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

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.