In Vitro Assessment of the Protoscolicidal Activities of the Ephedra major Methanol Extracts

Background: The basic approaches for the treatment of human hydatidosis are surgery and chemotherapy. The risk of spillage of protoscoleces cannot be underestimated during surgery. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the scolicidal activity of Ephedra major methanol extracts against protoscoleces of hydatid cysts. Materials and Methods: Various concentrations of the methanolic extracts (0.01%-0.001%, mg/mL) of different parts of E. major were used for exposure times of 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes. Results: Different extracts of E. major were tested, 0.1% concentration had strong scolicidal activity in 60 minutes. The stem extracts of 0.1% had very strong scolicidal effects in 60 minutes of exposure time and the mortality rate decreased with the lower concentration. Conclusion: Findings showed that scolicidal effects of E. major root extracts against cystic echinococcosis protoscoleces were less effective, while the stem and leaf extracts demonstrated more activities, respectively.