Abstract

IN VITRO MACROFILARICIDAL ACTIVITY OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS

Radhika J* and Sathya P

ABSTRACT

Lymphatic filariasis is the second leading cause of permanent and long term disability in the world. The most widely used drug in the treatment of Lymphatic filariasis is Diethylcarbamazine, Invermectin and Albendozole. These drugs have marked activity against microfilariae and are much less effective against adult worm. This warrants the need for developing an effective and safe drug, which could kill or sterilize the adult worm. Cassia occidentalis Linn, Oldenlandia herbacea L.Roxb, Sida acuta Burm.f, Clitoria ternatea Linn and Euphorbia hirta Linn were selected for the present study. Adult Setaria digitata, a filarial parasite of cattle were used as the test organism for screening the macrofilaricidal activity of the selected plants. Methanolic extract of medicinal plants were used for the study. Worm motility assay was performed and all the plant extracts showed complete immobilization of worms at 10 mg/ml at the end of 4 hours incubation period. MTT formazan colorimetric assay for viability of worms were carried out. Cassia occidentalis, Oldenlandia herbacea and Sida acuta exhibited > 50 % of formazan inhibition at 4 hours. Clitoria ternatea and Euphorbia hirta exhibited

Keywords: Lymphatic filariasis, macrofilaricidal, Cassia occidentalis, Oldenlandia herbacea, Sida acuta, Clitoria ternatea, Euphorbia hirta.