Parasitology & Infectious Diseases

Echinococcus granulosus parasite causes a zoonotic disease which is important for public and veterinary health. Since pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita sp) are used as traditional vermifuge in Iran, they may be a potential herbal anthelmintic. This study was designed to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal effect of Cucurbita moschata seeds. Hydro alcoholic and petroleum ether extracts were prepared by maceration and Soxhlet, respectively. Both extracts with four different concentrations (100, 10, 1, 0.1 mg/ml) were incubated against protoscoleces in 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes. Maximum mortality was 16% with 1% hydro alcoholic extract in 60 minutes. Highest mortality with organic extract was 4% with 10% concentration in 60 minutes (P=0.015). Since highest mortality was 16%, the extract didn’t reach to LD 50 (50% mortality). Therefore, the potency of the total extract is not sufficient as potential scolicidal drug.