Anthelmintic activity of the essential oil of artemisia pallens wall
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Anthelmintic activity of the essential oil of artemisia pallens wall
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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Seema Nakhare, S.C. Garg
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Anthelmintic activity of the essential oil of artemisia pallens wall
Year: 1991
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Helminthiasis, or worm infestation, is a significant health concern affecting a large portion of the global population, particularly in tropical regions. The intestinal parasites responsible for this condition include various types of worms, such as hookworms and tape worms. Traditional medicine systems, particularly in India, have long reported the effectiveness of several medicinal plants—including Artemisia pallens—in treating these infections. This study focuses on evaluating the anthelmintic activity of the essential oil extracted from Artemisia pallens Wall. against common intestinal helminths, specifically Pheritima posthuma (earthworm), Taenia solium (tapeworm), and Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm).
Anthelmintic Activity of Artemisia Pallens
The essential oil of Artemisia pallens was found to exhibit significant anthelmintic activity, outperforming piperazine phosphate, a standard reference drug. The study reported that at varying concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%), the essential oil caused paralysis and death in earthworms and other helminths more quickly than the control drug. For instance, the essential oil demonstrated 85% greater activity than piperazine phosphate at the lowest concentration against earthworms. These results confirm not only the traditional usage of Artemisia pallens in treating worm infestations but also lend credence to ethnobotanical investigations into the medicinal properties of native plants.
Conclusion
The findings of this study substantiate the ethnomedical applications of Artemisia pallens as an effective anthelmintic agent. The essential oil's superior performance against various helminths highlights its potential as a natural alternative for treating worm infestations. This research not only reinforces traditional knowledge surrounding the use of this herb but also encourages future exploration into the therapeutic properties of indigenous flora, paving the way for potential development of new anthelmintic therapies based on natural compounds.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the study about Artemisia pallens focused on?
The study evaluates the anthelmintic activity of the essential oil from Artemisia pallens against various helminthes, including earthworms, tape worms, and round worms, confirming its traditional medicinal use.
How was the essential oil of Artemisia pallens obtained?
The essential oil was extracted through hydrodistillation of the whole herb using a Clevenger’s apparatus, yielding a yellow colored oil at a concentration of 0.337% (v/w).
What did the results indicate about Artemisia pallens' effectiveness?
The essential oil exhibited excellent anthelmintic activity, outperforming piperazine phosphate significantly in inducing paralysis and death in the worms at all tested concentrations.
What traditional uses are associated with Artemisia pallens?
Artemisia pallens is recognized in traditional medicine for its anthelmintic and stomachic properties, validating its use in rural settings for treating worm infestations.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Anthelmintic activity of the essential oil of artemisia pallens wall”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Worm:
The term 'worm' refers to the various helminths (parasitic worms) that infect the human body, causing significant health issues, especially in tropical regions. In this study, earthworms and specific intestinal parasites like Ascaris lumbricoides and Taenia solium are examined for their susceptibility to the essential oil of Artemisia pallens, highlighting the importance of targeting these organisms in treatment.
2) Activity:
Here, 'activity' pertains to the efficacy of the essential oil of Artemisia pallens in paralyzing and killing different types of worms in the study. The term is integral to understanding the results, indicating that the oil demonstrates notable anthelmintic properties, thereby supporting its traditional medicinal use against helminthiasis.
3) Medicine:
'Medicine' signifies the field concerned with the treatment and prevention of diseases, including helminth infections. The study explores the anthelmintic properties of Artemisia pallens within the realm of traditional medicine, reinforcing the significance of ethnobotanical knowledge and the exploration of plant-based therapeutic agents.
4) Water:
In this context, 'water' refers to the medium used for diluting the essential oil and preparing solutions for experimental purposes. The use of distilled water is crucial for accurate results, ensuring that the solvent does not interfere with the essential oil's anthelmintic activity against the test worms.
5) Embelia ribes:
Embelia ribes is a medicinal plant renowned for its anthelmintic properties in traditional medicine. Cited in the study alongside Artemisia pallens, it underscores the rich ethnobotanical background of using various plants to combat helminth infections and supports the exploration of alternative therapies for treating such conditions.
6) Drug:
'Drug' refers to a substance used for medical purposes, in this case, piperazine phosphate, which serves as a standard reference in the study. Its comparison with the essential oil of Artemisia pallens highlights the oil's potential as an effective anthelmintic, situating it within the broader category of pharmacological treatments.
7) Punica granatum:
Punica granatum, or pomegranate, is another plant noted for its medicinal properties against helminthiasis. Including it in the discussion emphasizes the diversity of herbal remedies employed in traditional Indian medicine and illustrates the ongoing search for effective natural alternatives to combat parasitic infections.
8) Discussion:
'Discussion' refers to the section of the paper where the results are interpreted and contextualized within the existing literature. This part elucidates the implications of the findings regarding Artemisia pallens, bridging the gap between empirical data and traditional knowledge in herbal medicine, highlighting the relevance of continuing such research.
9) Science (Scientific):
'Science' signifies the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation. This article embodies the scientific approach as it investigates the empirical anthelmintic effects of a natural extract, reflecting the importance of combining traditional insights with scientific validation.
10) Davana (Ḍavaṇā):
'Davana' is the common name for Artemisia pallens, the plant being studied for its anthelmintic properties. This naming highlights cultural aspects of the plant's usage in traditional medicine and emphasizes the significance of local knowledge in the identification of flora with medicinal potential.
11) Botany:
'Botany' refers to the scientific study of plants, including their structure, properties, and biochemical processes. The involvement of the Botany department in the identification of Artemisia pallens underscores the importance of taxonomic accuracy in ethnobotanical studies, which are foundational for subsequent pharmacological research.
12) Hari (Hāri, Hārin, Harī, Harin):
'Hari' refers to Doctor Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, the institution where the research was conducted, emphasizing the importance of academic frameworks in promoting research and advancing knowledge. The institution facilitates studies like this one, contributing to the scientific community's understanding of traditional medicines.
13) Soil:
'Soil' signifies the natural environment from which earthworms were collected for the study. The significance of 'soil' highlights the ecological context in which the research occurs, as well as the relationship between soil health and the prevalence of helminth infections, stressing the interconnectedness of natural systems.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Anthelmintic activity of the essential oil of artemisia pallens wall’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Indian system of medicine, Ascaris lumbricoides, Anthelmintic activity, Clinical outcome, Hydrodistillation method, Helminthic infections, Pheritima posthuma, Taenia solium.