Antiparasitic efficacy of worm wood (Artemisia absinthium) alcoholic extract on syphacia obvolata

Occurrence of resistance against antiparasitic drugs has made it essential for researchers to find new sources for antiparasitic drugs.

This study was performed to determine the efficiency of alcoholic extract of worm wood (Artemisia absinthium) on Syphasia parasite.

Artemisia absinthium extract was examined on 3 groups of mice at 2.5%, 5% and 10% concentrations. A group of positive control received pyrantel pamoate, while negative control group was treated by a solution containing no extract. Mice were treated orally 28 days after infection by Syphacia eggs. The efficacy of treatment was determined by Syphacia eggs in the feces.

In groups that received either 5% or 10% concentrations of A. absinthium extract or pyrantel pamoate, microscopic examinations of the feces demonstrated no Syphacia eggs.

Data obtained from the present study showed that the alcoholic extract of Artemisia absinthium may lead to a decline in the number of Syphacia eggs in the feces with minimal side effects. The extract of this plant can probably be used as a suitable alternative in the treatment of some parasitic diseases.