In vitro anthelmintic activity of fresh fruit juice of Solanum verbascifolium Linn. against digenetic trematodes

Abstract

Abstract Background: The substantial costs of conventional anthelmintics, the presence of drug residues in animal products, and the increasing prevalence of anthelmintic-resistant strains have spurred research on medicinal plants as alternative anthelmintic sources. This study evaluates the anthelmintic activity of Solanum verbascifolium Linn. fruit juice against digenetic trematodes. Materials and Methods: This study involves testing the efficacy of S. verbascifolium fruit juice at varying concentrations (10, 50, and 100 mg/mL) on five groups of rumen fluke worms. Albendazole (10 mg/mL) was used as the positive control, while distilled water was used as the negative control. Rumen flukes, digenetic trematodes found in the cow’s gut, were selected to simulate worms commonly found in the human gut. Results: The results indicated a statistically significant association between the different concentrations of the fruit juice and their anthelmintic activity. All concentrations of S. verbascifolium fruit juice demonstrated anthelmintic properties. Notably, the 50 and 100 mg/mL concentrations exhibited a significant effect on the worms compared to the standard drug albendazole. Conclusion: This study concludes that the fruit juice of S. verbascifolium possesses promising anthelmintic properties in vitro. These findings indicate the potential use of the botanical as an anthelmintic drug, warranting further investigation and development.