Preclinical and clinical studies with latex from Ficus glabrata HBK, a traditional intestinal anthelminthic in the Amazonian area.
Ficus glabrata latex has been a well-known anthelminthic remedy in the neotropical regions since ancient times. The latex has been commercially exploited for decades because of its content of the proteolytic enzyme-complex ficin. A safe dosage regimen with direct use of the latex has been elucidated to control intestinal helminthiasis in the Indian and non-Indian rural population. Helminthiasis was common in three Amazonian villages, field bases for the clinical study, with an overall prevalence of 92%. Specific prevalences were: Ascaris 68%, Strongyloides 42%, Trichuris 41%, Ancylostoma/Necator 26% and Taenia 1%. Variation in the biological activity of the latex was estimated by using a milk coagulating test. Pharmacological studies with live Ascaris demonstrated a lethal effect at concentrations down to 0.05% latex in physiological saline solution. A clinical trial on 181 persons has resulted in a recommended dosage of 1.0 cm3 of prepared latex/kg per day for 3 days to be repeated every 3 months.
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D001200:Ascaris / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D010568:Peru; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000032:analysis*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013552:Swine
D000871:Anthelmintics; D007840:Latex