Comparative Double Blind Clinical Trial Study of Side Effects of Areca catechu L

Supported by Division of Research Dissemination and Facilitation, Mahasarakham University, Thailand.

Received 11 March 2012; accepted 26 June 2012

Abstract

This study was carried out in Mahasarakham Primary Healthcare Centre, Mahasarakham province in the area of Northeastern of Thailand. The experiment was carried on with 200 samples with randomized control trial clinical study in order to examine the side effects of Areca catechu Linn., TTHF and Mebendazole after the treatment of antihelmintic activity of mixed worms infection in human. The 3 experimental groups consisted of 50 patients in each group and 50 patients for control group testing with placebo with inclusion and exclusion criteria which were screened by parasitologist of mixed worm infection symptoms samples. The investigation of side effects were investigated after treating the first dose of Areca catechu Linn, TTHF and Mebendazole which were confirmed by the physician and the pharmacist. The side effects data were collected before and after the treatment with Areca catechu Linn. and with placebo. The result showed that Areca catechu Linn. had 20% of diarrhea and 20% of nausea, 20% of diarrhea in Mebendazole and 0% in TTHF.

The suggestion of this study should increase the number of samples of worm infected patients and also the numbers of locations in Thailand in order to obtain various kinds of helminthes.

Key words: TTHF (Thai Traditional Herbal Formula); Mebendazole; Areca catechu Linn.; Side effects; Antihelmintic activity

Buavaroon Srichaikul, Weerasak Seubsoh, Supachai Samappito, Gordon Bakker (2012). Comparative Double Blind Clinical Trial Study of Side Effects of Areca catechu L., TTHF, and Mebendazole, in Treatment of Human Mixed Worm Infection. Advances in Natural Science, 5(2), -0. Available from URL: /index.php/ans/article/view/j.ans.1715787020120502.1846 DOI: /10.3968/j.ans.1715787020120502.1846

INTRODUCTION

In tropical countries such as Thailand we have a high incidence rate of human parasitic infection which can be very harmful to humans. The initial stage of parasitic infection such as Nematode, tapeworm, hook worm do not have sudden severe harmful effects to the human body. The symptoms will develop gradually and slowly which can destroy the internal organs. Some parasites can withdraw blood from human intestines or other internal cell wall organs and also nutrients from human bodies. The patients will slowly lose their weight and turn pale. The patients will also possess a lack of cognitive thinking and less intellect.

The result of the experiment after treating 200 patients with Placebo, Mebendazole, Areca catechu L. and TTHF showed that the side-effects of Mebendazole had 20% of diarrhea while Areca catechu L. had 20% of diarrhea and 20 % of Stomach discomfort and nausea. These were not found any side-effect in treatment with TTHF.

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

This study was carried out 3 days dosages and the % EPG Reduction was collected after the 4th day of the experiments in each group of samples. There may be some variations in the results after the first dosage given of each vermicidal medicine. Because some patients may have parasites presented in different locations of the human bodies such as blood stream, lung, liver, etc. Therefore the efficacy would be different in different species of helminthes. The extensive study should be recommended in various dosages and repeated dosages of 7 days, 14 days and 20 days should be measured the end result of % side effects .The result would be more reliable which was suggested to increase the size of samples and other forms of dosage preparation. The suggestion also aimed to investigate future research of more other types of helminthes for comparative efficacy study and also the side effects. In this study the side effects showed rather high in the percentage of diarrhea and nausea in Areca catechu and much higher than Mebendazole and Thai Traditional Herbal Formulae

Acknowledgement

This research study was supported for funding by Division of Research Dissemination and Facilitation, Mahasarakham University, Thailand. The research team would like to express our special thank to Assist.?Prof. Dr. Supachai Samappito, Prof. Dr.Preecha Prathepa, Sunthorn Dejchai and also to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surapote Wongyai in preparation of Thai Traditional Herbal Formula, Faculty of Oriental Medicine, Rungsit University., Thailand.

REFERENCES

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