Evaluation of the Potential Anthelmintic Activity of Teucrium polium L. Ethanol Extract on the Caenorhabditis elegans Model Organism
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Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the potential anthelmintic activity of Teucrium polium L. ethanol extract on the Caenorhabditis elegans model organism using paralysis and mortality parameters.
Method: T. polium plant material was collected from Mardin Province, dried, ground, and extracted with 70% ethanol using the maceration method. The resulting ethanol extract was prepared at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/mL. C. elegans individuals were cultured on standard Nematode Growth Medium with Escherichia coli OP50 as the food source. Anthelmintic activity was evaluated by exposing synchronized adult C. elegans individuals to the extract concentrations. Paralysis and mortality rates were determined under a stereomicroscope at the 6th, 12th, and 24th hours. Albendazole at 50 mg/mL was used as the positive control, whereas extract-free NGM medium was used as the negative control.
Results: T. polium ethanol extract caused dose- and time-dependent increases in paralysis and mortality in C. elegans individuals. The strongest effect was observed at 100 mg/mL at the 24th hour; in this group, the paralysis rate was 95.0 ± 1.1%, and the mortality rate was 89.0 ± 1.4%. In the albendazole group, complete paralysis was observed from the 12th hour onward, and 100% mortality was observed at the 24th hour. Reduced motility, suppression of pharyngeal pumping activity, and unresponsiveness to mechanical stimuli became particularly evident at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/mL.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that T. polium L. ethanol extract may exhibit dose- and time-dependent anthelmintic activity against C. elegans. This activity may be associated with the phytochemical content of the plant, which is rich in phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids. T. polium ethanol extract may be considered among natural anthelmintic candidates; however, further studies are needed to identify the active constituents, determine the cytotoxicity profile, and confirm the activity in parasitic helminth models.
