In developing countries helminths, this includes nematodes, whipworm, and trematodes becoming a huge global health burden. The infection caused by these helminths results in chronic illness among human population. This parasitic infection can cause significant effect on day-to-day activities of humans like school performance, work productivity, human growth, which can severely deteriorate the quality of life. Either due to weak immune system or nutritional imbalance, there has been a significant rise in such cases. WHO estimates that 1.5 billion human population or 24% of the world’s total population are infected by these parasitic worms ¹. In agricultural animals, diseases caused by parasites led to losses of about billions of dollars per year throughout the world ².

An area of the body afflicted with helminthiasis has been colonized with nematodes, including tapeworms, roundworms, or pinworms. The worms usually dwell in the gastrointestinal tract, but they can also pass through bodily cavities and penetrate the liver and other organs. Although the great majority of worm-related infections are usually restricted to tropical regions, some of them might manifest in temperate climates. There are three different kinds of parasitic worms: nematodes, sometimes referred to as roundworms, cestodes, also known as tapeworms or tape, and flukes or trematodes ^{3, 4}.

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GI), such as hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms affected under 15years most ⁵. Approximately more than 10% of the population is infected by GI nematodes worldwide ⁶.

Anthelmintics are the drugs used to treat the illnesses in humans and animals brought on by parasitic worms ⁷. These drugs work to eradicate intestinal worms locally or systematically to eliminate adult helminths or evolving forms that penetrate tissues and organs. Most anthelmintic drugs on the market nowadays have adverse effects that include vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, nausea, discomfort in the abdomen, and appetite loss ⁸.

For centuries, ethnic healers and traditional medical systems have used herbal remedies to treat a variety of illnesses. Currently, it is believed that 80% of people use herbal traditional remedies to treat a variety of illness. This is in part because of its accessibility, and lack of negative side effects ⁸.

Helminthic infections are traditionally treated using a variety of plants and medicines. For the treatment, various plant parts like leaves, roots, rhizomes, etc. are utilized. Compared to contemporary treatments, these are less poisonous and more potent ³.

It has been found that the plants and herbs with anthelmintic activities contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, terpenoids and tannins which have therapeutic effect in human body.

Persea americana is a dicotyledonous tree of family Lauraceae. Since ancient times, different components of the Persea americana possess various activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-convulsant, anti-ulcer, anti-arthritic etc. ^{9, 10, 11, 12}. From the literature review, it has been evident that this plant contains tannins and flavonoids in abundant amount which may be responsible for the various activities ^10.

Musa spp. has been used traditionally for various ailments. They have various therapeutic uses such as antihypertensive activity, antimicrobial activity, antidiabetic activity, anti-ulcer activity, antidiarrheal activity etc. It is evident that other species of Musa spp. has potent anthelmintic activity. Musa sikkimensis also contains tannins and terpenoids in abundant amount which may be responsible for the various activities ^{13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.}

As of now, no research has been done to assess the anti-anthelmintic action of Persea americana leaves and Musa sikkimensis peel. Hence, this study was designed to study the potential anti-anthelmintic activity of Persea americana and Musa sikkimensis using earthworms (Pheretima posthuma).

The percentage yield of the extracts was calculated as follows:

The percentage yield of P. americana:

Weight of dried extract/weight of dried leaves powder x 100 (w/w)

= (wt. of the dried extract /wt. of dried powder) x100

= (5.874/50) x 100

=11.748%

The percentage yield of M. sikkimensis:

Weight of dried extract/weight of dried leaves powder x 100 (w/w)

= (wt. of the dried extract /wt. of dried powder) x100

= (12.53/150) x 100

=08.36%

The emergence of anthelmintic resistant spurred the search for plant-based antCics ²⁵. The medicinal plants contain various phytoconstituents and secondary metabolites that exhibit anthelmintic activity ²⁶.

The primary objective of this study was to assess theanthelmintic properties of the ethanolic extract of P. americana leaves and aqueous extract of M. sikkimensis peel. The experiment was conducted using Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma in order to determine the therapeutic capabilities of the extracts.

The experiment was carried out by preparing standard drug solution (Albendazole), P. americana leaf extract and M. sikkimensis peel extract, maintaining a concentration range of 5mg/ml, 10mg/ml and 20mg/ml respectively for each. The earthworms were kept in a beaker containing different solution of different concentration. All the concentrations of the extracts lead to paralysis and fatality of the earthworm.

It was evident that the aqueous extract of the peel of Musa sikkimensis in a dose of 20mg/ml, caused paralysis at 46.07 ± 1.45 min and death at 60.10 ± 1.54 min for earthworm, whereas the alcoholic extract of the leaves of P. Americana in a dose of 20mg/ml, caused paralysis at 50.27 ± 1.69 min and death at 68.76 ± 2.10 min respectively. While the standard drug albendazole it was recorded as 57.38 ± 1.55 min and 68.76 ± 2.10 min respectively.

From the results, it was found that P. americana and M. sikkimensis extract caused paralysis in less time in a dose dependent manner, as well as the death was caused much earlier compared to the control group. This suggests that P. americana and M. sikkimensis extract exhibited strong anthelmintic activity.

Furthermore, a link has been found between anthelmintic activity and high levels of flavonoids, terpenoids and tannins. Flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids found in various extracts have been proven to have anthelmintic properties in earlier investigations ^10.

Persea americana have been reported to have alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins and Musa sikkimensis have been reported to have terpenoids and tannins. These results suggested that P. americana and M. sikkimensis extract may possess anthelmintic activity indicating its potential use as an anthelmintic medication.

Some of the compounds present in different plant extracts can be primarily responsible for their GABA-mimetic action, causing reversible paralysis of body wall muscle in the earthworm 26. 

It may be also due to its effect on inhibition of glucose uptake in the parasites and depletion of its glycogen synthesis 27.

The possible mechanism of the anthelmintic activity cannot be completely explained on the basis of our present results. While there needs further study to isolate and reveal the active compound contained in the crude extract of P. americana leaves and M. sikkimensis peel as well as to establish mechanisms of action. The current research outcome is very encouraging and may offer an alternative to anthelmintic medication, after further investigation and can be established clinically.

Results from this work has signified that that the aqueous extract of M. sikkimensis & the alcoholic extract of P. americana have exhibited potent anthelmintic activity when compared to commonly used medicine albendazole.

These findings suggested that the treatment groups caused paralysis in less time in a dose dependent manner, as well as the death was caused much earlier compared to the control group. This suggests that P. americana and M. sikkimensis extract exhibited strong anthelmintic activity.

Flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids found in various extracts have been proven to have anthelmintic properties in earlier investigations. Persea americana and Musa sikkimensis have been reported to have these phytoconstituents. These results suggested that P. americana and M. sikkimensis extract may possess anthelmintic activity indicating its potential use as an anthelmintic medication.

From these findings it can be concluded that P. americana and M. sikkimensis may serve as the potential treatment for parasitic disorder such as helmintic infections. Further, studies can be carried out to establish the fact clinically.