ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF MUSA PARADISIACA (L.) CV. PUTTABALE

The study investigated the anthelmintic activity of ethanol extracts from the corm of Musa paradisiaca cv. Puttabale, a banana cultivar, using Pheretima posthuma as a model. The extract was tested at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml. The 100 mg/ml concentration showed significant anthelmintic effects, causing paralysis at 42.33±1.45 minutes and death at 54.00±0.58 minutes, compared to the control group's paralysis at 142.67±1.45 minutes and death at 168.00±1.53 minutes. The extract was more effective than the standard drug piperazine citrate, which caused paralysis at 39.67±0.88 minutes and death at 59.00±0.58 minutes. The findings supported the traditional use of this plant for treating helminth infections.