Abstract
This study evaluated the scientific basis for the traditional use of Thymus serpyllum (Labiatae or Lamiaceae) seeds extract as an anthelmintic agent. The study design were investigation of the traditional anthelmintic medicinal plant Thymus serpyllum using in vitro anthelmintic properties of four extracts of the plant were evaluated using earthworms. The earthworm (Pheretima posthuma) resembles both anatomically and physiologically to the intestinal roundworm parasites of human beings. The four crude seed extracts of Thymus serpyllum were Petroleum Ether extract (50 &100 mg/ml), Chloroform extract (50 &100 mg/ml), Methanol extract (50 &100 mg/ml) and Aqueous extract (50 &100 mg/ml). The paralysis time of Petroleum Ether extract (85±3.73 &72±4.22), Chloroform extract (112±1.58 &95±4.21), Methanol extract (59±6.23 &46±6.14) and aqueous extract (150±3.05 & 132±1.92) were compared to the standard drug Albendazole suspension 100mg/5ml (3.48±1.00). The results shown that the four extracts produced dose dependent and significant anthelmintic activities. From these findings the four extracts of Thymus serpyllum are rich source of naturally occurring anthelmintic activity. Further work is recommended to evaluate the in vivo anthelmintic activity and toxicity of the extracts.
