Anthelmintic effect of Mentha spp. essential oils on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces and metacestodes

The document from 2011 presents a study on the anthelmintic effects of Mentha piperita and Mentha pulegium essential oils on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces and metacestodes in vitro. The study found that M. pulegium essential oil was significantly more effective than M. piperita, with a dose- and time-dependent effect that resulted in complete loss of viability of protoscoleces after 18 days at a concentration of 10 µg/ml. M. piperita showed a time-dependent effect with a 50% viability reduction after 24 days. The study observed morphological and ultrastructural damage to the protoscoleces and cysts treated with the oils, suggesting that the main compound in M. pulegium, piperitone oxide, may be responsible for its strong anthelmintic effect. The findings indicate that M. pulegium essential oil could be a potential source of protoscolicidal agents for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis, but further research is needed to confirm its therapeutic value. The study was supported by grants from ANPCyT, Argentina, but does not provide specific data or results.