Evaluation of the anthelmintic activity of ethanol leaf extract of Dimocarpus longan (Lour.) against Taenia solium

Abstract

Helminth infections affects nearly 1.5 billion people worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, where poverty, inadequate housing, and poor sanitation, exacerbate their impact. These infections pose significant health and economic burdens, and the limited effectiveness of current anthelmintic drugs underscores the need for alternative treatments. Dimocarpus longan, traditionally used in various forms of medicine, is rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, which are known to exhibit antiparasitic properties. This study evaluated the anthelmintic potential of ethanol leaf extract of D. longan against Taenia solium, aiming to explore its use as a natural remedy for managing helminth infections. The extract, tested at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL. alongside piperazine citrate (10 mg/mL) on adult T. solium worms obtained from freshly slaughtered pigs. The anthelmintic activity was measured by recording the time to paralysis and death of the worms. The extract showed significant concentration-dependent effects, with higher concentrations (100 & 200 mg/mL) demonstrating efficacy comparable to piperazine citrate, exhibiting strong paralytic but weaker lethal effects on T. solium. The findings suggest that D. longan ethanol leaf extract has potent anthelmintic properties, making it a promising natural alternative for managing helminth infection.