Abstract

This experimental trial was designed to evaluate the anti-leech effect of methanolic extract of Peganum harmala L. plant as well as niclosamide, albendasole, pyrvinium, furazolidone and sulfadimidine. In an experimental study the methanolic extract of Peganum harmala L. aerial parts was prepared by maceration method and the amount of total phenolic compounds was determined colorimetrically using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. Then the severity effect of the compounds was recorded for 720 min and categorized in 5 groups (1 to 5), based on the time to paralyze or kill the leech. The mean death time of leeches in groups treated with niclozamide, sulfadimidine, furazolidone and pyrvinium were 14.77±3.66, 58.33±22.17, and 137.11±37.84 and 320.44±300 min, respectively. Different doses of P. harmala L. methanolic extracts (300, 600, 900, 1200, 1500 and 1800 mg) were ineffective on leeches in 720 min of experiment. Despite of suggestion in Iranian traditional medicine related to the effect of P. harmala L. on leech infestation, the results of this experiment showed that P. harmala L. was ineffective. The niclozamide, sulfadimidine, furazolidone and pyrvinium might be used per se or as complementary treatment in leeches’ infestation.

Key words: Leech, Limnatis nilotica, anti-leech assay, Peganum harmala L