Anthelmintic Activity of Methanol Extract of Bischofia javanica (Euphorbiaceae) Leaves against Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestode) Infection in Rats

Bischofia javanica has been used in traditional medicine for the people of Napu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, to treat intestinal worm infections. This study investigates the activities of anthelmintic methanol extract of B. javanica (MEBJ) against H. diminuta worm infection in rats. Six groups of experimental animals (n=4) were infected with five cysticercoids each by oral inoculation. MEBJ was given in doses of 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for groups 2-5, while Mebendazole was given in doses of 5 mg/kg for group 6 (positive control). Group 1 was a negative control infected with H. diminuta but not treated. Activity anthelmintic MEBJ was determined by monitoring the number of eggs per gram (EPG) of H. diminuta worms in each group of experimental rats. The results showed that MEBJ had efficacy as an anthelmintic against H. diminuta worms. Experimental evidence obtained in animal models given MEBJ at various doses showed the number of eggs per gram (EPG) of H. diminuta worms was significantly reduced. The results of the Paired Sample T-Test showed that the pretreatment and posttreatment EPGs were significantly different. Thus, the results of this study provide a rationale that B. javanica has activity as an anthelmintic agent for H. diminuta.