Anthelminthic Activity of the Aqueous Extracts of Moringa oleifera Leaf Against Taenia solium Cysticerci

Abstract

1.This study aimed to determine the anthelmintic efficacy of Moringa oleifera extracts against Taenia solium Cysticerci. The cyst evagination was assessed on the extract and compared with Praziquantel as reference standard. The evagination number and percentage of evagination were assessed under different concentrations of the treatments. A negative control group, without any drug, exhibited a 100% evagination rate (20 evaginations out of 20). Praziquantel demonstrated complete inhibition of evagination at concentrations of 0.06 mg/{micro}l and above, with no evaginations recorded. At a lower concentration of 0.006 mg/{micro}l, it reduced evagination to 25%. In contrast, Moringa oleifera showed moderate activity, reducing evagination to 45% at 0.006 mg/{micro}l and progressively decreasing it at higher concentrations, with a 15% evagination rate at 0.6 mg/{micro}l. These findings suggest that Moringa oleifera exhibits some anthelmintic activity, as evidenced by its ability to inhibit evagination. This supports its ethnobotanical use as an anthelmintic among the locals in Livingstone District. Further research is recommended to explore its potential as an alternative anthelmintic treatment.