In Vitro Filaricidal Properties of Aqueous Extracts of Combretum nigricans (Combretaceae) on Onchocerca ochengi (Onchocercidae).

Aim: Onchocerciasis is an endemic parasitic disease in sub-Saharan Africa that significantly impacts animal and human health. In Northern Cameroon, medicinal plants from the Combretum genus are used for onchocerciasis traditional treatment although there is no scientific evidence of their antifilarial potential. This study evaluates the in vitro macro- and microfilaricidal properties of water extracts from Combretum nigricans in Onchocerca ochengi. Material and Methods. O. ochengi microfilariae and adult male worms were recovered from cowhide fragments. Oxidative stress indicators and motility tests were used to assess the filaricidal impact. Female albino rats were used to test for acute toxicity. The contents of secondary metabolites were quantified.

Results: The bark aqueous extract was more active on macrofilariae at 1 mg/mL for 24 h (100%) than the leaf (63.9%) and root (75%) extracts at the same concentration. Likewise, a stronger microfilaricidal effect was found with this extract at 0.5 mg/mL for 1 h (100%) compared to root and leaf extracts. The dose-response effect with the bark extract gave an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC₅₀) of 351 μg/mL vs. 113 μg/mL for flubendazole after 24 h incubation, while the microfilaricidal efficacy revealed an IC₅₀ of 158.7 μg/mL vs. 54.09 μg/mL for ivermectin after one-hour incubation. Examining stress indicators on parasite homogenates showed that macrofilaricidal activity is associated with a significant increase in nitric oxide, glutathione, and malondialdehyde generation and a decrease in catalase activity. At 2000 mg/kg, rats showed no harm. The phytochemical investigation revealed that the barks contained more phenolic acids, condensed tannins, flavonoids, and saponins than the leaves (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: These findings support C. nigricans' antifilarial activity and identify oxidative stress indicators as prospective treatment targets in O. ochengi. It would be interesting to conduct in vivo studies to understand their antifilarial activity better.