In Vitro Ovicidal and Larvicidal Activities and Ultrastructure of Ascaridia galli in Native Chickens Treated Using Betel Nut (Areca catechu) Extract

Ascaridia galli (A. galli), a parasitic roundworm, is most frequently found in birds and can inflict economic
loss. Treatment and prevention of infection by the worm are achieved through various methods, such as by using
plants containing antiparasitic agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the ovicidal and larvicidal activities of and ultrastructural changes caused by Areca catechu crude aqueous extract (AAE) in eggs and larvae (L2) in vitro. The ovicidal and larvicidal activities were tested by soaking eggs, eggs containing embryos, and larvae (L2) for 48 h at 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, and 25% AAE. The positive control was 5% pyrantel pamoate and the negative control was 0.62% saline water. Subsequently, the dead and the live eggs, the eggs containing embryos, and the L2 larvae were counted, and the eggs and L2 larvae were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The 12.5–25% AAE had significantly different ovicidal and larvicidal activities (p < 0.05) compared to the control. The most intense ovicidal
and larvicidal activities occurred at 25% AAE, but they did not differ significantly from the ovicidal, larvicidal, and
vermicidal activities of the positive control (pyrantel pamoate; p > 0.05). The SEM results showed that there were
shrinkages, ruptures, and general damages on the surfaces of the egg walls. Additionally, the anterior teguments of the
L2 larvae shrank and the cuticles got ruptured at 25% AAE. It can be concluded that AAE has ovicidal and larvicidal
activities against A. galli and can thus be used as an anthelmintic.