Anticestodal activity of the crude aqueous extract of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) against the dwarftapeworm (Hymenolepis nana) in mice

The anticestodal activity of the crude aqueous extract of Cucurbita pepo seeds was carried out on mice experimentally infected with Hymenolepis nana. Significant effects were obtained by reducing the number of eggs and worms when compared with the control group. Five concentrations of C. pepo aqueous extracts were used (125, 250, 375, 500 and 625 mg/kg). These concentrations produced deparasitization rates of eggs of 52.7 , 61.6 , 84.2 , 89.4 and 100 , respectively at the fourth day of the treatment. Also, more potent effects were obtained with highest concentrations especially 500 mg/kg and 625 mg/kg which gave a total eradication of H. nana eggs and worms at the fifth and fourth days of the experiment, respectively.