Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of crude extracts of Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) and Carica papaya (Caricaceae) against the protozoan fish parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is among the most pathogenic parasites of fish maintained in captivity. In the present study, the effects of the crude methanolic extract of leaves of Mucuna pruriens and the petroleum-ether extract of seeds of Carica papaya against I. multifiliis were investigated under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) infected with the parasites were immersed for 72 h in baths with M. pruriens extract, and for 96 h in baths with C. papaya extract. There was a 90% reduction in numbers of I. multifiliis on fish after treatment in baths of each plant extract at 200 mg l−1 compared to untreated controls. Consequently, parasite-induced fish mortality was reduced significantly. A complete interruption of trophont recruitment was achieved by immersion in the M. pruriens extract. In vitro tests led to a 100% mortality of I. multifiliis in 150 mg/l M. pruriens extract, and in 200 mg/l of C. papaya extract after 6 h. Although the active constituents of the medicinal plant extracts are still unknown, we have demonstrated that they have potential for effective control of I. multifiliis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alderman DJ (1985) Malachite green: a review. J Fish Dis 8:289–298

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arulmozhi M, Janardhanan K (1992) The biochemical composition and nutritional potential of the tribal pulse, Mucuna monosperma DC. Ex Wight. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 42:45–53

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Asres K, Bucar F, Knauder E, Yardley V, Kendrick H, Croft SL (2001) In vitro antiprotozoal activity of extract and compounds from the stem bark of Combretum molle. Phytother Res 15:613–617

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Buchmann K, Jensen PB, Kruse KD (2003) Effects of sodium percarbonate and garlic extract on Ichthyophthirius multifiliis theronts and tomocysts: in vitro experiments. N Am J Aquacult 65:21–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Chinoy NJ, Dilip T, Harsha J (1995) Effect of Carica papaya seed extract on female rat ovaries and uteri. Phytother Res 9:169–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark TG, Dickerson HW (1997) Antibody-mediated effects on parasite behavior: evidence of a novel mechanism of immunity against a parasitic protist. Parasitol Today 13:477–480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (1999) Statement for COT: malachite green and leucomalachite green. Department of Health, London. http://archive.food.gov.uk/dept_health/pdf/mala.pdf. Cited 22 August 2003

  • Cross DG (1972) A review of methods to control ichthyopthiriasis. Prog Fish Cult 34:165–170

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dickerson HW, Dawe DL (1995) Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Cryptocaryon irritans (Phylum Ciliophora). In: Woo PTK (ed) Fish diseases and disorders, vol 1. Protozoan and metazoan infections. CAB International, Wallingford

  • Duke JA (1981) Handbook of legumes of world economic importance. Plenum, New York

  • Duke JA (1992) Handbook of phytochemical constituents of GRAS herbs and other economic plants. CRC, Boca Raton

  • Emeruwa AC (1982) Antibacterial substance from Carica papaya fruit extract. J Nat Prod 45:123–127

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ghosal S, Singh S, Bhattacharya SK (1971) Alkaloids of Mucuna pruriens. Chemistry and pharmacology. Planta Med 19:279–284

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harborne JB, Baxter H (1993) Phytochemical dictionary. Taylor and Francis, London

  • Ijah UJJ, Oyebanji FO (2003) Effects of tannins and polyphenols of some medical plants on bacterial agents of urinary tract infections. Glob J Pure Appl Sci 9:193–198

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kermanshai R, McCarry BE, Rosenfeld J, Summers PS, Weretilnyk EA, Sorger GJ (2001) Benzyl isothiocyanate is the chief or sole anthelmintic in papaya seed extracts. Phytochemistry 57:427–435

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby GC (1996) Medicinal plants and the control of protozoal disease with particular reference to malaria. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 90:605–609

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leteux F, Meyer FP (1972) Mixtures of malachite green and formalin for controlling Ichthyophthirius and other protozoan parasites of fish. Prog Fish Cult 34:21–26

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzetti F, MacIsaac S, Arnason JT, Awang DVC, Buckles D (1998) The phytochemistry, toxicology, and food potential of velvetbean (Mucuna Adans. spp., Fabaceae). In: Buckles D, Etèka A, Osiname O, Galiba M, Galiano N (eds) Cover crops in West Africa. IDRC CRDI, Ottawa

  • Madsen HCK, Buchmann K, Mellergaard S (2000) Treatment of trichodiniasis in eel (Anguilla anguilla) reared in recirculation systems in Denmark: alternatives to formaldehyde. Aquaculture 186:221–231

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCallum HI (1982) Infection dynamics of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Parasitology 85:475–488

    Google Scholar 

  • Newbold CJ, el Hassan SM, Wang J, Ortega ME, Wallace RJ (1997) Influence of foliage from African multipurpose trees on activity of rumen protozoa and bacteria. Br J Nutr 78:237–249

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Noga EJ (1996) Fish disease: diagnosis and treatment. Mosby-Year Book, St. Louis

    Google Scholar 

  • Olafsdottir ES, Jorgensen LB, Jaroszewski JW (2002) Cyanogenesis in glucosinolate-producing plants: Carica papaya and Carica quercifolia. Phytochemistry 60:269–273

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paolini V, Frayssines A, De La Farge F, Dorchies P, Hoste H (2003) Effects of condensed tannins on established populations and on incoming larvae of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Teladorsagia circumcincta in goats. Vet Res 34:331–339

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Price DJ, Clayton GM (1999) Genotype-environment interactions in the susceptibility of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infections. Aquaculture 173:149–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ridoux O, Di Giorgio C, Delmas F, Elias R, Mshvildaze V, Dekanosidze G, Kemertelidze E, Balansard G, Timon-David P (2001) In vitro antileishmanial activity of three saponins isolated from ivy, α-hederin, β-hederin and hederacolchiside A1, in association with pentamidine and amphotericin B. Phytother Res 15:298–301

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Satrija F, Retnani EB, Ridwan Y, Tiuria R (2001) Potential use of herbal anthelmintics as alternative antiparasitic drugs for smallholder farms in developing countries. Livestock community and environment. Proceedings of the 10th Conference of the Association of Institutions for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Schmahl G, Mehlhorn H, Taraschewski H (1989) Treatment of fish parasites. 5. The effects of sym. Triazinone (Toltrazuril) on fish parasitic Ciliphora (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet, 1876, Apiosoma amoeba Grenfell, 1884, Trichodina sp. Ehrenberg, 1831). Eur J Protistol 24:152–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmahl G, Ruider S, Mehlhorn H, Schmidt H, Ritter G (1992) Treatment of fish parasites. 9. Effects of a medicated food containing malachite green on Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet, 1876 (Hymenostomatida, Ciliophora) in ornamental fish. Parasitol Res 78:183–192

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Straus DL, Griffin BR (2001) Prevention of an initial infestation of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in channel catfish and blue tilapia by potassium permanganate treatment. N Am J Aquacult 63:11–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieman DM, Goodwin AE (2001) Treatments for Ich infestations in channel catfish evaluated under static and flow-through water conditions. N Am J Aquacult 63:293–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Tona L, Kambu K, Ngimbi N, Climanga K, Vlietinck AJ (1998) Antiamoebic and phytochemical screening of some Congolese medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol 61:57–65

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Udoh P, Kehinde A (1999) Studies on antifertility effect on pawpaw seeds (Carica papaya) on the gonads of male albino rats. Phytother Res 13:226–228

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ventura MT, Paperna I (1985) Histopathology of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infections in fishes. J Fish Biol 27:185–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahli T, Schmitt M, Meier W (1993) Evaluation of alternatives to malachite green oxalate as a therapeutant for ichthyophthiriosis in rainbow-trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. J Appl Ichthyol 9:237–249

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Willcox ML, Bodeker G (2000) Plant-based malaria control: research initiative on traditional antimalarial methods. Parasitol Today 16:220–221

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the financial assistance given to Albert Ekanem by the Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH (253881 SB-Nr.: 38). We thank Mr. Manfred Wirt for useful advice and discussions, and Mrs. Doris Thoms and Mrs. Antje Tillack for technical assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Inland Fisheries, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587, Berlin, Germany

    W. Kloas & K. Knopf

  2. Institute of Oceanography, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria

    A. P. Ekanem & A. Obiekezie

  3. Department of Endocrinology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt-University Berlin, 10115, Berlin, Germany

    W. Kloas

Authors
  1. A. P. Ekanem
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Obiekezie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. W. Kloas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. K. Knopf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. Knopf.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ekanem, A.P., Obiekezie, A., Kloas, W. et al. Effects of crude extracts of Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) and Carica papaya (Caricaceae) against the protozoan fish parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis . Parasitol Res 92, 361–366 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-003-1038-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-003-1038-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation