Anthelmintic
activity of Extracts of Euphorbia panchganisis
Linn.
Sandeep R. Kane1*, Shashikant V. Bhandari2
1Research
Scholar J. J. T. University, Rajasthan. India.
2A.I.S.S.M.S
College of Pharmacy, Pune, MS, India
ABSTRACT:
Helminthes
are recognized as a major problem to livestock production throughout the
tropics. Parasitic helminthes affect human being and animals by causing
considerable hardship and stunted growth. Most diseases caused by helminthes
are of a chronic and debilitating in nature. The parasitic gastroenteritis is
caused by mixed infection with several species of stomach intestinal worms,
which results weaknesses, loss of appetite, decreased feed efficiency, reduced
weight gain and decreased productivity. We here in explore scientifically the anthelmintic potential of medicinal plant of India and
substantiate the folklore claims. In present communication aqueous and
ethanolic extract of Euphorbia Panchganisis
Linn. were investigated for their anthelmintic
activity against Pheretima posthuma and Ascardia
galli. Various concentrations
were used in the bioassay, which involved paralysis and death time of the
worms. Both the extracts showed significant anthelmintic
activity.
KEYWORDS: Anthelmintic activity, Extracts, Euphorbia Panchganisis
Linn; Ascardia galli, Pheretima posthuma.
INTRODUCTION:
Helminthes are
recognized as a major problem to livestock production throughout the tropics1.
Parasitic helminthes affect human being and animals by causing considerable
hardship and stunted growth. Most diseases caused by helminthes are of a
chronic and debilitating in nature. The parasitic gastroenteritis is caused by
mixed infection with several species of stomach and intestinal worms, which
results weaknesses, loss of appetite, decreased feed efficiency, reduced weight
gain and decreased productivity.2 Euphorbia Panchganisis
Linn. in Ayurveda prescribe as an ingredient of vegetable
soup for diarrhoea, painful bleeding piles3.
The latex of plant was applied on ring worm and eruptive boils. According to Bhaavaprakaasha, plant is expectorant cures aggravated
cough, skin disease, parasitic infection, promotes conception possesses
aphrodisiac and age- sustaining properties.4 The leaves and seeds
are given in worm cases and in certain bowel affections of children in the
Tamil country. In Northern India, they are considered stimulant and laxative.
In Konkan, the juice is used to cure ringworm. The
expressed juice or the powered plant is administered internally with wine as a
remedy for snake-bite, and it is applied externally to the part bitten7.
E. Panchganisis
has also shown beneficial effects when used n the treatment of Diarrhea and
Dysentery5. E. Panchganisis possesses antioxidant and antiviral activities6.
The plant is commonly used as an herbal medicine. It is believed to possess
antioxidant, antitumour, anti-malarial, anti rash,
anti dysentery, anti carbuncle detoxification and antihemorrhoidal
activity. Present study aims at exploring the details of anthelmintic
action of extracts of Euphorbia Panchganisis
Linn.
Table No.1 Anthelmintic
activity of extracts of Euphorbia Panchganisis
Linn.
Test subs |
Concentrations (mg/ml) |
Time taken for paralysis (P) and death (D) of worms in Mins |
|||
|
P. posthuma |
A. galli |
||||
|
Paralysis |
Death |
Paralysis |
Death |
||
|
Control |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Aqueous extract |
10 |
29.17 ± 0.47 |
67.83 ± 0.60 |
20.72 ± 0.46 |
51.06 ± 0.58 |
|
50 |
19.67 ± 0.71 |
50.67 ± 0.55 |
12.30 ± 0.3 |
38.25
± 0.54 |
|
|
100 |
08.66 ± 0.33 |
33.33 ± 0.66 |
9.10 ± 0.29 |
30.25 ± 0.33 |
|
|
Alcoholic extract |
10 |
30.11 ± 0. 74 |
76.83 ± 0.06 |
35.72 ± 0.64 |
61.07 ± 0.78 |
|
50 |
20.76 ± 0.81 |
57.87 ± 0.75 |
32.30 ± 0.34 |
48.35 ± 0.54 |
|
|
100 |
10.46 ± 0.37 |
37.33 ± 0.86 |
12.10 ± 0.49 |
40.15 ± 0.13 |
|
|
Piperazine citrate |
10 |
18.83 ± 0.60 |
60.33 ± 0.49 |
15.17 ± 0.47 |
41.67 ± 0.76 |
Results are
expressed as mean ± SEM from six observations
The leaves of Euphorbia
panchganisis were air dried and coarsely
powdered. The powdered material was macerated in distilled water: chloroform
(9:1) to form an aqueous extract. The extract was concentrated to a small
residue (5 gm). Alcoholic extract was
prepared by using soxhlet extractor. The aqueous and
alcoholic extract was tested for preliminary phytochemical
studies.
Indian adult earthworms (Pheretima posthuma) were collected from water logged areas and Ascardia galli
(nematode) worm were obtained from freshly slaughtered fowls (Gallus gallus).Both
worm types were identified at the Department of Zoology, Willingdon
College, Sangli.
Evaluation of anthelmintic
activity: 7, 8
The anthelmintic
assay was carried as per method of Ajaiyeoba et al1
with minor modifications. The anthelmentic activity
was evaluated on adult Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma worm due to its anatomical and physiological
resemblance with the intestinal round worms parasites of human beings Ascardia galli
(nematode) worms are easily available in slaughtered fowls and it can be used
as screening model for anthelmintic drugs as
advocated earlier. Three different concentrations, each of crude alcoholic and
aqueous extract (10, 50,100 mg/ml in distilled water) were prepared and six
worms (same type) were placed in it. This was done for both type of worms
Observation were made for the time taken to cause paralysis and death of the
individual worms. Mean time for the paralysis (P) in min was noted when no
movement of any sort could be observed ,except when the worm was shaken vigorously; time of death (D) in min was
recorded after ascertaining the worms neither moved when shaken vigorously nor
when dipped in warm water (50°C). Piperazine citrate
(10mg/ml) was included as reference compound 7, 8
All results are
expressed as mean ± standard error. The data was analyzed using two ways of
analysis of variance (ANOVA). The statistical significance of the difference of
the means was evaluated by Dunnet's test.
Preliminary
phytochemical screening of plant of Euphorbia panchganisis
Linn showed the presence of diterpenoids,
steroids, tannins and resins. Aqueous extract exhibited anthelmintic
activity in dose-dependent manner giving shortest time of paralysis (P) and
death (D) with 100 mg/ml concentration. It shows in (Table I) the aqueous
extract revealed paralysis of 8.66 and 33.33 min. and alcoholic extract shows
paralysis of 8.66 and 33.33 min 10.46 and 37.33 against the earthworm Pheretima posthuma. The
reference drug Piperazine citrate showed the same at
18.83 and 60.33 minutes, respectively. Ascardia galli worms also showed sensitivity to the aqueous
extract of Euphorbia panchganisis
Linn. The aqueous extract displayed paralysis and death in 9.10 and 30.25
min and the alcoholic extract showed paralysis and death in 12.10 and 40.15 min
and respectively, at higher concentration of 100 mg/ml. Piperazine
citrate did the same at 15.17 and 41.67 min. Thus Tannins
were shown to produce anthelmintic activities
chemically tannins are polyphenolic compounds. It is
possible that tannins contained in the extracts of Euphorbia panchganisis Linn. produced similar effects. Reported anthelmintic effect of tannins is that they can bind to
free proteins in the gastrointestinal tract of host animal or glycoprotein on
the cuticle of the parasite and may cause death. Further studies are in process
to identify the possible Phytoconstituent responsible
for anthelmintic activity.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
We all authors are thankful to our beloved
Principal Dr. C. S. Magdum for his kind support and
guidance in our work.
2.
Gibbs, H.C.; Epidemiology Diagnosis and Control of
Gastrointestinal parasitism. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 72 (4); 2010: 520-521.
3. Gupta B., Srivastava
R., Goyal R. Pharmacog
Reviews, 2; 2007: 299.
4. Khare I.P.: Rational western Therapy,
Ayurveda and other Traditional usage: Indian herbal
remedies, 2008.
5. Kirtikar K. R., Basu
B. D.: Indian medicinal plants. Periodicals Experts Book Agency, Delhi: 1975.
6. Adnaik R., Pai P., Mule S., Naikwade N., Magdum C. Asian Journal of Experimental Sciences, 22
; 2008: 159-160.
7. Shivkar Y. M., Kumar V. L., Anthelmintic activity of latex of Calotropis
procera. Pharmaceutical Biology, 4;
2003: 263-265.
8.
Mali R. G., Hundiwale J. C., Sonawane R. S., Patil R. N.,
Evaluation of Capparis decidua
for anthelmintic and antimicrobial activities. Indian Journal
of Natural Products. 4;
2004: 10-13.
Received on 10.05.2013
Modified on 03.06.2013
Accepted on 11.06.2013
© A&V Publication all right reserved
Research Journal of
Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 5(4): July- August 2013, 185-187