Abstract
Fascioliasis is a disease of livestock which is now recognized as an emerging disease in humans. Cantharellus cibarius and Ganoderma applanatum are known for their medicinal properties. The use of ethanolic extracts of these macrofungi against the eggs and miracidia of Fasciola spp. is a promising method to break the parasite transmission cycle. The aim of the study is to evaluate the inhibitory effects of ethanolic extracts of the mushrooms on eggs and miracidia of Fasciola spp. Concentrated eggs and miracidia of Fasciola spp. were exposed to different concentrations (1-8 mg/ml) of extracts of Ganoderma applanatum (GEE) and Cantharellus cibarius (CEE) at different time intervals. GEE showed superior antiparasitic activities when compared to CEE at all concentrations tested. Significant positive correlations were observed between the concentration of GEE and mortality in miracidia (r=0.980, P <0.05) and CEE and mortality in miracidia (r= 0.968, P <0.05). The study showed that ethanolic extracts of G. applanatum and C. cibarius have ovicidal and miracicidal activities. While G. applanatum showed excellent activities, activities in C. cibarius were moderate. Therefore, these mushroom extracts can be regarded as promising sources of bioactive compounds that could be developed into ovicides and miracicides.