In-vitro anthelmintic activity of Vernonia amygdalina Del. (asteraceae) roots using adult Haemonchus contortus worms

Abstract

This study was to investigate the anthelmintic activity of Vernonia amygdalina (Asteraceae) which is used by traditional medicine practitioners in Migori County, Kenya using adult Haemonchus contortus worm as a model. 50 gm of ground powder of Vernonia amygdalina (roots) was extracted separately with 300 ml each of methanol, acetone and water. The yields of the extracts were 4.34 gm, 4.67 gm and 4.20 gm for methanol, acetone and water respectively. The anthelmintic activity of 6.25 mg/ml, 12.5 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml concentrations of aqueous, acetone and methanol crude extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (roots), were compared with the effect produced by the standard reference drug albendazole with Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) used as a negative control. Methanolic extract gave the most active metabolite followed by water. Acetone gave the least potent extract. Death of Haemonchus contortus worm was determined within a period of 24 hrs. Vernonia amygdalina (roots) extract had mean mortality of 20-33.3% at 6.25 mg/ml; 23.3-46.7% at 12.5 mg/ml and 26.7-56.7% at 25 mg/ml. The result indicated that Vernonia amygdalina contains tannins, saponins and cardiac glycosides which are anthelmintic agents this justifies its traditional use in the treatment of helimnthiasis.