COMPARATIVE IN VITRO ANTHELMINTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF METHANOLIC AND PETROLEUM ETHER EXTRACTS OF WOODFERDIA FRUTICOSA (L). FLOWER

Abstract

The present study aims at preliminary phytochemical investigation and anthelmintic activity of dried flowers of Woodfordia fruticosa (L). The dried flowers were extracted individually with methanol and petrolium ether. The extracts were evaluated for phytochemical studies. Preliminary screening of the flowers of Woodfordia fruticosa revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins and glycosides in major quantities, phenols in moderate quantities and anthraquinones and flavonoids in minor quantities. Methanol extract and Petrolium ether extract of Woodfordia fruticosa flower were tested for anthelmintic potential against the Indian earth worm Pheritima posthuma. Different concentrations of the extract ranging from 50-100 μg / ml were tested and results expressed as time required for paralysis and death of the worms. Piperazine citrate (10 mg / ml) and Albendazole (20 mg / ml) were used as a reference standards and DMSO (1
%) as the negative control. The methanolic extract of Woodferdia fruticosa (L) flower exhibited significant anthelmintic activity as compared to petroleum ether extract.