Meza Ocampos Griselda
Gastro-intestinal nematodes (GIN) are responsible for parasitic diseases that frequently affects humans and animals in the tropics. A cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the Central Department of Paraguay. This study aimed to collect information on traditional medicine, to list medicinal plants used for the treatment of GIN in humans and animals and to select 4 medicinal plants to carry out future screening on photochemistry and bioactivity. The survey was carried out among herbalists, vendors, veterinarians, and traditional healers. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and “free list” with a total of 384 participants. Sampled was applied by the “quota” method per district. A phytochemical screening was carried out of the selected plants. Descriptive methods were used to summarize data and the quantitative indices were calculated using the Salience Index and Fidelity level. 96.88% of participants reported use medicinal plants and 86.29% mentioned knowledge of plants with properties against GIN. A total of 16 plants were mentioned to treat GIN both in humans and livestock. Among them, 4 plants were selected: Kyllinga odorata, Cassia occidentalis, Artemisia absinthium, Verbena litoralis (Image1) for further studies to confirm anthelmintic properties. The results of qualitative phytochemical analyzes showed the presence of a range of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids, steroids, coumarins, which can lead to the discovery of potential alternative treatment of GIN in small ruminants and to validate the ethno medicinal knowledge.