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<i>In vitro</i> anthelmintic activity of the seed extracts of three plants of the Cucurbitaceae family on <i>Lumbricus terrestris</i>


SO Okpo
OC Nnajekwu

Abstract

Aqueous and methanolic extracts of the seeds of Cucurbita pepo, Citrullus lanatus and Telfairia occidentalis (all of the family: Curcubitaceae) were evaluated in vitro for anthelmintic activity against Lumbricus terrestris (earthworms). Seven motile worms were released into solutions of various concentrations of extracts (2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 50mg/ml in normal saline). Albendazole (1, 2.5, 5 and 10mg/ml) and normal saline served as positive and negative controls respectively. Results were expressed in terms of time for paralysis and death of the worms. The aqueous and methanolic extracts, at all the doses tested, caused concentration-dependent paralysis and death of the worms. Cucurbita pepo was found to be most effective in killing the worms compared to C. lanatus and T. occidentalis extracts. Also, the aqueous extracts showed higher worm inhibitory and destructive activities compared to the methanol extracts. The results show that Cucurbita pepo, Citrullus lanatus and Telfairia occidentalis possess potent anthelmintic activities, thus supporting their use in traditional medicine for management of helminth infections.


Keywords: Helminth, Telfairia occidentalis, Cucurbita pepo, Citrullus lanatus, aqueous extracts


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eISSN: 0189-8442