aux trois principales classes d’anthelminthiques dans plusieurs pays. Par consĂ©quent, des approches de gestion des pâturages et l’utilisation de composĂ©s naturels alternatifs sont actuellement en dĂ©veloppement pour lutter contre ces infections. Cette Ă©tude visait Ă Ă©valuer l’activitĂ© de l’extrait Ă©thanolique des graines de Cucumis melo contre H. contortus. Une extraction a Ă©tĂ© conduite sur des graines dans une solution d’Ă©thanol Ă 70 %. La poudre obtenue a Ă©tĂ© dissoute dans du PBS (phosphate buffer saline) Ă diffĂ©rentes concentrations (0 Ă 3,75 mg/mL), puis soumise Ă des tests sur diffĂ©rents stades du parasite. L’activitĂ© de l’extrait, notamment la mortalitĂ© et l’inhibition de l’Ă©closion des Ĺ“ufs, a Ă©tĂ© Ă©valuĂ©e Ă diverses tranches horaires (0, 12, 18, 24 et 48 heures). Les rĂ©sultats montrent que l’extrait est actif selon la concentration et le stade du parasite. Chez les femelles adultes, un taux de mortalitĂ© de 100 % a Ă©tĂ© observĂ© après 24 heures avec une CL50 de 0,5 ±0,09 mg/mL, infĂ©rieur Ă celle du lĂ©vamisole (0,33 ±0,02 mg/mL). Sur la migration larvaire, l’effet de l’extrait Ă©tait comparable Ă celui du lĂ©vamisole, avec des valeurs IC50 de 1,71 ± 0,10 mg/mL et 1,74 ± 0,25 mg/mL respectivement. En ce qui concerne les larves, l’activitĂ© lĂ©tale Ă©tait similaire pour l’extrait et le lĂ©vamisole, avec des IC50 respectives de 0,86 ± 0,25 mg/mL et 1,19 ± 0,25 mg/mL. L’analyse phytochimique qualitative de cet extrait a rĂ©vĂ©lĂ© la prĂ©sence d’alcaloĂŻdes, de tanins et de composĂ©s phĂ©noliques, de flavonoĂŻdes, de glycosides, de saponines et de triterpènes. Aucun signe de toxicitĂ© n’a Ă©tĂ© observĂ© chez les souris Ă la dose de 2000 mg/kg. En rĂ©sumĂ©, l’extrait hydro-Ă©thanolique des graines de C. melo constitue une source prometteuse de composĂ©s chimiques Ă activitĂ© anthelminthique, notamment contre la migration larvaire et l’Ă©closion des Ĺ“ufs.
Mots-clés : Cucumis melo seeds, Anthelminthic, Haemonchus contortus, levamisole.
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