Gopikrishna K

Helminthes are the most common infections in man, affecting a large proportion of the world’s population. Study includes alcoholic extracts of Anacardium occidentale, Mangifera indica and combination of Anacardium occidentale and Mangifera indica leaves extracts (1:1) were evaluated for their anthelmintic activity using Pheretima posthuma model. Three concentrations (10, 20 and 50 mg/ml) of each extracts were used for this study which involved the determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worms. Extracts obtained from both leaves not only paralyzed but also killed the earthworms. Among the two drug extracts, Mangifera indica showed maximum vermifuge and vermicidal activity at the concentration of 50 mg/ml. Combination of alcoholic extracts of Anacardium occidentale and Mangifera indica also showed a significant anthelmintic activity. Observations were comparable with the standard drug at concentration of 20 mg/ml. On the basis of the observations, it was concluded that both Anacardium occidentale and Mangifera indica leaves extracts have a potential anthelmintic property.