Ascaridole

Ascaridole has established antiparasitic activity against Giardia, Leishmania, and certain helminths in preclinical models. Genotoxic potential at high doses has been demonstrated in bacterial and mammalian cell assays, providing the pharmacological rationale for avoiding boldo essential oil and high-dose prolonged use. Its contribution in standard leaf infusion is considered clinically negligible.

Ascaridole was identified as the active anthelmintic principle of chenopodium oil in early twentieth-century pharmacological studies. In vitro assays demonstrate potent activity against Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Schistosoma mansoni at concentrations of 10–50 µg/mL (Monzote et al., 2014). Animal studies confirm narrow therapeutic index: effective anthelmintic doses in mice are approximately 50% of the LD50. Anti-protozoal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania has been demonstrated in vitro with IC50 values of 1.5–5 µg/mL.