Abstract:
The use of plants for the treatment of human and animal diseases continues to rise although there are
few studies providing proof of these effects. Among them is the Anacardium occidentale L., popularly
known as cashew. In vitro egg hatch and larval development and viability assays was conducted to
determine possible direct anthelmintic effect of acetone extract and fractions of A. occidentale against
nematode of sheep, predominantly, Haemonchus contortus. The effect of the extracts on hatching of
eggs and development and survival of infective larvae (L3) was assessed. The best-fit LC50 values were
computed by global model of non-linear regression curve fitting (95% confidence interval). The
presence of A. occidentale extracts in the cultures decreased the hatchability of eggs and survival of L3
larvae in a concentration dependent manner. The LC50 values of acetone extract was 0.311 and 1.72
mg/ml for egg hatch and larval viability test, respectively. The fractions of A. occidentale were more
active, demonstrating a lower LC50 compare with the acetone extract. The activities of the fractions were
not significantly different against the eggs and larvae of H. contortus (p > 0.05). Further studies are
required to identify the compound(s) responsible for activity and more clearly comprehend the
anthelmintic mechanism detected in this study.
