The historical use of plants for medicinal purposes, encapsulated by phytotherapy, stems from the rich variety of secondary metabolites they contain, making chemical diversity a central focus in natural products research for effective ailment treatments [1]. Helminthiasis, a prevalent infectious disease affecting a large global population with poor personal and environmental hygiene, involves parasitic worms causing various health issues. Anthelmintic drugs like Albendazole, Mebendazole, Ivermectin, and piperazine citrate have been crucial in combating these parasites, yet genetic resistance poses recent challenges [2]. Hence, exploring alternative strategies, particularly natural anthelmintics, becomes imperative [3].
The prominence of herbal drugs, owing to their natural origin and minimal side effects, is increasing globally [4-6]. In many developing nations, reliance on traditional practitioners and medicinal plants underscores the importance of herbal formulations in healthcare [7,8]. Controlled experimental studies, verifying and quantifying plant activities, include numerous herbs like
Despite various herbal anthelmintic products in the market, their unappealing taste and odor limit acceptance. Edible jellies, with favorable sensory properties, offer a convenient and acceptable administration method, especially for children. To address this and treat conditions naturally, edible jellies with herbal extracts can be an effective solution.
Fresh raw leaves of
The phytochemical investigation involves the identification of crude drugs based on their phytochemical constituents. This process includes conducting various chemical tests to assess the presence of specific compounds in plants [15,16].
| Chemical constituent | Tests | Result |
| Carbohydrates | Molisch’s test | + |
| Proteins | Biuret test | - |
| Steroids | Salkowski reaction | - |
| Glycosides | Borntrager’s Test | - |
| a) Anthraquinone glycosides | ||
| b) Saponin glycosides | Foam test | - |
| Alkaloids | Dragendroff’s test | + |
| Hager’s test | + | |
| Wagner’s test | + | |
| Tannins and Phenolic Compounds: | Lead acetate test | + |
| Dilute.HNO3 test | + | |
| Flavonoids | Shinoda test | - |
Adult earthworms, African nightcrawler (
The anthelmintic activity of formulations containing
In the experiment, four groups of six earthworms each will be exposed to a 50 ml solution of piperazine citrate and a 50 ml solution of ELBV (at concentrations of 20, 40, 80, and 100 mg/ml each) in distilled water. One additional group will serve as the control. The solutions of piperazine citrate and the ELBV will be freshly prepared before the start of the experiment. Observations will be made for the time taken for the paralysis and death of individual worms. Paralysis will be noted when no movement of the worms occurs, and death will be concluded when the worms lose their motility, followed by the fading away of their body colors [20].
Various jellies were formulated using gelatin as a gelling agent [21]. Citric acid was employed to regulate the pH [22], while propylene glycol was incorporated to enhance the softness and slipperiness of the jelly [23]. To enhance the overall sensory experience, organoleptic agents were introduced, improving the aesthetic value of the jelly [24]. Methylparaben was utilized as a preservative [25], and honey served the dual purpose of sweetening and acting as a bulking agent in the formulations [26].
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| F1 | F2 | F3 | |
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5.6 | 5.6 | 5.6 |
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2 | 4 | 6 |
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1 | 1 | 1 |
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0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 |
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3 | 3 | 3 |
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60 | 60 | 60 |
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0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
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1 | 1 | 1 |
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q. s | q. s | q. s |
Initiate the process by precisely dissolving the weighed components in a specific volume of water. In another vessel, dissolve 60g of honey and transfer it into the mixture containing the accurately weighed ingredients. Dissolve 5.6g of extract in distilled water and amalgamate it with the previously prepared solution. Infuse 1g of Peppermint oil and 0.5g of Green S as flavoring and coloring agents, respectively, ensuring a comprehensive blend. Transfer the resultant concoction into molds to shield it from exposure to the external environment. Finally, envelop the molded jellies in wax paper and securely store them in a cool, dry environment to maintain their quality and longevity [27].
The effects of ELBV were assessed using Mean values and Standard Error Mean as outcome parameters. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique was employed to compare the results of the studied medications. Subsequently, data analysis was conducted using ANOVA, followed by the application of Dunnett's test. The significance level was established at *p <0.05. Graph-pad Prism software was utilized for all statistical analyses.
All Values are denoted as mean ± SEM for n=6, ns= not significant; *p<0.05; **p<0.01; ***p<0.001.
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| ELBV | 20 | 109.3± 0.80ns | 138.0 ± 0.73ns |
| 40 | 95.83 ± 0.47* | 120.7± 0.71* | |
| 60 | 73.50 ± 0.69* | 118.2 ± 0.47* | |
| 80 | 66.33 ± 0.98** | 102.3 ± 2.78** | |
| Piperazine citrate | 25 | 47.50 ± 0.42*** | 66.17 ± 0.83*** |
| Control (saline) | 0.01 | - | - |
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| F1 | Smooth | Fluid like | Sticky |
| F2 | Smooth | Thick | Sticky |
| F3 | Smooth | Thick | Non-Sticky |
The batch (F3) which was found with the required characteristics during the preliminary screening was further subjected to evaluation of Appearance, Viscosity, and pH.
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| Color | Dark green |
| Odor | Pleasant |
| Consistency | Thick |
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| Viscosity | 137600 cps |
| pH | 4.21± 0.043 |
The increasing prevalence of treatment failures due to genetic resistance in traditional anthelmintic drugs emphasizes the urgency of identifying effective alternatives [28]. Herbal drugs, with their diverse bioactive compounds, offer a promising avenue for overcoming these challenges [29]. This global shift towards herbal remedies is not only driven by their natural origin and minimal side effects but also by the growing recognition of their holistic approach to healthcare [30-31]. In developing nations, where access to modern healthcare may be limited, the reliance on traditional practitioners and medicinal plants becomes even more crucial. This reliance reflects a longstanding cultural connection to nature-based remedies and underscores the importance of integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary scientific validation. As the world grapples with evolving health challenges, embracing and further exploring the potential of herbal interventions becomes imperative for fostering resilient and sustainable healthcare systems [32-34].
Anthelmintic activity of ELBV in
These findings indicate that ELBV possesses promising anthelmintic activity, with the F3 batch of the edible jelly meeting the desired attributes. This formulation is designed to be more child-friendly, providing a better and more enjoyable way to address parasitic infections in children.
This study underscores the demand for alternatives to traditional anthelmintic drugs facing genetic resistance. Ethonolic extract of leaves of
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