Anticestodal activity of Adhatoda vasica extract against Hymenolepis diminuta infections in rats.
OBJECTIVE
Adhatoda vasica Nees has been commonly used in the indigenous system of medicine of Naga tribes in India for curing intestinal worm infections. In this study the anticestodal efficacy of Adhatoda vasica leaf extract was evaluated using Hymenolepis diminuta-rat experimental model.


METHODS
The anticestodal efficacy of leaf extract was determined by monitoring the eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces counts and percentage worm recovery rates following treatment with methanol leaf extract of this plant to different groups of rats harbouring immature and mature Hymenolepis diminuta infections.


RESULTS
The result indicated 800 mg/kg double dose of extract has profound efficacy against mature worms, where the EPG count was reduced by 79.57% and percentage worm recovery rate by 16.60%. These effects were better than treatment with 5 mg/kg single dose of praziquantel, the standard drug. In case of efficacy against immature worms, the extract showed a significant reduction in worm recovery rate (from 100% in control to 20.00% at 800 mg/kg dose of extract).


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows that the leaf extract of Adhatoda vasica possesses significant anticestodal efficacy and supports its use in the folk medicine.
Yadav
Arun K
AK
Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India. akynehu@hotmail.com
Tangpu
Vareishang
V
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006925:Hymenolepiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D048190:Hymenolepis diminuta / Q000187:drug effects*; D007194:India; D027902:Justicia / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats
D000871:Anthelmintics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011223:Praziquantel