STRUCTURAL DAMAGES ON THE TEGUMENT OF THE TAPEWORM RAILLIETINA TETRAGONA CAUSED BY ACACIA CAESIA STEM BARK EXTRACT
AbstractAcacia caesia L. (family Mimosaceae) is a well-known shrub in Southeast Asia, where the natives use it for a wide range of purposes. The Mizo tribes of India use the stem bark for the treatment of gastrointestinal infections. The present study is an attempt to elucidate structural changes on the tegument of chicken tapeworm Raillietina tetragona Molin. upon treatment with the methanol extract of A. caesia stem bark. R. tetragonal recovered from chicken intestines were treated with 20 mg/mL of the plant extract at 37 °C. The tapeworms were fixed in neutral-buffered formaldehyde at 4 °C, and then post-fixed in 1% osmium tetraoxide. They were completely dehydrated using acetone. After treating with tetramethylsilane and drying under room temperature, they were coated with gold. Then they were finally observed under a scanning electron microscope to observe the tegument. Tapeworm showed severe damage to the scolex. Suckers were obliterated. The tegument was distorted and shrunk. The fine microtriches were completely removed. A. caesia stem bark extract is, therefore, a potent anthelmintic agent. Therefore, its chemical components are potential pharmaceutical compounds.