Anthelmintic potential of Naringi crenulata (Roxb.) Nicolson: A comparative study of leaf and stem extracts against parasitic worms

Helminthic infections remain a significant global health burden, affecting over 1.5 billion people, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation.The development of resistance to synthetic anthelmintics necessitates alternative treatments.This study evaluates the anthelmintic potential of Naringi crenulata (Roxb.)Nicolson leaf and stem extracts in different solvents (hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) against Tubifex tubifex and Pheretima posthuma, with albendazole as a reference.Extraction yield and phytochemical analysis revealed bioactive compounds, including glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins, contributing to anthelmintic activity.Among the extracts, ethyl acetate and methanol leaf extracts exhibited the highest potency, inducing paralysis within 33.94 and 44.25 min, respectively, and death within 42.68 and 55.67 min.The efficacy of these extracts was comparable to albendazole (paralysis: 25.3 min; death: 32.55 min), highlighting their potential as plant-based anthelmintics.The presence of key phytochemicals suggests mechanisms such as neuromuscular dysfunction and metabolic inhibition as contributors to worm mortality.Sustainable harvesting of leaves could optimize bioactive compound yields for pharmaceutical applications.Further studies should focus on isolating active constituents, in vivo efficacy validation, and potential synergistic interactions with conventional anthelmintics to mitigate resistance development.This research supports the integration of N. crenulata into anthelmintic therapy, offering a natural, effective, and sustainable alternative to synthetic drugs.