Ravindra D. Bendgude, Manish S. Kondawar, Sandeep B. Patil, Rupali V.Hirave

Abstract

Helminth infections are among the most common infections in man; in developing countries they pose a large threat to public. These infections can affect most population in endemic areas with major economic and social consequences. The Capparis zeylanica Linn is commonly known as ‘Indian caper’. The all parts of plant being used from the period of Susruta as acrid, anthelmintic, analgesic, antipyretic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory effect. The present study was undertaken to evaluate anthelmintic activity of different extracts of roots Capparis zeylanica Linn. [Cappardiaceae] The different successive extracts namely petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous using Pheretima posthuma as test worms. The different concentrations (0.1%, 0.2% and 0.5%) of various extracts were tested in the bioassay which involved determination of the time of paralysis (P) and time of death (D) of the worms. Albendazole was included as standard reference and normal saline as control. The results of present study indicated that the crude ethanolic extract and aqueous extracts significantly demonstrated paralysis and also caused death of worms in dose dependent manner, as compared to standard reference albendazole. While petroleum ether extract shows weak anthelmintic effect further studies are in process to isolate the active principles responsible for the activity.