The increasing presence of Anisakis spp. in fish is having significant implications for public health due to a rise in cases of anisakiasis. Given this situation, there is a critical need to develop new strategies to fight this parasite. Satureja montana L., commonly known as savory, is a plant recognized in folk medicine for its therapeutic activity, such as being antispasmodic and digestive, among other properties. The aim of this study was to assess the nematicide activity against A. simplex larvae of the essential oil from two varieties of S. montana (subsp. montana (SMM) and variegata (SMV)). The essential oils were obtained via hydro-distillation of the flowering aerial parts. In vitro assays demonstrated the complete inactivation of anisakis larvae after 24 h when exposed to both essential oils, along with a significant reduction in their penetration capacity. Moreover, both essential oils showed an inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE). No differences between the subspecies were observed in any of the assays. Hence, the nematicidal activity of essential oils could be attributed to their capacity to inhibit AChE. These findings suggest the potential of S. montana essential oil for therapeutic and food industry applications.
Keywords: anisakiasis; enzyme inhibition; larvicide; penetration assay.