ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Hedysarum gmelinii Ledeb. contains bioactive phenolic compounds, including prenylated chalcones, but its biological properties, particularly its ovicidal activity against veterinary parasites, remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro ovicidal activity of H. gmelinii extract against Toxocara cati and strongylid eggs and to provide a preliminary assessment of its cytotoxic, antibacterial, and antifungal activities.

Materials and Methods: Aerial parts of H. gmelinii were collected in the Akmola Region, Kazakhstan, and extracted with ethanol:chloroform (1:1) using a Soxhlet apparatus. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using Artemia salina nauplii at extract concentrations of 1%–10%. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed by agar well diffusion against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Ovicidal activity was evaluated against T. cati eggs at 5% and 10% and strongylid eggs at 10%, 20%, and 30%, with exposure periods ranging from 30 min to 48 h. Egg viability was evaluated after 21 days based on morphological evidence of shell damage, loss of internal contents, and arrested embryonic development.

Results: A. salina nauplii showed no mortality at 1%–10% extract concentrations. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were weak and most evident at higher concentrations. At 10%, inhibition zones were 12.0 ± 0.12 mm for S. aureus, 14.0 ± 0.14 mm for E. coli, and 13.0 ± 0.18 mm for C. albicans. Ovicidal activity increased with concentration and exposure time. After 48 h, non-viability of T. cati eggs reached 79.0 ± 1.9% and 89.0 ± 1.8% at 5% and 10%, respectively. For strongylid eggs, non-viability reached 89.0 ± 1.2%, 92.0 ± 1.3%, and 95.0 ± 2.2% at 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. Differences from the negative control were significant (p < 0.05). Microscopy revealed eggshell deformation, disruption of internal structures, and arrested embryonic development.

Conclusion: H. gmelinii extract demonstrated pronounced in vitro ovicidal activity against T. cati and strongylid eggs but limited antibacterial and antifungal activity. These preliminary findings support further phytochemical standardization, mammalian safety assessment, and in vivo evaluation before establishing its potential veterinary antiparasitic application.

Keywords: antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, Hedysarum gmelinii, in vitro, ovicidal activity, plant extract, strongylid eggs, Toxocara cati.