In-Vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Thespesia populnea Linn Roots

The aim of the proposed study was to evaluate anthelmintic potential of Thespesia populnea ischolar_main which was extracted with petroleum ether (60°- 80°C), chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were prepared in the percentage of 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.5%. These fractions were tested in the bioassay, which involved the determination of time taken for paralysis and death on the Indian helminthes Pheritima posthuma and Ascaris lumbricoides. Piperazine citrate was included as reference standard and 10% DMSO in normal saline as vehicle. Petroleum ether extract (0.5%) showed significant activity against the Indian varieties Pheritima posthuma, and Ascaris lumbricoides. The time taken for paralysis and death was found to be 9.25 min and 15.8min against Pheritima posthuma and 4.50 min and 9.25 min against Ascaris lumbricoides respectively. The results proved that the extracts were significant at higher concentration (0.5% pet ether) and had almost the same activity as that of the standard Piperazine citrate. The traditional use of the ischolar_main of Thespesia populnea as an anthelmintic has been confirmed.