Studies on Antihelmintic Activity of Methanollic Extract of Tamilnadia Ulignosa Retz

Abstract

Background: Tamilnadia ulignosa Retz is the most significant genus in the family Rubiaceae, which is commonly known as Divine jasmine in India.
Aim: To study the antihelmintic activity of methanol extract of Tamilnadiaulignosa Retz. on Indian adult earthworms, Pheretima posthuma (annelid).
Materials and methods: Aerial parts were extracted by using Soxhlet apparatus. Phytochemical screening of crude extracts showed the presence of Alkaloids, Tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids and proteins. Various concentrations (25, 50, 100mg/ml) of crude extracts were tested for anthelminthic activity when involved the determination of the time of paralysis and time of death of worms. The activity was compared with standard piperazine citrate.
Results: The methanolic extract shows significant activity when compared to the standard piperazine citrate. The paralysis and death time is 46, 28, 16 and 75, 51, 32 minutes respectively at concentrations 25, 50 and 100mg/ml. whereas these were 31, 18, 10 and 63, 41, 22 minutes for piperazine citrate. In order to confirm the studies in vivo studies have to be conducted.
Conclusion: Methanolic extract of Tamilnadia ulignosa Retz may be used as alternative antihelmintic treatment approach