title: Tegumental Effects of Methanolic Extract ofBalanites aegyptiacaFruits on AdultParamphistomum microbothrium(Fischoeder 1901) under Laboratory Conditions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Weak efficacy of different fasciolicidal compounds used for treatment of paramphistomosis has drawn the attention of many authors to alternative drugs. The purpose of this study was to assess, for the first time, the effect of the methanolic extract ofBalanites aegyptiacafruits (BAE) on adultParamphistomum microbothrium.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of BAE on adultP. microbothriumafter 24 h incubating the parasites in RPMI 1640 culture medium containing 10, 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml BAE was determined by light and scanning electron microscopic studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Differences in response to BAE action were concentration dependent.The major target organ that was highly affected was the tegument. Maximum anthelmintic activity was found with a dose of 200 μg/ml BAE, at which distinct damage to the whole body surface of the trematodes was very much distinct. Shape and structure of both suckers were deformed due to BAE. This damage would undoubtedly disrupt many of the physiological processes associated with the tegument. Besides, the damage of the tegumental folds of the acetabular region might disrupt its function in drawing the rumen wall tissue of the host into the acetabular cavity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the use of methanolic extract ofB.aegyptiacafruits offers a new dimension and potential for control of such a neglected infectious disease in ruminants, at a time when paramphistomosis has emerged as an important cause of productivity loss.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hatem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shalaby
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Soad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nasr
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Tarek
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Farag
keywords: Balanites aegyptiaca; In vitro effect; Paramphistomum microbothrium; Tegument