<i>In vitro</i> Evaluation of the Anti-scavenging and Anthelmintic Activities of <i>Artocarpus heterophyllus</i> LAM Leaves (Moraceae) in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

The extracts of <i>Arthocarpus heterophyllus</i> Lam. leaves were evaluated <i>in vitro</i> for their anthelmintic activity. <i>Benhamia rosea</i> and <i>B. itoleisis</i> were used as animal models and Albendazole as reference product (positive control). After calculating the yield, it appears that the ethanol extracts had given a better yield (0.70%) compared to the organic extracts. The result of the phytochemical screening by TLC (thin layer chromatography) showed the presence of phenolic compounds including anthocyanins, coumarins, anthraquinones, phenol acids and terpenoids. From this study, it appears that <i>A. heterophyllus</i> Lam. contains various secondary metabolites such as flavonoids (2.63±0.007mg EQ/100g MS), phenolic acids, coumarins, anthraquinones, terpenoids and anthocyanins (10.46±1.05 mg/100 MS) and total polyphenols (27.33±9.34 mg EAG/100 g MS). The organic/terpenic acids extract showed very high antioxidant activity against the ABTS radical (IC₅₀: 0.97 ± 0.13 µg/ml). The ethanolic and organic acid extracts from the leaves of this plant species have an anthelminthic activity, but this activity is dose dependent. However, at the lowest concentration (0.625 mg/mL), ethanolic extract showed better activity with a paralysis time of 67.3±1.8 minutes compared to 76±2.1 minutes for the organic extract. But the mortality rate at the lowest concentration was higher for organic extracts, at 62.7% compared to 33.3% for ethanol extracts. It is therefore desirable to test bioactive extracts on gastrointestinal parasites of farm animals in order to confirm the results obtained. Ongoing in-depth phytochemical studies will identify the chemical compound (s) and active principle (s) for the formulation of anthelminthic phytomedicine for managing pathologies due to helminthes in farm animals.