The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to assess the anthelmintic potential from plant extracts

Parasitic nematodes affect livestock productivity, leading to economic losses. Despite their importance, few anthelmintics have been developed and several parasites have developed resistance to them, rendering control of parasitic infections very inefficient. In this sense, the search for new strategies to control parasitic nematodes is timely and relevant. One possibility is to conduct research on metabolites derived from plants with anthelmintic potential, since knowledge about its traditional use is a good starting point. However, the anthelmintic efficacy and mechanisms of action of plants traditionally used, have been scarcely investigated, and the bioactive compounds responsible for the effects remain mostly unknown. One of the limitations that experimental studies on potential anthelmintic face is the difficulty of working with parasite models. In this respect, the free-living nematode C. elegans is a useful tool for understanding the mechanism of action of anthelmintic drugs as well as mechanisms of resistance. First, C. elegans can be maintained and easily manipulated in the laboratory; in addition, C. elegans shares physiological characteristics and has genetic homology with nematode parasites, allowing valid comparisons. This review aims to underscore the potential of finding active compounds derived from plants traditionally used as anthelmintic as a starting point in the development of new drugs, as well as highlight the benefits that C. elegans provides for understanding mechanisms of action of novel anthelmintic.