The effects of foot bath with Thunbergia Iaurifolia Lindl. on serum cholinesterase levels of farmers who highly exposed to organophosphates and carbamates at risk and unsafe levels

Abstract

Introduction: Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. is a Thai herbal medicine that has long been used as an antidote for toxic substances and insecticides. This study aimed to evaluate effect of foot bath with Thunbergia Iaurifolia Lindl. on serum cholinesterase levels of farmers who highly exposed to organophosphates and carbamates at risk and unsafe levels.
Methods: The randomized controlled trial, double-blind controlled trail was conducted. The study population comprised of farmers who had risk and unsafe levels of cholinesterase. Sixty participants were selected through simple random sampling method. Participants were divided into three groups 20 participants per group: placebo (foot bath), experimental group (foot bath
with Thunbergia Iaurifolia Lindl) and control groups. The control group did not receive any intervention. Cholinesterase levels by reactive paper were recorded at before and after treatment.
Results: The findings revealed that after 7 days, the experimental group had significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the difference between pretest and posttest Cholinesterase levels compared
to the placebo group. No statistically significant difference was noted between pretest and posttest in control group.
Conclusion: This finding suggests that the foot-bathing with Thunbergia Iaurifolia Lindl. may be useful in humans with exposure toxic substances and insecticides. Further study related to the transdermal drug delivery will be required.