Evaluation of in vitro Anthelmintic activity of Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr. against Pheretima posthuma and Ascardia galli

Abstract

Helminthiasis is a major public health concern and in developing nations, this leads to the prevalence of pneumonia, malnutrition, eosinophilia and anaemia. In current research, the development of resistance to anthelmintics has led to the evaluation of the alternative source of medicinal plants as an anthelmintic drug. Methanol and aqueous extracts of Lannea coromandelica bark were evaluated at various concentration levels of 10, 25 and 50mg/ml for in-vitro anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma and Ascardia galli obtained from soil. Results were reported in paralysis time and worm death time in minutes. As a reference standard, piperazine citrate was used (15mg/ml). In both extracts, activity based on dose was observed. The result revealed that the extract of methanol (MELC) is more active than the aqueous extract (AELC) and can therefore be useful as anthelmintics. From these observations, it was concluded that the anthelmintic activity observed due to the presence of secondary metabolites such as flavanoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids and terpenoids. Our results report for the first time that Lannea coromandelica bark extracts have therapeutic values with prominent anthelmintic properties.