Effectiveness of Makahiya and Higad-Higaran Leaves Extracts against Gastrointestinal Nematodes

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasites thrive and grow inside the stomach and intestines of an infected individual. These worms are naturally predisposed to drain essential nutrients that the body needs. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (2017) proves that as the body tries to fight off the infection, this may lead to more severe and complicated diseases. They can even cause death due to a compromised nutritional status that induces tissue reactions and provokes intestinal obstruction or rectal prolapse (Davis et al., 2017). Nevertheless, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers that purgative agents or laxatives are dangerous even when dosing instructions are followed properly. That is why there is a need to produce healthier and alternative purgative agents that are plant-based. Specifically, this experimental undertaking aimed to identify the effectiveness of Makahiya and Higad-higaran leaves extracts against A. suum and determines the significant difference in their efficacy. The data were gathered through experimentation and analyzed through Frequency counts, Percentage, ANOVA, and T-test. Findings revealed that there is a significant difference between their effectiveness and proved that Makahiya had expended the earliest time of parasite death. The results of this study may become significant baseline data in producing efficient and safe anthelmintic drugs.