Medicinal plants and its activity against helminth: A review

Abstract

The therapeutic value of Indian medicinal plants is known since the ancient ages. Ayurveda, the oldest system of medicine recommends use of remedies, mainly based on medicinal herbs, for the treatment of a variety of diseases in man and animals. The herbal remedies are economical and within the reach of common man. It has been pointed out that about three-fourths of world’s population cannot afford the expensive products of western pharmaceuticals (Handa, 1996). Therefore, about 80 per cent of people living in developing countries are almost completely dependent on traditional means for their primary healthcare needs (Fransworth, 1990; Pushpagandan, 1996). The therapeutic value of Indian medicinal plants is well recognized and acknowledged all over the world. There has been an ever enhancing awareness globally to rely on natural remedies in place of the chemical drugs. More recently, the western multinational drug companies, taking leads from ayurveda and Indian folklore medicines, are diverting their R and D activities on Indian medicinal plants to find out the active principles, isolate and patent them. Anthelmintic resistance in the parasites is spreading and the inefficacy of chemical anti-parasitic compounds is threatening animal health. New plants with medicinal properties against parasites of ruminants are being investigated around the world with promising results. In the near future natural products obtained from plants extracts seems that likely will become a viable alternative of control of parasitizes of veterinary importance.