Author(s): Mahendra Khyade, Deepak Kasote, Shweta Kshirsagar, Jayashri Gaikwad, Kiran Bharati
In Indian medicinal plant literature, leaves of Annona squamosa, Annona reticulata Balanites aegyptica Caesalpinia bonducella, Cleome gynandra and Diplocyclos palmatus have been traditionally reported to be used as anthelmintics. Hence, it is essential to examine these plant species for anthelmintic potential to support traditional claim. The present study was carried out to determine and compare anthelmintic efficacies of these plants against the commercially available anthelmintic drug, nitazoxamide. Ethanol extracts of leaves of all studied plants were examined for anthelmintic activity against Indian adult earthworm. All extracts demonstrated highly significant dose-dependent anthelmintic activity at tested concentrations of 10, 20, 50 mg/ml, compared with reference standard nitazoxamide. In conclusion, all studied plants have potential application in the treatment of helminthes infections. The results of this study also validated the basis for the traditional use of these plants as anthelmintics in Indian medicine.