Survey of the Anti-Ascaridiose Activity of Barringtonia Racemosa (Lecythidaceae)

Ascariasis is one of the most common diseases affecting all age groups in third world countries. This study evaluates the anti-ascariasis activity of dichloromethane and methanol extracts from the leaves of the plant Barringtonia racemosa. Their effects on hypermobility, lysis, worm viability, and ability to inhibit egg development were studied. Egg development was monitored under microscopic observation at magnifications of X10 and X40 for 18 days. In the absence of extracts, the worms remained immobile and viable for 12 hours. Worms incubated in the presence of methanolic extract at 40 and 80 mg/mL exhibited hypermobility, but for a short duration of 16.80 ± 0.86 min and 10.20 ± 0.86 min. Those incubated in dichloromethane extract were less mobile, with a duration of 26.20 ± 3.46 min and 23.80 ± 1.40 min. However, after 8 hours, in the presence of the methanol extract, 60 ± 1.25% and 90 ± 1.60% of the worms were killed, compared to 30 ± 1.58% and 40 ± 1.6% at 12 hours of incubation in the presence of dichloromethane extract at concentrations of 40 and 80 mg/ml. In the presence of Albendazole at 20 mg/ml, the worms were hypermobile and 100% killed after 11 hours of incubation. On day 18, the Ascaris lumbricoides eggs had developed into stage 2 larvae. However, in the presence of extracts at 40 and 80 mg/mL and Albendazole at 20 mg/mL, the egg walls were altered and the processes of embryogenesis and larval development were inhibited.