In vitro study of Vitex gardneriana schauer toxicity on Artemia salina and its effect on eggs and larvae of Haemonchus contortus

ABSTRACT

This research aimed to investigate the toxic action of Vitex gardneriana on microcrustacean Artemia salina by using hydroalcoholic extract from leaves (EHF) and acute toxicity test (CL50) concentrations of 100, 500, 1.000, 10.000, 20.000, and 50.000/mL. Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) at 1% was used as positive control, and saline and 1% DMSO were used as negative control. Vitex gardneriana showed low toxic potential, with 50% mortality in the microcrustacean metanauplii population (concentration 34.600 mg/mL). A. salina is a seawater microcrustacean widely used in bioassays for determining the toxic dose of bioactive substances because of its low costs and its related simple, aseptic procedures. To determine the toxic action of the hydroalcoholic extract of V. Gardneriana on eggs and larvae of Haemonchus contortus, 2,5mL of EHF with a concentration of 34,600 mg/mL were added into single-species nematode fecal cultures containing approximately 12.000 eggs. Only 26,6% of the eggs hatched, corresponding to an EHF efÀ ciency of 73,3%, whereas the hatchability was 50% in control, with 6.000 larvae recovered. The À ndings show the potential of this plant as an alternative in parasite control.(AU)