In-Vitro Antihelminthic Effect of Ethanol Extract of Black Seeds (Nigella sativa) Against Ascaris suum

Ascariasis remains to be one of the health problems in Indonesia. The synthetic antihelminthic drugs that are used to treat ascariasis have some side effects and teratogenic effect. Thus, other substances are required to be the alternative treatment. The in vitro experimental research was conducted to determine the antihelminthic effect and LC50 of black seeds (Nigella sativa) ethanolic extract against Ascarissuum. Ten Ascaris suum were soaked in each ethanolic extract of black seed with concentration of 0,5%, 1%, 2%, 4%, and 8%. NaCl 0,9% solution was used as negative control. The amount of dead A. suum was calculated every 12 hours for 48 hours. The procedure was conducted in 3 times replication. The data collected was analyzed using Fisher-Exact test and Probit analysis. The statistical analysis results (p<0,05) indicated that antihelminthic effect was found after 48 hours of observation on the extract concentration of 0,5%, 1%, and 2%, and after 12 hours on the extract concentration of 4% and 8%. LC50 of black seeds ethanolic extract (N. sativa) against A, suum was 1,693% (95% CL= 1,210% - 2,325%). In conclusion, the black seeds (N. sativa) ethanolic extract had antihelminthic effect against A. suum. The black seeds ethanolic extract had LC50 at concentration of 1,693%.