THE POTENTIAL OF MEDICINAL PLANTS CULTIVATED FROM SOUTH ACEH AS ANTHELMINTIC AGENTS

Abstract

Studies on potential of medicinal plants used by the South Acehnese as anthelmintics for Ascaris lumbricoides have been conducted. The aim of this study was to find out the type and content of secondary metabolites of medicinal plants used by Acehnese in the South Aceh district through phytochemical screening. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with anthelmintic medicinal plant users, herbal practitioners, and the general public. The interviews revealed that the community used 15 plant species and 19 plant parts as anthelmintics for A. Lumbricoides. Plant extracts were obtained by maceration with 96% ethanol, and secondary metabolite content was identified using phytochemical screening. According to the phytochemical screening results of 19 plant extracts, 17 extracts contained alkaloids, 18 extracts contained flavonoids, 8 extracts contained saponins, 18 extracts contained phenols, 16 extracts contained tannins, 9 extracts contained steroids, and 2 extracts contained triterpenoids.