Home⇛Science Asia Review⇛vol. 13 no. 1 (2026)

Tonigenocity Effect Of Tubli (Derris Elliptica) Spray Against Soil-Transmitted Helminth Eggs In Contaminated Soil: Basis For Sustainable Worm Control

Quennee Marielle Ross D. Benitez | Klaire P. Canday | Luzel Mae D. Cosep | Eduardo D Danda II

Discipline: biology (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) remain a persistent global health challenge because conventional pharmaceutical anthelmintics primarily target adult worms while leaving resilient eggs viable, leading to frequent reinfections. This study investigates the tonigenicity—the capacity to induce structural damage—of Tubli (Derris elliptica) root extract spray on the extracellular and intracellular orientations of Ascaris lumbricoides eggs to assess its potential as a natural agent. Researchers isolated STH eggs from human fecal samples and exposed them in vitro to 50% and 100% concentrations of Tubli root extract using a triplicate, single-blind experimental design. Albendazole served as the positive control, while normal saline functioned as the negative control. Over exposure periods of 24 and 48 hours, researchers microscopically evaluated the eggs for extracellular and intracellular changes, specifically focusing on its size, membrane and nuclear orientation. The findings revealed that 100% Tubli extract induced the most severe structural damage, including a 13.3% rate of membrane shrinkage and an 8.3% bursting rate, particularly after 48 hours of exposure. While the extract caused significant nuclear alterations and internal degradation, researchers observed no substantial changes in overall egg size. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences across treatment groups and time intervals ($p < 0.05$). The study concludes that Tubli extract possesses strong potential as a sustainable, natural agent for disrupting the STH life cycle. The researchers recommend focusing future efforts on the development of standardized, safe formulations and implementing advanced extraction protocols to optimize the concentration of active rotenone for environmental application.



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