Home⇛LPU-St. Cabrini Journal of Allied Medicine⇛vol. 6 no. 1 (2024)

An Experimental Research: In Vitro Anti-parasitic Activity of Honey Against Ascaris Suum

Jullianne Dela Costa | Cathlene Kate Lozano | Von Laurence Napiza | Allen Joyce Sampang | Brenda Alexa Torres

Discipline: biosciences (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

Parasitic infections, including schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), remain significant public health concerns in tropical and subtropical regions such as the Philippines. Soiltransmitted helminthiasis is caused by intestinal parasites, including roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms. Ascariasis, one of the most common helminth infections, is caused by Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum. Honey has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and has gained scientific attention because of its diverse biological properties, including antimicrobial activity. The presence of bioactive compounds and trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide contributes to its ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antiparasitic activity of honey against A. suum. Four honey concentrations (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%) were prepared and tested against A. suum specimens. Mebendazole served as the positive control, while normal saline solution served as the negative control. Time to mortality was measured in four experimental trials. The findings demonstrated that honey exhibited concentration-dependent antiparasitic activity, with higher concentrations resulting in shorter mortality times. Notably, certain honey concentrations produced shorter times to mortality than the positive control. In contrast, parasites exposed to normal saline solution survived considerably longer, supporting the potential efficacy of honey against A. suum. These findings suggest that honey possesses significant in vitro antiparasitic activity and may serve as a potential alternative or complementary antiparasitic agent. Further in vivo studies are recommended to validate these results under physiological conditions.



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