Helminthiasis is among the most common infections and a major public health concern
to humans and livestocks [1]. It affects 60% to 80% of the world's population of which a large percentage is in
developing countries such as Ghana [2]. Vernonia amygdalina and Carica papaya are medicinal plants used ethnobotanically for treatment of various conditions including
helminthes. Ethanol extracts of V. amygdalina stem (EVAS) and C. papaya seeds (ECPS) and chloroform extracts of V. amygdalina stem (CVAS) and C. papaya seeds (CCPS) were evaluated for synergistic in-vitro anthelmintic activity.
Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out using methods described by Ayensu
and Quartey [3]. The effects of concentrations (18.75, 37.5, 75, 150, 300 mg/ml) of each extract
were evaluated for their In-vitro Anthelmintic activity on the paralytic and death times of Pheretima posthuma with piperazine citrate (15 mg/ml) and albendazole (20 mg/ml) as reference standards.
Synergistic effect was assessed by adding the ethanol extracts of both plants in the
ratio of 1:1, and their chloroform extracts also in the same ratio.
The presences of phytochemicals such as tannins, saponin glycosides, reducing sugars,
alkaloids, steroids and flavonoids were observed in all the plant extracts (EVAS,
ECPS, CVAS and CCPS), including the presences of terpenoids in EVAS and ECPS but its
absence in CVAS and CCPS. There was the absence anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides
and cyanogenetic glycosides in all the extracts (EVAS, ECPS, CVAS and CCPS). The extracts
demonstrated a concentration dependent anthelmintic activity as (EVAS + ECPS) > (CVAS
+ CCPS) > ECPS > CCPS > EVASB > CVASB.
[1] Wasswa P, and Olila D. Afr. J. Traditional CAM. 2006; 3, 94 – 103.
[2] Cappello M. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2004; 23:663 – 4.
[3] Ayensu I, Quartey A.K. WJPPS 2015; 4, 76 – 90.S
