In Vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Methanolic Extract of Senna tora L. Seeds

Abstract

Parasitic infection including Helminthiasis is a critical problem in the tropical region and gastro-intestinal helminthes are becoming resistant to currently available drugs. Hence there is an increasing demand towards natural anthelmintics. The aim of the work was to investigate the anthelmintic activity of Senna tora seeds. Methanol extract from the seeds of Senna tora were investigated for their anthelmintic activity against Earthworms and Housefly worms at different concentrations (25, 50 and 100 mg/ml) which involved the determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worms. Albendazole was included as reference standard and distilled water as control. The study found that there is significant difference between Senna tora seeds, Albendazole and distilled water. The seeds extract was able to both paralyzed and extirpated the worms unlike the standard drug that only cause paralysis of the worms and hence the seeds of S. tora possess potent anthelmintic activity.