Chemical composition, in vitro anthelmintic activity against Eisenia fetida, and in silico analysis of methanolic extracts from three Campomanesia species of Paraguayan flora

The rising interest in medicinal herbs for managing gastrointestinal parasites is linked to the risk of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes and drug residues in animal products. An assessment of three Campomanesia species Campomanesia guazumifolia (Cambess.) O. Berg, Campomanesia xanthocarpa O. Berg var. xanthocarpa, and Campomanesia guaviroba (DC.) Kiaersk evaluated their chemical composition and anthelmintic activity using in vitro and in silico methods. Phytochemical analysis revealed flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and triterpenes in all species, with tannins found only in C. xanthocarpa. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified glycosylated flavonols, phenolic acids, flavanones, and quercetin-rhamnoside across all species. Extracts were tested against Eisenia fetida. C. xanthocarpa at 40 mg/mL displayed the fastest response, causing paralysis in 7.05 min and death in 10.81 min. The ethyl acetate fraction of C. guazumifolia at 10 mg/mL had the highest efficacy, leading to paralysis in 8.19 min and death in 9.30 min. All species demonstrated considerable anthelmintic activity compared to the control drug, albendazole. In-silico analysis targeted acetylcholinesterase, γ-aminobutyric acid receptor B, and β-tubulin. Compounds gallic acid, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, and ellagic acid showed strong binding affinities (ΔG −7.8 to −9.8 kcal/mol, Kd 0.12 to 3.07 μM), indicating a significant role in the anthelmintic activity of the extracts.