EVALUATION OF THE ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF CRUDE LEAF EXTRACTS OF SELECTED PLANTS FROM JALINGO, NIGERIA AGAINST FASCIOLA SP

Abstract

This study evaluates the anthelmintic activity of crude leaf extracts of selected
plants from Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Fresh
leaves of Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum gratissimum and Musa paradisiaca,
were collected from local farms in Jalingo metropolis. The collected plant
materials were washed thoroughly to remove debris and dried under shade at
room temperature for 7–10 days. The anthelmintic activity of the plant extracts
was evaluated using an in vitro model involving intestinal helminths that were
collected at the abattoir in Jalingo metropolis. The parasites of uniform size
(approximately 5–7 cm) were placed in Petri dishes containing various
concentrations (10 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL, and 80 mg/mL) of each plant
extract dissolved in distilled water. Albendazole was used as a positive control,
while distilled water served as the negative control. The paralyzing and death
times of the helminths was recorded. The analysis revealed the presence of
flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, phenols, and glycosides for all the
plants, while alkaloids and steroids were absent in C. citratus and tannins absent
for Ocimum gratissimum. As the concentration of C. citratus extract increased
from 10 mg/ml to 80 mg/ml, the immobilization time decreased from 69.33 ±
23.86 to 49.50 ± 16.26 minutes, indicating a dose-dependent anthelmintic
activity. At 10 mg/ml, the immobilization time was 133.67 ± 4.73 minutes, while
at 80 mg/ml, it was to 69.67 ± 17.39 minutes for M. paradisiaca. The
immobilization time drops sharply from 176.00 ± 41.61 minutes at 10 mg/ml to
just 30.67 ± 2.08 minutes at 80 mg/ml for O. gratissimum. The synergistic
formulation shows enhanced potency compared to individual extracts. At 10
mg/ml, the immobilization time was 55.81 ± 2.25 minutes, and at 80 mg/ml, it
drops dramatically to 26.65 ± 1.57 minutes. In conclusion, the results of this
study strongly support the ethnomedicinal use of Cymbopogon citratus, Musa
paradisiaca, and Ocimum gratissimum in managing parasitic infections. The
presence of multiple phytochemicals in these plants contributes to their
biological activity, particularly in inhibiting the viability of Fasciola hepatica.