EVALUATION OF ANTHELMENTIC ACTIVITY OF CROSSANDRA INFUNDIBULIFORMIS FLOWERS

T. Panduraju*, V. Tejomayee, V. Nandini and G. Bhaskar

ABSTRACT

Helminthiasis is the most common infection caused by macro parasitic worms that is contaminant to human body parts. An anthelmintic drug can act by causing paralysis of the worm, or by damaging its cuticle, which lead to partial digestion or rejection by immune mechanisms. Most of the existing synthetic anthelmintic drugs produce serious adverse effects. In order to eliminate the harmful side effects of these synthetic anthelmintic drugs, it is important for us to promote the studies of traditionally used anthelmintic plant based drugs. The aqueous flower extract of Crossandra infundibuliformis was prepared with distilled water by maceration method. The aqueous flower extract is used to evaluate the presence of phytoconstituents and anthelmintic activity. The phytoconstituents like carbohydrates, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids were observed in the extract. The anthelmintic activity was investigated on Indian earth worm (Pheritima posthuma). Anthelmintic activity was performed in three different concentrations such as 20 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml. Albendazole (10 mg/ml) was used as reference standard drug whereas distilled water as control. Determination of paralysis time and death time of the worms were recorded. Extract exhibited more significant anthelmintic activity at the concentration of 100 mg/ml. The results reported in the present work shows evidence that the flower of Crossandra infundibuliformis possess anthelmintic activity. Therefore, further study must be carried out so that the general people can get actual benefits from important medicinal plants like Crossandra infundibuliformis.

Keywords: Crossandra infundibuliformis, Anthelmintic activity, Pheritima posthuma, Albendazole.