In-vitro anthelmintic activity of crude extracts of Zingiberaceae species commonly available in Mwanza, Tanzania

Karol J Marwa 1, *, Magreth Mhalule 2 and Deodatus Ruganuza 1

1 Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
2 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Ruaha Catholic University, Iringa, Tanzania.
3 Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2024, 18(01), 321–327.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjbphs.2024.18.1.0371
 
Publication history: 
Received on 29 August 2023; revised on 31 March 2024; accepted on 03 April 2024
 
Abstract: 
Introduction: Resistance to commonly used anthelmintic drugs has been reported in many areas of the world. Natural products are good candidates for discovering more effective anthelmintic compounds. This study assessed the In-vitro activity of extracts from Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale and Elettaria cardamomum.
Methods: This study was an In-vitro experimental study involving Apporrectodea longa earthworms. The worms were treated with 20mls of both distilled water and ethanolic extracts of all plant species (at 20, 40 and 60mg/ml). Albendazole was used as a standard drug. Paralysis and death time were recorded.
Results: The paralysis time for water extracts were 0.83 hrs, 1.22 hrs and 3.33 hrs at 20mg/ml for Elettaria cardamomum, Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa respectively while death time was 2.00 hrs, 1.50 hrs and 7.61 hrs for Elettaria cardamomum, Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa respectively. The paralysis time for ethanol extracts were 0.50 hrs, 0.58 hrs and 0.70 hrs at 20mg/ml for Elettaria cardamomum, Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa respectively while death time was 1.00 hrs, 1.00 hrs and 1.64 hrs for Elettaria cardamomum, Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa respectively. Elettaria cardamomum and Zingiber officinale recorded shorter paralysis time than albendazole at 20mg/ml.
Conclusion: Zingiber officinale and Elettaria cardamomum have recorded promising In-vitro activity warranting for pharmacological and toxicological investigations.
 
Keywords: 
In-vitro activity; Curcuma longaZingiber officinaleElettaria cardamomum; Tanzania
 
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