IN VITRO ANTIPARASITIC ACTIVITY OF Mentha spicata L. (LAMIALES: LAMIACEAE) IN THE EGGS OF GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTH PARASITES OF SHEEP

Resumo

Phytotherapy has been an alternative to control parasitic resistance. Thus, the objective was to evaluate in vitro the anthelmintic activity of the extract of Mentha spicata L. in eggs of gastrointestinal helminths of sheep. The leaves were collected for extract preparation and phytochemical analysis. For in vitro tests, fecal samples were collected from a sheep herd. Eggs per gram of feces were counted to determine the level of infection, then recovered and hatch test performed. To determine the toxicological effect of the extract, a bioassay was performed with Artemia salina. The extract inhibited the hatching of eggs by 79%, 78%, 40% and 23% at concentrations of 80 mg / mL, 40 mg / mL, 20 mg / mL and 10 mg / mL, respectively. The concentrations with the best ovicidal activity were 80 mg / mL and 40 mg / mL, with 80 mg / mL being toxic with an LC₅₀ of 59.04 mg / mL, indicating that 40 mg / mL is the most viable concentration. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of phenols, saponins, steroids and hydrolyzable tannins, which could explain its ovicidal activity. The use of M. spicata L. shows potential for the control of helminths in sheep.