In vitro anthelmintic activity of Vepris louisii Gilbert extracts on developmental stages of Heligmosomoides bakeri (Nematoda: Heligmosomoidae)

Vepris louisii Gilbert, used by indigenous farmers to treat helminth infections in livestock, was screened in vitro for anthelmintic activity using free living stages of laboratory mouse hookworm, Heligmosomoides bakeri. Aqueous and organic (methanol/dichloromethane) extracts were used for egg hatch assay, while only organic extract was used for larval mortality assay. Significant effects have been observed on three (eggs, L₁ and L₂ larvae) of the four stages tested, with the organic extract being more effective than aqueous for egg hatch assay. Effects were dose dependent for egg hatch, and both dose and time dependent for larval mortality. The infective stage was the least susceptible. Albendazole, was not significantly different (p>0.05) from plant extract at the highest tested concentration (5000 μg/ml) on all larval stages. Vepris louisii showed promising anthelmintic properties.