In-Vitro Studies on Nauclea Latifolia (Uvuru-Ilu) for Vermicidal Activities in Heligmosomodies Bakeri Infected Mice.
Authors
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of AGriculture, Umudike (Nigeria)
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of AGriculture, Umudike (Nigeria)
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of AGriculture, Umudike (Nigeria)
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of AGriculture, Umudike (Nigeria)
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of AGriculture, Umudike (Nigeria)
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of AGriculture, Umudike (Nigeria)
Article Information
DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.110200106
Subject Category: Health
Volume/Issue: 11/2 | Page No: 1197-1206
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-02-18
Accepted: 2026-02-24
Published: 2026-03-17
Abstract
Nauclea latifolia has been used locally as herbal remedies for treatment of helminthic infections and other some other ill conditions. In this study, the phytochemical profile and the vermicidal activities of N. latifolia leaf extracts, Stem bark extracts and combination of the two extracts were evaluated in Heligmosomoides bakeri infected mice. Extracts prepared from the plant were subjected to phytochemical and acute toxicity evaluations. For the vermicidal trials, in-vitro study model were employed. The in-vitro study was carried out by applying the extracts to the worms in Petri dishes before larval counts in accordance with standard protocols. Results obtained from the phytochemical tests on the leaves and stem extracts revealed the presence of significant amounts of Saponins, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Tannins, Alkaloids, Phenolics and Cardiac glycosides. Steroids were obtained from the stem bark extract. Acute toxicity of 3,807.87mg/kg and 2,828.43mg/kg body weight were obtained for the leaf and stem bark extracts. The result obtained in the in-vitro model did not show significant fall in larval count in all the extracts when compared with Albendazole. Therefore, Nauclea latifolia may not be a safe and effective alternative vermicidal agent pending in-vivo trials of the plant.
Keywords
In-vitro, Nauclea latifolia, phytochemical, vermicidal, Heligmosomodies bakeri
Downloads
References
1. Agbalaka, P.I. Ejinaka, O.R., Yakubu, D.P. Obeta, U.M. Jwanse, R.I. and Dawet, A. (2019). Prevalence of Parasites of Public Health Significance in Vegetables sold in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria” American Journal of Public Health Research. 7:48-57. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Aleme H., Awetahegne Y. and Tesfaye A. Invitro Antihelmintic Activities of Four Medicinal Plants against Haemonchus contortus (2015) Scientific Research Journal (SCIRJ), 3(5) www.scirj.org ISSN 2201-2796 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Arbonnier, M. (2000). Arbres, Arbustes et Lianes des Zones Seches d’Afrique de I’Ouest. 1st Edn. CIRAD Publishers, Paris. 541. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Arise, R.O., Akintota, A.A., Olarinoye, J.B. and Balogun, E.A. (2012). Effects of Nauclea latifolia stem on lipid profile and some enzymes of rat liver and kidney. International Journal of Pharmacology. 10 (3):23-39. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. al-Bassel, D. A.; Stietieh, F. M. and Farrag, A. M. (2000). "On the morphology of Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematoda-Trichostrongylidae) from the field mouse Apodemus sylvaticus". Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology. 30 (1): 43–49. ISSN 1110-0583. PMID 10786017 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Balogun, M.E., Besong, E.E., Obu, M.S.U and Djobissie, S.F.A. (2016). Nauclea latifolia. A Medicinal Economic and Pharmacological Review. International Journal of Plant Research. 6(2): 34-52. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Capasso, L. (1998). “5300 years ago, the ice man used natural laxatives and antibiotics”. Lancet. 352 (9143): 1864. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Castaneda-Ramirez, G.S., Torres-Acosta, J.F.J., Sandoval-Costro, C.A., Gonzalez-Pech, P.G., ParraTabla, V.P. and Mathiew, C. (2017). Is there a negative association between the content of condensed tannins, total phenols and total tannins of tropical plant extracts and in-vitro anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus eggs? Parasitology Research. 116(12):3348. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Chala, B. (2013). A retrospective analysis of the results of five years (2005-2009) parasitological examination for common intestinal parasites from Bale-Robe Health Center, Robe Town, Southeastern Ethiopia, ISBN. Parasitol. 1-7. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Chidiebere-Mark and Nneka (2018). Economics of ginger production in Ikwuano L.G.A. of Abia State, Nigeria. International Journal of Applied Research and Technology. 3(4):39-40. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Cox, F.E. (2002). History of Human Parasitology. Clin Microbiol Rev. 15:595-612. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. De Valle, A., Jones, B.F., Harrison, L.M., Chadderdon, R.C. and Cappello, M. (2003). Isolation and molecular cloning of a secreted hookworm platelet inhibitor from adult Ancyclostoma canimum. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 129:167-177. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Deeni, Y. and Hussain, H. (1991). Screening for antimicrobial activity and for alkaloids of Nauclea latifolia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 33:91-96. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Duke, J.A. (2008). Ethnobotanical uses of Nauclea latifolia. Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Available from: http//www.bartleby.com.assessed on January 15, 2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Elujoba, A.A. (1995). Female infertility in the hands of traditional birth attendants in South-West Nigeria. Fitoterapia. 66(3):239-248. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Etukudoh, I. (2013). Ethnobotany: Conventional and Traditional uses of Plants. Verdict Press, Uyo. Pp. 116-117. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Ezurike, U.F. and Prieto, J.M. (2014). “The use of plants in the traditional management of diabetes in Nigeria: Pharmacological and Toxicological Considerations” Journal of Ethnopharmacology Vol. 155(2): 857-924. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Faria, C.P., Zanini, G.M., Dias, G.S., deSilva, S., deFreitas, M.B. and Almendra, R. (2017). Geospatial distribution of intestinal parasitic infections in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and its association with social determinants. Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases. 11:3. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Gidado, A., Ameh, D., Attawod, S.E. and Ibrahim, S. (2012). A Preliminary study of the mechanism of hypoglycaemic activity of Nauclea latifolia leaf ethanolic extract. Journal of Complementary and Intergrative Medicine. 9(1): 1515-1553. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Gidado, A., Ameh, D.A. and Atawodi, S.E. (2005). Effect of Nauclea latifolia leaves aqueous extracts on blood glucose levels of normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. African Journal of Biotechnology. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. 4(1):91-93 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Gidado, A., Ameh, D.A., Atawodi, S.E. and Ibrahim, S. (2008). “Hypoglycaemic activity of Nauclea latifolia Sm (rubiaceae) in experimental animals” African Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 5(2):201-208. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Gregory, R. D.; Keymer, A. E. and Clarke, J. R. (1990). "Genetics, Sex and Exposure: The Ecology of Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematoda) in the Wood Mouse". Journal of Animal Ecology. 59 (1): 363–378. Bibcode:1990JAnEc..59..363G. doi:10.2307/5178 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Ijioma. S.N., Okafor, A.I., Ndukuba, P.I and Akomas, S.C. (2014). Hypoglycemic, hematologic and hypolipidemic activity of Jatrophatanjorensis ethanol leaf extract in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Annals of Biological Research, 5(9):15-19. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
25. Ironemenefu, E.O. (2006). The history of Ibere. Uche Press, Garki, Abuja. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
26. Jit ˘areanu, A.; Trifan, A.; Vieriu, M.; Caba, I.-C.; Mârt,u, I.; Agoroaei, L. (2023) Current Trends in Toxicity Assessment of Herbal Medicines: A Narrative Review. Processes 2023, 11, 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11010083 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
27. Kaminsky, R., and Mäser, P. (2025). Global impact of parasitic infections and the importance of parasite control. Frontiers in parasitology, 4,1546195.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpara.2025 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
28. Parwiz N. and Abdul W. M. (2024). The role of plants in traditional and modern medicine. J Pharmacogn Phytochem ;13(2):643-647. DOI: 10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i2d.14905 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
29. Ravichandran, Subramanian, Bhargavi, Kambhoji, Rai, Archana, Pandey, Tejasvi, Rajput, Jyoti and Sri, R.M.. (2023). Medicinal plants for curing human diseases. Insight - Chinese Medicine. 6. 570. 10.18282/i-cm.v6i1.570. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
30. Roy, H. (2010). Preliminary phytochemical investigation and anthelmintic activity of Acanthospermum hispidum. D.C. J. Pharm. Sci. Technol. 2(5):217-221 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
31. Sneha K., Pagar H. J. , Swapnil K. and Neha T. (2022). In-Vivo and In-Vitro Assays to investigate Antihelminthic activity International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews 9(2): 99-108 www.ijrar.org [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
32. Stevens, L; Martínez-Ugalde, I; King, E; Wagah, M; Absolon, D; Bancroft, R; Gonzalez de la Rosa, P; Hall, JL; Kieninger, M; Kloch, A; Pelan, S; Robertson, E; Pedersen, AB; Abreu-Goodger, C; Buck, AH and Blaxter, M (2023). "Ancient diversity in host-parasite interaction genes in a model parasitic nematode". Nature Communications. 14 (1): 7776. Bibcode:2023NatCo..14.7776S. doi:10.1038/s41467023-43556 w. PMC 10682056. PMID 38012132. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
33. VanWyK, B.E. and Wink, M. (2004). Medicinal Plants of the world: An illustrated scientific guide to important medicinal plants and their uses; Timber Press: Portland, OR, USA [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
Metrics
Views & Downloads
Similar Articles
- Migrant Health in Morocco: Between Law and Reality
- CaknaMinda: An Educator-Centred Mobile App for Early Screening of Mental Health and Schizophrenia Risks
- Health System and Nursing Strategies for Enhancing Male Participation in Family Planning: Evidence from Tema General Hospital, Ghana.
- From Īśvara-Praṇidhāna to Parā-Bhakti: Convergent Paths of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga and Bhakti Yoga
- Evidence-Based Psycho-Oncological Interventions: A Multimodal Approach to Supportive Care