Date of Completion

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science

Keywords

Anthelmintic, Caenorhabditis elegans, Egg-Laying Assay, Mortality Assay, Motility Assay, Peperomia pellucida

Abstract

Parasitic helminths in the Philippines are known to cause significant pain and disease, especially among children and the immunocompromised. Despite the implementation of Mass Drug Administration, the prevalence of helminth infections remains high. This research investigates the anthelmintic activity of phytochemical compounds in Peperomia pellucida against Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism for parasitic nematodes. The P. pellucida was macerated in ethanol, extracted using a rotary evaporator, and then subjected to phytochemical analysis. The analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and triterpenoids. Anthelmintic activity was evaluated using three bioassays: mortality, motility, and egg- laying inhibition. The optimal concentrations of the extract are 15%, 20%, and 25% for both mortality and motility assays. For inhibiting egg laying, the optimal concentration is 25%. Moreover, a significant difference in worm mortality and motility was observed between albendazole and P. pellucida extract at concentrations of 15%, 20%, and 25%. This indicates that higher concentrations of P. pellucida exhibit stronger anthelmintic activity than albendazole. Conversely, results from the egg-laying assay showed no significant difference between albendazole and P. pellucida extract, indicating similar effects between albendazole and the 25% concentration of P. pellucida in reducing C. elegans' ability to lay eggs. These findings support the potential of P. pellucida as a promising plant-based alternative for helminth control, particularly in low-resource settings. The study also emphasizes the relevance of natural product-based therapeutics in combating drug-resistant helminthic infections.

First Advisor

Danna Merliza Joy A. Franada, RMT

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