**1.1 Soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH)-the disease burden and current chemotherapy**

Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections are a group of infections which are acquired by the ingestion of, or contact with, soil containing infectious worm eggs or larvae [18]. STHs have been reported as the most common parasitic infections encountered in humans with an estimation of more than 1 billion people infected with at least one or more helminth parasites. They constitute an important global health challenge in resource deprived parts of the world and are prevalent in areas of poor sanitary conditions [19].

The main species of clinical importance are the intestinal roundworm (*Ascaris lumbricoides*), the whipworm (*Trichuris trichiura*) and the hookworms (*Necator americanus* and *Ancylostoma duodenale*) [18]. Common symptoms of intestinal helminthiasis include abdominal pains, nausea, itching and diarrhea and in severe cases, anemia, pneumonia, eosinophilia and malnutrition. School-aged children and preschool children are the most vulnerable group who harbor the greatest numbers of intestinal worms. As a result, they experience growth stunting and diminished physical fitness as well as impaired memory and cognition [20]. Although helminth infections are not known to be lethal as compared to other infections, they are recurrent among poor people and pose an enormous impact on the socio-economic status of the society affected [21].

#### *The Ghanaian Flora as a Potential Source of Anthelmintic and Anti-Schistosomal Agents DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97417*

Anthelmintics are a group of antiparasitic drugs that expel worms and other internal parasites out of the body by either stunting or killing them. For the treatment of STHs, the benzimidazoles specifically albendazole and mebendazole are the current treatment drugs of choice [19]. The main challenge with these anthelminthics is the development of resistance due to the intensive use of drugs in both human and live-stock [22]. With few new drugs evolving against helminth infections over the years, the fight against these parasites could become a losing battle, thus the need to search for new alternatives.
