Ultrastructural changes in Raillietina (Platyhelminthes: cestoda), exposed to sulfonoquinovosyldiacylglyceride (SQDG), isolated from Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Abstract

Neem (Azadirachta indica), has been known to be a curative for various ailments and diseases in the traditional Indian medicinal system from times immemorial. A glycolipid sulfonoquinovosyldiacylglyceride (SQDG) isolated from the leaves of neem has been found to be a proactive antibacterial and antiviral agent in previous studies. The current communication pertains to the anthelmintic activity of SQDG in vitro against a model cestode Raillietina spp. The results of efficacy tests showed a paralysis time of 1.0 ± 0.1 and 0.7 ± 0.01 h, whereas death time of 1.6 ± 0.3 and 0.9 ± 0.02 h, following treatments with dosages of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL, respectively. The scanning electron microscopic studies showed significant and unique changes in the ultrastructure of the worms with prominent breakages and furrows on the surface.

Keywords:

• Anthelminthic
• Azadirachta indica
• sulfonoquinovosyldiacylglyceride
• Raillietina
• anticestodal efficacy
• SEM

Acknowledgements

Authors express their gratitude to T. Scholz, P. Masařová, M. Tesařová and J. Vaněček (Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic) for kind support in this work. Authors are grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive criticism and valuable suggestions.