SCREENING OF ANTI HELMINTHIC POTENTIALITY OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM BLUMEA MOLLIS (D. DON) MERR.

Remya Krishnan* and Murugan K.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Essential oils (EOs) are aromatic and are characteristic feature of many angiosperm families. Currently, studies on the biological activities of essential oils have become increasingly important in the search for natural and safe alternative medicines. Helminthiasis, a parasitic infection was considered as the major cause of ill health of peoples throughout the world. Species of Blumea belongs to the family Asteraceae and has been reported for its anti-helmintic use in ancient literature. Methods: Essential oil from leaves of Blumea mollis was extracted by Clevenger apparatus and analysed for its anti-helminthic potentiality against Pheretima posthuma, the Indian earth worm. Results: The essential oil yielded from Blumea mollis by hydro distillation was yellow in colour, transparent and clear with characteristic medicinal aroma and the yield was 0.1ml/100g. The essential oil of B. mollis exhibited significant anti-helminthic potentiality against the earth worms. The time required for paralysis and death of worms against essential oil was less than that of standard Albendazole. Conclusion: Evaluation techniques used in the present study was preliminary and qualitative. The observed anti-helmintic activity of the essential oil against worms substantiate the use of B. mollis as an anti-helmintic in the Indian system of medicine.

Keywords: Essential oil, Blumea, anti-helminthic, Asteraceae, Helminthiasis.