Abstract:
Hymenolepis nana (human infecting tapeworm) and H. diminuta (rodent infecting
tapeworm) are the most common cestodes of man. They are prevalent in areas of poor
hygiene and sanitation; especially in the warm and arid countries. They cause most of the
non-specific bowel disturbances, and severe symptoms due to intestinal autoinfection and
cysticercosis.
The present study was designed to study the toxicity and curative efficacy of Amaranthus
viridis, Cucurbita maxima, Hagenia abyssinica, and Balanites aegyptiaca medicinal plants
compared to the curative efficacy of Niclosamide for the treatment of Hymenolepis spp
infections in experimental rat.
Faecal samples were collected from 250 Albino rats and screened for Hymenolepis diminuta
natural infection using direct wet mount stool preparation, Formol-Ether concentration
technique and Zinc Sulphate flotation technique it was found Formal-Ether concentration
technique was the most sensitive technique in the diagnosis of Hymenolepis spp infections.
The direct and indirect life cycles of Hymenolepis diminuta in experimental rats were
studied. It was not possible to establish the direct lifecycle. However the Indirect Lifecycle
of Hymenolepis diminuta was successfully established in the rat, with a prepatent period of
21 days.
There were no signs of toxic effect on the rats due to administration of any of the four tested
medicinal plants and there was no significant (p>0.05) difference between the treated and
control groups in the body and organ weights, haematological and biochemical parameters.
Histopathological examination of the organs did not reveal any abnormalities.
Hagenia abyssinica seeds given at a concentration of 25% (w/w) in food or 25% (w/v) in
water was very effective in the treatment of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in rats. Egg
reduction (100%) was highly significant (p< 0.01) as compared to that of the untreated
control group of rats (zero%), its deparasitization was
similar to Niclosamide. Cucurbita maxima seeds in food or water were active in treatment of
Hymenolepis diminuta infection in rats. Egg reduction% was100% in food and water and
Deparasitization% was 80% in food and 40% in water both of them showing a significant
(p< 0.05) difference from those of the untreated control group (zero %).
Amaranthus viridis leaves given at a concentration of 25% (w/w) in food and 25% (w/v) in
water exhibited a very weak efficacy. It did not reduce eggs in either water or food
significantly as compared to control (p> 0.05). The deparasitization activity of this plant in
food (20%). and water (35%) were not significant.
Balanites aegyptiaca seeds (Flesh & kern) given at a concentration of 25% (w/w) in food
and 25% (w/v) in water, were not effective in treatment of the infection in rats. Egg counts
and deparasitization in food and water, were not significantly (p> 0.05) different from those
of the untreated control group. Our conclusion was that Hagenia abyssinica was the most
active plant of this group in the treatment of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in rats.