Evaluation of anthelmintic activity of Lactuca Sativa leaf extract against Pheretima posthuma

The growing issue of anthelmintic resistance necessitates the exploration of alternative and natural treatments. Lactuca sativa (), commonly known as lettuce, is traditionally used for its medicinal properties, but its efficacy as an anthelmintic has not been extensively documented. This study aimed to assess the in vitro anthelmintic activity of leaf extract using Indian adult earthworms. Earthworms were divided into five groups and treated with hydroethanolic extract of leaf at concentrations of 10, 20, and 50 mg/mL, albendazole 10 mg/mL as a standard, and normal saline as a control. The anthelmintic activity was measured based on paralysis and death times. The results demonstrated that the anthelmintic activity of the extracts was concentration-dependent manner. The extract 50 mg/mL exhibited superior activity with a paralysis time of 28.16 minutes and a death time of 36.33 minutes, compared to albendazole, which had a paralysis time of 24.50 minutes and a death time of 31.66 minutes. The study concluded that the hydroethanolic extract of leaf (HELS) possesses significant anthelmintic activity against Indian adult earthworms.