Abstract

INVITRO ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF EXTRACTS OF ERYTHRINA VARIEGATA LEAVES IN INDIAN EARTHWORM PHERETIMA POSTHUMA

Vennila V*, Selvarani R, Anitha R, Marthal Mariyal A, Nivetha R and Pavithra V

ABSTRACT

Different extracts of Erythrina vaiegata were taken for anthelmintic activity against Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma. Four concentrations (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/ml) of various extracts were tested and results were expressed in terms of time for paralysis and time for death of worms. Albendazole (15 mg/ml) was used as reference standard and carboxy methyl cellulose (0.5%) as a control group. Dose dependent activity was observed in the plant extracts but methanolic extract exhibited more activity as compared to others. The invitro anthelmintic activity of E. variegata leaves extract has therefore been demonstrated for the first time.

Keywords: Erythrina variegate, Pheretima posthuma, anthelmintic activity, Albendazole.