COMBINED HERBAL POWDERS AS NATURAL ANTHELMINTIC AGENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

Helminth infections remain a major public health and veterinary concern worldwide, causing significant morbidity, economic losses, and reduced productivity in both humans and livestock. Although synthetic anthelmintic drugs such as albendazole, mebendazole, levamisole, and ivermectin are widely used for parasite control, their long-term effectiveness is increasingly compromised by the emergence of drug-resistant helminth strains, adverse effects, and environmental concerns. Consequently, there is growing interest in plant-based alternatives, particularly combined herbal powders, as sustainable and effective natural anthelmintic agents. This review summarizes the available pharmacological evidence on medicinal plants commonly incorporated into polyherbal formulations, including Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Embelia ribes, Areca catechu, Punica granatum, Allium sativum, Moringa oleifera, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, and Phyllanthus emblica. The review highlights the role of major phytochemicals such as tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds in exerting antiparasitic activity through mechanisms including cuticle damage, neuromuscular paralysis, membrane disruption, oxidative stress induction, and metabolic inhibition. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that polyherbal formulations exhibit synergistic effects, enhanced efficacy, broader spectrum activity, and a lower risk of resistance development compared with single-herb preparations. Despite promising findings, challenges related to standardization, quality control, dosage optimization, and limited clinical evidence remain. Overall, combined herbal powders represent a promising approach for the development of safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly anthelmintic therapies, warranting further scientific investigation and clinical validation.

Keywords:

Anthelmintic activity; Combined herbal powders; Polyherbal formulations; Helminthiasis; Medicinal plants; Phytochemicals; Natural anthelmintics; Antiparasitic activity; Herbal medicine; Drug resistance.