Investigation of in-vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Calamus leptospadix Griff. Shoot in Indian Adult Earthworm (Pheretima posthuma).

ABSTRACT

Calamus leptospadix Griff. (Arecaceae), is an important ethnomedicinal plant of Assam known as Lejaibet by the local Assamese community and is being wildly used by various communities in Assam. No detailed study or reports along with scientific evidence are available with this important plant. An exhaustive study was carried out with a view to substantiate the therapeutic potential of the plant in terms of its anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma using Albendazole as a reference standard. 0.9% w/v of normal saline solution, 25mg/ml, 50mg/ml, 100mg/ml each of standard drug Albendazole and Methanolic, Ethanolic and Aqueous extracts of Calamus leptospadix Griff. were freshly prepared. Forty eight Indian Adult Earthworms were collected, divided into twelve groups containing four worms in each group. Time for paralysis and time for death were recorded for each group. All the three extracts with concentrations of 25mg/ml, 50mg/ml, 100mg/ml produced dose- dependent paralysis. Methanolic extract of Calamus leptospadix Griff. gave shortest paralysis and death time at 100mg/ml as compared to that of standard and other two extracts. Results are expressed as Mean ± SEM (P< 0.05) of 4 worms in each group. From the investigation, conclusion can be drawn that Calamus leptospadix Griff. (Arecaceae) used by the people of Assam traditionally to treat intestinal worm infections, possesses significant anthelmintic activity.