ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY of TEMU IRENG ( Curcuma aeruginosa ) on ADULT WORM and EGGS of Ascaris suum IN VITRO

Abstract

Worm infection in children remains a public health problem in Indonesia both in rural and in urban slums. Indonesia as a tropical country is a high-potential area for the occurrence of parasitic worm infections that are transmitted through soil (Soil-Transmitted Helminthes = STH), one of which is an infection of Ascaris suum (ascariasis). Curcuma aeruginosa is one of the medicinal plants that have therapeutic effects on worm disease. This is because the content of the substances contained in these medicinal plants. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of medicinal plants Curcuma aeruginosa as anthelmintic on ascariasis disease. This study is an experimental research conducted by testing several concentrations of the extracts of Temu ireng on adult worms and Ascaris suum eggs. The next step is calculating the percentage of Ascaris suum who suffered paralysis or death and counting the percentage of eggs that are infertile after incubation in test solution, a solution of positive and negative controls. Vermifuges effect of Temu ireng extracts (C. aeruginosa) to eggs of worms A. suum is indicated by the paralysis and the death of the worms in the immersion of Temu ireng extract. The results showed that worm A. suum would paralyse along with the increasing concentration and the duration of contact with the Temu ireng extract. Paralysis of 20% of worms could be found at a concentration of 2% in 3 hours and the number increased in the next concentration. In more than 24 hours, there are more than 50% of worms that suffered from paralysis and 20% - 40% of worms were death. Essential oils of Temu ireng extract act as vermifuges substance. In addition, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are also part of the active substances of Temu ireng plants that have anthelmintic effect that worked as an antagonist of acetylcholine. Ovicidal effect known by IC50 value of 0.343% of the Temu ireng extract is counted by probit analysis. The extract of Temu ireng rhizome is effective to be the antihelminthic drugs (anthelminthic) of Ascaris suum, in which it has vermifuges activity by stunning the parasitic worms and ovicidal effect, so that it is relevant to be developed for eradicating human ascariasis.