EFFECT OF ROOT-TUBER EXTRACT OF FLEMINGIA-VESTITA, A LEGUMINOUS PLANT, ON ARTYFECHINOSTOMUM-SUFRARTYFEX AND FASCIOLOPSIS-BUSKI - A SCANNINGELECTRON-MICROSCOPY STUDY

The tegumental surface of Artyfechinostomum sufrartyfex as viewed unde r the scanning electron microscope revealed the presence of double row s of spines in the collar. The dorsal surface (6-8 rows) and the ventr al surface are provided with posteriorly directed spines. The normal b ody surface of Fasciolopsis buski shows posteriorly directed scales th roughout the ventral surface; the dorsal surface is free of any scales bur has domed, coarsely distributed papillae. When treated in vitro w ith ethanol root-tuber extract of Flemingia vestita, an indigenous med icinal plant in Meghalaya, India, at a concentration of 5, 10, and 20 mg/ml phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), A. sufratyfex became paralyzed within 1.1-1.4, 0.8-1.0, and 0.3-0.5 h, respectively. Following simila r treatment, F. buski took 3.0-3.6, 1.5-2.0, and 0.6-0.8 h, respective ly, to reach a paralytic state. Oxyclozanide B.P. was used as the refe rence drug and paralyzed the worm, taking slightly less time than the crude extract for both species of flukes. Stereoscanning observations on the tegumental surface of treated (20 mg extract/ml PBS) A. sufrart yfex revealed sloughing off of most of the spines or their deformation as well as wrinkles and rupture of the general tegument. Severe tegum ental alterations and deformities were also displayed by F. buski expo sed to 20 mg extract/ml PBS.