Abstract:

Introduction: Helminthiasis is one of the most common infestations in man affecting about 2 billion people worldwide. Modern synthesized anthelmintic medicines are very effective in curing the disease but encounter a number of side effects thus there is need for new compounds with good efficacy. Folk medicine claims the use of medicinal plants for this activity. This study will evaluate the efficacy of Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale and Ellitaria cardamomun (turmeric, ginger and cardamom) as biological anthelmintics on Pherentima posthuma (earthworms).

Material and Methods: Pheretima posthuma were collected from fishermen at Kamanga ferry in Mwanza. Water and ethanolic extracts of turmeric (Curcuma longa), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and cardamom (Elletaria cardamomum) were prepared at concentration of 20mg/ml, 40mg/ml and 60mg/ml to test for their efficacy on P. posthuma. Distilled water was used as control.

Results: All extracts showed good anthelmintic activity in a time-concentration dependant manner with more ability to cause death being shown with ginger followed by cardamom. Turmeric was more effective at a concentration of 60mg/ml. The activity of the extracts increased when the time-concentration variables also increased.

Conclusion: Ginger, turmeric and cardamom represent hopeful alternatives for chemical anthelmintic drugs. Among the three plants ginger was more effective in causing death of worms at early time while cardamom for causing paralysis. Turmeric was more effective to cause death and paralysis at a high concentration.