Surreal illustration of Phrynium imbricatum leaves intertwined with glowing worms, symbolizing natural deworming.

Natural Worm Fighters: How Plant Extracts Can Help You Ditch Synthetic Dewormers

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlock the potential of Phrynium imbricatum and other natural remedies in the fight against parasitic worms, offering a safe and effective alternative to conventional treatments."

For centuries, traditional medicine has turned to the plant kingdom for solutions to a wide range of health problems. Even before the advent of modern pharmaceuticals, various cultures relied on the therapeutic properties of plants to combat diseases and promote overall well-being. Today, as we grapple with concerns about the side effects and growing resistance to synthetic drugs, scientists are revisiting these ancient remedies, seeking to unlock their hidden potential.

One area of particular interest is the use of plants to fight parasitic worm infections. These infections, which affect billions worldwide, especially in developing countries, can lead to chronic illness and impaired development. Traditional treatments often involve synthetic anthelmintic drugs, but their widespread use has led to the emergence of drug-resistant parasites, creating an urgent need for new and effective alternatives.

In a recent study, researchers investigated the anthelmintic properties of Phrynium imbricatum, a plant traditionally used in certain regions of Asia. The results offer promising insights into the potential of this plant, and others like it, as a source of natural anthelmintic compounds.

Unveiling Phrynium imbricatum: A Natural Anthelmintic Powerhouse

Surreal illustration of Phrynium imbricatum leaves intertwined with glowing worms, symbolizing natural deworming.

The study, led by Mohammad Shah Hafez Kabir and colleagues, focused on evaluating the effectiveness of ethanol extracts and various fractions from Phrynium imbricatum leaves against aquarium worms (Tubifex tubifex) in vitro. These worms serve as a model for intestinal parasites due to their anatomical similarities. The research also aimed to determine the total condensed tannin content within the plant extracts, as tannins are known for their anthelmintic properties.

The researchers extracted compounds from Phrynium imbricatum leaves using pure ethanol. This crude extract was then further separated into different fractions using solvents like chloroform, petroleum ether, n-hexane, and ethyl acetate. Each of these fractions, along with the original ethanol extract, was tested for its ability to paralyze and kill the Tubifex tubifex worms at varying concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mg/ml).

Here are some of the key findings from the study:

The ethanol extract of Phrynium imbricatum (EEPI) exhibited the strongest anthelmintic activity compared to all other fractions.
EEPI at 20 mg/ml paralyzed the worms in just 3.69 minutes and caused death in 14.28 minutes, closely approaching the efficacy of the standard drug, Levamisole.
The content of condensed tannins was highest in EEPI (168.44 mg catechin/g) compared to the other fractions, suggesting a correlation between tannin content and anthelmintic activity.
The overall order of anthelmintic activity was: EEPI > Chloroform fraction > Ethyl acetate fraction > n-Hexane fraction > Petroleum ether fraction.

These results suggest that Phrynium imbricatum contains potent anthelmintic compounds, particularly condensed tannins, that can effectively paralyze and kill parasitic worms. The study supports the traditional use of this plant for treating worm infections and highlights its potential as a source for developing new, natural anthelmintic drugs.

The Future of Natural Anthelmintics

While the study on Phrynium imbricatum provides valuable insights, further research is needed to fully understand its potential and ensure its safe and effective use. Identifying the specific active compounds responsible for the anthelmintic activity, conducting clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy in humans, and assessing its potential toxicity are crucial steps forward. Nevertheless, this research offers a promising glimpse into the power of nature to combat parasitic infections and contribute to a healthier future for all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4172/2471-2698.1000109, Alternate LINK

Title: Effects Of Ethanol Extract And Its Different Fractions Of Phrynium Imbricatum(Roxb.) Leaves On In Vitro Anthelmintic And Their Condensed Tannin Content

Subject: General Engineering

Journal: Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry: Open Access

Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group

Authors: Mohammad Shah Hafez Kabir, Abu Monsur Dinar Md

Published: 2015-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

How effective is Phrynium imbricatum in fighting parasitic worms, and what makes it a promising alternative?

Phrynium imbricatum has shown potent anthelmintic activity, particularly the ethanol extract (EEPI), which contains high levels of condensed tannins. In a study, EEPI at a concentration of 20 mg/ml paralyzed aquarium worms (Tubifex tubifex) in just 3.69 minutes and caused death in 14.28 minutes, approaching the efficacy of the standard drug Levamisole. The study suggests the plant's potential for developing new, natural anthelmintic drugs. However, the specific active compounds need to be identified, and clinical trials are needed to evaluate its efficacy and safety in humans.

Based on the study, what is the order of anthelmintic activity among the different extracts and fractions of Phrynium imbricatum?

The ethanol extract of Phrynium imbricatum (EEPI) demonstrated the strongest anthelmintic activity, followed by the chloroform fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, n-hexane fraction, and petroleum ether fraction. EEPI's effectiveness is likely due to its high concentration of condensed tannins, which are known for their anthelmintic properties. The study ranked these extracts based on their ability to paralyze and kill Tubifex tubifex worms, highlighting EEPI as the most promising fraction.

Why is there a growing interest in natural plant extracts like Phrynium imbricatum for treating parasitic worm infections, and what are the potential benefits compared to traditional treatments?

Traditional treatments for parasitic worm infections often rely on synthetic anthelmintic drugs, but their widespread use has led to drug resistance. Phrynium imbricatum and other plant extracts offer a potential alternative by providing natural anthelmintic compounds. The advantage is the potential for reduced side effects and combating drug-resistant parasites. However, further research is needed to determine the safety, efficacy, and specific active compounds of these plant-based remedies before they can replace synthetic drugs.

What role do condensed tannins play in the anthelmintic properties of Phrynium imbricatum, and how significant is their presence in the plant's extracts?

Condensed tannins are a key component in Phrynium imbricatum responsible for its anthelmintic properties. These compounds are found in high concentrations within the ethanol extract (EEPI) of the plant. The study showed a strong correlation between tannin content and anthelmintic activity. Further research could explore how condensed tannins specifically interact with and affect parasitic worms.

What further research is needed to fully validate and utilize Phrynium imbricatum as a natural anthelmintic, and what are the key steps to ensure its safe and effective use?

While the study on Phrynium imbricatum demonstrates promising results, it only represents an initial step. To fully understand its potential, researchers need to identify the specific active compounds responsible for the anthelmintic activity, conduct clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy and safety in humans, and assess its potential toxicity. This comprehensive research will help determine whether Phrynium imbricatum can be safely and effectively used as a natural anthelmintic drug.