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Author(s): Anthony R. Marin*1, Clarence Thomas P. Melgar2, John Joseph A. Deseo3, Jarred F. Gabriel4, Roqaiya G. Akbara5

Email(s): 1amarin@sdca.edu.ph

Address:

    Department of Pharmacy, St. Dominic College of Asia Emilio Aguinaldo Hi-way, Bacoor City, Cavite

Published In:   Volume - 4,      Issue - 8,     Year - 2025

DOI: amarin@sdca.edu.ph  

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ABSTRACT:
Inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices in developing countries contribute significantly to public health issues caused by soil-transmitted helminths, and parasitic worms including roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms. This research explores the potential anthelmintic activity of Melastoma malabthricum Linn., commonly known as Malatungaw, a medicinal plant used in folk medicine across tropical and subtropical regions. Despite its traditional use, scientific investigation into Malatungaw's anthelmintic properties remains limited. This study evaluates the anthelmintic activity of Malatungaw leaf extract against roundworms specifically through in-vitro assays, comparing its efficacy with the standard drug Albendazole. The leaves were collected from Romblon, Philippines, dried, macerated, and extracted using methanol. Phytochemical screening was done to verify the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, as means in supporting its potential as an anthelmintic agent. The extract's efficacy was tested against adult roundworms, measuring paralysis and death times. Results indicate dose-dependent anthelmintic activity, with significant differences observed between Malatungaw extract concentrations and Albendazole. The findings suggest Malatungaw leaves as a potential natural alternative for combating soil-transmitted helminth infections, specifically caused by roundworms, emphasizing the need for further research of its therapeutic potential. This research contributes to the ongoing efforts in developing sustainable solutions for parasitic infections, particularly in resource-limited settings

Cite this article:
Anthony R. Marin, Clarence Thomas P. Melgar, John Joseph A. Deseo, Jarred F.Gabriel, Roqaiya G. Akbara. An In-Vitro Evaluation of Anthelmintic Activity of Malatungaw Leaves (Melasthoma malabthricum Linn.) on Roundworms (Ascaris suum). IJRPAS, August 2025; 4 (8): 65-78DOI: https://doi.org/amarin@sdca.edu.ph


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