International Journal of Veterinary Science and Research
The Anthelmintic Efficacy of Carica Papaya Seeds and Moringa Oleifera Leaves: A Systematic Review
1Department of Public Health Education, Faculty of Environment and Public Health Education, University of Skill Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Asante-Mampong, Ghana
2Council for Scientifi c and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Animal Research Institute; CSIR College of Science and Technology, Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
3Department of Veterinary Nursing, School of Veterinary Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
4Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Sunyani Technical University, Sunyani, Ghana
5Disease Investigation Farm/Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Veterinary Service Directorate, Techiman, Bono East, Ghana
Author and article information
Prince Kyere Dwaah, Department of Public Health Education, Faculty of Environment and Public Health Education, University of Skill Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Asante-Mampong, Ghana, E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Cite this as
Awua-Boateng NY, et al. The Anthelmintic Efficacy of Carica Papaya Seeds and Moringa Oleifera Leaves: A Systematic Review. Int J Vet Sci Res. 2026; 12(1): 001-007. Available from: 10.17352/ijvsr.000156
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© 2026 Awua-Boateng NY, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.Helminth infections remain a major public health and veterinary concern worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where environmental and socioeconomic conditions facilitate parasite transmission. The increasing emergence of resistance to conventional anthelmintic drugs has intensified interest in plant-based alternatives. This systematic review evaluates available evidence on the anthelmintic efficacy of Carica papaya seeds and Moringa oleifera leaves. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, were searched for relevant studies. Eligible studies included in vitro, in vivo, or clinical investigations reporting quantitative parasitological outcomes. A total of 312 records were identified, of which 47 studies met the inclusion criteria. Evidence from experimental and clinical studies indicates that C. papaya seeds demonstrate consistent anthelmintic activity, frequently producing reductions in faecal egg counts and worm burden between 60% - 85%, largely attributed to the bioactive compound benzyl isothiocyanate. M. oleifera leaf extracts also exhibit measurable anthelmintic activity, primarily through inhibition of egg hatching and larval development, although efficacy is generally lower than that observed for papaya seeds. Overall, the findings suggest that C. papaya seeds possess stronger anthelmintic potential, whereas M. oleifera leaves may serve as supportive or complementary agents in integrated parasite management. Further research using standardized extraction methods and controlled clinical trials is needed to facilitate the development of plant-based anthelmintic therapies.
Helminth infections remain a major public health and veterinary challenge globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where environmental, socioeconomic and sanitation-related factors favour transmission [1,2]. Soil-transmitted helminths and gastrointestinal nematodes continue to impair child development, reduce productivity, and compromise livestock performance, thereby contributing substantially to the burden of neglected tropical diseases and food insecurity [2,3].
Control of these infections relies primarily on repeated administration of synthetic anthelmintic drugs. However, the effectiveness of this approach is increasingly threatened by the widespread emergence of anthelmintic resistance in both human and animal populations [4-6]. Resistance has been documented against several major drug classes, including benzimidazoles, macrocyclic lactones, and imidazothiazoles, particularly in livestock parasites [4,7].
Additional challenges associated with synthetic anthelmintics include high treatment costs, drug residues in animal products, limited accessibility in rural communities, and potential adverse effects [6,8]. These limitations have stimulated renewed interest in medicinal plants as alternative or complementary parasite control strategies.
Among the plants widely investigated for their antiparasitic properties are Carica papaya and Moringa oleifera. Seeds of C. papaya have long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of intestinal worms in both humans and animals. Experimental studies have demonstrated significant reductions in worm burden and faecal egg counts across various nematode species following treatment with papaya seed preparations [9-11]. Phytochemical analyses attribute these effects largely to compounds such as benzyl isothiocyanate, alkaloids, flavonoids, and proteolytic enzymes, which may interfere with parasite metabolic and neuromuscular processes [12,13].
Similarly, M. oleifera leaves are widely recognized for their nutritional and medicinal properties. Several studies have reported dose-dependent anthelmintic activity in both in vitro and in vivo models. The activity of M. oleifera has been associated with phytochemicals, including tannins, saponins, phenolic acids, and glucosinolates, which may disrupt egg development and larval survival [14,15].
Despite increasing research interest in these plants, existing evidence remains fragmented across different parasite species, experimental models, and outcome measures. Furthermore, comprehensive systematic syntheses of this evidence remain limited.
Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review and critically evaluate published studies on the anthelmintic efficacy of C. papaya seeds and M. oleifera leaves to clarify their therapeutic potential and identify research gaps for future pharmacological development.
Materials and methods
Review design
This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
Literature search strategy
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for studies published up to December 2025.
Search strings combined controlled vocabulary and keywords using Boolean operators:
(“Carica papaya” AND seed AND anthelmintic) OR (“Moringa oleifera” AND leaf AND anthelmintic) OR (medicinal plants AND helminths AND “egg hatch inhibition” OR “faecal egg count reduction”).
Searches were adapted for each database. Reference lists of included studies were also screened to identify additional relevant articles.
Study selection process
The review followed PRISMA guidelines.
- 312 records were identified
- 76 duplicates removed
- 236 titles/abstracts screened
- 60 full texts assessed
- 47 studies included
Screening was conducted independently by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved by consensus.
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion:
- Original in vitro, in vivo, or clinical studies
- Studies evaluating Carica papaya seeds or Moringa oleifera leaves
- Quantitative parasitological outcomes (e.g., faecal egg count reduction, egg hatch inhibition)
Exclusion:
- Review articles (used only for background discussion)
- Editorials/opinion papers
- Studies lacking measurable parasitological outcomes
Quality and risk-of-bias assessment
Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools appropriate to the study design:
- Experimental studies (in vitro/in vivo)
- Quasi-experimental studies
- Clinical trials
Studies were classified as:
- Low risk of bias
- Moderate risk
- High risk
Most included studies were of moderate quality, with common limitations including small sample sizes and a lack of standardization, as shown in Table 1.
Data synthesis
Due to heterogeneity in study design, parasite species, and outcome measures, a narrative synthesis approach was used.
Studies were grouped into:
- In vitro studies
- In vivo animal studies
- Human clinical studies
Comparative synthesis was then conducted across plant species.
Results
Study selection
A total of 312 records were identified through database searching. After the removal of 76 duplicates, 236 titles and abstracts were screened. One hundred seventy-six records were excluded due to irrelevance. Sixty full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, of which 13 were excluded for insufficient outcome data or methodological limitations. Forty-seven studies were included in the final synthesis.
Overview of included studies
A total of 47 studies were included: 21 in vitro studies, 20 in vivo animal studies, and 6 human/field studies.
Tables 2,3 present representative studies, while the full dataset informed the thematic synthesis as shown in Table 4.
In vitro evidence
Papaya seed extracts demonstrated strong ovicidal and larvicidal activity, often exceeding 70% - 90% inhibition depending on concentration.
Moringa leaf extracts showed consistent egg hatch inhibition, typically 40% - 70%, indicating moderate efficacy.
In vivo animal studies
In livestock, Carica papaya seeds produced 60% - 85% reductions in faecal egg counts (FEC) across multiple nematode species.
Moringa oleifera leaves showed variable reductions (30% - 65%), with improved outcomes when incorporated into feed.
Human clinical evidence
Limited but important evidence shows papaya seeds significantly reduced Trichuris trichiura infections in children. No comparable clinical trials were identified for moringa leaves.
Anthelmintic efficacy of Carica papaya seeds
Across experimental and clinical studies, Carica papaya seeds demonstrated consistent anthelmintic activity (Table 2). Early mechanistic work identified benzyl isothiocyanate as the principal bioactive compound responsible for nematocidal effects through metabolic disruption and cuticular damage [13]. More recent studies have further confirmed that this compound, along with other phytochemicals such as alkaloids and flavonoids, contributes to parasite paralysis and death, particularly in gastrointestinal nematodes [24,25].
In vivo studies in livestock reported substantial reductions in faecal egg counts and total worm burden following oral administration of seed extracts or powders, with efficacy commonly ranging between 60% - 85% depending on dose [11,16,17]. Recent experimental trials have reinforced these findings, demonstrating comparable reductions in helminth burden in small ruminants and poultry, particularly when ethanolic extracts or optimized formulations are used [26,27].
Clinical evidence, although limited, indicates therapeutic potential in humans: papaya seed administration significantly reduced Trichuris trichiura egg counts in naturally infected children without serious adverse effects [10]. Emerging studies have also highlighted the safety profile and potential for integration into community-based deworming strategies, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to conventional anthelmintics is constrained [28].
Overall, papaya seeds exhibited broad-spectrum activity across nematode species, with ethanolic or non-polar extracts generally demonstrating superior efficacy compared to aqueous preparations [18]. Recent advances in extraction techniques and phytochemical standardization have further improved efficacy and reproducibility, supporting the development of plant-based anthelmintic formulations targeting drug-resistant helminths [29,30-35].
Anthelmintic efficacy of Moringa oleifera leaves
M. oleifera leaf extracts showed measurable but comparatively moderate anthelmintic activity (Table 3). In vitro studies consistently reported egg hatch inhibition and reduced larval motility, particularly with ethanolic or acetone extracts [11,21].
In vivo investigations in small ruminants and poultry demonstrated reductions in parasite burden and faecal egg counts; however, efficacy was variable and generally lower than that of papaya seeds [9,16,19,22,23].
Secondary metabolites such as tannins, saponins, and flavonoids have been proposed as contributors to moringa’s anthelmintic action, primarily through interference with egg development and larval viability [20].
Moringa seed inclusion
Although this review focuses on Moringa oleifera leaves, selected studies involving seeds were included only where they provided comparative or mechanistic insights relevant to leaf efficacy. These studies are clearly identified in Table 3.
Comparative evidence
When directly compared, papaya seed extracts outperformed moringa leaf preparations in potency. However, moringa leaves demonstrated favourable safety profiles and additional nutraceutical benefits.
Discussion
This systematic review demonstrates that C. papaya seeds possess robust and reproducible anthelmintic activity across laboratory, veterinary, and limited human clinical studies. The identification of benzyl isothiocyanate as a primary active compound provides a mechanistic basis supporting traditional use and increases confidence in phytotherapeutic development [13].
By contrast, M. oleifera leaves appear better suited as supportive or adjunct anthelmintic agents rather than stand-alone treatments. Their lower potency is offset by excellent safety, nutritional benefits, and ease of incorporation into feed-based parasite management systems [20].
A major limitation across both plant species is methodological heterogeneity, including variability in extraction solvents, dosage units, parasite endpoints, and study design. This heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis and highlights the urgent need for standardized phytopharmacological protocols.
Conclusion
C. papaya seeds and M. oleifera leaves exhibit demonstrable anthelmintic activity, with papaya seeds showing superior efficacy. These plants represent promising candidates for phytotherapeutic development, particularly in regions burdened by anthelmintic resistance. Future research should prioritize standardized extraction methods, toxicity assessments, and controlled clinical trials to enable evidence-based integration into helminth control programs.
Acknowledgment
The authors sincerely acknowledge all researchers whose original studies formed the basis of this systematic review. Their contributions to ethnopharmacology, parasitology, and phytomedicine provided the essential evidence synthesized in this work. We also appreciate the efforts of academic librarians and database curators who maintain access to scientific literature, enabling comprehensive retrieval of relevant studies.
Author contributions
Conceptualization: PKD, N.Y.A-B, HAL; Methodology: PKD, N.Y.A-B, SAS, DYD, KSA; Writing: PKD, HD-F; Review & editing: N.Y.A-B, SAS, DYD, HD-F, HAL, KSA
Ethics statement
Ethical approval was not required as this study used published literature only.
Data availability
All data are included within the article.
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