Anthelmintic activity assay of Starchytarpeta jamaicensis L. Vhal tea against Fasciola sp

Abstract

Abstract Stachytarpeta jamaicensis L. Vhal (SJ) tea has been empirically used as an anthelmintic, but scientific evidence on its use as an anthelmintic against Fasciola sp. is still limited. The aim of this study was to determine the effective concentration of SJ tea as an anti-Fasciola. S. jamaicensis leaves were cut, dried and then packed in the form of tea bags. The presence of secondary metabolites in the tea was also analyzed phytochemically. The anthelmintic activity assay of SJ tea was carried out using an in vitro experimental design with a post-test with control group design. The in vitro test consisted of negative control (0.9% NaCl), positive control (10% Albendazole) and SJ tea with a concentration of 10%, 5%, and 2.5%. The worm’s movement was observed and the time required for the death of Fasciola was recorded and analyzed. Phytochemical analysis shows that SJ tea contained alkaloid compounds, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and triterpenoids. Time required for death of Fasciola in the positive control, the negative control, the tea concentration of 10%, 5%, and 2.5% were 18.75, 168.75, 23.75, 42.5, and 66.25 min, respectively. S. jamaicensis tea with a concentration of 10% showed comparable effectiveness (p>0.05) to standard reference 10% Albendazole as an anti-Fasciola and resulted in the fastest death of Fasciola fluke compared to other concentrations of the tea. The results of this study indicate that SJ tea can be used as an alternative in overcoming Fasciola infestation. Further works are required to determine its safety when used in vivo.