Phytochemical and Invitro Antihelmintic Activity of Aqueous Polyherbal Seed Extract Against Indian Earthworms

Abstract

The present study was to evaluate the phytochemical screening and anthelmintic activity of aqueous polyherbal seed extract (APSE) against Pheretima posthuma. The seeds of Helianthus annuus, Cucurbita pepo, Linum usitatissimum, Citrullus lanatus and Cucumis melo was identified and purchased from local market of Nuzvid. APSE was prepared from the dried seeds of five different seeds using the solvent water. Initially, APSE was screened for phytochemical constituents by standard methods. Further, anthelmintic study was conducted against Pheretima posthuma, collected from local Vermicomposting Farm, Nuzvid. In the phytochemical screening, APSE showed presence of glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, phytosterols and tannins. In the anthelmintic study, mortality was produced in earth worm populations by APSE. The use of APSE as an anthelmintic was confirmed by using standard method against Pheretima posthuma. The results indicated that the test drug has significant anthelmintic properties. Hence, it can be concluded that the APSE can be used as a novel drug for the treatment of worm infestations.