In vitro Anthelminthic Activity of Crude Methanolic Leaf Extract of Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit (Bush mint) on Ascaris suum.

Abstract

Ascariasis is a neglected tropical disease prevalent in areas with poor hygiene and low standard of living in tropical countries. Hyptis suaveolens is been used traditionally around the world for various ailments. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anthelminthic activity of the methanolic leaf extract of the plant on the three life cycle stages of Ascaris suum synonymous to Ascaris lumbricoides. The phytochemical analysis of the extract was evaluated. The in-vitro anthelminthic activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Hyptis suaveolens on the egg hatchability and larva inhibition of Ascaris suum were assessed using Bizimenyara inhibition method, where 100 eggs were counted and incubated in 5 different plate-wells containing positive control, negative control and 3 concentrations (50, 70 and 100 mg/ml) of extract. The plate wells were brought out after incubation and content examined under the microscope. The effect of the methanolic leaf extract and pyrantel pamoate on cuticle peeling, motility and mortality were evaluated using adult worms. The egg hatchability and larval development after incubation for 48 h and 21 days significantly (p<0.05 for both) inhibited with 98% unhatched eggs and 95% undeveloped larva of A. suum respectively. There was significant (p<0.05) visible peeling of cuticles, reduced motility and mortality of the adult worms after 30, 12 and 80 minutes respectively. It can be concluded that H. suaveolens has anthelminthic activity on A. suum which may be attributed to some of the phytochemical constituents.