Setaria 5, cervi

Polyamines regulate a number of biochemical functions in mammals as well in the parasites. The presence of these amines has been demonstrated in some helminths. Others, such as the buffalo filarial worm, Setaria cervi, which lack the enzymes essential for the biosynthesis of polyamines, depend on their host to meet the requirement of these amines [65a]. Consequently, the inhibition of the uptake of polyamines, their biosynthesis or metabolic functions also provide useful targets for design of potential anthelmintics [65a,b]. 

Two triterpenoid saponins from Acacia auriculiformis, acaciaside A and B showed antifilarial effects in vitro. They killed 97% microfilaria of Setaria cervi in 100 min at 4mg/ml and 100% of adults in 35 min [221]. The drug when administered orally at 100 mg/kg on rats in which S. cervi adults were implanted i. p., increased the blood microfilaria count by 1.5 fold after the first phase of treatment for 10 days. Following the third phase of treatment and thereafter, the microfilarial density was reduced more than 80%. No toxic effect was observed in rats. 

Glycoalkaloids also seem to have little or even no effect toward bacterial pathogens. Finally, they are not assumed to impart much resistance to nematodes. However, solamargine killed in vitro 100% adults and microfiliariae of Setaria cervi (Nematoda Filarioidea), bovine filarial worm, at 4mg/mL as well as microfiliariae in vivo (lOOmg/kg p.o. in 4 phases, rats) (Ghosh et al. 1994). 

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