Anisakis simplex s.l.: Larvicidal activity of various monoterpenic derivatives of natural origin against L3 larvae in vitro and in vivo

This paper describes the activity against Anisakis simplex s.l. L-3 larvae of six monoterpenic derivatives obtained from different essential oils, (alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, ocimene, myrcene, geranyl acetate, and cineole). In in vitro assays, alpha-pinene, ocimene and cineole showed high activity at a concentration of 125 mu g/mL (48 h) but only alpha-pinene and ocimene were active at 62.5 mu g/mL. In in vivo assays, L-3 larvae and study compounds were simultaneously administered per as to Wistar rats. The most active compound was alpha-pinene, finding lesions in only 20% of treated rats versus 98% of controls. Further in vivo studies are required to investigate whether addition of these compounds to food could have a prophylactic effect, reducing the pathogenicity of A. simplex s.l. L-3 in humans, and to explore any possible synergy among compounds. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc.