Abstract:

Echinococcosis is a common and endemic disease that affects both humans and animals. In this study, the in vitro activitiesof methanolic extracts of Ruta graveolens, Peganum harmala aerial parts, and Citrullus colocynthis seeds against protoscolosis and isolated bacterial strains from hydatid cysts were assessed using disc diffusion methods and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The chemical composition of three methanolic extracts was studied using LC–MS. After 3 h ofexposure to 40 mg/mL R. graveolens extract, a tenfold protoscolocidal effect was seen when compared to the convintionalmedication (ABZ) for the same duration (P < 0.05). The bacteria listed below were isolated from hydatid cyst fluid collectedfrom a variety of sick locations, including the lung and liver. Micrococcus spp., E. coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacteraerogenes, Enterobacter amnigenus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus xylosus, and Achromobacter xylosoxidansare among the bacteria that have been identified. The most effective extract was R. graveolens, followed by P. harmala andC. colocynthis, according to the results of antibacterial activity using the disc diffusion method. R. graveolens extract hadthe lowest MIC values (less than 2 mg/mL) against all microorganisms tested. This shows that the R. graveolens extract hasadditional properties, such as the ability to be both scolocidal and bactericidal. Because these bacteria are among the mostprevalent pathogenic bacteria that increase the risk of secondary infection during hydatid cysts, the results of inhibitoryzones and MICs of the R. graveolens methanol extract are considered highly promising.