Acaricidal and anthelmintic efficacy of Ocimum basilicum essential oil and its major constituents estragole and linalool, with insights on acetylcholinesterase inhibition

The present study evaluated the acaricidal and anthelmintic action of Ocimum basilicum essential oil and its main components against ticks and helminth parasites as well as to relate these activities to acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The in vitro acaricidal activity against Hyalomma scupense was evaluated by Adult Immersion Test (AIT) and Larval Packet Test (LPT), while the in vivo nematocidal potential was assessed in laboratory mice infected with Heligmosomoides polygyrus using fecal egg count reduction (FECR) and total worm count reduction (TWCR). Chemical analyzes were performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Estragole (80.87%) and linalool (16.12%) were the major compounds detected in O. basilicum essential oil. In the AIT assay for H. scupense tick, LC50 of estragole, O. basilicum oil and linalool were 0.73, 0.81 and 0.97 mg/mL, respectively. In LPT, estragole, linalool and essential oil showed LC50 of 0.22, 1.11 and 1.19 mg/mL, respectively. Against He. polygyrus, the highest activity was observed with estragole administered at 100 mg/kg body weight (bwt), which resulted in a FECR of 90.86% and a TWCR of 82.91%. The O. basilicum essential oil, estragole and linalool inhibited the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) extracted from both parasites species. Estragole was found the most active AChE inhibitor with IC50 of 0.176 mg/mL for H. scupense and IC50 of 0.138 mg/mL for He. polygyrus larvae. The results of the present study pointed out the importance of the traditional use of O. basilicum as an eco-friendly alternative against endo and ectoparasites. In vivo trials should also be conducted to confirm the above-mentioned activities and to assure the safe use of natural plants. [Display omitted] •Ocimum basilicum oil, estragole and linalool showed acaricidal and nematocidal activities.•Estragole exhibited the strongest acaricidal and nematocidal activities. Estragole was the most active AChE inhibitor.•The AChE inhibitory potential decreased in the following order: estragole > O. basilicum oil > linalool.