Evaluation of anthelmintic activity of Amomum subulatum fruits extract

Abstract

Several species of the genus Amomum yield fruits which are usually much larger in size but less aromatic. Amomum aromaticum and Amomum kepulaga yield Bengal cardamoms (Bari Ilayachi) and round or cluster cardamoms respectively. Their seeds are generally adulterated with the authentic drug. Another drug which is known by the name small cardamom consists of the dried ripe fruits of Elettaria cardamomum, which is small in size, green to pale buff in colour, the seeds of which are removed as and when required for use.Helminthes have a complex life cycle, often involving several species. In human infection by helminthes may occur in many ways, and poor hygiene is a major contributory factor. Many enter by mouth from unpurified drinking water or in badly cooked meat from infected animals or fish.The present study is an attempt to explore the anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract of fruits of Amomum subulatum. Family-Zingibreaceae. Various doses of ethanolic extracts were evaluated for their anthelmintic activity on adult Indian earthworms, Pheretima posthuma. All extracts were able to show anthelmintic activity at 10mg/mL concentration. The activities are comparable with the standard drugs, piperazine citrate and albendazole. All the doses of ethanolic extract of Amomum subulatum showed dose dependent anthelmintic activity in comparison to standard drugs. The data were found statistically significant by using one way Anova at 5% level of significance (p< 0.05).