Atividade anti-helmíntica do óleo da semente de abóbora em camundongos infectados por Strongyloides venezuelensis

Abstract

Among the various intestinal parasites, infections by Strongyloides spp. are largely neglected, despite causing economic and human health damage. One of the treatments for this infection involves the use of Ivermectin (IVM) associated with side effects, while the use of medicinal plants can be a therapeutic resource with interesting advantages. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antiparasitic and gastrointestinal profile of Cucurbita pepo L. seed oil in mice infected by Strongyloides venezuelensis. Initially, the bioactive compounds of Cucurbita pepo L. seed oil were characterized in relation to lipophilic and hydrophilic extracts. For in vivo analysis, 34 adult male Balb/c mice were subdivided into 5 groups: Control (N=8), Infected (Sven) (N=8), Oil – 4 mL/Kg (N=5), Sven+IVM +Oil - 200 µg/Kg + 4 mL/Kg (N=8), Sven+Oil – 4 mL/Kg (N=5), being infected with 1500 larvae of S. venezuelensis when necessary. Treatment took place daily for 15 days via gavage. The number of eggs/gram/stools, 24- hour feed consumption and feces moisture were analyzed. Gastrointestinal transit was determined by the Alternating Current Biosusceptometry (BAC) technique, through the ingestion of feed labeled with ferrite. Presence and intensity of this magnetic material in the fecal pellets were evaluated every 20 minutes for 10 hours. On the 15th day, the animals were euthanized and organs such as stomach, cecum, spleen, thymus, liver, kidneys and heart were collected to determine relative weight, length and size. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by Dunett's post-test (p<0.05). Pumpkin seed oil showed bioactive compounds, such as total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, total carotenoids. The antioxidant capacity was determined by DPPH (290.99 ± 27.66 µmol te/100g) and ABTS (75.56 ± 3.43 µmol te/100g) methods. Egg count per grams of feces peaked on the 7th day after infection, with Sven+Oil and Sven+IVM+Oil groups showing reduction compared to the Sven group. Fecal Pellet Elimination Rate was accelerated during the 7th and 14th day after infection in Oil and Sven+oil groups compared to Control group, which may alter absorption of essential nutrients by the body. The cecum and spleen of the Sven+Oil Group and the spleen of the Sven+IVM+Ole showed an increase in relative weight in relation to Control. There was an increase in length of the small intestine in the Sven, Sven+IVM+Oil and Sven+Oil groups in relation to control. An increase in stomach and cecum was observed in Sven group when compared to control. It is concluded that the treatment with pumpkin seed oil for 15 days presented the expected consequences for a diet rich in fatty acids, however it presented an anthelmintic activity without compromising the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.