Investigation on the anthelmintic effect of selected medicinal plant extracts.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
This study investigated the anthelmintic effect of selected medicinal plant extracts on gastrointestinal nematodes and documented indigenous knowledge used in worm management in Tororo District. The study combined a questionnaire survey with a controlled in vitro laboratory experiment. Questionnaire data were obtained from 60 respondents, while the laboratory component assessed mortality following exposure of gastrointestinal nematodes to Lantana, Ginger and Red pepper extracts at concentration levels 45, 55 and 65. Albendazole was used as the positive control and an untreated group as the negative control. Survey findings showed that 88.3% of respondents commonly experienced worm infestation, 75.0% used medicinal plants and 73.3% used commercial dewormers. The combined use of commercial dewormers and medicinal plants was the most common control approach. Among medicinal-plant users, Neem was reported by 75.6%, Garlic by 64.4% and Sodom apple by 57.8%. Parents and elders were the main source of indigenous knowledge, while dosage uncertainty was the leading challenge associated with plant remedies. In the laboratory experiment, Lantana produced the highest mean mortality at 85.73%, followed by Ginger at 82.75% and Red pepper at 77.39%. Across the three plant extracts, concentration level 55 produced the highest average mortality of 86.42%. Albendazole achieved 100% mortality, whereas the untreated control recorded 0%. The study concluded that the selected plant extracts possess measurable in vitro anthelmintic activity, with Lantana showing the strongest overall performance. The findings support continued scientific evaluation and standardisation of locally available medicinal plants as complementary options within integrated gastrointestinal nematode control programmes.
Keywords: anthelmintic activity, medicinal plants, gastrointestinal nematodes, Lantana, Ginger, Red pepper, Albendazole
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Undergraduate research report
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Nyamusime, E.(2026). Investigation on the anthelmintic effect of selected medicinal plant extracts. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.