Objective: To investigate the anticestodal efficacy of
Psidium guajava
L.
leaf extract.
Materials and Methods: Anticestodal efficacy was evaluated using experimental
Hymenolepis diminuta
infection in rats. The leaf extract was administered orally to different groups of experimentally infected
H. diminuta infections in rats. The efficacy was adjudged in terms of parasite eggs/g (EPG) of faeces count before and after treatment, direct count of surviving worms remaining in small intestines after completion of treatment and by host clearance of parasite. In all the experiments, the effect of leaf extract was compared with a standard anticestodal drug, praziquantel (PZQ).
Results: The leaf extract showed reduction in parasite EPG of faeces count in a dose-dependent manner. It further showed comparatively low recovery of worms including scolices in the small intestine and host clearance of parasite in a dose dependent manner. In all the experimental models the anticestodal efficacy of leaf extract was significantly comparable with that of PZQ.
Conclusion: The leaf extract of
P. guajava possesses anticestodal efficacy. Study supports its folk medicinal use in the treatment of intestinal-worm infections in northeastern part of India.
