Apoptosis like cell death in Raillietina echinobothrida induced by resveratrol

Northeast India is geographically nestled as one of the biodiversity hotspots, rich in traditionally used medicinal plants. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring phytoalexin found in berries, peanuts, grapes, red wine and also in numerous anthelmintic plants, has attracted wide interest because of its diverse pharmacological characteristics. Recently, anthelmintic potential of the compound is established. The present study was carried out to understand the possible mechanism of action of resveratrol on poultry tapeworm Raillietina echinobothrida. Resveratrol showed excellent cestocidal activity in a dose dependent manner as revealed through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. The progressive ultrastructural alterations followed by complete disruption of nuclear membrane, chromosomal condensation and in situ DNA fragmentation confirm the occurrence of apoptosis like cell death. Increased pro-apoptotic caspase activity and significant decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential in R. echinobothrida exposed to resveratrol confirm the involvement of mitochondria in the process of apoptosis.