The effect of Taxus baccata L. extract on hydatid cyst protoscolices In vitro

Hydatidosis is most important global parasitic infectious diseases, both in humans and animals, which can be lodge at different organs of host such as liver, lung even in heart and brain which may lead to death. The mainly methods for treatment of hydatidosis include surgery. In surgical therapy of hydatidosis, use of scolicidai agents is very important, because these agents inactivate live protoscolices and prevent recurrence of infection. Presently, numerous scolicidal chemical agents have been administrated for inactivation of the hydatid cyst contents. Recently, there is a high tendency among researchers to evaluate and present herbal plants as alternative option due to being inexpensive, easy available, low side effects and toxicity. This study was undertaken for the first time to evaluate the scolicidal effect of hydro alcoholic Taxus baccata L. extract in vitro. The scolicidal activities of the extract were tested in concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 mg/ml following 10, 30 and 60 min of incubation and the experiments were performed in triplicate. Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin vital staining. Data were analyzed by SAS software version 9.4. The results showed that the hydroalcoholic extract of Taxus baccata L. at the concentration of 150 mg/ml leads to killing 66.6% of protoscolices at 60 minutes, then this investigation is recommended to use this plant as a scolicidal plant. The findings of present study proven that Taxus baccata L. have potent scolicidal effects. However, further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of Taxus baccata L. in vivo.