Abstract:
Helminths are human infectious agents causing malnutrition, anemia, growth
retardation, and reduced mental development. Despite the ongoing mass drug
administration (MDA) programs in the country, the Philippines ranks among the
developing nations with the highest rates of parasitic infection cases. Studies
demonstrate that the MDA's failure to achieve its goals results from non-compliance
stemming from skepticism and worry about the potential side effects of the drugs, which
leads people to prefer using medicinal plants as treatments. Fortunately, the Philippines
has a high diversity of plant species that have medicinal properties to treat parasitic
infections. Several studies have documented these anthelmintic plants however,
synthesized information is not available. In this study, a systematic review of published
and unpublished articles on anthelmintic plants has identified 32 Philippine medicinal
anthelmintic plant species of which Quisqualis indica L. (n = 5), Ananas comosus (L.)
Merr. (n = 4), Areca catechu L. (n = 4), and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (n =
4) were the most cited anthelmintic plants. Furthermore, knowledge of anthelmintic
plants came largely from indigenous groups (41.7%) and local people (41.7%) and was
primarily documented from Caraga and Eastern Visayas. The medicinal recipes utilized
plants' leaves, fruits, roots, and seeds most frequently. Moreover, they mainly were
prepared as decoctions and most commonly administered by ingestion. The systematic
review of Philippine medicinal plants can be used as a foundation for anthelmintic drug
development and research, as well as initiating the necessary awareness of preserving
traditional medicinal knowledge.
