Allied to the problem of gastrointestinal parasites, especially Haemochus contortus, the use of lectins of plant origin has contributed to the research of alternative anthelmintics. The nematicidal effect of a water soluble Moringa oleifera lectin (WSMoL) was investigated in an experimental model with H. contortus infected Wistar rodents. Three concentrations were tested orally: 5 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg. The reduction in the number of larvae recovered in the experimental groups was analyzed, as well as biochemical, hematological and histological parameters. Treatments with 5, 2.5 and 1 mg/kg of WSMoL reduced the number of larvae recovered of animals by 74.7 %, 72.8 % and 66 %, respectively. Untreated infected animals had anemia, moderate mononuclear multifocal hepatitis, vascular congestion in the liver and kidneys, white pulp hyperplasia in the spleen, and presence of eosinophils in the intestine. Infected animals treated with 5 mg/kg of WSMoL showed liver with moderate bleeding, kidney with vascular congestion, spleen with white pulp hyperplasia and intestine with moderate presence of mononuclear cells. An increase in the serum level of glutamic pyruvic transaminase and a reduction in the level of hemoglobin (p < 0.001) were also observed in this group when compared to the uninfected group. However, the administered concentrations of 2.5 and 1 mg/kg of WSMoL were both satisfactory in terms of reducing the number of recovered larvae and not promoting negative changes in the biochemical, hematological and histological parameters evaluated. These results indicate an in vivo nematicidal effect of WSMoL on the H. contortus parasite.
Keywords: Haemonchus; Moringa; Nematode; Vegetable lectin.
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