Anthelmintic activity

The present paper investigated the In-vitro anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extracts of Mollugo nudicaulis Lam, Syzygium cumini Linn and Hibiscus vitifolius Linn to determine the possible effects by using Pheretima Posthuma (Indian adult earthworm). Two concentrations of each extracts (50,100mg/ml) were used in this activity and the same concentration of Albendazole as a standard drug and distilled water with 1%w/v carboxyl methyl cellulose as control. Determination of paralysis time (vermifuge) and death time (vermicidal) of the worms were noted. It was found that the ethanolic extracts of three plants exhibited significant anthelmintic activity at a concentration of 100mg/ml of MNE (highest activity) followed by SCE and HVE (least activity). The above traditional plants confirms the presence of ethanobotanical uses. The plants may be further explored for isolation of active constituents to bring a new active lead for suitable anthelmintic activity.

The objective of the study was to evaluate anthelmintic activity on adult Indian earthworm Phertima posthuma   in various extracts from the bark of   Zizyphus jujuba.  Z..jujuba commonly called, Red Date or Chinese date or Bera (Pushto), belonging to family Rhamnaceae, is used primarily for its fruits. Jujube, a delicious fruit, is an effective herbal remedy improving stamina and muscular strength and aids weight gain, strengthens liver function and increases immune system resistance. The dried bark of Zizyphus jujuba was powdered and extracted with various solvents by successive soxhlet hot extraction process with increasing order of polarity. The various   extracts were screened for anthelmintic activity on adult earthworms Phertima posthuma, using piperazine citrate as standard drug. The results revealed that the methanol extract of Zizyphus jujuba bark showed anthelmintic activity at a concentration of 20 mg/ml, whereas the aqueous extract of Z.jujuba bark also showed paralysis and death at similar concentrations. The other test concentrations of both the extracts showed marked degree of anthelmintic activity. The anthelmintic effect of methanol extract at 40 mg/ml concentration is comparable with that of the effect produced by the standard drug piperazine citrate. The methanol extract showed the effect beyond 80 mg/ml concentration that is comparable with the standard drug Piperazine citrate. The methanol extract was more effective than the other extracts. The activity of the extracts was found to be inversely proportional to the time taken for paralyse or death of the earth worms. The active principles responsible for anthelmintic activity is due to the presence of flavonoids, steroids and tannins in the extracts. The results concludes the methanol extract was more anthelmintic activity   than the other extracts. Keywords:  Zizyphus jujuba, Anthelmintic activity, Phertima posthuma, Piperazine citrate

The main aim of the study was to investigate phytoconstituents and anti-helminthic activity in the canthium parviflorum root. Roots were collected and shade dried. Extraction was carried out by continues hot percolation method using ethylacetate and methanol as solvents. Both the extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening, using standard methods, where as anti-helminthic activity was evaluated at three different concentrations on Pheretima Postuma; the parameters like time of paralysis and time of death were determined. The extract showed significant activity in the dose dependent manner and methanolic root extract showed significant activity than that of standard drug Albendazole. This might due to the presence of secondary metabolite tannins which are responsible for the activity.

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.