ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TRIANTHEMA DECANDRA LINN. WHOLE PLANT (FAMILY: AIZOACEAE)

Aqueous extract of Trianthema decandra Linn. (Aizoaceae) was investigated for activity against Indian earthworms Pheretima posthuma. Various concentrations of extract (25-200mg/ml) were tested, which involved determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worms. Aqueous extract at the tested dose were produced significant activity. The maximum activity of aqueous extract of Trianthema decandra was 18.48 minutes as time of paralysis, 25.37 minutes as time of death at the dose of 200 mg/ml. Albendazole (20 mg/ml) which is included as standard reference showed 28 minutes as time of paralysis, 46.8 minutes as time of death. 0.5% w/v of carboxymethyl cellulose used as control there is no paralysis and death of earth worms. The present study indicates aqueous extract of Trianthema decandra acts as potential usefulness of as an anthelmintic agent. Furthermore, purification, isolation, characterization of phytoconstituents responsible for anthelmintic activity is in progress.