Evaluation of the Effects of Bunium persicum and Albendazole on Killing Hydatid Cyst Protoscolices In Vitro

Hydatidosis is a parasitic disease of zoonoses and the best treatment for this parasitic disease is cryosurgery. From time immemorial, many protoscolice-destroying chemicals have been used to inhibit the distribution of protoscolices within the cyst during surgery. However, the side effects of chemical compounds and medicinal plants should always be considered. Due to the antiparasitic properties of Bunium persicum (Boiss), this study was performed to evaluate and compare the effects of B. persicum (Boiss) essential oil and albendazole on protoscolices inside hydatid cyst in vitro.

In this study, the essential oil used from the desired plant seeds was prepared. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed to determine its components. Hydatid cyst protoscolices were extracted from hydatid cyst-infected livers and exposed to B. persicum (Boiss) (2.5, 5, and 10 μg/mL) for 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes, respectively. The viability of protoscolices was measured by the effect of plant essential oil by eosin staining. Albendazole was also used as an effective antiparasitic drug in this study.

The amount of essential oil protoscolices at 2.5 μg/mL in 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes was 48.5%, 68.2%, 79.5%, and 96.1%, respectively. The antiparasitic drug albendazole showed less toxic effects at similar doses at the same intervals, but both treatment groups had a significant effect (P<0.001). The highest toxic effects of essential oil were observed at a concentration of 10 μg/mL 30 minutes after treatment. For albendazole, this effect was achieved at a dose of 10 μg/mL after 2 hours.

The results and statistical data of this study showed that the essential oil of B. persicum (Boiss) in comparison with the antiparasitic drug albendazole has an acceptable scolicide effects in hydatidosis and can be used as an alternative to scolicide compound.