The Effect of Euphorbia Hirta L. to Animal Intestinal Parasites

Researchers:

Mercader, Arlene L.

Mescallado, Kim Leianne M.

Montebon, Mariel S.

Sagana, Patricia Anne B.

Boquiren, Richard M.

Research Adviser:

Mrs. Ma. Regaele A. Olarte

Abstract

           Euphorbia Hirta L. or so-called Tawa tawa is a plant abundantly growing in almost all parts of the Philippines and is usually taken for granted due to its undiscovered scientific and medicinal importance. Recently, it was said that it is used in some parts of our country to increase the platelet count of dengue patients. Further studies were conducted to prove its effectiveness.

This research used Euphorbia Hirta L. but it was aimed at the decoction and utilization of the said plant as an animal purgative. Fifty milligrams of Euphorbia Hirta L. samples were gathered and the removal of unnecessary parts was done. Three different amounts of stem pieces which were about 1 cm. long were subjected to heat together with the 20 ml. of distilled water. The decocted products were cooled. Fifteen mice were used to test the decocted products and a commercialized purgative and were kept under observation for 12 hours in fifteen different shoe boxes.

The results were gathered by studying the feces of each mouse obtained from the shoe boxes after the said time. Unpaired t test was used for the statistical analysis. The results showed that there was a direct relationship between the amount of Euphorbia Hirta L. and the number of intestinal parasites purged and the effectiveness of each concentration depends on the amount of Euphorbia Hirta L.

Based on the findings obtained, the researchers concluded that Euphorbia Hirta L. is an effective animal purgative. The researchers recommended further experiments to strengthen this study and to discover the other medicinal uses and contributions of this plant.