<i>In vitro </i>Anthelmintic Activity of Different Extracts of <i>Memecylon umbellatum</i>Burm.

Abstract

In the present study, the possible anthelminitic effects of different extracts (petroleum
ether, chloroform, and ethanol) and two isolated compounds β-stigmasterol (PI) and
Sitosterol (PII) from the leaves of Memecylon umbellatum on Indian earthworms
Pheretima Posthuma was investigated by in vitro experiments. Various concentrations
(25, 50, 100mg/ml) of all extracts were tested and results were expressed in terms of
time for paralysis and time for death of worms. From the activity results it was found that
the ethanolic extract and pure compound PI having the equipotent activity with standard
drug albendazole. Form the observations made higher concentration of extract produced
paralytic effect much earlier and the time to death was shorter for all worms.